Central-eastern Italy Research Articles

Advanced 3D seismic hazard analysis for active compression in the Adriatic Thrust Zone, Italy

The probabilistic seismic hazard assessment contains two ingredients: (1) the seismic source model with earthquake rates and rupture parameters for specification of the statistical distribution of earthquakes in time and space and (2) the ground motion model, for estimation of ground shaking level at a site for each earthquake rupture. The selection of these models significantly impacts the resulting hazard maps, and it can be challenging, particularly in seismotectonic regions where overlapping structures, sited at different depths, coexist. Eastern Central Italy is a well-known active compressional environment of the central Mediterranean with a complex tectonic structure with a lithospheric double shear zone. In this study, we propose a seismic hazard assessment to analyze the contribution of these two shear zones as overlapping multi-depth seismogenic volumes to ground motion at a given hazard level. We specifically focus on selecting relevant and applicable parameters for earthquake rate modeling, emphasizing the importance of defining rate computation and rupture-depth parametrization in hazard analysis. To achieve this, we utilized a seismotectonic- and catalog-based 3D adaptive smoothed seismicity approach following the methodology given by (Pandolfi et al. in Seismol Res Lett 95: 1–11, 2023). Finally, we demonstrated how this innovative 3D approach can identify with high resolution the individual sources' contribution with particular attention to the depth location of structures that strongly influence the ground motion. Moreover, combining seismotectonic data with seismicity avoids the challenges associated with structures with scarce geologic, geodetic, or paleoseismological data. Our result provides detailed insights into the seismic hazard within the Adriatic Thrust Zone.

Combining Seismotectonic and Catalog-Based 3D Models for Advanced Smoothed Seismicity Computations

Abstract The new generation seismic hazard maps use 3D seismotectonic fault models, which are more consistent with the actual nature of faults, whereas the classical models based on earthquake catalogs only utilize a 2D representation of the seismicity. Although the former provides more reliable information on seismogenic structures, the latter can deliver trustworthy seismicity rates easily. Therefore, it is necessary to combine both the approaches to create a high-quality seismic hazard assessment model. This study proposes an innovative approach using smoothed seismicity methods that can be advantageous in all contexts with available 3D fault models and high-quality seismic catalogs. We applied our method on the Adriatic Basal Thrust (ABT) in eastern central Italy—a lithospheric-scale active contractional structure with a well-constrained 3D geometric–kinematic reconstruction and a related high-quality catalog. Our new 3D algorithm was applied to smooth the ABT seismicity on the grid, resulting in a 3D earthquake rate model that also provides rupture parameters such as strike, dip, rake, and seismogenic thickness. Our approach is particularly useful for complex seismotectonic settings, such as in cases of lithospheric shear zones, subduction planes, and overlapping multidepth seismogenic volumes.

Pleistocene slope, shallow-marine and continental deposits of eastern central Italy wedge-top basin: a record of sea-level changes and mountain building

Pleistocene slope, shallow-marine and continental deposits of eastern central Italy wedge-top basin: a record of sea-level changes and mountain building

Reconstructing the Past, Enhancing the Traces from Frescos

Abstract Architectures are always subject to transformation in time. When a historical building is seen by a tourist or by an occasional visitor, it appears like a complete and final artefact, showing its main characteristics like a clear example of a style or of an artistic phase. This interpretation may turn out to be mostly a simplification, while the building is often the result of a large set of interventions in time. It is the case of a large number of main and secondary architectures, changed according to the mutation of needs and tastes. In Fabriano, in central-eastern Italy, the St. Venanzio Church (later Cathedral) was subject to a significant transformation of the apse interiors during the XVII century, with the demolition of the original chapels’ asset and their replacement by a larger unitarian space behind the main altar. This intervention has afflicted all the frescos that were the decoration of those chapels, they were partially deleted by the new masonry works, covered by paint, or walled in the new shape of the church. Since its early discovery, this patrimony has received various restorations. The research for a virtual reconstruction was based on a detailed digital survey of the building.

