Abstract
ABSTRACTThis work presents a morphotectonic map of the Pescara River basin (1:40,000 scale), located in the piedmont-hilly area of the central-eastern Apennines (Abruzzo Region, Italy), and stretching from the eastern slope of the chain (Maiella Massif, Morrone Mt. and Gran Sasso Range) to the Adriatic coast. It is the outcome of an extensive drainage basin-scale geomorphological analysis and incorporates four main sections: orography and hydrography; morphotectonics; azimuthal analysis of the morphotectonic elements; Quaternary fluvial deposits and morphotectonic profiles. The morphotectonic map provides a basis for the study of morphotectonic features at basin-scale, the reconstruction of paleo-landscapes with special regard to drainage network evolution, and the recognition of tectonic control and selective erosion on the landscape. It also contributes to an outline of the main phases of the post-orogenic landscape evolution of the piedmont-hilly area of the Apennines, resulting from the link of alternating morphotectonic and surface processes.
Highlights
Determining the relative influence of tectonics, climate, base-level, and local factors on the evolution of the fluvial system is key to understanding landscape dynamics (Bull, 2007; Schumm, 1977)
In the Adriatic piedmont of the Italian Apennines, major valleys are characterized by a staircase of alluvial terraces that have developed since the Middle Pleistocene, and whose evolution is correlated with climatic oscillation and uplift processes (Coltorti, Consoli, Dramis, Gentili, & Pambianchi, 1991; Demangeot, 1965; Dramis, 1992; Farabollini & Nisio, 1997; Nesci, Savelli, Calderoni, Elmi, & Veneri, 1995)
We present the morphotectonic map of the Pescara River basin, at a 1:40,000 scale, implemented with integrated geomorphological analyses focused on hydrographic, fluvial/alluvial and morphotectonic features
Summary
Determining the relative influence of tectonics, climate, base-level, and local factors on the evolution of the fluvial system is key to understanding landscape dynamics (Bull, 2007; Schumm, 1977). In this context, an integrated geomorphological analysis of fluvial terraces in uplifting areas represents one of the most widely used methods to investigate the role of tectonic and climate forcing in controlling landscape evolution Studies of these features have been carried out in the framework of the Geological Map of Italy (APAT, 2006; ISPRA, 2010a, 2010b) Most of these studies were undertaken at a local scale, missing a geomorphological characterization at a basin-scale. Soft bedrocks of this region rarely preserve evidence of tectonic deformation, making the analysis of geomorphic features a valuable tool in reconstructing the tectonic setting (Centamore, Ciccacci, Del Monte, Fredi, & Lupia Palmieri, 1996; Currado & Fredi, 2000)
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