The genesis and development of the submerged notch occurring along the Northern Adriatic limestone coasts, surveyed at depth ranging between _0.35 and _2.8 m and amplitude consistent with the local tide is discussed using new and published data on its elevation and data on limestone lowering rates, collected using a micro-erosion meter and a traversing micro-erosion meter. Coastal limestone lowering rates in the Northern Adriatic range between 0.008 and 1.170 mm/y and they are about eight times higher than inland limestone lowering rates. Data support the hypothesis that notch is presently carving, even if no present-day notch has been surveyed in the area. The lack of a modern notch, and the presently submerged notch position, could be related to (1) a rapid still-acting tectonic downdrop or (2) an increase in weathering/erosion rates causing by different environmental conditions, e.g. during the so-called Medieval Warm Period, marked by more aggressive weathering, both chemically, biologically and/or mechanically, than present conditions, due to an increase in rainfall or variations in the acidity of seawater. Pros and cons of these hypotheses are discussed in the paper.

Notches in the Northern Adriatic Sea: Genesis and development.

FURLANI, STEFANO;CUCCHI, FRANCO;BIOLCHI, SARA;ODORICO, ROBERTO
2011-01-01

Abstract

The genesis and development of the submerged notch occurring along the Northern Adriatic limestone coasts, surveyed at depth ranging between _0.35 and _2.8 m and amplitude consistent with the local tide is discussed using new and published data on its elevation and data on limestone lowering rates, collected using a micro-erosion meter and a traversing micro-erosion meter. Coastal limestone lowering rates in the Northern Adriatic range between 0.008 and 1.170 mm/y and they are about eight times higher than inland limestone lowering rates. Data support the hypothesis that notch is presently carving, even if no present-day notch has been surveyed in the area. The lack of a modern notch, and the presently submerged notch position, could be related to (1) a rapid still-acting tectonic downdrop or (2) an increase in weathering/erosion rates causing by different environmental conditions, e.g. during the so-called Medieval Warm Period, marked by more aggressive weathering, both chemically, biologically and/or mechanically, than present conditions, due to an increase in rainfall or variations in the acidity of seawater. Pros and cons of these hypotheses are discussed in the paper.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11368/2336068
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