scholarly journals Plio–Quaternary Structural Evolution of the Outer Sector of the Marche Apennines South of the Conero Promontory, Italy

Geosciences ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 184
Author(s):  
Mario Costa ◽  
Jessica Chicco ◽  
Chiara Invernizzi ◽  
Simone Teloni ◽  
Pietro Paolo Pierantoni

Some new results and preliminary remarks about the Plio–Quaternary structural and evolutionary characteristics of the outer Marche Apennines south in the Conero promontory are presented in this study. The present analysis is based on several subsurface seismic reflection profiles and well data, kindly provided by ENI S.p.A. and available on the VIDEPI list, together with surface geologic–stratigraphic knowledge of Plio–Quaternary evolution from the literature. Examples of negative vs. positive reactivation of inherited structures in fold and thrust belts are highlighted. Here, we present an example from the external domain of the Marche Apennines, which displays interesting reactivation examples from the subsurface geology explored. The study area shows significant evolutionary differences with respect to the northern sector of the Marche region previously investigated by the same research group. The areal distribution of the main structures changes north and south of the ENE–WSW oriented discontinuity close to the Conero promontory. Based on the old tripartite classification of the Pliocene, the results of this work suggest a strong differential subsidence with extension occurring during the Early Pliocene and principal compressive deformation starting from the Middle Pliocene and decreasing or ceasing during the Quaternary. The main structure in this area is the NNW–SSE Coastal Structure, which is composed of E-vergent shallow thrusts and high-angle deep-seated normal faults underneath. An important right-lateral strike–slip component along this feature is also suggested, which is compatible with the principal NNE–SSW shortening direction. As mentioned, the area is largely characterized by tectonic inversion. Starting from Middle Pliocene, most of the Early Pliocene normal faults became E-vergent thrusts.

Geosciences ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Maria Filomena Loreto ◽  
Camilla Palmiotto ◽  
Filippo Muccini ◽  
Valentina Ferrante ◽  
Nevio Zitellini

The southern part of Tyrrhenian back-arc basin (NW Sicily), formed due to the rifting and spreading processes in back-arc setting, is currently undergoing contractional tectonics. The analysis of seismic reflection profiles integrated with bathymetry, magnetic data and seismicity allowed us to map a widespread contractional tectonics structures, such as positive flower structures, anticlines and inverted normal faults, which deform the sedimentary sequence of the intra-slope basins. Two main tectonic phases have been recognised: (i) a Pliocene extensional phase, active during the opening of the Vavilov Basin, which was responsible for the formation of elongated basins bounded by faulted continental blocks and controlled by the tear of subducting lithosphere; (ii) a contractional phase related to the Africa-Eurasia convergence coeval with the opening of the Marsili Basin during the Quaternary time. The lithospheric tear occurred along the Drepano paleo-STEP (Subduction-Transform-Edge-Propagator) fault, where the upwelling of mantle, intruding the continental crust, formed a ridge. Since Pliocene, most of the contractional deformation has been focused along this ridge, becoming a good candidate for a future subduction initiation zone.


1974 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lewis H. King ◽  
Brian MacLean ◽  
Gordon B. Fader

Four erosional unconformities have been recognized within the Mesozoic-Cenozoic succession on the Scotian Shelf, on the basis of data from high resolution seismic reflection profiles. Older unconformities are known from well data and others may be revealed by detailed biostratigraphic studies.The oldest of the four unconformities discussed in this paper is of Early Cretaceous age and appears to mark, with discordance, the boundary between Jurassic and Cretaceous strata on the western part of the shelf. A second angular unconformity, of Late Cretaceous age, has been recognized on the central part of the shelf where the basal part of the Banquereau Formation (Tertiary and uppermost Cretaceous) oversteps the zero-edge of the Wyandot Formation (Upper Cretaceous) and lies upon truncated beds of the Dawson Canyon Formation (Upper Cretaceous). Cut-and-fill relationships characterize a third unconformity developed during Early Tertiary time. A fourth unconformity was developed in Late Tertiary – Pleistocene time by fluvial processes and later by glacial processes. Although in many areas the latest unconformity appears to be the most conspicuous one on the shelf, its configuration closely follows the geomorphic expression developed during the previous period of erosion. The regional extent of the Cretaceous unconformities is not known, and they might only occur near basin margins and on structural and basement highs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Granado ◽  
Jonas B. Ruh ◽  
Pablo Santolaria ◽  
Philipp Strauss ◽  
Josep Anton Muñoz

