Plate kinematics and geodynamics in the Central Mediterranean

Strike-slip geometry inferred from the seismicity of the Northern-Central Apennines (Italy)

“…This frame has led many authors (Cello et al, 1997;Cerrina Feroni et al, 2004;Coltorti et al, 1996;Di Luzio et al, 2004;Favali et al, 1993;Ferranti et al, 1996;Frepoli and Amato, 1997;Martini et al, 2001;Pizzi and Galadini, 2009) to note the coexistence of transpression and transtension, which they attributed to several geodynamic models. Our interpretation not only explains this coexistence by a different approach, but also enhances the role assumed by the strike-slip kinematics in the Northern-Central Apennines, similarly to what proposed by Mantovani et al, 2009 andViti et al, 2011 for the central Mediterranean region. In fact our study infers the existence of a geometrically determined tectonic system along the Apenninic Chain and explains the coeval evolution of pop-up structures, pull-apart basins, thrusts, normal faults and oblique to strike-slip faults.…”

An alternative model for the recent evolution of the Northern–Central Apennines (Italy)

“…Conversely, we emphasize the role played by deep-seated sinistral strike-slip kinematics and related structures in the Northern-Central Apennines, similar to that proposed by Martini et al (2001) for the whole Apennines and by Cello and Mazzoli (1999) for the southern Apennines. Our view is also compatible with the kinematic/tectonic model proposed by Mantovani et al (2009) andViti et al (2011) for the central Mediterranean region. Our interpretation allows us, then, to explain the evolution of the Northern-Central Apennines as the result of a kinematics not directly related to subduction processes.…”

Possible Location of the Next Major Earthquakes in the Northern Apennines: Present Key Role of the Romagna-Marche-Umbria Wedge

“…The convergence between Africa and Eurasia and the roughly westward migration of the Anatolian-Aegean-Balkan system induces the roughly northward displacement of the Adria plate [1]- [7]. This displacement gradually involves the various sectors of the Adriatic plate (Adria), as they decouple from the confining orogenic structures by major earthquakes (Figure 1).…”