Cory Pesaturo: A Musician on a Mission

Cory Pesaturo: A Musician on a Mission

The Mycorrizal Status in Vineyards Affected by Esca

In this work we analyzed the relationship among native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and vine roots affected by esca, a serious grapevine trunk disease. The AMF symbiosis was analyzed on the roots of neighboring plants (symptomatic and asymptomatic to esca) in 14 sites of three vineyards in Marche region (central–eastern Italy). The AMF colonization intensity, identified by non-vital staining, showed higher value in all esca symptomatic plants (ranging from 24.6% to 61.3%) than neighboring asymptomatic plants (from 17.4% to 57.6%). The same trend of Glomeromycota phylum abundance was detected by analyzing fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) linked to the AMF community, obtained by amplicon high throughput analysis of ITS 1 region. Overall, the highest amount of OTUs was detected on roots from symptomatic plants (0.42%), compared to asymptomatic roots (0.29%). Specific primer pairs for native Rhizophagus irregularis and Funneliformis mosseae AMF species, were designed in 28S rRNA and large subunit (LSU) ribosomal RNA, respectively, and droplet digital PCR protocol for absolute quantification was set up. A higher number of DNA copies of both fungal species were detected more frequently in symptomatic than asymptomatic vines. Our study suggests a relationship between esca and native AMF in grapevine. These results underline the importance of native rhizosphere microbial communities for a better knowledge of grapevine esca disease.

Feasibility Study of an Earthquake Early Warning System in Eastern Central Italy

An earthquake early warning system (EEWS) is a monitoring infrastructure that allows alerting strategic points (targets) before the arrival of strong shaking waves during an earthquake. In a region like Central Italy, struck by recent and historical destructive earthquakes, the assessment of implementation of an EEWS is a significant challenge due to the proximity of seismic sources to many potential targets, such as historical towns, industrial plants, and hospitals. In order to understand the feasibility of an EEWS in such an area, we developed an original method of event declaration simulation (EDS), a tool for assessing the effectiveness of an EEWS for existing seismic networks, improving them with new stations, and designing new networks for EEW applications. Values of the time first alert (TFA), blind zone radius (BZ), and lead time (LT) have been estimated with respect to selected targets for different network configurations in the study region. Starting from virtual sources homogeneously arranged on regular mesh grids, the alert response was evaluated for actual and improved seismic networks operating in the area, taking into account the effects of the transmission and acquisition systems. In the procedure, the arrival times of the P wave picks, the association binder, the transmission latencies, and the computation times were used to simulate the configuration of PRESTo EEWS, simulating both real-time and playback elaborations of real earthquakes. The NLLOC software was used to estimate P and S arrival times, with a local velocity model also implemented in the PRESTo EEWS. Our results show that, although Italy’s main seismic sources are located close to urban areas, the lead times calculated with the EDS procedure, applied to actual and to improved seismic networks, encourage the implementation of EEWS in the study area. Considering actual delays due to data transmission and computation time, lead times of 5–10 s were obtained simulating real historical events striking some important targets of the region. We conclude that EEWSs are useful tools that can contribute to protecting people from the harmful effects of earthquakes in Italy.

Sixty Years from the First Disease Description, a Novel Badnavirus Associated with Chestnut Mosaic Disease.

