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Abstract: A wide sector of the internal portion of the Central Apennines, which comprises the southern Lepini Mtns up to the northern Simbruini Mtns has been investigated through detailed field mapping and integrated with structural analyses. A few small productive oil fields and a large number of hydrocarbon seeps and oil impregnations are located in this sector. This area offers good opportunities for testing the use of structural fieldwork methodologies in order to highlight oil migrating paths, from Triassic source rocks, and prospecting chances for oil field exploitation. The main stages of the structural evolution of the area took place after deposition of the foredeep sediments (Frosinone Fm.), i.e. after Late Tortonian, under a stress field characterised by a NE–SW trending σ1, which was responsible for the early emplacement of major thrust faults present in the area. The Messinian-Early Pliocene thrust-top basin deposits allowed the reconstruction of an in-sequence evolution of the thrust system. The development of out-of-sequence thrusting post-dates these structures leading to a further strong shortening phase in the area during the Pliocene. This phase is characterised by a roughly NNE–SSW trending σ1. Some peculiar tectonic features evidenced by thrust faults with younger-over-older relationships and an inversion of the original stacking of thrust sheets developed during this phase. Successively, a block-faulting tectonic, mainly with NE–SW extension stress field, occurred and dismembered the compressive tectonic edifice. Later on up to the Middle Pleistocene, N–S to NNE–SSW trending dextral strike-slip faults also acted in the area. Associated to the strike-slip tectonics are local volcanic centres as well as necks, whose compositions show a mantle origin, thus indicating deep seating and a possible lithospheric significance of these structures. In the light of this study, the reduced extension of the productive oil area as well as the spotting of oil seeps, may indicate that the migration conditions are not tied to well defined structures but that likely the cross-cutting points among structures facilitate the conditions for an upwards rising of oil. These conditions in particular are achieved at least in two cases: (1) where the Late Triassic source rocks do not have great depth due to normal or reverse faults, or (2) at a major depth when encountered by transcurrent-oblique roughly N–S trending faults—in both cases oil can easily migrate along the damage zone associated to the fault plane. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Lunigiana basin is a NW trending tectonic depression located in the Northern Apennines of Italy. The basin is bounded by active normal faults, characterized by moderate to strong seismicity, with historical earthquakes reaching up to magnitude 6 (February 14, 1834) and instrumental events with magnitude up to 5.4 (June 21, 2013). Using the classical methodologies of active tectonic studies (i.e. remote sensing and digital topography analysis, field mapping, structural geology, and tectonic geomorphology), the main active faults have been mapped for their geometries, kinematics and evidence of activity. Both fault systems bounding the basin to the northeast and southwest have revealed clear evidence of fault capability, i.e., tectonic displacement of the latest Pleistocene-Holocene sediments and geomorphic markers. Then, the study focused on the southwestern Arzelato-Mulazzo-Tresana fault system (AMT), depicting its Late Quaternary tectono-sedimentary evolution and linkage relationship between important fault segments. The throw measurement of key geomorphic markers on the central fault of the AMT allowed to derive medium- (last 350–250 ka) and short-term (18–13 ka) vertical slip rates: 0.44–0.62 and 0.45–0.68 mm/yr, respectively. Lastly, an exploratory trench for paleoseismological analysis was dug across the fault scarp where geomorphic indicators of active surface faulting were most pronounced, just south of the village of Mulazzo. Its paleoseismological analysis revealed at least two events of surface faulting, with a cumulative throw in excess of 70 cm, occurred in historical times. Radiocarbon dating of the exposed alluvial and slope deposits allowed to bracket the surface rupture events to 14th to 19th century CE and after the 18th century CE. Typically, in the active extensional belt of the Apennines, the observed offsets correspond to earthquakes of magnitude >6.3, also confirmed by the empirical fault-scaling laws. This magnitude is, therefore, higher than that currently inferred for this seismic source (Mw 5.7÷6.0 in the DISS catalog) and is comparable to that experienced in the adjoining Garfagnana basin (Mw 6.5 on September 7, 1920). The findings of this research suggests a need to revise the seismic hazard of the Lunigiana basin, including greater consideration of the surface faulting hazard in the seismic microzonation studies. More generally, our findings provide new insight into the comprehension of a) the still unclear deep geometry (listric or not?) and the hierarchy of bounding faults, and b) provide new elements to decipher the puzzling seismotectonic relationships of Lunigiana with the adjoining basins on both its ends, characterized by quite different structural settings. • Western Lunigiana landscape records distinct tectonic events. • Multidisciplinary approach allowed identifying the first evidence of capable faults. • Geomorphological marker offsets allow estimating throw rates since Middle Pleistocene. • Historical slip events along the LANF were revealed by paleoseismic analysis. • Our results call for seismic hazard revision in this understudied area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D imaging is a powerful tool of high resolution and non-destructive imaging technology for the study of ancient weapons and military technology, which reveals the original microstructures and corrosion patterns that threaten these artefacts. Here we report quantitative analysis of the 3D distribution and the orientation of fractures, and uncorroded metal particles within a wrought iron javelin unearthed at the Phoenician-Punic site of Motya, Italy. The study aimed to gain a better understanding of the relationship between corrosion and local stresses within the artifact and to evaluate its manufacturing technology, as well as the effects of post-treatment with Paraloid B72 on concretion and mineralized layers. The cracks were quantified in terms of content, size, and orientation. The condition of artefact storage was evaluated by a multi-analytical approach, including X-ray microscopy, field emission electron microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The results indicated that a specific technique was used to create a sturdy, lightweight javelin with a central shaft for piercing or thrusting. The fractures appear elongated in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the blade, showing the forging direction of the original metallic block. The study concluded that the artifact had not yet been stabilized due to the presence of lepidocrocite., (© 2023. The Author(s).)