GNGTS 2015 - Atti del 34° Convegno Nazionale

58 GNGTS 2015 S essione 1.1 the interpretation of geophysical data at different scales (Polonia et al. , 2011, 2012) and well- targeted sediment samples. The Calabrian Arc region has been struck repeatedly by destructive historical earthquakes (Rovida et al. , 2011) often associated with tsunamis (Tinti et al. , 2004). In our approach, high penetration multichannel seismic data unravelled the overall geometry and tectonic evolution of the subduction complex while single fault strand dynamics have been reconstructed through the analysis of high-resolution geophysical data. On the other hand, the integrated analysis of sediment samples collected in the abyssal plain and slope basins, highlight the occurrence of anomalous sedimentary deposits (i.e. turbidites, debris flow and mass wasting deposits) and the likely relationships between active tectonics and sedimentation. The multidisciplinary investigation of the effects of historical earthquakes on marine sedimentation through the analysis of the turbidite record (Polonia et al. , 2013a, 2013b, 2015) suggests that major historical earthquakes recorded in the area triggered slope instabilities and multiple turbidity currents. These findings suggest that seismically/tsunami triggered turbidites represent more than 90% of sedimentation in the deep basin. Marine sediments may thus be considered as seabed archives of paleo-earthquakes capable of reconstructing seismicity back in time, during several earthquake cycles (10,000-30,000 years). Calabrian Arc seismo-turbidites. Gravity cores contain the eastern Mediterranean hemipelagic sequence interbedded with redeposited units characterized by coarse and/or graded layers. Three major turbidite sequences have been analysed in three different cores Fig. 1 – Geodynamic setting of the study area and structural map of the Calabrian Arc subduction system in the Ionian Sea as derived from the interpretation of available seismic data (Polonia et al. , 2011) integrated with multibeam bathymetry data. Yellow arrow indicates Europe (Eu) and Africa (Afr) slip vector in the Afr reference frame. Yellow and green stars indicate core location.