Although chestnut mosaic disease (ChMD) was described several decades ago, its etiology is still not clear. Using classical approaches and high-throughput sequencing (HTS) techniques, we identified a novel Badnavirus that is a strong etiological candidate for ChMD. Two disease sources from Italy and France were submitted to HTS-based viral indexing. Total RNAs were extracted, ribodepleted, and sequenced on an Illumina NextSeq500 (2 × 150 nt or 2 × 75 nt). In each source, we identified a single contig of ≈7.2 kb that corresponds to a complete circular viral genome and shares homologies with various badnaviruses. The genomes of the two isolates have an average nucleotide identity of 90.5%, with a typical badnaviral genome organization comprising three open reading frames. Phylogenetic analyses and sequence comparisons showed that this virus is a novel species; we propose the name Chestnut mosaic virus (ChMV). Using a newly developed molecular detection test, we systematically detected the virus in symptomatic graft-inoculated indicator plants (chestnut and American oak) as well in chestnut trees presenting typical ChMD symptoms in the field (100 and 87% in France and Italy surveys, respectively). Datamining of publicly available chestnut sequence read archive transcriptomic data allowed the reconstruction of two additional complete ChMV genomes from two Castanea mollissima sources from the United States as well as ChMV detection in C. dentata from the United States. Preliminary epidemiological studies performed in France and central eastern Italy showed that ChMV has a high incidence in some commercial orchards and low within-orchard genetic diversity.

Ten Years of Geo-Archeo-Mythological Studies in the Abruzzo Region –Central Italy: An Updated Review

Abruzzo region, in eastern-Central Italy, is an area undergoing active tectonics. It is prone to earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, flooding, rapid coastal modification, mud volcanoes, and sinkholes. These natural phenomena, recorded since the Roman age, have impressed the local population, conditioning society, economy, and territory use and giving birth to myths (mythopoiesis).

Treazzano di Monsampolo, a Recent Bronze Age Settlement in the Middle Adriatic Area

Treazzano di Monsampolo is situated in the basin of the Tronto River in the Marche region, central-eastern Italy. In 1979, the site was investigated by the Soprinendenza Archeologica delle Marche through explorative trenches following the fortuitous discovery of a Mycenaean fine ware fragment, which constituted the first Aegean artefact from the region. The excavation, whose documentation has been lost, brought to light evidence of structures related to a settlement. The findings, which mainly include pottery but also animal bones, lithic and bronze fragments as well as evidence of an antler industry, date to a period comprising the end of Middle Bronze Age 3 (MBA 3) and the very beginning of the Final Bronze Age (FBA) (14th–12th century BC). Except for a few decorated fragments belonging to the Apennine facies, most of the pottery from Treazzano di Monsampolo shows Subapennine typical features, sometimes characterized by regional or local elements. Although the pottery does not show marked influences from the Terramare area, some evidence of these contacts can be seen in the antler industry quite well represented at the site.

Backset lamination produced by supercritical backwash flows at the beachface-shoreface transition of a storm-dominated gravelly beach (middle Pleistocene, central Italy)

Bedforms and resulting sedimentary structures of interpreted upper-flow-regime origin are fairly common in various ancient and modern depositional settings, yet outcrop examples of shallow-water strata dominated by sedimentary structures arising from such flow conditions are rarely documented. This outcrop-based study presents the first detailed analysis of mid-Pleistocene beachface-shoreface strata containing sedimentary structures interpreted to have been formed by storm-generated backwash flows during the transition in flow regime from supercritical to subcritical. Here we propose that moving down the steep beachface, backwash flows rapidly accelerated and became thinner, experienced abrupt deceleration and flow thickening passing through an erosional hydraulic jump in the trough at the toe of the beachface, and then waned to thicker and subcritical conditions just downflow of the hydraulic jump. In this frame, landward-dipping backset laminae deposited on the downflow side of the trough evolved into thinner, upper-stage plane-parallel laminae further downstream. The transition from the proximal to the distal upper shoreface records a significant increase of preserved wave ripples and burrowed intervals, in concert with a progressive decrease in thickness and grain-size of individual sets of plane-parallel laminae and increase of gravel-filled gutter casts. • Four facies associations were identified from an outcrop-based study of Pleistocene shallow-water sediments in eastern central Italy. • Depositional settings vary from gravelly beachface to sandy upper and middle shoreface. • Sedimentary structures induced by storm-related supercritical backflows at the beachface-shoreface transition of a gravelly beach has been examined.

