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San Domenico Church was built between 1441 and 1468 and represents one of the most important historical buildings of the Cosenza area (Calabria, Southern Italy) thanks to its architectonic style and the works inside, such as the “Madonna della Febbre”, a notable marble altar dated back to the XVI century. The church, as well as the sculptural group, underwent various interventions over time, unfortunately scarcely documented; thus, in this paper, the characterization of six white marble samples coming from the altar, was carried out to determine their provenance. The samples were analyzed by means of complementary methodologies well known in the archaeometric field: polarized optical microscopy (POM); an electron probe micro analyzer coupled with an energy dispersive spectrometer (EPMA-EDS); inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS); and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). The results provided important information about the “Madonna della Febbre” altar, suggesting the presence of different typologies of marbles and hypothesizing their possible provenance, including Carrara and Docimium. It was not clear if these marbles were re-used materials but, regardless, the reported information adds precious elements to the history of the entire architectonic complex, providing new issues to be deepened.

The Serre Batholith in Central Calabria (southern Italy) represents the intermediate portion of a continuous cross-section of late Variscan continental crust. The various granitoid units of the batholith were emplaced at depths between 23 and 6 km through an overaccretion mechanism that, at its upper levels, was marked by the emplacement of two-mica granodiorites and granites (MBG) at c. 295 Ma, followed by weakly peraluminous granodiorites (BAG) at c. 292 Ma. These upper crustal granitoid rocks have recorded tectonic stresses, which affected the batholith during cooling of the magmatic bodies, exhibiting a range of deformation microstructures from submagmatic to low-temperature subsolidus conditions, but without developing an evident meso/micro-structural fabric. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) was employed to identify a possible “internal” fabric of the Serre upper crustal granitoids, revealing a magnetic foliation represented by a mainly oblate AMS ellipsoid. Magnetic foliations and lineations are consistent with a stress field characterized by a shortening axis roughly oriented NW–SE. Further studies are in progress to investigate more in depth the relationships between regional tectonic structures and the emplacement of the late-Variscan Serre Batholith granitoids.

Investigation of sea-level positions during the highly-dynamic Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3: 29–61 kyrs BP) proves difficult because: (i) in stable and subsiding areas, coeval coastal sediments are currently submerged at depths of few to several tens of meters below the present sea level, (ii) in uplifting areas, the preservation of geomorphic features and sedimentary records is limited due to the erosion occurred during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) with sea level at a depth of −130 m, followed by marine transgression that determined the development of ravinement surfaces. This study discusses previous research in the Mediterranean and elsewhere, and describes new fossiliferous marine deposits overlaying the metamorphic bedrock at Cannitello (Calabria, Italy). Radiocarbon ages of marine shells (about 43 kyrs cal BP) indicate that these deposits, presently between 28 and 30 m above sea level, formed during MIS 3.1. Elevation correction of the Cannitello outcrops (considered in an intermediate-to-far-field position with respect to the ice sheet) with the local vertical tectonic rate and Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA) rate allows the proposal of a revision of the eustatic depth for this highstand. Our results are consistent with recently proposed estimates based on a novel ice sheet modelling technique.

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.

The surroundings of Corigliano and Rossano (NE Calabria) were damaged by a short-lasting and localized rainstorm on 12 August 2015, when more than 230 mm of rain in sixteen hours caused damage exceeding 100 million euros. In the Map, shallow landslides triggered by the event are shown at 1:50,000 scale, together with areas affected by soil erosion and flooding, and most damaged sites; historical landslides are also mapped. The main slope-stability controlling factors are mapped at 1:200,000 scale, and an event-based geomorphological landslide inventory of the most damaged sector (Citrea basin) is provided at 1:10,000 scale. Isohyets (cumulative over 16 h), as obtained by interpolating rain-gauge and weather-radar data by Kriging techniques, are shown together with the density of event landslides. Estimated rain maxima (ca. 506 mm in 16 h) by far overcome measured ones, and ground effects well fit the sectors heavily stricken by the storm.

The Caloveto area in North-East Calabria hosts a stratigraphic succession which documents the evolution from shallow water carbonates to deeper-water pelagic and hemipelagic deposits, bearing ample evidence for severe tectonic control on Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous sedimentation. Geological mapping indicates that the shallow-water carbonates, also with coral assemblages, formed a narrow fringe around a high of the Hercynian basement, made of lowgrade metamorphic rock, which remained emergent throughout the Pliensbachian and became an intrabasinal high which stood proud of the Longobucco basin, hosting thin pelagic sedimentation through most of the Jurassic. An extensional phase in the Toarcian disrupted and foundered the benthic carbonate factory, whose drowning isdocumented by a change to Rosso Ammonitico-type deposits. This resulted in a complex network of neptunian dykes (also intruding the basement) and in-situ breccias. Starting in the late Toarcian, the rugged submarine topography was gradually leveled by onlapping marls, radiolarites and pelagic limestone, which sealed the Toarcian fault zones producing a diverse array of unconformities. Colonization by microbial communities characterizes the initial stages ofmarine sedimentation around the cores of Paleozoic basement, as banded polychrome microbialites and “swollen” phyllites, a result of the microbially-influenced/induced displacive growth of calcium carbonate crystals along split cleavage planes, constitute an unexpected field tool for identifying basin margins. Silicified marginal zones in the shallow water limestone characterize, in analogy withother Tethyan regions, the onlap unconformities of chert-rich basinal units on the submerged carbonate fringes.

