Northern Calabria Research Articles

Geoheritage of the Sila National Park and surrounding areas (Northern Calabria, Italy)

ABSTRACT This paper introduces a geological map of the Sila mountain block (Northern Calabria, Italy), realized as a tool to promote knowledge of this geological landscape uniqueness and to develop effective geoheritage management and enhancement strategies, also from a geotouristic and geoeducational perspective. The Sila block is defined as a plateau whose morphology is deeply connected to its lithological characteristics and tectonic evolution that combined with exogenous processes over time has conditioned the landscape. The 1:60,000 scale map provides an overall scheme of the main geological units and tectonic elements constituting the study area, as a synthesis of thematic cartography existing in the literature coupled to targeted investigations and field surveys. It also displays the main geosites and geosite systems, identified with the purpose of communicating geoheritage processes/products, which favour an understanding of the surrounding environment, and for tourist purposes.

Orogenic evolution of the northern Calabria−southern Apennines system in the framework of the Alpine chains in the central-western Mediterranean area

Orogenic evolution of the northern Calabria−southern Apennines system in the framework of the Alpine chains in the central-western Mediterranean area

Film, fotografie, feit en fictie in het Pollino-gebergte (Zuid-Italië)

Film, photography, fact and fiction in the Pollino Mountains (Southern Italy)The film “Il Buco” (The Hole, 2022) by Michelangelo Frammartino is about a speleological expedition in the Pollino mountains (northern Calabria, Italy) in 1961. It won the Special Jury Award at the 2022 Venice Film Festival and received excellent reviews in the Dutch press (Volkskrant, Trouw, NRC, VPRO Cinema). In the film, an old shepherd at the end of his life observes a group of speleologists exploring an exceptionally deep cave. The shepherd dies just as the speleologists discover the end of the cave. To situate the death scene, Frammartino reconstructed a typical shepherd’s dwelling used in the days when the transhumance summer camps in the Pollino mountains were still used as shepherds’ summer dwellings. Frammartino based the reconstruction on black-and-white pictures from the archive of Giuseppe De Matteis, a speleologist from Turin, who took part in the expedition. De Matteis took several photographs of such shepherd´s dwellings during the period of the cave exploration, especially at the site of Mandra Vecchia, which is now part of the field study area of the Pollino Archaeological Landscape Project (PALP), led by the authors since 2020. These shepherds’ huts were made of wooden poles and planks and reinforced at ground level with limestone blocks. Other pastoral facilities, such as animal pens and sheds for cheesemaking, were located nearby. Archaeological research on the remains of these summer camps, combined with interviews, is beginning to reveal everyday life in Pollino summer camps. In this paper we bring together fact and fiction based on Frammartino’s documentary from 2021, Giuseppe De Matteis´ photo archive from the 1960s and our own fieldwork in the area.

The NE-SW Sibari fault zone: A seismic hazard source in Ionian Northern Calabria (Italy)

A multidisciplinary approach including archaeological, geophysical, and geological/geomorphological surveys provided pieces of evidence that allowed us to identify the Sibari fault zone (SFZ) in Northern Calabria (Italy). The SFZ runs in a ∼ NE-SW direction for a length of ∼18 km from the Ionian coastline to Terranova da Sibari and has an oblique normal-dextral kinematics. The envelope of the SFZ is derived from several direct and indirect evidence resulting in subparallel and locally en-echelon fault traces over a maximum 500 m-wide band, running at different elevations across hills and flat lands. The SFZ was active since at least the Middle-Upper Pleistocene, producing faulting of alluvial deposits, marine terraces, drainage incisions, and the archaeological structures of Sybaris. Given the fault length and assuming a seismogenic behavior, the SFZ is a primary earthquake source possibly producing moderate to large earthquakes (M ≥ 6). We calculated the average slip rates along the SFZ based on the ages and on the accumulated displacements of offset streams and marine terraces. The estimates are of 0.05–0.18 mm/yr and 0.41–0.70 mm/yr for vertical and dextral slip, respectively. Based on both the measured (min. 30 cm) and the expected value (av. 40 cm) of lateral slip per event, we infer an average recurrence for surface faulting events on the SFZ of about 700–1000 yrs. The most recent surface faulting earthquake occurred on the fault is dated 1300–1100 yrs. ago, highlighting that the elapsed time approaches the estimated average recurrence. Considering these findings, the newly recognized SFZ should be included among the faults that contain a potential seismic hazard in this poorly known portion of the Ionian sector of northern Calabria.

