Mio-Quaternary transpressive tectonics in the Marche area foothills (Central Italy)

Aiming at investigating the structural style and recent to active deformation in the external area of Northern Apennines adjoining the Po Plain, seismic reflection profiles and well logs data were examined both on- and offshore of the Adriatic coast line. E.N.I S.p.A. kindly provided most of the seismic lines while, others, were achieved by the public ViDEPI Project. In particular, four NE–SW sub-parallel transects have been prepared after an accurate interpretation of the available sub-surface data together with the relevant support of surface geological data. Thanks to well logs analysis, two relevant seismo-statigraphic markers were also identified, together with some unconformities within the Middle Pliocene/Quaternary succession. In this study it is proposed a detailed structural scheme for the area between Rimini and Fano, where outcropping and buried Apennine structures have been highlighted and interpreted mainly as NW/NNW-SE/SSE high angle transpressive or flower structures, referred to their recent and actual deformation history, with implications for active tectonic and seismicity. In many cases, these structures show some similarities and continuity with the southernmost ones toward the Conero area. Furthermore, in the offshore of Cattolica, these Apenninic structures seems to close against a NNE–SSW fault system forming an asimmetric arch.