It is a widely diffused opinion that the knowledge of the geologic features of the Calabrian territory may be referred to the early XX century; nevertheless, a thorough investigation carried out in thecartographic collection of the ISPRA Library, that preserves the historical heritage of the Geological Survey of Italy, allowed to access and analyze original XIX century maps of undoubted scientificinterest. The precursor of all 'modern' geological studies in Calabria was Leopoldo Pilla, who analyzed the relationships between the intrusive units and sedimentary successions in the '30s, soon after followed by the German naturalist Rodolfo A. Philippi. Appended to a handwritten Italian translation of a paper of Philippi we have found some geological sketches of the Calabrian region; despite their uncertain attribution, they most likely represent preparatory drafts for a final publication, and are, to date, the first known geological maps of the region. After the mentioned pioneers, up to the '70s, only few authors dealt with the geology of Calabria, and a surprising finding of our research was the discovery of a map and a document drawn up by S. Giancossi, which was however almost ignored by the scientific community. The interest for the geology of Calabria wasrenewed in the '70s of the XIX century, first by Gerhard vom Rath and then by Vincenzo Rambotti. Subsequently and until the end of the XIX century, just prior to the publication of the Calabrian sheets of the official cartographic map at 1:100,000 scale of the Geological Survey of Italy, many projects of geological mapping were carried out by several geologists, including Carlo De Stefani, Renato Fucini, Giuseppe Seguenza and, above all, Domenico Lovisato. Between 1878 and 1881 Lovisato, appointed by the Royal Geological Committee, realized a geological map in 32 sheets of Northern Calabria on the 1:50,000 scale, that represents the first geological map of the region conceived in a modern way. Undoubtedly, this work was the milestone for the production of the official cartography, realized since 1895 under the direction of Emilio Cortese.La Calabria [ . . . ] merita una visita degli scienziati italiani e stranieri per la sua costituzione geologica vedendo noi laggiu, in quell'estremo lembo di terra continentale riprodotte le nostre Alpi settentrionali di Piemonte e Lombardia, con tali analogie nelle forme litologiche di quelle contrade che sono piu varie che nella settentrionale Italia, da confonderne le une colle altre.(Estratto da Relazione geologica sulla missione in Calabria, da Domenico Lovisato a Felice Giordano, 25 novembre 1880. Archivio Servizio Geologico d'Italia - ISPRA, Faldone 1880-1886).

In this paper, we present the results of an integrated geomorphological and stratigraphical study carried out in the eastern side of the Crati River valley (northern Calabria, South Italy). This area is characterized by the occurrence of three order palaeosurfaces that, along with low-sloping palaeovalleys and structural landforms, are striking features of the landscape. The relationships between morpho-tectonic and sedimentary evolution of the Crati Basin has been assessed through sandstone detrital modes, morphostratigraphy and geomorphological correlation with adjacent areas. The two main unconformity surfaces that typify the Quaternary fill were correlated to different steps of landscape evolution. The presence of both erosional and depositional palaeosurfaces has been a useful marker for reconstructing sedimentary and morphogenetic events, and hence to detect drainage network evolution and changes in source sediment area. In particular, we recognized that the study area experienced, during the late Pliocene–Early Pleistocene a period of sub-aerial landscape modelling as suggested by low-sloping palaeovalleys and related fluvial deposits (1st Order Palaeosurface). At that time, the source of the detrital constituents of the PPS Unit sandstones was mainly from the Sila Massif. The onset of Coastal Range identification and uplift (Early Pleistocene) marks a change in the geomorphic scenario with tectonic driven stream incision and valley development along the eastern side of Coastal Range, along with the occurrence of depositional and erosional landsurfaces (2nd Order Palaeosurface) at footslopes. During this period, the Coastal Range and Sila Massif were the sources for the detrital constituents of the PlS Unit sandstones. The progressive uplift of Coastal Range during late Early Pleistocene and the marked backstepping of the depositional systems along the Sila footslope was accompanied by alternating phases of down-cutting and base-level stability resulting in the development of a step-like distributed 3rd Order Palaeosurface. The presence of dolostone in detrital modes is clear evidence of stream piracy phenomena of ancient palaeovalleys by the Crati valley-facing drainage network.

