Morfostrutture e processi sedimentari nei fondali delll’area compresa fra Punta Stilo e Capo Rizzuto (Calabria Ionica), zona a potenziale rischio geoambientale.

The Jonian Clabrian inner margin is characterized by a very complex morphology, poorly known in details about its genesis and recent evolution, connected to intense morpho-tectonic dynamics of the Calabrian Arc. The study area covers approximately 6000 square km, including the continental shelf and slope between Capo Spartivento and Capo Rizzuto down to a depth of 1500 meters. Multibeam, CHIRP, grab, and cores samples are performed during two oceanographic cruises. The exploration aim has been the testing of some important processes of submarine erosion that affect also the coastal areas. The main results of this multidisciplinary researches are as follows : - the morphology of the margin is modelled in a very thick plio-quaternary sequence produced by the very high terrigenous supply from the Calabrian Arc; - various mass transport processes towards the outer margin are active and both diffused along the slope (creeps, slides, slumps) and focussed inside the main canyon systems (turbidity currents, mud flows); - the generally narrow continental shelf shows remarkable width variations; where the canyon heads are well developed, the shelf is absent. All these features suggest a recent acceleration of the erosive processes. In the main canyon systems, the head retrogressive erosion affects the continental shelf until it interacts with the coastal morpho-sedimentary processes. In many cases the relationship between the morphological features and the main structural lineaments of the Margin is well evident. Its recent activity is testified by the high seismicity of the area. The widespread slope instability, the active mass wasting processes and the historical seismicity suggest that the whole area represents a case study for longterm tsunami hazard researches and risk evaluation.