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A buried paleovalley system, about 50 m deep and 2 km wide, is documented from the Pescara coastal plain. Based on stratigraphic, sedimentological, paleontological, chronological and geotechnical data, the paleovalley profile and 3D facies architecture of the paleovalley fill (PVF) were reconstructed. The lowermost PVF is a laterally extensive fluvial gravel body, up to 13 m-thick, that represents the lowstand systems tract (LST; pre-11.3 ka cal BP). Above lowstand deposits, the transgressive systems tract (TST), 21 m-thick, shows a deepening-upward trend, from freshwater/inner-estuarine to brackish/outer-estuarine facies associations (11.3–8.0 ka cal BP). The upper part of the succession (highstand systems tract – HST) shows a shallowing-upward tendency from paludal to fluvio-deltaic deposits. Seven millennial-scale parasequences (Ps) were identified within the Pescara Holocene (TST + HST) succession. Transgressive Ps1-3 exhibit a distinctive retrogradational stacking pattern. Highstand Ps4-7 are aggradationally-to-progradationally stacked. During the aggradational phase (P4), the estuary was gradually filled and swamp environments spread onto the valley interfluve. Because of subsequent progradation (Ps5-7), delta plain conditions established. In the research core, TST parasequences show higher accumulation rates (up to 9.4 mm/y) than HST ones (1.3–1.8 mm/y). Thus, the study area evolved from a region of sediment storage (11.3–8.0 ka cal BP) into a sector of prevalent sediment bypass (last 8.0 ky). Major early Holocene flooding events were possibly triggered by Melt-Water Pulses (MWPs) 1B, 1C and 1D. The eustatic rise linked to MWP-1B reasonably caused the P1 flooding event (11.3 ka cal BP). Post-MWPs 1C and 1D sea-level rises likely provoked the complete drowning of the paleovalley system and the subsequent maximum landward migration of the shoreline (about 8.0 ka cal BP). This study provides new evidences, in terms of sedimentary response, of the poorly-documented MWPs 1C and 1D, and the first documentation of MWP-1B eustatic effects in an onshore sector of the Central Adriatic.

Benthic ostracods and foraminifers are extensively applied as palaeoenvironmental indicators in shallow marine successions. The record of the two benthic groups is often combined to obtain detailed insights about the coastal evolution in response to late Quaternary allogenic and autogenic factors, overlooking that the information recorded by benthic ostracods and foraminifers could be significantly different. We performed a critical comparison of the palaeoecological record provided by benthic ostracod and foraminifer assemblages from the shallow marine intervals of three cores recovered in the Po Delta (Italy), framing our data in a sequence stratigraphic perspective and applying multivariate elaborations. The modern North Adriatic reference set allowed to assess (dis-)similarities in quantitative reconstructions of significant environmental parameters between the two groups. Results demonstrate that both benthic ostracods and foraminifers efficiently discriminate transgressive (TST) and highstand (HST) systems tract, as well as distance from palaeo-river mouths, with the most relevant palaeoecological changes recorded within delta lobe-fringe deposits. The complementarity of benthic ostracods and foraminifers is evidenced: the former highlight shifts in depositional regimes in response to allogenic and autogenic factors, the latter provide information about river input fluctuations in terms of organic matter.

We are investigating the effects of earthquakes and tsunamis on the sedimentary record in the Ionian Sea through the analysis of turbidite deposits. A comparison between radiometric dating and historical earthquake catalogs suggests that turbidite emplacement triggered by great earthquakes represents over 90% of the deposits in this region. Seismo-turbidite beds can be correlated with major earthquakes such as the AD 1908 Messina, AD 1693 Catania, AD 1169 Eastern Sicily and AD 365 Crete earthquakes.

Integrated sedimentological and micropalaeontological analysis of a 105 m long core (Vignarca) from the Piombino alluvial plain, in western Tuscany, provides evidence for a Late Quaternary transgressive event within a monotonous vertical succession of alluvial plain deposits. This transgressive pulsation, recorded in the core at about 20 m depth and assigned to > 43 ka on the basis of radiocarbon dating, is documented at Vignarca (3 km landward of present shoreline), through identification of a lagoonal/bay facies association, about 3 m thick, bearing a diagnostic brackish-water microfauna. Pollen data show a close relationship between initial transgression and the development of mixed Mediterranean and broadleaved forest vegetation, indicating that transgression took place at the onset of a warm (interglacial) period, replacing the previous cold-climate (late glacial) vegetation. Comparison of pollen spectra from core Vignarca with coeval pollen series from the Mediterranean area suggests an age attribution of this transgressive episode to the Tyrrhenian (OIS 5e) transgressive event.

