Differences and similarities between the central and the southern Apennines (Italy): Examining the Gran Sasso versus the Matese-Frosolone salients using paleomagnetic, geological, and structural data

摘要

The Apennines consists of the following two major first-order arcuate features: the northern Apennines Arc and the southern Apennines-Calabrian Arc, separated by the Sangro-Volturno line. In this paper we compare and discuss these major arcs, which are characterized by several differences. These are mainly related to differences in paleogeographic domains, stratigraphic successions, structural setting, and geodynamic evolution. We describe with particular emphasis the following two main salients: the Gran Sasso Range and the Matese-Frosolone Mountains, geographically belonging to the central and the southern Apennines, respectively. We analyze existing geological, structural, and paleomagnetic information from both salients and provide new paleomagnetic and magnetic anisotropy data for eight Messianian-Tortonian sites from the Matese-Frosolone Mountains. The aim of the work is to reconstruct the Tortonian-Quaternary kinematic evolution of the central Apennines, which represents the junction zone between the northern Apennines Arc and the southern Apennines-Calabrian Arc. Furthermore, we propose to use the different style of paleomagnetic rotations in arcuate shapes as a tool to discriminate if structures located in the central Apennines geologically belong to the northern Apennines Arc or to the southern Apennines-Calabrian Arc. Finally, the results of this study allowed us to interpret the Sangro-Volturno line as an oblique ramp of the Pliocene-Quaternary frontal thrusts.