Since the end of the 19th century the Calabria region in southern Italy has been known for an abundance of grooved stone axes and hammers used during late prehistory. These artefacts are characterized by a wide and often pronounced groove in the middle of the implement, thought to have aided securing the head to a wooden haft. Their widespread presence is known both in prehistoric archaeological literature and in the archaeological collections of various regional and extra-regional museums. At first, scholars did not relate these tools to the rich Calabrian ore deposits and to possible ancient mining activities; they were regarded simply as a variant of ground lithic industry of Neolithic tradition. However, between 1997 and 2012, about 50 tools were discovered in the prehistoric mine of Grotta della Monaca in northern Calabria where there are outcrops of copper and iron ore. This allowed us to recognize their specific mining value and to consider them as a sort of “guide fossil” for the identification of ancient mining districts. This paper presents the results of a study involving over 150 tools from the entire region, effectively demonstrating an almost perfect co-occurrence of grooved axes and hammers with areas rich in mineral resources, especially metalliferous ores.

The major aim of our research is to assess the occurrence, within the serpentinites and serpentinite-derived soils located in the area of Sila Piccola (northern Calabria), of asbestiform minerals that could be potentially harmful for human health. At this purpose, nine serpentinite rock samples and three agricultural soils have been collected nearby two inhabited centres (Gimigliano and Conflenti towns) and characterized in detail by means of Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM), X-Ray Powder Diffractometry (XRPD), Scanning Electron Microscopy combined with Energy-Dispersive Spectrometry (SEM/EDS). Further characterization by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric (TG) and by μ-Raman spectroscopy (μ-R) have allowed the discrimination among the three serpentine polytypes. Serpentinites from Gimigliano mainly consist of lizardite, antigorite while chrysotile is the dominant asbestos phase in the samples from Conflenti. Moreover in both investigated sample groups asbestos tremolite- actinolite was also detected. Furthermore, high amounts of chrysotile and asbestos tremolite-actinolite were found in agricultural soils, suggesting that human activities can disturb and provoke the release of inhalable asbestos in the atmosphere, triggering thus mechanisms of hazardous exposition for population.

The purpose of this study was to prepare a landslide susceptibility map using a GIS-based spatial multi criteria (SMC) approach in a landslide-prone area, the Amendolara territory in Calabria (Southern Italy). In the first step, landslide locations were identified from aero-photo interpretation and field surveys. In the second step, six data layers were chosen as landslide predisposing factors for susceptibility mapping. These factors are slope, aspect, lithology, land use, distance from roads and distance from rivers. Next, landslide-susceptible areas were analyzed using the SMC approach and mapped using landslide conditioning factors. The agreement between the susceptibility map generated using the SMC approach and the landslide locations was tested by analyzing their receveir operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Landslide scarps locations were used in the validation. area under curve (AUC) value of the SMC method was calculated as 0.96. According to this result the produced map exhibited good performance.

This work deals with Messinian deposits belonging to the Neogene infill of the Rossano and Belvedere Basins, respectively developed along the fore-arc and the back-arc areas of the north Calabria accretionary wedge. The main goal is to characterize the carbonate and evaporitic sedimentation during the Messinian Salinity Crisis, in the general framework of the basin architecture and the interplay between eustatic vs tectonic controlled sea-level variations. Fieldwork integrated with seismic lines and well logs interpretations led to the revision of the general stratigraphy of the basins and the proposal of a new sequential stratigraphic model driven by cyclic sea-level variations. Each cycle, repeated at least two times during the Messinian Salinity Crisis time frame, begins with a relative sea-level fall responsible for the emplacement of prograding wedges composed of terrigenous and evaporitic deposits that, subsequently, evolve in the deposition of primary basin-fill evaporites. This phase is followed by open marine transgression due to relative sea-level rise that terminates the evaporite formation and predates the development of microbial dominated carbonate platforms associated with shallow-water evaporites. Both basins experienced intense tectonic activity during the Messinian, which could be responsible for huge basinward sediments exportation and fast decreasing in the accommodation space. However, this did not substantially influence the development of the systems tracts that, considering the basinal architecture, have been mainly controlled by eustatic sea-level variations. In fact, two major sea-level drops associated with basin restriction and aridity (cold) conditions seem to have caused the origin of two main evaporitic units as basin-fill evaporites, while consequent sea-level rises and less stressed condition, account for two carbonate units with limited evaporites and terrigenous deposition.

