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Lateral variations in tectonic style across cross-strike discontinuities: an example from the Central Apennines belt (Italy)

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Abstract

In foreland thrust belts, abrupt lateral changes in tectonic style, structural–stratigraphic features, and topography usually occur across cross-strike faults. The Central Apennines of Italy offer an exceptional scenario of lateral variations in tectonic setting. Here, the Sangro Volturno oblique thrust ramp (SVOTR) represents the outer thrust front of the Pliocene–Quaternary foreland thrust system, confining southward the axial culmination of the orogen that occurs in the Central Apennines. We present an interpretation of the Pliocene–Quaternary evolution of this cross-strike fault through an integrated dataset including structural-geological mapping and subsurface onshore seismic reflection profiles. The interpretation of the structural framework is augmented by the analysis of low-temperature thermochronometers from 32 new sites extending across the subsurface transverse structure. As evidenced by seismic line interpretation, the localization and development of the SVOTR have been influenced by inherited extensional faults within a positive inversion tectonics context. The regional distribution of the maximum paleotemperature values across the SVOTR constrains the original extent of the allochthonous thrust sheet over all its hanging-wall and footwall blocks. The Pliocene–Quaternary thrusting and inversion of SVOTR caused the strong hanging-wall uplift, which brought to the complete erosion of the allochthonous units and the exhumation of the Adria units. The integrated analysis of low-temperature thermochronometers and structural evidence as applied in the study case can define the role of major cross-strike discontinuities in foreland thrust belts, by constraining and verifying their tectonics inversion significance and the amount of related exhumation.

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Acknowledgments

This paper benefitted from constructive reviews by Graham Leslie and an anonymous Reviewer. Geotrack International Pty Ltd of Melbourne is acknowledged for the collaboration on low-temperature thermochronometers analysis and for their interpretation. This work was funded by Fondi ricerca scientifica ex 60 % (F.C.) and FIRB—2008 (S.S.).

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  1. Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Geologia, Università degli Studi “G. d’Annunzio” di Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013, Chieti Scalo, Italy

    Sara Satolli, Paolo Pace & Fernando Calamita

  2. Schlumberger Data and Consulting Services, Perth, Australia

    Mauro Gabriele Viandante

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  1. Sara Satolli
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Correspondence to Sara Satolli.

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Satolli, S., Pace, P., Viandante, M.G. et al. Lateral variations in tectonic style across cross-strike discontinuities: an example from the Central Apennines belt (Italy). Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 103, 2301–2313 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-014-1052-3

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