NEOTECTONIC EVIDENCE IN THE QUATERNARY CONTINENTAL CARBONATES FROM SOUTHERN VALDELSA BASIN (TUSCANY)

Abstract

E. Capezzuoli et al., Neotectonic evidence in the quaternary continental carbonates from southern Valdelsa Basin
(Tuscany). (IT ISSN 0394-3356, 2006).
Recognition of tectonic structures in Quaternary sediments is usually very difficult, mainly in detrital and uncemented deposits. On the
contrary, Quaternary continental carbonates represent an important exception that have the quality of being potential indicators of
neotectonics significance. Facies analyses of some Quaternary calcareous tufa succession in the Valdelsa Basin (Southern Tuscany)
point out a neotectonics activity that have interested these deposits during the Middle Pleistocene-Holocene. Recognition of neotectonics activity is mainly based on identification of “anomalous” bedding of these recent deposits, in contrast with the original setting of their depositional environment. This evidence imply two tectonic phases in southern Valdelsa during the Middle-Late Pleistocene and the Late Pleistocene-Holocene. All this evidence will be useful for a better comprehension of the evolution of this Northern Apennine sector during the Quaternary.