Quaternary Evolution of the Lower Calore and Middle Volturno Valleys (Southern Italy)

The lower Calore and middle Volturno valleys preserve stratigraphical morphological evidence tephrostratigraphic markers particularly suitable for reconstructing the long-term geomorphological evolution of central-southern Apennines. Aim our study is to identify main steps Quaternary landscape these valley systems improve knowledge about relationships between fluvial processes tectonics, volcanic activity, climatic human influences. To this purpose, we carried out an integrated chrono-stratigraphical analysis identified landforms related deposits, by 230Th/234U datings on travertines from Telese Plain area. highlighted in particular: (1) sedimentation started Middle Pleistocene (~650 ka) within that originated under control high-angle faults; (2) extensional tectonics acted during Upper Pleistocene, driving formation oldest terraces alluvial fans, persisted beyond emplacement Campanian Ignimbrite pyroclastic deposits (~39 ka); (3) late onwards (<15 ka), role appears negligible, while changes played a key three orders floor youngest fans.