Relationships between thrusts and normal faults in curved belts: New insight in the inversion tectonics of the Central-Northern Apennines (Italy)

Abstract

The relationships between thrusts and normal faults represent primary constraints in the reconstruction of the modes and timing of pre-, syn- and post-orogenic deformation events in fold-and-thrust belts. Such relationships are well exposed in curved orogenic belts where the thrusts are oblique to the trend of normal faults.We study the NNE–SSW-trending Olevano-Antrodoco-Sibillini oblique thrust and its crosscutting relationships with NW–SE-trending normal faults in order to constrain the Neogene–Quaternary deformation history of the Central-Northern Apennine (Italy). The analysis of structural and geological data allowed us to reconstruct the geometric and kinematic constraints of two inversion events: 1 – During the Pliocene, positive inversion reactivated the NNE–SSW-trending pre-existing Ancona-Anzio normal fault as the Olevano-Antrodoco-Sibillini oblique thrust ramp and caused the shortcut of NW–SE-oriented normal faults; 2 – During the Quaternary, negative inversion reactivated NW–SE-trending pre-thrusting normal faults.The growth of the NW–SE Quaternary normal faults causes seismicity and is responsible of the development of wide Quaternary intramontane basins. Their distribution and the related seismicity have been controlled and compartmentalized by NNE–SSW-trending oblique thrusts. Thus, the crosscutting relationships between thrusts and normal faults are crucial in seismic hazard assessment.