Geomorfologia sottomarina di un settore della Penisola Sorrentina (Campania)

Submarine geomorphology of a sector of the Surrentine Peninsula (Campania, Southern Italy)

Abstract

Researches carried out during 1995 and 1996 on the continental shelf around the southern sector of the Surrentine Peninsula (Southern Italy), highlightened the geomorphological features of submarine landscapes characterized with rocky platforms and marine terraces until 100 m depth. The aim is to reconstruct the quaternary morphodynamic evolution by linking known geological Informations of the emerged coast with new morphological data of the submerged environment of this coastal zone. Bathymetric, GPS’ surveys and scuba- diving reliefs allowed us to register data about the morphological structures along the sea bottom and the cliffs. Submerged marine surfaces, both of erosional and depositions! origin, were find between 3÷90 m depth, with underwater rocky pools, channels, karstic submarine caves and sea-notch traces too. Computer simulations of rocky coast evolution since 900 Ka B.P., considering 10°-40° slope slants under stable tectonic regime or light uplifts during one or more cycles, confirmed however the formation of wave-cut terraces between sealevel and -20 m depth and wider terraces at -45/-60 m depth. Therefore, the terraces observed on the emerged coast are related to tectonlc-cListatic interaction, while the submerged platforms are above all related to eustatic phenomena during the Quaternary.