Morpho-Structural Setting of the Ligurian Sea: The Role of Structural Heritage and Neotectonic Inversion

Type Article
Date 2022-09
Language English
Author(s) Morelli DaniloORCID1, Locatelli MicheleORCID1, Corradi NicolaORCID1, Cianfarra PaolaORCID1, Crispini LauraORCID1, Federico Laura1, Migeon Sebastien2, 3
Affiliation(s) 1 : Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DiSTAV), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
2 : Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, OCA, IRD, Géoazur (UMR 7329), 250 rue A. Einstein, 06560 Valbonne, France
3 : Sorbonne Université, UFR939, 06230 Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
Source Journal Of Marine Science And Engineering (2077-1312) (MDPI AG), 2022-09 , Vol. 10 , N. 9 , P. 1176 (24p.)
DOI 10.3390/jmse10091176
WOS© Times Cited 11
Note This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Geological Mapping
Keyword(s) submarine landslides, seafloor morphology, active tectonic, tectonic inversion, structural heritage, Ligurian Basin, Mediterranean Sea
Abstract

The review of recent bathymetric and geophysical data collected in the framework of several research and cartographic projects have allowed a detailed reconstruction of the morpho-structural setting and the (neo)tectonic evolution for both the Alpine and Apennine margins of the Ligurian Sea (Italy). The widespread occurrence of erosional processes and sediment mass movements along the steep continental slope and within the system of submarine canyons reflect the close correlation between the active tectonics and the recent morpho-dynamic evolution of the Ligurian Margin. This relation is better constrained in the western sector (Alpine) of the Ligurian Sea, where the recent uplift of the continental margin is associated to a well-developed system of inherited structures reactivated under a compressive/transpressive regime and widespread seismicity. In the eastern sector, where the seismicity is lower or absent, the mass movements are limited to few areas (e.g., the Portofino slope) coinciding with seismic clusters. Additionally, this sector is characterized by moderate and episodic fault reactivations under a compressive regime. The evidence of compressive deformation along the inherited fault systems has been revealed in some areas of the Ligurian Sea where the post-drifting extensional tectonics is interrupted by episodic tectonic inversion (at least) during the Middle–Upper Miocene and the Plio–Pleistocene until present.

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Morelli Danilo, Locatelli Michele, Corradi Nicola, Cianfarra Paola, Crispini Laura, Federico Laura, Migeon Sebastien (2022). Morpho-Structural Setting of the Ligurian Sea: The Role of Structural Heritage and Neotectonic Inversion. Journal Of Marine Science And Engineering, 10(9), 1176 (24p.). Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10091176 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00789/90146/