Dinaric up-thrusts in the Pliocene evolution of the Central Apennines thrust belt of Italy: the Montagna dei Fiori structure

Abstract Several orogenic belts exhibit regional-scale anticlines characterized by prominent faults in their crestal/forelimb zone. These are also a common feature the Neogene fold-and-thrust belt of Apennines, where they have been contrastingly interpreted as younger-on-older thrust faults, large-scale strike-slip and pre- or syn-thrusting normal faults. In this study, we analysed NW–SE-trending fault (Montagna dei Fiori Fault) that affects hinge-zone/forelimb Montagna Anticline. This fold is outermost exposed contractional structure within Pliocene–Quaternary antiformal stack outer Central Apennines. The integration stratigraphic structural data collected during field geological survey enabled us to reconstruct multiphase reactivation deformation along Fault. From novel data, different interpretation for evolution Fault proposed. originated Late Cretaceous – middle Miocene, NE-dipping, Dinaric up-thrust was later reactivated, displaced rotated Pliocene Apennine thrusting related folding, until assuming present-day SW-dipping attitude with an apparent character. newly proposed origin compared analogous subsurface example Palaeogene–Quaternary imaged seismic reflection profile Adriatic foreland. outcome combined investigation provides new elements unravel complex developed at expense previously deformed foreland, ahead advancing chain.