Morphotectonic features of the Tammaro River basin, Southern Apennines, Italy

In this paper,the preliminary results of a research aimed to reconstruct the morphotectonic frameworkof the Tammaro River basin are presented. The use ofdedicated geographic information systems (GIS) enabled an efficient managing and processing of heterogeneous datasets, produced using GIS-aided classical techniques ofgeological and geomorphological analysis of the relief. On these data, advanced statistical processing procedures werecarried out. The Tammaro R. basin corresponds to a sectorof the Southern Apennines experiencing a general SW–NEextension, with several evidence of recent seismicity, and looks very similar to other intermontane basins hosted along the axis of the Apennines. The basin is dominated by NE–SW striking faults that seem to be the key structuresfor the morphotectonic evolution of the area. NW–SE, N–S and E–W azimuthal sets of faults are also well represented and seem to have played a minor role. The existence of these faults is confirmed by clear geomorphological evidence,such as fluvial elbows, subsequent reaches ofstreams, straight slopes shaped as triangular or trapezoidal facets, fault scarps and displacements of five orders of palaeosurfaces.