A mixed automatic-manual seismic catalog for Central-Eastern Italy: analysis of homogeneity

A comparison between pickings and locations obtained by automatic and manual procedures in the analysis of the seismicity of Central-Eastern Italy is presented. In a first step we compared automatic and manual pickings, demonstrating that in many cases the adopted algorithm, after some tuning, is able to reproduce both the timing and the weight assignment of a human operator. The comparison of automatic and manual locations allowed to demonstrate that, when the automatic procedure is able to reach a solution stable from the statistical point of view, these locations are comparable with the manual ones within the estimated error limits. Once established these reliability criteria, we began to produce a mixed automatic-manual catalog: the events located by the automatic procedure with estimated errors below the selected thresholds (2 km in horizontal and 3 km in vertical) were directly introduced in the catalog, other events were revised by a human operator. In this way more than 64% of the events did not need human intervention, allowing to correctly manage also a period of increased seismicity, characterized by more than 4000 events per month: in total 121894 events were located with good accuracy in a time period of less than 7 years (August 2009 – April 2016). In a last step, a further control of the reliability of the whole procedure was performed, by manually analyzing all the events occurred in the last month of the analyzed period and classified as reliable by the automatic procedure: two expert seismologists interpreted these events, and the comparison demonstrated that the differences between the automatic and manual pickings and locations are slightly larger, but comparable with the differences between two human operators. As further checks, an analysis of the distribution of the depth estimates on the whole catalog demonstrated that data from the manual or the automatic part are nearly indistinguishable for the central, better monitored area; furthermore the automatic system demonstrated to be able to correctly locate also quarry blasts, with a reasonable estimate of the depth of these very critical events. Finally, a quick look at the geographical and depth distribution of the seismicity summarized in the catalog is presented; also in this case the main result is the good overlap of automatic and manual locations, at least for the well-monitored areas

Identification of new -J and -K 16SrXII subgroups and distinct single nucleotide polymorphism genetic lineages among ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ strains associated with bois noir in Central Italy

Bois noir of grapevines is attributed to infection by ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ strains, taxonomic subgroups 16SrXII-A, -F, and -G. Plant-to-plant transmission by polyphagous leafhoppers determined that ‘Ca. Phytoplasma solani’ strains exist in diverse plant hosts in varied ecosystems, where selection conceivably influences intra-species strain diversity. In this study, virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses of 16S rDNA nucleotide sequences, amplified from grapevines and bindweeds in central-eastern Italy, revealed the presence of two new subgroups (16SrXII-J and 16SrXII-K) in the 16SrXII group, and of genetically distinct SNP lineages. Findings from the present and related works report the extensive intra-species diversity among ‘Ca. Phytoplasma solani’ strains in vineyards, underscoring the need for further studies to investigate relationships between diverse phytoplasma strains and dynamics of bois noir epidemiology.

Surveys for Monilinia spp. on stone fruit in central-eastern Italy

Surveys for <i>Monilinia</i> spp. on stone fruit in central-eastern Italy

Sedimentology, faunal content and pollen record of Middle Pleistocene palustrine and lagoonal sediments from the Peri-Adriatic basin, Abruzzi, eastern central Italy

A 25 m-thick outcrop section exposed at Torre Mucchia, on the sea-cliff north of Ortona, eastern central Italy, comprises a rare Middle Pleistocene succession of shallow-water and paralic sediments along the western Adriatic Sea. An integrated study of the section, including facies and microfacies analyses, and characterization of paleobiological associations (mollusks, fishes, ostracods, foraminifers and pollen), enable a detailed reconstruction of the paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic conditions during deposition. The shallow-water deposits include a transgressive, deepening- and fining-upward shoreface to offshore-transition facies succession overlain by a regressive shoreface-foreshore sandstone body with an erosive base and a rooted and pedogenically altered horizon at the top that imply deposition during sea-level fall. This forced regressive unit is overlain by paralic strata forming a transgressive succession comprising palustrine carbonates and back-barrier lagoonal mudstones. The palustrine carbonates exhibit some of the typical features encountered in palustrine limestones deposited within seasonal freshwater wetlands (marl prairies). Following the sea-level rising trend, the freshwater marshes were abruptly replaced by a barrier-lagoon system that allowed deposition of the overlying mud-rich unit. Within these deposits, the faunal assemblages are consistent with a low-energy brackish environment characterized by a relatively high degree of confinement. The pollen record documents the development of open forest vegetation dominated by Pinus and accompanied by a number of mesophilous and thermophilous tree taxa, whose composition supports a tentative correlation with Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage 17. The new pollen record from Torre Mucchia improves our understanding of the vegetation development in the Italian Peninsula during the Middle Pleistocene and sheds new light on the role played by the most marked glacial periods in determining the history of tree taxa.

