Constraining mountain front tectonic activity in extensional setting from geomorphology and Quaternary stratigraphy: A case study from the Matese ridge, southern Apennines

摘要

Rugged peaks, large intermontane basins and frequent seismicity all characterize the active extensional tectonic setting of the southern Apennines. The Matese ridge typifies the active tectonic setting of the southern Apennines with steep carbonate mountain fronts and large depositional centres. Moderate to high magnitude earthquakes have affected the northern, western and eastern sectors of the Matese ridge in historical times. However, the seismogenic potential of the extensional fault system bounding the southern Matese mountain front has not been fully assessed to date. To unravel the active tectonic setting of the southern Matese mountain front, we have carried out a comprehensive geomorphological and tectonic-geomorphology investigation of the mountain front and its piedmont and have constrained results through chronological (i.e., tephrostratigraphical and Ar-40/Ar-39) and structural data.