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Stratigraphy and tectonics of an Internal Unit of the southern Apennines: implications for the geodynamic evolution of the peri‐Tyrrhenian mountain belt
Author(s) -
Ciarcia S.,
Vitale S.,
Di Staso A.,
Iannace A.,
Mazzoli S.,
Torre M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
terra nova
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.353
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-3121
pISSN - 0954-4879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3121.2008.00859.x
Subject(s) - geology , nappe , stratigraphy , paleontology , tectonics , sedimentary rock , structural basin , stratigraphic unit , ecological succession , continental margin , geomorphology , ecology , biology
Abstract The Parasicilide succession is a key element of the southern Apennine orogen, being originally located in the distal portion of the Apulian palaeomargin, at the Neotethys ocean‐continent transition. The succession, presently included in the upper nappe complex of the thrust belt, has been described elsewhere as a `broken formation'. However, detailed investigations carried out in the Sele Valley point out that there the Parasicilide Unit is characterized by a coherent stratigraphy. Therefore, in the study area, these rocks form a coherent sheet of distal continental margin/oceanic sedimentary cover material included within the peri‐Tyrrhenian mountain belt. Stratigraphic and structural constraints obtained from both pre‐and syn‐orogenic deposits – the latter including both foredeep and thrust‐top basin sediments – suggest that the pre‐orogenic part of the Parasicilide succession subsided into the Apennine foredeep in the first part of the Burdigalian. The studied rocks were then involved in thrusting prior to late Burdigalian/early Langhian times.