Uplift rate calculation based on the comparison between marine terrace data and river profile analysis: A morphotectonic insight form the Ionian coastal belt of Basilicata, Italy

Geomorphological analyses of a wide coastal belt between northern Calabria and Puglia, where a well-exposed staircase of marine terraces extensively crops out, were performed in order to unravel the uplift history of this key-area. As a matter of fact, the Ionian coast of southern Italy represents a strategic sector for investigating the middle-late Quaternary morphotectonic evolution of the orogenic system of southern Italy.The main goal of our research was the reconstruction of a detailed uplift history using spatial distribution of marine terraces and river profile inversion. This was achieved by producing a new, detailed and complete map of the entire sequence of marine terraces and associated palaeoshorelines along the entire coastal sector. A critical review of the literature related to geochronological data from the study area, integrated with a modeling of the interaction between eustatic changes and tectonic uplift allowed demonstrating that the different terraces are correlated to many highstand peaks, dating the highest/oldest terrace to mid-Pleistocene times. Additional constraints on the spatio-temporal variation of tectonic uplift (or base-level fall) have been derived from the inversion of longitudinal river profiles. Such an approach adopts an independent geomorphic marker than the marine terraces and allowed us to obtain an additional estimation the uplift history of the area. The uplift values from the two methods differ in some cases by an order of magnitude, which could be attributed to the rigorous assumption of the river profile inversion or a limitation related to the chronological scheme of marine terraces.Our results highlight a spatial and temporal variation in the uplift rates, which can be only explained with a morphotectonic framework and likely the whole chain-foredeep-foreland system, remained under a prevailingly compressional tectonic regime during the Quaternary, with significant consequences for the seismic hazard of the region.

Insights into Late Quaternary Rock Shelter Sedimentation at Santuario Della Madonna Cave (Northern Calabria, Italy)

Shelter caves serve as crucial repositories that provide valuable insights into Late Pleistocene–Holocene depositional mechanisms and environmental changes. In this study, we conducted a stratigraphic analysis of the easternmost cave-fill succession within the Santuario della Madonna cave, located along the Tyrrhenian coasts of southern Italy. By examining the cave-fill deposits and their relationship with archaeological successions from previous excavation campaigns, we aimed to enhance our understanding of sedimentary evolution, specifically, the interplay between local and global environmental factors. A comprehensive sedimentological analysis was conducted, enabling the identification of three distinct sedimentary facies within the clastic succession that overlays the calcareous cave roof. Our findings reveal a noticeable shift in cave sedimentation processes, characterized by a gap in detritus accumulation followed by the deposition of flowstones. Furthermore, the presence of oversized boulders within the succession was attributed to failures from the cliffs that overhang the cave opening. We interpret these boulders as possible evidence of cave collapses induced by earthquakes, similarly to rockfall phenomena observed in the archaeological test pits within the shelter, which show a strong correlation with paleoseismic events.

Mapping and chronological classification of marine terraces along the southern side of the Sibari Plain (northern Calabria, Italy) by means of digital and analogue tools

ABSTRACT We study the marine terraces of the southern side of the Sibari Plain in Northern Calabria (Italy) through the use of traditional and quantitative analyses of the Digital Terrain Model (DTM). The main aim of the present work consists in the extensive use of GIS tools that were never used before in the area, and in checking the applicability of this procedure. The terraced surfaces identified using photo interpretation and those recognized semi-automatically through the GIS tools were compared to finally produce a consensus map. In the final map, we identified 272 terraced surfaces and 62 morphological features associated with inner margins (i.e. paleoshorelines). The main map shows a well-developed flight of seven orders of marine terraces with elevation ranging from 45 to 360 m asl and age ranging from Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5a to 11.

Generation of the Quaternary Normal Faults in the Messina Strait (Italy)

It is widely recognized that since the Early–Middle Pleistocene, the Messina zone, the site of strong earthquakes, has undergone extension, but the geodynamic context which determined this deformation is still a matter of debate. This work suggests that such a tectonic event was caused by the interaction of northern Calabria with the continental Adriatic domain. The suture of that consuming boundary produced major changes in the microplate mosaic and the related kinematic pattern in the Southern Italian zones, which was triggered by the activation of the Sibari and Vulcano faults. In the new context, the Peloritani belt sector, dragged by the Hyblean block, rotated clockwise and then moved northward, causing its divergence from southern Calabria. The normal faults which have accommodated that separation may be the main seismogenic source in the Messina Strait.

