Tettonica mesopleistocenica dei terrazzi nord-orientali del Fucino (Italia centrale)

Abstract

: Research conducted in the Fucino Basin area over the last few years has made it possible to outline the stratigraphic and tectonic pattern of this region between the Pliocene and Present. Progressive tilting of the continental deposits during this period is further evidence of the tectonic activity of the Fucino structures during the Quaternary. In the northeastern portion of the Fucino Basin, near the town of Pescina, the outcropping continental deposits are tilted towards the NE. The evolution of this area has been reconstructed on the basis of integrated morphological, stratigraphic and tectonic studies, and the tilting of these deposits has been attributed to the activity of the Pescina and Pescina Station faults. The Pescina Station fault (F1) tilted the area to the SW and was active up to some time after the deposition of the oldest Middle Pleistocene formation (the Pescina Formation) as shown by the fact that it Is sealed by younger Middle Pleistocene deposits of the "Casoii" Formation. The Pescina fault (F1) was responsible for the tilting of the area between the Pescina fault and the " Marsicana Highway" fault (F3). The most important movements along the Pescina fault occurred before the formation of the surface underlying the terrace at el. 800 m a.s.i. (Pervole Formation of Middle Pleistocene age). Fault F3, still active today, has lowered the pre-Holocene continental deposits of the Fucino Plain; the northeastern continental deposits are suspended over the Plain owing to the activity of this fault. The reconstruction of the sedimentary and erosional events has made it possible to trace out the paieoriver-bed of the Giovenco River; up to the Middle Pleistocene the terminal portion of this river was different from the present river course.