Quantifying erosion rates, and how they compare to rock uplift rates, is fundamental for understanding landscape response to tectonics and associated sediment fluxes from upland areas. The erosional response to uplift is well-represented by river incision and the associated landslide activity. However, characterising the relationship between these processes remains a major challenge in tectonically active areas, in some cases because landslides can preclude obtaining reliable erosion rates from cosmogenic radionuclide (CRN) concentrations. Here, we quantify the control of tectonics and its coupled geomorphic response on the erosion rates of catchments in southern Italy that are experiencing a transient response to normal faulting. We analyse in-situ Be-10 concentrations for detrital sediment samples, collected along the strike of faults with excellent tectonic constraints and landslide inventories. We demonstrate that Be-10-derived erosion rates are controlled by fault throw rates and the extent of transient incision and associated landsliding in the catchments. We show that the low-relief sub-catchments above knickpoints erode at uniform background rates of similar to 0.10 mm/yr, while downstream of knickpoints, erosion removes similar to 50% of the rock uplifted by the faults, at rates of 0.10-0.64 mm/yr. Despite widespread landsliding, CRN samples provide relatively consistent and accurate erosion rates, most likely because landslides are frequent, small, and shallow, and represent the integrated record of landsliding over several seismic cycles. Consequently, we combine these validated Be-10 erosion rates and data from a geomorphological landslide inventory in a published numerical model, to gain further insight into the long-term landslide rates and sediment mixing, highlighting the potential of CRN data to study landslide dynamics. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This study presents a structural-geological map illustrating the tectonic contact between the Stilo-Pazzano Phyllite Unit and the Mammola Paragneiss Unit. Their juxaposition is exposed in the Paleozoic upper continental crust cropping out in the southern Serre Massif. Since the geometry of the contact has never been defined before, a detailed geological survey has been carried out in the Levadio stream area, i.e. one of the most promising areas to constrain the tectono-magmatic setting of the Hercynian upper continental crust exposed in Calabria. A structural-geological map, at a scale 1:10,000, has been constructed, including also Upper Carboniferousgranodiorites, belonging to the Serre batholith, and Lower Permian felsic dykes, both useful time markers to constrain the minimum age for the juxtaposition of the Stilo-Pazzano Phyllite and Mammola Paragneiss units wall rocks. According to petrographic and structural observations, the attempt to discriminate on the geological map the main deformation events has been made also by the use of tracing distinct fold-axial-planes, each referring to the related contractional deformation event. This approach makes the geological map intuitive for the relative timing of the deformational events affecting the Stilo-Pazzano Phyllite and Mammola Paragneiss units. The geological mapping of the Levadio stream area shows that the post-Visean – pre-Upper Carboniferous tectonics was characterized by a main extensional event, that was responsible for the juxtaposition of the Mammola Paragneiss Unit (below) and the Stilo-Pazzano Phyllite Unit (above) under greenschist facies conditions. Three subsequent, progressively weaker contractional deformation events occurred in response to the late Hercynian emplacement and incremental growth of the Serre batholith.

In the Longobucco Basin (northeastern Calabria, Southern Italy) a Mesozoic succession covers the Hercynian basement, documenting the evolution of a continental margin during the Early Jurassic extensional tectonic phase correlated with the Western Tethys rift. The basin evolved from continental red beds around the Rhaetian/Hettangian boundary to shallow marine and eventually deep-sea siliciclastic turbidites in the late Pliensbachian/Toarcian, to dominantly pelagic deposits (Middle Jurassic onwards). Around the Sinemurian/Pliensbachian boundary, following a prominent phase of normal faulting, sedimentation took different paths in either hangingwall-block or footwall-block settings. This study, based on geological mapping, focuses on the southwestern boundary of the Longobucco Basin and in particular on the mutual relationships existing between the deeper-water basin-fill units (Fiume Trionto and Fosso Petrone Formations), the basement, and the shallow-water limestone of the Caloveto Formation which forms a narrow strip running parallel to the rift shoulder. The contacts among the above-mentioned units are generally all stratigraphic (unconformities of various types: onlap, downlap, nonconformity). These characteristics separate the study area from the depocentral parts of the basin in terms of vertical stratigraphy, nature of contacts among stratigraphic units (unconformable vs conformable), and impact of synsedimentary tectonics. The signature of Early Jurassic extension occurs in the form of (1) laterally continuous clastic bodies interpreted as products of catastrophic basin margin collapse and avalanching, (2) exhumation of the pre-rift units, which are otherwise deeply buried, and (3) neptunian dykes of at least two generations. Our new data provide evidence for the presence of a 20 km long, NW-SE trending preserved paleoescarpment, where the basinal units onlap either the basement or the Caloveto Formation which forms a fringing carbonate body with intriguing facies and bio-sedimentological features. The paleoescarpment was the submarine morphological expression of a Sinemurian/Pliensbachian fault, as testified by the age of the clastic body that seals it. Another pulse of synsedimentary extension took place in the latest Pliensbachian/Toarcian, overprinting the existing rift architecture and reviving the production of megaclastic deposits.