Phenomena of Contact and Mixing in the Arbëresh Dialects of San Marzano di San Giuseppe in Salento and Vena di Maida in Calabria

In this work, we will investigate hybridization, borrowing, and grammatical reorganization phenomena in the Arbëresh dialects of San Marzano (Apulia) and Vena di Maida (central Calabria). The data from the Arbëresh of S. Benedetto Ullano (northern Calabria) will be useful to provide a comparative frame. Arbëresh is the name of the Albanian varieties spoken in the villages/cities generally formed in the late fifteenth century by communities fleeing from Albania as a consequence of the Ottoman occupation. The long-time contact with neighboring Romance varieties is reflected in the extended mixing phenomena which characterize the lexicon and the morphosyntactic organization of Arbëresh as a heritage language. This is particularly evident in the two dialects that we investigate in this contribution, where relexification and grammatical reorganization phenomena provide us with an interesting testing ground to explain language variation.

Triggering of Rain-Induced Landslides, with Applications in Southern Italy

Landslides cause fatalities, widespread damages and economic losses. Quite frequently, they are triggered by rainfall. Many studies have investigated the relationships between rainfall characteristics and landslide events. This paper reviews the two main approaches, physical and hydrological, for modelling such relationships. In the physical approach, the influence of rainfall on slope stability is commonly analysed in terms of groundwater infiltration, pore pressure changes and balance between shear stresses and resistances, therefore a considerable amount of hydrogeological, morphological and geotechnical data is required. In the hydrological approach, a statistical-probabilistic study of rainfall series and dates of occurrence of slope movements is instead carried out. Both types of methods are briefly presented, with examples from real applications to study cases in Southern Italy. In particular, the recent reactivations of a large rockslide in Northern Calabria have been modelled by means of physical and hydrological approaches. In addition, shallow landslides in Calabria, Campania and Sicily have been modelled by employing hydrological approaches. Strengths and weaknesses of the adopted methods are discussed, together with the causes that may have hindered better results for the considered cases. For the methods illustrated through real application cases, research perspectives are discussed, as well as their possible use in early warning systems.

Refining Rates of Active Crustal Deformation in the Upper Plate of Subduction Zones, Implied by Geological and Geodetic Data: The E-Dipping West Crati Fault, Southern Italy

We investigate crustal deformation within the upper plate of the Ionian Subduction Zone (ISZ) at different time scales by (i) refining geodetic rates of crustal extension from continuous Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements and (ii) mapping sequence of Late Quaternary raised marine terraces tectonically deformed by the West Crati normal fault, in northern Calabria. This region experienced damaging earthquakes in 1184 (M 6.75) and 1854 (M 6.3), possibly on the E-dipping West Crati fault (WCF) which, however, is not unanimously considered to be a seismogenic source. We report geodetic measurements of extension and strain rates across the strike of the E-dipping WCF and throughout the northern Calabria obtained by using velocities from 18 permanent GNSS stations with a series length longer than 4.5 years. These results suggest that crustal extension may be seismically accommodated in this region by a few normal faults. Furthermore, by applying a synchronous correlation approach, we refine the chronology of understudied tectonically deformed palaeoshorelines mapped on the footwall and along the strike of the WCF, facilitating calculation of the associated fault-controlled uplift rates. Raised Late Quaternary palaeoshorelines are preserved on the footwall of the WCF indicating that “regional” uplift, likely related to the deformation associated either with the subduction or mantle upwelling processes, is affected by local footwall uplift. We show that GIS-based elevations of Late Quaternary palaeoshorelines, as well as temporally constant uplift rates, vary along the strike of the WCF, implying normal faulting activity through time. This suggests that (i) the fault slip rate governing seismic hazard has also been constant over the Late Quaternary, over multiple earthquake cycles, and (ii) our geodetically derived fault throw rate for the WCF is likely a more than reasonable value to be used over longer time scales for an improved seismic hazard assessment. Overall, we emphasize the importance of mapping crustal deformation within the upper plate above subduction zones to avoid unreliable interpretations relating to the mechanism controlling regional uplift.