Sedimentology, faunal content and pollen record of Middle Pleistocene palustrine and lagoonal sediments from the Peri-Adriatic basin (Abruzzi, eastern central Italy)

Sedimentology, faunal content and pollen record of Middle Pleistocene palustrine and lagoonal sediments from the Peri-Adriatic basin (Abruzzi, eastern central Italy)

Marine and nonmarine deposition in a long-term low-accommodation setting: An example from the middle Pleistocene Qm2 unit, eastern central Italy

Facies anatomy and large-scale stratigraphic organization of mid-Pleistocene strata (Qm2 Unit) exposed near the town of Ortona, eastern central Italy, have been defined through an integrated outcrop and subsurface dataset, and record sedimentation within a long-term low-accommodation setting. The studied interval can be subdivided into nine facies associations, reflecting a range of continental, marginal marine, nearshore and innermost shelf environments, and contains a well-preserved record of high-frequency relative sea-level changes in the form of a stack of three unconformity-bounded sequences. Each of the three sequences, designated Qm23, Qm22, and Qm21 from oldest to youngest, consists of a specific subset of the nine identified facies associations as a function of preserved depositional systems and systems tracts. Typically, the following architectural elements occur in ascending stratigraphic order: i) a basal unconformity, molded by fluvial incision and subaerial exposure during sea-level fall and shoreface erosion during subsequent rise; ii) a maximum regressive surface, which is coincident with the sequence boundary; iii) a transgressive systems tract including braided-river conglomerates and floodplain fines within the confines of an incised-valley, palustrine carbonates and back-barrier lagoon mudstones, and a deepening- and fining-upward shoreface to offshore-transition facies succession bounded at the base by a wave ravinement surface; iv) a sharp regressive surface of marine erosion produced by shoreface incision during relative sea-level fall; and v) a prograding, downstepping, and offlapping sharp-based lithofacies assemblage of either beach conglomerates or sandstones, ascribed to the falling stage systems tract, overlain by a rooted paleosol marking subaerial exposure.Sequences were deposited on the uplifting palaeo–Adriatic shelf in response to repeated high-frequency and high-amplitude eustatic changes in sea level that would promote the creation of accommodation space. By subtracting space to deposition, the contemporaneous regional uplift of the basin margin may be accounted for the shingled, downstepping configuration of individual sequences to form a falling stage sequence set of a larger composite sequence. In dip view, the erosional contact at the base of the Qm2 falling stage sequence set is a composite regressive surface, resulting from the downdip convergence and amalgamation of multiple erosional surfaces produced by the progressive basinward translation of successive sequences. Results from this study have direct implications for the oil and gas field development and exploration when making predictions of reservoir and seal geometries within shallow-marine, marginal-marine, and nonmarine sediments emplaced in similar long-term limited-accommodation settings.

Genetic Variability of Stolbur Phytoplasma in Hyalesthes obsoletus (Hemiptera: Cixiidae) and its Main Host Plants in Vineyard Agroecosystems.