Geothermometrical characterisation of low-temperature, carbonate-evaporitic geothermal systems is usually hampered by the lack of appropriate mineral equilibria to successfully use most of the classical geothermometers and/or by the thermodynamic uncertainties affecting some of the most probable mineral equilibria in low temperature conditions. This situation is further hindered if the thermal waters are additionally affected by secondary processes (e.g., CO2 loss) during their ascent to surface. All these problems cluster together in the low-temperature Alhama-Jaraba thermal system, hosted in carbonate rocks, with spring temperatures about 30 °C and waters of Ca-Mg−HCO3/SO4 type. This system, one of the largest naturally flowing (600 L/s) low temperature thermal systems in Europe, is used in this paper as a suitable frame to assess the problems in the application of chemical geothermometrical techniques (classical geothermometers and geothermometrical modelling) and to provide a methodology that could be used in this type of geothermal system or in potential CO2 storage sites in similar aquifers. The results obtained have shown that the effects of the secondary processes can be avoided by selecting the samples unaffected by such processes and, therefore, representative of the conditions at depth, or by applying existing methodologies to reconstruct the original composition, as is usually done for medium to high temperature systems. The effective mineral equilibria at depth depend on the temperature, the residence time and the specific lithological/mineralogical characteristics of the system studied. In the present case, the mineral equilibria on which classical cation geothermometers are based have not been attained. The low proportion of evaporitic minerals in the hosting aquifer prevents the system from reaching anhydrite equilibrium, otherwise common in carbonate-evaporitic systems and necessary for the specific SO4-F geothermometer or the specially reliable quartz (or chalcedony) – anhydrite equilibrium in the geothermometrical modelling of these geothermal systems. Under these circumstances, the temperature estimation must rely on quartz (or chalcedony), clay minerals and, especially, calcite and dolomite. However, clay minerals and dolomite present important thermodynamic uncertainties related to possible variations in composition or crystallinity degree for clays and order/disorder degree for dolomite. To deal with these problems, a sensitivity analysis to the thermodynamic data for clay minerals has been carried out, comparing the results obtained when considering different solubility data. The uncertainties associated with dolomite have been addressed by reviewing the solubility data available for dolomites with different order degrees and performing specific calculations for the order degree of the dolomite in the aquifer. This approach can be used to find the most adequate dolomite thermodynamic data for the system under consideration, including medium-high temperature geothermal systems. Finally, the temperature estimation of the Alhama-Jaraba waters in the deep reservoir has been obtained from simultaneous equilibria of quartz, calcite, partially disordered dolomite and some aluminosilicate phases. The obtained value of 51 ± 14 °C is within the uncertainty range normally affecting this type of estimations and is coherent with independent estimations from geophysical data.

This paper illustrates the methodology and techniques for the compilation of a thematic (engineering) geological map based on detailed mapping of the weathering grade of crystalline rocks occurring in a portion of the Sila Massif close to the San Giovanni in Fiore Village (Calabria, Italy). The map (1:5000 scale), covering an area of about 20 km2, was compiled combining new geological and structural data with the results of a weathering grade field survey. The methodology, used to distinguish and map the weathering grade classes, was performed using qualitative criteria, semi-quantitative tests, and petrographic analysis of weathered rock samples. The Main Map, presented in this paper, aims to provide a useful tool for land-use planning, for geological hazard assessment and engineering perspectives.

This study revises the mammal-bearing stratigraphic succession of Cava Gentile, near Cessaniti (Calabria, southern Italy), with the aim of dating the Late Miocene fossiliferous succession by the integration of mammal biochronology with sedimentology, magnetostratigraphy and marine biostratigraphy. Since the first discovery of mammal remains at Cessaniti, the chronological framework of the sedimentary succession was based on the biochronological significance of the mammal assemblage and on the biostratigraphic characterisation of the capping unit. Chronological control of the sedimentary succession and the age range of the mammal faunal assemblage at Cessaniti is now possible by combining the mammal biochronological constraints with biostratigraphy and the characterisation of the magnetostratigraphy of the sedimentary succession. Our study allows the conclusion that: i) an overall transgressive trend is recorded at the late Tortonian succession of the Capo Vaticano area, with locally different depositional trends; ii) the late Tortonian transgression was punctuated by minor episodes of forced regression, as attested by soils and fluvial deposits intercalated within the Cava Gentile succession (documented here for the first time); iii) the relative sea level rises that characterised these sedimentation patterns allowed accumulation of marine and terrestrial fossils in specific transgressive horizons; iv) the combination of palaeomagnetic data and biostratigraphic analyses, together with the biochronological constraints offered by the Cessaniti mammal assemblage, allows the assignment of the basal unit of the Cessaniti (Cava Gentile) succession to the normal Chron C4n (8.1–7.5 Ma); and v) the maximum range of the Cessaniti land mammal assemblage from Cava Gentile is about 1 Ma, bracketed between 8.1 and 7.2 Ma., Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia (Research In Paleontology and Stratigraphy), Vol 123, No 3 (2017)