Late Quaternary uplift and sea level fluctuations along the Tyrrhenian margin of Basilicata - northern Calabria (southern Italy): New constraints from raised paleoshorelines

New analyses of marine terraces in the Tyrrhenian Sea margin of Basilicata - northern Calabria (southern Italy) have been carried out. In the study area, c. 25 km in length, an impressive flight of marine terraces occurs, with the highest terraces reaching ~160 m a.s.l. Detailed geomorphological-stratigraphical analyses on remnants of paleoshorelines located within 60 m a.s.l. have shown that the rocky coast of the investigated coastal stretch has been affected by multiple relative sea-level fluctuations, during which reworking of older shorelines has occurred. Dating of the coral Cladocora caespitosa and speleothems, either predating or postdating single paleoshorelines, has allowed the construction of a chronological framework for the identified relative sea-level markers, and their correlation with MIS 7, MIS 6e and distinct peaks of MIS 5. A mean uplift rate of c. 0.25 mm/y since the Last Interglacial has been quantified, one order of magnitude larger than previous estimates. The uplift rate value has been used to infer the elevations of MIS 5a, 5c and 6e sea level peaks, which are higher than those reported in most sea level curves worldwide, although consistent with several findings from the western Mediterranean. Our results demonstrate that a mere sequential correlation may be misleading in the interpretation of flights of marine terraces and indicates that multiple age controls are crucial to unravelling the complex interaction between uplift and sea-level fluctuations in uplifted coastal areas. The reconstructed MIS 5a, 5c and 6e sea level paleo-elevations, besides contributing to the assessment of late Quaternary sea-level fluctuations in the Mediterranean Sea, may contribute to constrain coeval ice sheets volume variations.

Chemical, isotopic and geotectonic relations of the warm and cold waters of the Cotronei (Ponte Coniglio), Bruciarello and Repole thermal areas, (Calabria - Southern Italy)

Geochemical, geological, and hydrological data suggest, for the Cotronei-Caccuri thermal area (Northern Calabria – Southern Italy), the presence of a deep primary geothermal aquifer hosted in the crystalline basement (at Ponte Coniglio) and two secondary aquifers (at Bruciarello and Repole) developed in the Miocene sedimentary succession. Despite the spatial proximity of the three thermal sites, the waters have different compositions: Na(Ca)-Cl for Ponte Coniglio-Cotronei, Na(Ca)-Cl(SO4) for Bruciarello and Na-SO4(Cl) for Repole.The composition of the Cotronei-Ponte Coniglio end-member was reconstructed based on conservative constituents and resulted in a Cl concentration of about 1700 mg kg−1. The thermal waters of Bruciarello and Repole are derived from this primary fluid. Geothermometric calculations support a possible dilution affecting the waters studied to different degrees. For the pure (undiluted) thermal end-member, hosted in the primary granitic aquifer, comparable temperature estimations are provided by cationic geothermometers (67 ± 4 °C) and geothermometric simulations (65 ± 4 °C). However, Bruciarello and Repole waters are in equilibrium with anhydrite and fluorite at a temperature (68.5 ± 4 °C) very similar to that obtained for the granitic aquifer suggesting slight cooling during the travel from the primary granitic aquifer and fast equilibration with anhydrite and fluorite favoured by the rapid dissolution kinetics of these solid phases. From the isotopic point of view, the secondary aquifers have δ34SS(6+) values (+23.01‰ and +22.77‰ ± 0.23‰) comparable with those of the Messinian gypsum (average of +21.8‰). The thermal waters of Cotronei, on the other hand, show enriched δ34SS(6+) values (+38.60‰ ± 0.78‰) due to bacterial reduction of sulfate probably also derived from by Messinian evaporates.Furthermore, the δ18O and δ2H values indicate a meteoric origin for all three thermal sites with an average infiltration altitude of about 1650 – 1850 m asl, which agree with the Sila plateau elevations. Based on the results obtained in this work, assuming a geothermal gradient of about 33 °C/km, a temperature of the deep thermal reservoir of about 65 °C and an average predicted atmospheric temperature of 6 °C in the recharge area (Sila plateau), it follows that the meteoric waters descend to depths of ∼1800 m, where the thermal aquifer of interest is presumably located. This depth is consistent with the location of the primary geothermal reservoir within the crystalline basement. The reconstruction of this conceptual model has been made possible thanks to adopting a "local" approach integrating previously existing and new geological, hydrogeological, and geochemical data. Furthermore, this study has allowed us to identify the presence of an important regional geothermal aquifer hosted in the crystalline basement that, in addition to the carbonate and Upper Triassic evaporite reservoirs (well characterized in previous works), make the Calabria region of high geothermal interest.

