Multi-proxy analysis in defining sedimentary processes in very recent prodelta deposits: the Northern Phlegraean offshore example (Eastern Tyrrhenian Margin)

Abstract

A multi-proxy analysis of Volturno River prodelta deposits in the outer shelf of Northern Phlegraean margin (Eastern Tyrrhenian Sea) has been carried out to reconstruct the sedimentary processes acting during recent times. The late Holocene sediments were characterized through Subbottom Chirp profiles coupled with sedimentological and petrophysical data. The chronostratigraphic framework was achieved by means of colorimetric parameter a* correlations with nearby dated marine sediment. A time interpretation of about 2,300 years BP is estimated for the sedimentary record collected in the cores. Seismic stratigraphic analysis shows late Holocene outer shelf deposits, characterized by fluid escape features and small-offset faults. However, the undisturbed sedimentation and the preservation of an internal geometry at decimetre scale, as detected by the sedimentological and petrophysical analysis, indicates a slow sliding without sediment reworking for this sedimentological body. So far a possible recent (\2,300 years BP) shear dominated downward displacement of high water content sediments, triggered by the occurrence of seismic activity, is inferred. Based on the depth-age conversion of the detected lithological features, a regular climatically driven change in the sediment supply of the prodelta depositional environment is suggested. The detection of spectrophotometry correlations of Holocene shelf margin sediments, several km apart, goes beyond the previous work and confirms even for continental shelf area the potential value of spectrophotometer data in high-resolution stratigraphic correlations.

Coastal Evolution, Hydrothermal Migration Pathways and Soft Deformation along the Campania Continental Shelf (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea): Insights from High-Resolution Seismic Profiles

“…As mentioned above, the soft and distributed fault linkages might have controlled the distribution of the paralic/deltaic sub-units at the edge of the developing relative topographic high (Figure 5b). An increased sediment yield and intense reworking of the coastal environment, probably driven by high volcanoclastic supply during volcanic paroxysm, almost coeval to the post-glacial initial stage sea level rise, has been reported in the literature [7,28]. The combined effect of a relatively uplifting central area with a strong input in sedimentation probably induced a decrease in the accommodation space in that sector, forcing avulsion processes.…”

“…Recent studies [7,28] contributed to the definition of a very thick transgressive systems tract (TST), individuating and calibrating in the upper slope area off the Campi Flegrei area the seismic evidence of the NYT [41,50]. This tephra has been found below the maximum flooding surface, confirming that the deposits bounded by this major tephritic layer and the LGM erosional surface can be ascribed to an early stage of the transgressive systems tract.…”

“…A very large dataset, derived from subsurface exploration of the Campania and Latium margin performed in the past decades [6][7][8][9], may serve as a stratigraphic reference for our purposes.…”

The Subsurface Geology and Landscape Evolution of the Volturno Coastal Plain, Italy: Interplay between Tectonics and Sea-Level Changes during the Quaternary

“…Finally, the offshore deposits of the last glacio-eustatic cycle in front of the plain have been investigated by Iorio et al and Misuraca et al [18][19][20]. Seismic profiles and cores allowed detailing of the depositional sequence located in the outer shelf off the Volturno plain.…”

High-resolution morpho-bathymetry of the Gulf of Naples, Eastern Tyrrhenian Sea

“…Despite the growing attention to the monitoring of the CVP activity on land, little is known of the submerged portion of these volcanoes. Specific information exists on the coastal area of Vesuvius and the Phlegrean Fields, but these mainly come from seismic profiles, magnetic and gravimetric data or sediments samples (Aiello et al, 2005;2009;D'Argenio et al, 2004;De Vivo, Scandone, & Trigila, 1993;Fusi, Mirabile, Camerlenghi, & Ranieri, 1991;Iorio et al, 2014;Iuliano, Mauriello, & Patella, 2002;Mirabile, De Marinis, & Frattini, 2000;Passaro et al, 2013Passaro et al, , 2014Pennetta, Pescatore, & Vecchione, 1984;Pescatore, Diplomatico, Senatore, Tramutoli, & Mirabile, 1984;Sacchi et al, 2005Sacchi et al, , 2014Secomandi et al, 2003;Somma et al, 2016) but there is a lack of detailed knowledge of the bathymetry. Previous morpho bathymetric data available for this area were characterized by a lower resolution (20 m grid) and a higher noise-tosignal ratio (Aiello et al, 2001).…”