Bois noir is an economically important grapevine yellows that is induced by 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' and principally vectored by the planthopper Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret (Hemiptera: Cixiidae). This study explores the 'Ca. P. solani' genetic variability associated to the nettle-H. obsoletus and bindweed-H. obsoletus systems in vineyard agroecosystems of the central-eastern Italy. Molecular characterization of 'Ca. P. solani' isolates was carried out using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism to investigate the nonribosomal vmp1 gene. Seven phytoplasma vmp-types were detected among the host plants- and insect-associated field-collected samples. The vmp1 gene showed the highest polymorphism in the bindweed-H. obsoletus system, according to restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, which is in agreement with nucleotide sequence analysis. Five vmp-types were associated with H. obsoletus from bindweed, of which one was solely restricted to planthoppers, with one genotype also in planthoppers from nettle. Type V12 was the most prevalent in both planthoppers and bindweed. H. obsoletus from nettle harbored three vmp-types, of which V3 was predominant. V3 was the only type detected for nettle. Our data demonstrate that planthoppers might have acquired some 'Ca. P. solani' profiles from other plant hosts before landing on nettle or bindweed. Overall, the different vmp1 gene rearrangements observed in these two plant hosts-H. obsoletus systems might represent different adaptations of the pathogen to the two host plants. Molecular information about the complex of vmp-types provides useful data for better understanding of Bois noir epidemiology in vineyard agroecosystem.

Major controls on architecture, sequence stratigraphy and paleosols of middle Pleistocene continental sediments ("Qc Unit"), eastern central Italy

Middle Pleistocene continental sediments in central Italy ("Qc Unit") record the oldest fluvial accumulation along the uplifting margin of the Peri-Adriatic basin. The architecture of the sediment body can be divided into two unconformity-bounded, fining-upward cycles interpreted as genetically related depositional sequences. These sequences highlight the systematic adjustment of the fluvial system to changes in the ratio between accommodation space and sediment supply (A/S ratio) and, from base to top, comprise the following surfaces and stratal components: (i) a regionally correlative sequence boundary resulting from an A/S ratio≤0; (ii) a low-accommodation systems tract characterized by conglomerate-rich, amalgamated channel fills and recording an A/S ratio<1; (iii) an expansion surface marking the turnaround point from low-accommodation systems tract to high-accommodation systems tract deposits; (iv) a high-accommodation systems tract dominated by floodplain fines encasing lens-like, fluvial channel deposits and denoting an A/S ratio>1; and (v) a mature red argillic paleosol. To constrain the climatic signal for paleosols formation, the two sequence-capping mature paleosols have been investigated. The results of these studies suggest that they were developed under humid and warm climatic conditions associated with interglacial phases, which have been correlatively attributed to Marine Oxygen Isotope Stages 11 and 9.

Empirical or rational truffle cultivation? It is time to choose.

Aim of study: The aim of this study was to finalize a new method of truffle cultivation in order to obtain an earlier, more regular and sizeable production of high quality fruiting bodies. Area of study: The experimentation was carried out in France (country of Dordogne, south-western France) and Italy (country of Marches, eastern central Italy) for more than one decade.Material and methods: For the first time the method is based on scientific data on truffle biology particularly: the dynamic system of mycorrhization by the truffle and by other fungi; the saprophytic capability of the truffle; the ability of its mycelium for decomposing certain minerals and organic materials in the “brûlés”.The basic principle concern the work of the soil and the upkeep of the root system: to work the soil immediately after the plantation of mycorrhizal seedlings, deeply enough, with adapted tools, in order to do not compact the soil, aerate it, favour the production of deep fruiting bodies not exposed to high temperatures, dryness, frost, parasites… ; cut accurately the roots in order to regenerate them and consequently to provide food for the truffle mycelium.Main results: The result has been a new cultivation method designated “differentiated” and called “MRT”, with adapted work of the soil on the lines of plantation and upkeep of the grass between them, to maintain the cohabitation between areas where the mycelium is present, from those where it is absent.Research highlights: Research is going on to improve the techniques and particularly finalize tools more precise and more adapted for working the soil and maintaining the root system in a best way. Keywords: truffle; production; nutrition; soil, root system; cultivation tools.