Tracing the Final Bronze Age–Early Iron Age transition. Groningen Institute of Archaeology settlement excavations in the Sibaritide, 2018-2019

We report here on the first two seasons of excavations by the Groningen Institute of Archaeology (the Netherlands) at two settlement sites in the foothill zone of the Sibaritide coastal plain (northern Calabria, Italy). The work is throwing new light on finds assemblages unique to the transitional period of the Final Bronze Age–Early Iron Age, a poorly understood period in southern Italy, and is helping to resolve methodological questions about the interpretation of non-invasive archaeological and geophysical survey data. The finds so far excavated, supported by radiocarbon dates, form one of the first ‘pure’ FBA–EIA transitional assemblages, and thus contribute to fill a significant typochronological hiatus with wider implications for protohistoric archaeology in the region. It is also becoming clear what long-term effects mechanized ploughing has on slope processes and soil profiles typical for the region, knowledge that will help us understand the results of the wider field surveys and geophysical investigations conducted since 2000 in the Raganello River basin.

Ontwikkelingen in de mediterrane landschaps-archeologie aan het GIA. Waar komen we vandaan en waar gaan we naartoe?

Developments in Mediterranean landscape archaeology at the GIA: Where have we come from and where are we heading? In this paper, I discuss in brief the development of Mediterranean landscape archaeology in Italy as this has taken shape at the Groningen Institute of Archaeology (GIA) from the 1980s onwards in the Pontine Region Project, in southern Lazio, in central Italy, and in the Raganello Archaeological Project, in northern Calabria, in southern Italy. I do this against the theoretical and methodological background of the rise of systematic artefact survey and the fruitful discussions that practitioners have about the interpretation of the archaeological surface record, multidisciplinarity in landscape archaeology research, and the application of new methods and techniques. I end with a few words on the importance of data integration, as is now happening within the framework of the Rome Hinterland Project, an undertaking that is being carried out by the universities of Groningen (coordinator), Durham (in cooperation with the British School at Rome), St. Andrews, Rome (La Sapienza), Leiden and Melbourne.

Environmental Estimation of Radiation Equivalent Dose Rates in Soils and Waters of Northern Calabria (Italy)

In this study, the equivalent dose rate of natural radionuclides ( H T ) in 99 spring water and surface soil samples was determined using an alpha, beta, and gamma high sensitivity detector up within a Geiger-Muller tube and with an external probe NaI (Tl). The samples were collected in the Crati basin (southern Italy), and during sample collection, water quality parameters were detected in situ and at the University of Calabria laboratories. A Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was applied to identify and clarify the relationships between water physical-chemical properties and soil and water radioactivity. Results show that the mean H T for spring waters is 97.07 μSv/h. Furthermore, the mean H T for surface soils is 97.92 μSv/h, thus evidencing higher mean H T values than worldwide ones reported in a previous literature. Low correlation coefficients were detected between water H T and conductivity and pH. On the contrary, a reasonable correlation was found between H T in spring water and in soil. This relationship is associated with some rocks of the Sila Massif and of Coastal Chain, i.e., plutonic and metamorphic crystalline rocks. Finally, the estimation of the health risk was calculated: results did not evidence serious dangers for people living in the studied environment. The results from this survey for the H T evaluation provide an extensive assessment of the background exposure levels in the investigated area.

Geochemical, Geological and Groundwater Quality Characterization of a Complex Geological Framework: The Case Study of the Coreca Area (Calabria, South Italy)

