Seismo-Stratigraphic Data of Wave-Cut Marine Terraces in the Licosa Promontory (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy)

Abstract

Some seismo-stratigraphic evidence on the occurrence of wave-cut marine terraces in the Licosa promontory (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy) based on Sub-bottom Chirp seismic sections is herein presented. Such evidence is provided by marine terraced surfaces situated at various water depths below sea level and etched into the rocky acoustic basement, which are extensively extending in the seaward extension of the Licosa promontory. It is possible that the isotopic stratigraphy and the terraced marine surfaces are connected, so they can be attributed and dated indirectly. The geologic study of seismic profiles has pointed to the prominence of the acoustic basement, extending to the seabed close to the coast and subsiding seawards under the Quaternary marine succession. Ancient remains of marine terraces, found at a range of water depths between 5 m and 50 m, have documented the major morphological changes of the acoustic basement during the Late Quaternary.

Keywords

• seismic stratigraphy
• marine terraces
• acoustic basement
• Licosa promontory