We present a series of 2D thermo-mechanical numerical experiments of thick-skinned crustal extension including a pre-rift salt horizon and subsequent thin-, thick-skinned, or mixed styles of convergence accompanied by surface processes. Extension localization along steep basement faults produces half-graben structures and leads to variations in the original distribution of pre-rift salt. Thick-skinned extension rate and salt rheology control hanging wall accommodation space as well as the locus and timing of minibasin grounding. Upon shortening, extension-related basement steps hinder forward propagation of evolving shallow thrust systems; conversely, if full basin inversion takes place along every individual fault, the regional salt layer is placed back to its pre-extensional configuration, constituting a regionally continuous décollement. Continued shortening and basement involvement deform the shallow fold-thrust structures and locally breaches the shallow décollement. We aim at obtaining a series of structural, stratigraphic and kinematic templates of fold-and-thrust belts involving rift basins with an intervening pre-rift salt horizon. Numerical results are compared to natural cases of salt-related inversion tectonics to better understand their structural evolution.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 174-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majid Khan ◽  
Yike Liu ◽  
Asam Farid ◽  
Muhammad Owais

Abstract Regional seismic reflection profiles and deep exploratory wells have been used to characterize the subsurface structural trends and seismo-stratigraphic architecture of the sedimentary successions in offshore Indus Pakistan. To improve the data quality, we have reprocessed the seismic data by applying signal processing scheme to enhance the reflection continuity for obtaining better results. Synthetic seismograms have been used to identify and tie the seismic reflections to the well data. The seismic data revealed tectonically controlled, distinct episodes of normal faulting representing rifting during Mesozoic and transpression at Late Eocene time. A SW-NE oriented anticlinal type push up structure is observed resulted from the basement reactivation and recent transpression along Indian Plate margin. The structural growth of this particular pushup geometry was computed. Six mappable seismic sequences have been identified on seismic records. In general, geological formations are at shallow depths towards northwest due to basement blocks uplift. A paleoshelf is also identified on seismic records overlain by Cretaceous sediments, which is indicative of Indian-African Plates rifting at Jurassic time. The seismic interpretation reveals that the structural styles and stratigraphy of the region were significantly affected by the northward drift of the Indian Plate, post-rifting, and sedimentation along its western margin during Middle Cenozoic. A considerable structural growth along the push up geometry indicates present day transpression in the margin sediments. The present comprehensive interpretation can help in understanding the complex structures in passive continental margins worldwide that display similar characteristics but are considered to be dominated by rifting and drifting tectonics.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vitale Stefano ◽  
Prinzi Ernesto Paolo ◽  
Francesco D'Assisi Tramparulo ◽  
Sabatino Ciarcia

<p>We present a structural study on late Miocene-early Pliocene out-of-sequence thrusts affecting the southern Apennine chain. The analyzed structures are exposed in the Campania region (southern Italy). Here, leading thrusts bound the N-NE side of the carbonate ridges that form the regional mountain backbone. In several outcrops, the Mesozoic carbonates are superposed onto the unconformable wedge-top basin deposits of the upper Miocene Castelvetere Group, providing constraints to the age of the activity of this thrusting event. We further analyzed the tectonic windows of Giffoni and Campagna, located on the rear of the leading thrust. We reconstructed the orogenic evolution of this part of the orogen. The first was related to the in-sequence thrusting with minor thrusts and folds, widespread both in the footwall and in the hanging wall. A subsequent extension has formed normal faults crosscutting the early thrusts and folds. All structures were subsequently affected by two shortening stages, which also deformed the upper Miocene wedge top basin deposits of the Castelvetere Group. We interpreted these late structures as related to an out-of-sequence thrust system defined by a main frontal E-verging thrust and lateral ramps characterized by N and S vergences. Associated with these thrusting events, LANFs were formed in the hanging wall of the major thrusts. Such out-of-sequence thrusts are observed in the whole southern Apennines and record a thrusting event that occurred in the late Messinian-early Pliocene. We related this tectonic episode to the positive inversion of inherited normal faults located in the Paleozoic basement. These envelopments thrust upward crosscut the allochthonous wedge, including, in the western zone of the chain, the upper Miocene wedge-top basin deposits. Finally, we suggest that the two tectonic windows are the result of the formation of an E-W trending regional antiform, associated with a late S-verging back-thrust, that has been eroded and crosscut by Early Pleistocene normal faults.</p>


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. SH19-SH31
Author(s):  
Gabriela Salomão Martins ◽  
Webster Ueipass Mohriak ◽  
Nivaldo Destro