Hydrogeochemical characterization and statistical methods were used to investigate the groundwater quality and the origin of constituents (anthropic or natural) in groundwater of the Coreca area (Calabria, South Italy). Coreca is characterized by an articulated geological setting where the three main geological complexes that distinguish the Northern Calabria Peloritan Orogen (CPO) outcrop. This complex asset affects the quality of groundwater mainly exploited for irrigation use. In particular, the presence of ultramafic rocks (e.g., serpentinite and metabasite) promotes the release of harmful elements such as Cr and Ni. In the studied area, two groups of waters were identified: Ca-HCO3 waters strongly controlled by the interaction with Ca-rich phases (e.g., limestone), and Mg-HCO3 waters related to the interaction of meteoric water with the metamorphic units. Statistical elaboration allowed to detect, in the Mg-HCO3 group, a good correlation between Cr and Ni (not observed in Ca waters) and a negative correlation between Cr, Ca and Al, in agreement with direct interaction with ultramafic rocks characterized by low concentrations of CaO and Al2O3. The concentration of major and trace elements has been compared with the Italian law limit values and the drinking water guidelines provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). Only three samples showed Mn and Ni concentration higher than the Italian law threshold. Furthermore, the assessment of groundwater quality was carried out using salinity and metal indexes. The groundwater quality assessment for irrigation allowed to classify the resource as “excellent to good” and “good to permissible”; nevertheless, a salinity problem and a magnesium hazard were found. Lastly, a metal index (MI) calculation revealed values <1 for almost all samples, pointing to good overall quality. Only a few samples showed a value extremely higher than 1, attributable to prolonged interaction with ultramafic rocks and/or localized anthropogenic pollution. From a general point of view, groundwater showed a generally good quality except for limited areas (and limited to the set of constituents analyzed) and a mild exceedance of the maximum salinity thresholds that must be monitored over time. Through a multidisciplinary approach, it was possible to ascertain the main anomalies attributable to the interaction with the hosting rocks and not (with few exceptions) to anthropic processes.

Strong resultative constructions in Romance between usage and norm

Abstract The presence of strong resultative constructions in Romance languages is largely debated. In this paper, we provide evidence of strong resultative constructions with adjectival predicate in Italo-Romance. Data from Southern Italian varieties spoken in the area of Cosenza, in Northern Calabria, are discussed. The usage and distribution of two types of adjectival resultative are accounted for in relation to both structural and functional properties, and sociolinguistic variables.

Linguistic Aspects of [Ninna-Nanna di Madonna] Part of the Calabrian Dialect Poem la Notte di Natale by Fr. Vincenzo Padula (1819-1893)

The aim of this article is to present a language analysis of one of the most beautiful dialectal poem of Fr. V. Padula. The dialect used by Fr. V. Padula is to be called the Acrian dialect (spoken in the city of Acri, Cosenza Province), which belongs to the group of northern Calabrian dialects. The lullaby [Ninna-nanna di Madonna], sung by Holy Mary, is the second part of the poem La Notte di Natale. No one ever was capable as Fr. V. Padula, to carry the Acrian dialect a such high summits of lyricism and piety. The Acrian dialect served him to know and testify the Calabrian society and culture. [Ninna-nanna di Madonna] includes in itself some biblical references to the main truths of the faith of Christianity.

The onset of the Messinian Salinity Crisis in the central Mediterranean recorded by pre‐salt carbonate/evaporite deposition

AbstractThe Calcare di Base is a carbonate/evaporitic unit formed before the deposition of the massive halite bodies in the main depozones of the Mediterranean region, and has been at the centre of a fiery debate between different ‘schools of thought’ about its genesis, environmental conditions and timing of deposition. It crops out extensively in Southern Italy, across Neogene basins located on the Tyrrhenian and Ionian margins of northern Calabria, where it was studied through a detailed facies and stratigraphic analysis that revealed the presence of a continental/shallow‐marine to slope system, active during the onset of the Messinian Salinity Crisis. During the Calcare di Base deposition, an arid climate regime with intermittent humid phases occurred with a precession forced cyclicity, facing an overall generally cold climatic period. During arid periods, stressed environmental conditions permitted the establishment of widespread microbial‐mediated carbonate production, frequently associated with evaporitic (gypsum‐dominated) deposition, along a sabkha‐type environment with extensive salinas and hypersaline coastal lagoons grading seaward into a carbonate/evaporite shallow‐marine shelf. This is testified to by microbial boundstones and dissolution breccias commonly associated with nodular gypsum and arenites affected by desiccation, typically forming metre‐scale shallowing‐upward peritidal cycles. Seaward, gravity flow deposits are interpreted as re‐sedimented shelf limestones, defining a slope apron. Mixed carbonate/evaporite megabreccias and disorganized floatbreccias were deposited along the upper slope, whereas soft deformation with slides, slumps and channelized turbidites further developed along the lower slope to basin. During the humid climate episodes, that affected the platform system with a precession‐forced cyclicity, the carbonate production was reduced together with the evaporitic deposition, leading to the widespread deposition of marlstones and fine to coarse siliciclastic deposits.