The 1:25.000 scale geological map of the central area of Catena Costiera aims to provide a picture of the tectonic setting of the metamorphic units belonging to the Alpine collisional belt of Northern Calabria, Italy. The exposed successions of the study area have been investigated by structural analyses, petrographic, petrological and geochemical studies whose results are summarised in the geological map. In this area, two HP-LT metamorphic, oceanic-derived units, referred as the Mongrassano and Cozzo Cervello units, have been distinguished on the base of their stratigraphic and tectono-metamorphic evolution. Both the oceanic-derived units show a polyphase deformation history developed under retrograde metamorphism in a subduction zone by underplating and exhumation into an accretionary wedge. These units are overthrust by continental-derived units, referred as the Sila and Castagna units, consisting of medium and high-grade metamorphic rocks. While the Castagna unit displays an Alpine HP/LT metamorphic overprint, the Sila unit escaped any subduction-related metamorphism.

The rainfall erosivity, playing a decisive role into erosion and degradation of soils, is a relevant factor for land-use planning and environmental risk assessment. Its decisive role must be studied by also taking in mind the outlook of climate change. The observations needed to determine the erosivity with adequate temporal and spatial detail, however, are rarely available. The aim of this study consists in assessing the spatial and seasonal distribution of rainfall erosivity in the Mediterranean environment. A regional analysis of erosivity was conducted considering more than 45 thousands erosive rainstorms in Calabria (Southern Italy). A network of 155 rain gauges, well distributed over the region, provided the necessary information with a time detail of 5 min between 1989 and 2008. After a concise review of the literature, three time scales were considered: monthly, daily and "single event" scale. A power law relationship between the values of rainfall and erosivity, obtained by analysing the erosive rainstorms, was applied, showing systematic seasonal variations. The climatic control on erosivity was well described by regression equations formed by a constant value (wet period) and a cosine curve (dry months). This seasonal trend testifies that a greater erosivity per unit of rainfall has to be expected in the driest months. In addition, altitude ranges in Calabria from sea level to over 2,000 m a.s.l., affecting the rainfall regime. Considering this aspect, the regression equations were slightly improved by including the influence of the altitude in the analysis of erosivity. The erosivity maps, achievable in the Mediterranean climate area through the methods and equations proposed in this paper, can provide a significant contribution towards the modelling of detachment and transport of soil particles at the catchment scale. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

In many areas, rainfall is the primary trigger of landslides. Determining the rainfall conditions responsible for landslide occurrence is important, and may contribute to saving lives and properties. In a long-term national project for the definition of rainfall thresholds for possible landslide occurrence in Italy, we compiled a catalogue of 186 rainfall events that resulted in 251 shallow landslides in Calabria, southern Italy, from January 1996 to September 2011. Landslides were located geographically using Google Earth®, and were given a mapping and a temporal accuracy. We used the landslide information, and sub-hourly rainfall measurements obtained from two complementary networks of rain gauges, to determine cumulated event vs. rainfall duration (ED) thresholds for Calabria. For this purpose, we adopted an existing method used to prepare rainfall thresholds and to estimate their associated uncertainties in central Italy. The regional thresholds for Calabria were found to be nearly identical to previous ED thresholds for Calabria obtained using a reduced set of landslide information, and slightly higher than the ED thresholds obtained for central Italy. We segmented the regional catalogue of rainfall events with landslides in Calabria into lithology, soil regions, rainfall zones, and seasonal periods. The number of events in each subdivision was insufficient to determine reliable thresholds, but allowed for preliminary conclusions about the role of the environmental factors in the rainfall conditions responsible for shallow landslides in Calabria. We further segmented the regional catalogue based on administrative subdivisions used for hydro-meteorological monitoring and operational flood forecasting, and we determined separate ED thresholds for the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian coasts of Calabria. We expect the ED rainfall thresholds for Calabria to be used in regional and national landslide warning systems. The thresholds can also be used for landslide hazard and risk assessments, and for erosion and landscape evolution studies, in the study area and in similar physiographic regions in the Mediterranean area.

The paper deals with the development of a multidisciplinary research on weathering profiles of granitoid and gneissic rocks related to tectonic and landscape evolution of the western Sila Grande Massif (Calabria, southern Italy). Field scale observations and petrographical and mineralogical features are used to characterize in detail the weathering processes. The weathering profiles of the granitoid cut slopes are generally simple showing a progressive weathering increase toward the top of the slopes, whereas the weathering profiles of the gneissic cut slopes are generally complex with irregularities in the spatial distribution of weathered horizons. The microfabric and petrographic analyses show that gneissic samples (classes V–VI of weathering grade) are characterized by higher percentage of altered minerals and microfracture and void rather than granitoid samples (classes V–VI of weathering grade). The main mineralogical changes concern the partial transformation of biotite and the partial destruction of feldspars (mainly plagioclases), associated with the neoformation of secondary minerals (clay minerals and Fe-oxides) and with a substitution of the original rock fabric. Neoformed clay minerals and ferruginous products replaced feldspars and biotite during the most advanced weathering stage. Referred as physical changes coupled with chemical variations, the final results of weathering process are a soil-like material characterized by sand–gravel grain-size fraction for the granitoid rocks and by both silt–clay and sand–silt grain-size fraction for the gneissic rocks. This generally produces a greater value of the SGI (Sand Generation Index) for granitoids and explains the great productivity in sandy deposits of this lithology.

