New insights on the subsidence of Lipari island (Aeolian islands, southern Italy) from the submerged Roman age pier at Marina Lunga

摘要

Lipari island belongs to the Aeolian archipelago, located in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy), which is one of the most active volcanic areas of the Mediterranean basin. Although this region has been settled since prehistory, only during Roman times were coastal installations built in these islands. In this study, we present and discuss data on the relative sea level change estimated from a submerged pier of Roman age dated 2100 +/- 100 BP. This structure, about 140 x 60 m, is located along the coast of Marina Lunga, corresponding to the present location of the main harbor of Lipari island. This pier, which was accidentally discovered in 2008 during preliminary excavations for the construction of a new pier, is a valuable indicator of relative sea level changes and vertical land movements. Its top surface is presently located at -9.1 +/- 0.05 m, while the foundations at the outer end of the pier are at -11.6 +/- 0.05 m, above a shoreline placed at -13.0 +/- 0.05 m. We studied this site through direct archaeological investigations and ultra-high resolution multibeam bathymetry.