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Geological evidence of paleotsunamis at Torre degli Inglesi (northeast Sicily)
Author(s) -
Pantosti D.,
Barbano M. S.,
Smedile A.,
De Martini P. M.,
Tigano G.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2007gl032935
Subject(s) - radiocarbon dating , geology , excavation , sequence (biology) , archaeology , deposition (geology) , range (aeronautics) , paleontology , geography , sediment , genetics , materials science , composite material , biology
Two layers of fine sand of marine origin occur in a sequence of organic rich colluvia in an archaeological excavation at Torre degli Inglesi, on Capo Peloro, northeast Sicily. Stratigraphic and micropaleontologic analyses support the hypothesis that these layers are related to deposition due to paleotsunami waves. Their ages are constrained both with radiocarbon and archaeological datings. The age of the oldest layer is coincident with the 17 A.D. earthquake that hit Reggio Calabria but for which no tsunami was previously reported. The age of the youngest layer can be only constrained in the range 3rd–19th century and is tentatively associated to the 6 Feb. 1783 event.