Il valore della letteratura scientifica passata: una lezione dalla geologia del confine calabro-lucano.L’architettura stratigrafica e strutturale delle unita carbonatiche presenti al confine calabro lucano e la distribuzione della dolomia al passaggio Triassico-Giurassico vengono messe a confronto con i dati e le idee pubblicate precedentemente. Viene evidenziato come la definizione iniziale di Unita San Donato e dei suoi rapporti con le unita circostanti sia stata viziata da un mancato riconoscimento degli effetti della deformazione duttile localizzata e dalla conseguente confusione tra unita metamorfiche e non-metamorfiche. Il limite tra successioni dolomitizzate e calcaree dell’intervallo Triassico-Giurassico viene interpretato come un fronte di dolomitizzazione diagenetico discordante rispetto alla stratificazione. Parte dei dati che hanno condotto a queste interpretazioni recenti, gia presenti nella letteratura scientifica piu antica, sono stati poco considerati in molti lavori degli ultimi tre decenni, generando una grande confusione terminologica e interpretativa.

We present a 1:350,000 high-resolution magnetic anomaly map of Calabria (Southern Italy), obtained by merging the results from two low-altitude aeromagnetic surveys performed in southern and northern Calabria. Magnetic anomalies of Calabria are of low intensity, and mostly range from 11 to –9 nT. Northern Calabria is characterized by positive anomalies in the Tyrrhenian margin (Coastal Chain) that turn into negative values moving eastward in the Sila Massif. Southern Calabria is characterized by slightly positive anomaly values, interrupted by a null magnetic anomaly corridor roughly corresponding to the eastern margin of the Gioia Tauro basin. Finally, anomaly values turn systematically negative in the Messina Straits. Due to the unprecedented resolution (low flying height, spatial sampling along the flight line of ∼5 m and 1–2 km flight line spacing), the new map highlights, in detail, the geometry and setting of the upper crustal features. As Calabria is one of the most seismically active regions in Italy, hit by several high-magnitude earthquakes in recent centuries, the interpretation of this new map will hopefully contribute to new insights into the crustal geological setting, location and dimension of the main seismogenic sources., Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Italia, Lesia Observatoire de Paris, Francia, Unidad de Zaragoza, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, España

Grotta della Monaca is a karst cave located in Calabria, the southernmost region of the Italian peninsula. About half a kilometre deep, the cavern has drawn the attention of people since the Palaeolithic period due to the abundance of metal ores within (mainly iron hydroxides but also copper carbonates). These easily reachable minerals were exploited during prehistory, especially between the late Neolithic and the early Copper Age.Research conducted from 2000 to 2012 has allowed us to understand various aspects of ancient mining activities performed within the site and to reconstruct a basic operational chain concerning the procurement and the primary processing of such resources, from the choice of tools to the various extractive techniques, from the disposal of mining debris to the early operations of ore processing.In this paper we focus on two categories of macrolithic tools: those used to extract minerals, and those used for their primary processing. The first group is composed of 51 artefacts divided into axes, hammers, and pickaxes with a central groove, found in the deeper areas of the cave, which represent the mining areas. Their morphological and dimensional variability indicates a significant functional diversification; furthermore, the choice of different very hard metamorphic rocks implies a high awareness in the selection of the raw materials used for making these implements. The second group includes 22 tools with different functions - mainly made of sandstone - classified as querns, grinders and crushers. They were found in an underground area adjacent to the entrance, which is characterized by large and comfortable spaces, with the widespread presence of natural light. A recent traceological study has clarified the function of such artefacts; they were used to grind mined blocks of iron hydroxides to obtain a powder. The multidisciplinary approach adopted in studying mining tools from Grotta della Monaca, including petrographic, typological and use-wear analysis, has allowed us to gain important knowledge about the general characteristics of these tools.

