Tectono-stratigraphic and kinematic evolution of the southern Apennines/Calabria-Peloritani Terrane system (Italy)

Temporal controls such as sedimentation ages, in foredeep and wedge-top basins, combined with information about stratigraphic and metamorphic evolution, ages and characterization of magmatic rocks, deep structures, burial and exhumation histories, allowed us to obtain kinematic estimations of the southern Apennines/Calabria-Peloritani Terrane system evolution from the Late Oligocene to Recent. Calculated thrust front velocities suggest to subdivide the orogenic evolution in main five kinematic stages characterized by different velocity trends. Nine kinematic complexes (from A to I), i.e. sets of tectonic units deformed in the same time range, are determined according to foredeep ages. These complexes, bounded by main regional thrust faults, encompass one or more tectonic sub-units and successions of different paleoenvironment domains. Paleogeographic evolution model indicates, according to available paleomagnetic data, a counterclockwise rotation, with a mean angle of 60°, for the Apennine Platform carbonates, whereas a mean angle of 20° for the eastern sector of the Apennine Platform and western side of Apulian Platform. Shortening estimations for the Apennine successions show values ranging between 55% and 88% and a linear best fit indicating an increase from 60% (NW sector) to ca. 90% (SE sector). Such high values are consistent with a deformation dominated by a thin-skinned tectonics, on the contrary, the low value of 28% calculated for Mt. Alpi suggests an exhumation ruled by high-angle deep-seated structures characterized by limited displacements. Tectonic vergences, referred to Middle-Late Miocene, Late Miocene and Pliocene-Middle Pleistocene, when restored, indicate an average eastward tectonic transport. Finally, tectonic evolution is summarized in eleven schematic cross sections and corresponding paleogeographic maps.

► We provide kinematic analysis of southern Apennines/CPT tectonic evolution. ► We grouped preorogenic and foredeep successions in nine kinematic complexes. ► We furnish a Late Oligocene to recent western Mediterranean paleogeography evolution. ► We analyzed shortening estimations, rotations and tectonic vergences.