PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING MORPHOTECTONICS IN ITALY

Abbadia di Fiastra (Tolentino), 8-9 January 1988

Abstract

The scientists participating in «Morfoneotettonica» (Morphoneotectonics), the Ministry of Education National Research Project, met in Fiastra Abbey (Tolentino, in the Marche Region) on January 8th and 9th, 1988, to discuss the state of the art of their work and their ideas. All the Local Groups coordinated under the Project presented the results of their latest studies. These Groups were joined by researchers belonging to the «Quantitative Geomorphology» Section of the Italian Physical Geography and Geomorphology Group of the C.N.R. (National Research Council), whose main activities deal with the relationship between the tectonics and the morphology of the hydrographic network. Numerous other scientists were pre- sent and joined in the debates which followed the communications and the round table, which closed the two day’s meeting. Chairmen of the scientific sessions were F. Dramis, University of Camerino, E. Lupia PALMIERI, University of Rome, and M. Pantzza, University of Modena, who is to be remembered as being the Central Co-ordinator of the Project ai its birth. The satisfaction felt for the overwhelming participation was even more enhanced by the opportunity of admiring the breath- taking beauty of the site, which had been chosen for the meeting after suggestions made by colleagues from Camerino University. We therefore gratefully acknowledge the Bandini Foundation, and in particular its President, Comm. R. Mass1, for the exquisite courtesy shown in rendering the famous monument of Fiastra Abbey available for the meeting. The choice of this «hidden jewel» as site of the meeting was due to the fact that similar experiences in the past had demonstrated the possibility of being able to work well in secluded areas, in an environment suitable for gathering the results of scientific studies. At the same time it was also a way of acknowledging the culture promoted by the small but glorious Universities in the Marche Region, in particular the University of Camerino which has an esteemed Department of Earth Science. Moreover, the Marche Region is particularly sensitive to the topics which were discussed in this meeting. The problem of the relationship between the morphology of the Earth’s surface and tectonic structures and the useful data which may be obtained regards the stability or instability of the land is naturally of great interest to those who inhabit this particularly stressed area, since it is frequently the cause of much anxiety. The presence of the Regional Councillor for the Environment during the meeting and the extremely warm welcome given to all the participants are tangible evidence of this keen attitude. The scientists of the Project showed their gratitude for the attention they were given by participating in number and the results of their work proved to be of excellent quality. In the light of this, the National Research Project «Morphoneotettonica», also in view of what has been achieved in previous years, can rightly present a valuable and original contribution towards a better scientific knowledge of our land.