Crystalline rocks constitute aquifers that are of interest for water supply in many countries. In Italy, the hydrogeological characteristics of crystalline rocks are not well known and the interest in these aquifers is generally scarce. Nevertheless, the large extent of these rocks in Sardinia and Calabria regions and the local scarcity of water resources justify this preliminary analysis. Crossing the information derived by the available data on climate conditions, type of crystalline rock, structural setting, characteristics of wells and springs, base flow of streams and rivers and pumping test results, a preliminary quantification of the potential yield of the crystalline aquifers of both regions was performed. The processing of data involving different aspects confirmed that the crystalline rocks of Sardinia and Calabria form low-permeability aquifers where groundwater circulation occurs in the weathered layer and, mainly, in the most fissured layers closest to the surface. In the heavily fractured zones, it was seen that the groundwater flow is more active and can also occur at a greater depth. Groundwater mainly outflows in the valleys, feeding streams, numerous low discharge springs and surrounding aquifers. Climate, rock covers and tectonic style influence the aquifer yield, which has been evaluated herein to range from 1 to 2 L/s per km2 and from 2 to 12 L/s per km2 in Sardinia and Calabria, respectively. This preliminary characterization shows that there are reasons to deepen the present knowledge on these aquifers in order to optimize the present use of their groundwater resources

Land use is one of the most important factors controlling soil erosion. Moreover, erosion rates may vary through time as a response to land use changes. The aim of this work was to analyze the main land use changes in the last 60 years and to assess the relationships between them and spatial and temporal distribution of soil loss at catchment scale. The study was carried out in the Torano catchment (northern Calabria), which is representative of wide sectors of Calabria Region, where the overall soil erosion susceptibility is high. Aerial photos interpretation of different years (1954 and 2012), and field survey were used to assess and map types and variations of land use in the study area. The mean annual rate of soil erosion and the effects of land use changes on soil erosion since 1954 to 2014 were analyzed by using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) in a GIS environment. Results showed that the total soil loss estimated in the Torano catchment was 2216.76 t yr-1 in 1954, 3242.22 t yr-1 in 2014. Furthermore, the rate of mean annual soil loss increased from 4.30 t ha-1 yr-1 in 1954 to 6.29 t ha-1 yr-1 in 2014. Increasing erosion rates was mainly caused by the transformation of natural forest, scrub and pasture areas into crop fields. In addition, from 1954 to 2014 the barren land progressively increased from 0.2% to more than 2 %; in these areas and the highest soil loss values were observed. The increase of cultivated and barren lands, from 1954 to 2014, caused a 46.3 % increase soil loss. Therefore, the spatio-temporal changes of land use in the Torano catchment had an important role on soil erosion control.

In northern Calabria (Italy), the metasedimentary succession of the Lungro–Verbicaro tectonic unit preserves mineral assemblages suggesting underthrusting to depths in excess of 40 km. Internal deformation of these rocks occurred continuously during the following decompression. Index mineral composition associated with progressively younger tectonic fabrics indicates that a substantial part of the structural evolution took place within the blueschist-facies P–T field. Despite their tectonic and metamorphic history, the rocks of the Lungro–Verbicaro Unit preserve significant sedimentary and palaeontological features allowing correlations with successions included in adjacent thrust sheets and the reconstruction of the Mesozoic continental margin architecture. The subduction–exhumation cycle recorded by the Lungro–Verbicaro Unit is entirely of Miocene age. This portion of the Apulia continental palaeomargin was involved in convergence-related deformation not earlier than the Aquitanian. The integration of our results with available constraints on the tectonic evolution of the Apennine–Calabrian Arc system suggests that subduction and most of the subsequent exhumation of the Lungro–Verbicaro Unit occurred, up to Langhian time, at maximum vertical rates in excess of 15 mm a−1. The exhumation process was then completed, at much slower rates (−1) in Late Miocene time, as indicated by both apatite fission-track data and stratigraphic information.

The occurrence of sinkholes not directly related to karst has been determined in several areas worldwide in recent years. These phenomena may be particularly dan- gerous to humans and infrastructure due to their subtle origin and need to be carefully examined. In this work, we describe five sinkholes recently identified in a hilly setting of Southern Italy characterized by Pliocene conglomerate and sand, and variously dislocated by tectonic structures. The sinkholes were examined by different methods (in- terpretation of multi-temporal aerial photos, geological, geomorphological and geophysical surveys). An historical analysis was performed to collect and critically evaluate information regarding the age of the phenomena. Based on this information, it can be conjectured that two of the five sinkholes developed during the 2000-2001 winter; two of the remaining probably originated during the 70s; the last one opened sometime between February 2001 and November 2007. Based on such chronology, attempts have been performed to identify the likely triggers, through hydrological and seismic analyses. In both cases, no im- mediate correlation could be found. The origin of the studied phenomena remains uncertain, and may be related to sub-cutaneous erosion, in an area that is renowned to be rich in groundwater. Local changes in the water table, re- lated to climate and/or man-induced activities, may have triggered the development of the cover suffusion-type sinkholes. The present work highlights the potential for this type of phenomena to occur in geological settings without the direct presence of soluble rocks at the surface, a con- dition quite common in Southern Italy, and the need to carry out further studies in order to better comprehend their mechanisms of origin and successive evolution, and to properly evaluate the related hazard.