The Sergipe-Alagoas Basin, situated in the north-east Brazilian margin, has a long tradition of oil and gas production and the presence and distribution of evaporites play an important role in petroleum systems in the basin. However, little research has focused on the structural evolution of the older, synrift evaporitic sections of the basin. We have focused explicitly in the detailed subsurface structural characterization of the rift in the Alagoas subbasin and the distribution of the Early Aptian evaporites. To accomplish this objective, we interpreted selected 2D and 3D seismic and well data located in two areas known as the Varela Low (VL) and Fazenda Guindaste Low (FGL). We identified diverse deformation styles in those two basin depocenters. Our interpretation indicates that VL consists of a half-graben with a significant rollover structure, controlled by two listric northeast–southwest border faults. The deformation in the hanging wall is also accommodated by release faults and minor antithetic faults. In this depocenter, we mapped in the seismic and the well data an older evaporitic sequence within the Coqueiro Seco Fm., known as Horizonte Salt. This evaporitic section occurs in the internal part of the VL half graben, where it is limited by release and antithetic faults. Significant salt strata growing toward the antithetic fault is observed. Whereas, the FGL represents a graben elongated along the north-east direction and is controlled by several types of structures. We recognized normal synthetic and antithetic faults, transfer zones, release faults, and rollover anticlines in the seismic throughout this depocenter. We mapped an evaporitic section within the Maceió Fm., known as Paripueira Salt, which consists of disconnected salt bodies, restricted to the hanging walls of synrift faults.


2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 483
Author(s):  
Marcus Lemberger ◽  
James Stockley ◽  
Tim Gibbons

After an initial 2010 stratigraphic, depositional environment and facies determination study of 75 wells in the Browse Basin, TGS has pushed this high-resolution project north into the Bonaparte Basin area. The study incorporates a further 165 wells located across the Ashmore Platform, Vulcan Sub-basin, Londonderry High, Malita and Calder Grabens, Sahul and Flamingo synclines, Laminara and Flamingo highs, Sahul Platform, Troubadour Terrace, and offshore Petrel Sub-basin areas. This multi-basin project has combined all the selected relevant public data into one interpretation study and is delivered in an integrated environment—wells are standardised and sequences interpreted. Once depositional environment and facies are allocated, multi-element maps are produced showing how the basin environments change through time and structural evolution. Stratigraphic interpretation has determined 37 sequences and 32 associated facies maps. Both Browse Basin (140,000 km2) and Bonaparte Basin (270,000 km2) are relatively less explored and at different ages in their exploration life-cycle. Both have proved to be oil and gas bearing across numerous different stratigraphic ages with a wide range of trapping and reservoir methods. This study aims to further aid North West Shelf exploration by delineating, among other facets, the presence or otherwise of rocks with reservoir and seal potential and by identifying structural elements such as the Petrel Sub-basin salt diapirs. This regional well data stratigraphic approach has been used across all the UK and Norway continental shelf hydrocarbon provinces. TGS sees the Australian North West Shelf as a province where this approach will further assist sub-surface understanding, and hence exploration success.


2000 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 133 ◽  
Author(s):  
BS Mackness ◽  
S Wroe ◽  
J Muirhead ◽  
C Wilkinson ◽  
D Wilkinson

FOUR fossil peramelemorphians are currently recognised ? Yarala burchfieldi from Miocene deposits of Riversleigh (Muirhead and Filan 1995; Muirhead in press), Ischnodon australis from the Early to Middle Pliocene Palankarinna Fauna (Stirton 1955), Perameles allinghamensis from the Early Pliocene Bluff Downs Local Fauna (Archer 1976) and P. bowensis from the Early Pliocene Bow Local Fauna (Muirhead et al. 1997). Three of these fossil taxa are referable to modern families. Ischnodon australis represents the Thylacomyidae, while Perameles allinghamensis and P. bowensis represent the Peramelidae. Yarala burchfieldi, in contrast, represents the superfamily Yaraloidea (Muirhead in press).


2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 1279-1311 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Celâl Şengör

The Albula Pass region lies between the Lower Austroalpine Err Nappe and the Middle Austroalpine Silvretta Nappe. They will be treated here as the frame of the non- to gently metamorphic sedimentary units between the two during the Alpide times. Sedimentation started on a metamorphic Hercynian basement during the latest Carboniferous(?) and continued into the Permian. Then a sequence from the Alpine Buntsandstein to the medial Jurassic to early Cretaceous Aptychenkalk (=Maiolica) and radiolarites were deposited in an environment of rifting and subsidence. The succeeding Palombini clastics were laid down after the Aptychenkalk and mark the onset of shortening in the Alpine realm. The initial structures that formed were at least two north-dipping normal faults which formed before the deposition of the Jurassic sedimentary rocks. When shortening set in, the first structure that came into being was the south-vergent Elalbula Nappe, bending the normal faults into close antiforms. It became further dismembered into two pieces creating parts of the future Ela and Albula nappes in the Albula region. This motion was later reversed, when the entire ensemble became bulldozed by the immense body of the Silvretta Nappe along numerous, closely spaced thrust faults, some of which only very locally followed horizontal bits of the old normal faults, but in principle they determined their own course. No evidence for westerly motion could be identified, although microstructures in the structural fabric were not studied. The reason for this may be the pre-orogenic fabric in the bounding tectonic units.


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