F. Mirabella, F. Bucci, M. Cardinali, F. Guzzetti, 2013, Morpho-structural features and drainage pattern related to extensional faulting_ an example from the Northern Apennines (Italy)., IAG, 2013, Parigi, 27-31/Agosto/2013,
URL: http://www.cnr.it/prodotto/i/300790

The combined effect of regional uplift, denudation/deposition processes and active faulting produces characteristic drainage network and morpho-structural features. In areas undergoing extensional faulting, the investigation of the tectono-sedimentary evolution of fault-controlled basins through the analysis of morpho-structural features and drainage pattern can provide valuable information on the space-time evolution of the active deformation. We explore this topic on a Quaternary extensional basin located in the upper part of the Pugliola and Attone basins (Northern Apennines of Italy) where both GPS and seismological data reveals the recent tectonic activity of the area. The Quaternary extension has been accommodated by NW-SE trending normal faults, which have attained mature morphologic and structural features and, nowadays, separate mountain ranges from intermountain basins. In order to understand the Quaternary evolution of the study area, we integrate field data with river longitudinal profiles analysis and aerial-photo-geological interpretation. Most of the morpho-structural features were identified through the analysis of multi-scale and multi-temporal aerial photographs, identifying the_ (i) attitude of fault and bedding planes, (ii) fault-controlled landslides, (iii) pattern of rivers network and (iv) spatial distribution of river terraces. Basing on our analysis we show that recent faulting occurs on NE-dipping and SW-dipping structures, which cut the inherited landscape and deform the continental deposits. Recent fault motion has conditioned the rivers pathway and the tectono-sedimentary evolution of their valleys, where fault-controlled subsidence has captured the river courses and produced subsiding plains. The location of landslides close to extensional faulting suggests a structural control also on the morphological instabilities and hence has implications for hazard.

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