Integrated sedimentological and micropalaeontological (foraminifers, ostracods, pollen) analyses of eight continuously cored boreholes, up to 140 m deep, reveal the depositional history and the palaeoclimatic evolution of southeastern Po Plain (northern Italy) over the last 150 ky. Age assignments are supported by the chronostratigraphic sequence framework calibrated by radiocarbon and pollen data, allowing detailed correlation with the oxygen-isotope record. Facies analysis (including identification of 12 distinct microfossils associations) and detailed stratigraphic correlations across several tens of km document a cyclic sedimentation pattern (including continental, coastal and shallow-marine deposits), which defines two transgressive–regressive sequences, deposited over the last two interglacial–glacial cycles. Two prominent stratigraphic markers, corresponding to wedge-shaped coastal sand bodies, are recorded between 0–30 and 100–125 m core depths. These sedimentary bodies were deposited during the two major transgressive pulsations and subsequent sea-level highstands of the last 150 ky, assigned to the Holocene and the Tyrrhenian (oxygen-isotope Substage 5e), respectively. The stratigraphic architecture of post-Substage 5e deposits shows consistent patterns of coastal evolution with changing sea-level position. Lowering of sea level between 125 and 70 ky (onset of Substages 5d and 5b, and Stage 4) resulted in extensive and repeated basinward shifts of facies, which can be observed across closely spaced unconformity surfaces associated to alluvial plain sedimentation (falling-stage systems tract). The general phase of sea-level fall was punctuated by short transgressive phases (Substages 5c, 5a and Stage 3 interstadials), which led to widespread deposition of organic-rich (lagoonal and swamp) deposits. Upper Stage 3 and Stage 2 deposits (lowstand systems tract) are replaced across a significant part of the study area by a hiatal surface. Holocene interglacial deposits are characterized by a retrogradational stacking pattern of coastal plain and littoral facies (transgressive systems tract), reflecting invariably the landward migration of a barrier–lagoon–estuary system. Subsequent highstand deposition (highstand systems tract) was characterized by extensive progradation of wave-influenced deltas and strandplains. The two major transgressive surfaces, of Tyrrhenian and Holocene age, are considerably easier to identify than the other key surfaces for sequence stratigraphic interpretation. The lowermost transgressive deposits display a pollen signature diagnostic of warm climate (interglacial) periods, showing wide forest development and relatively high pollen concentrations. By contrast, the deposits overlying the unconformable surfaces related to successive phases of sea-level fall are fingerprinted by pollen spectra dominated by Pinus and non-arboreal pollen types, with very low pollen concentrations, reflecting the onset of a stable cold climate vegetation characteristic of stadial to fully glacial conditions. The good match between facies architecture, pollen distribution and global sea-level evolution strongly suggests that Late Quaternary sedimentation in the Po Basin developed under a predominantly glacio-eustatic control. Stratigraphic architecture of the Po Basin thus can provide a useful analog for interpretation and correlation in the stratigraphic record of very rapid glacio-eustatic (fourth-order) cycles, with frequencies of about 100 ky.

Benthic foraminifera from stratigraphically expanded, late Quaternary prodelta successions of the Po Delta plain reveal small-scale paleoenvironmental variations within lithologically homogeneous deposits formed under conditions of rapid sedimentation (ca. 6 cm/yr). A detailed paleoenvironmental reconstruction was obtained comparing benthic foraminifera with shallow-water assemblages from the modern Po Delta. The integration with sediment geochemistry and radiocarbon dates was also tested to detect short time-scale delta dynamics controlled by autogenic factors. Core 7 records the development of an inner-shelf environment (interval A), replaced by a prodelta with strong fluvial influence, shown by the sharp increase in Ammonia tepida and Ammonia parkinsoniana (interval B). These taxa are replaced by Aubignyna perlucida (interval C) which indicates a major mouth shift (Ficarolo avulsion). Subsequent abrupt increases in A. tepida and A. parkinsoniana document a step-like progradation of the Po di Goro delta lobe (intervals D and E). In the seaward Core 1, possible minor mouth shifts are recorded by a sharp increase in A. tepida and A. parkinsoniana, paralleled by Cr/Al2O3 depletion. The upper portion of both prodelta successions includes stacked flood layers formed near the river mouth, as indicated by scarce A. tepida and A. parkinsoniana.

Despite the overwhelming control exerted on worldwide coastal evolution by the Lateglacial-early Holocene sea-level rise, high-frequency rapid palaeoenvironmental changes are recorded within a thick postglacial succession buried beneath the southern Po Plain (Northern Italy). Amultidisciplinary study involving sedimentology, micropalaeontology (benthic foraminifers and ostracods), geochemistry (major, minor and trace elements) and radiocarbon dating (14C) on a 40m-long core (240-S5) retrieved inland of the Holocene beach ridges, allowed the reconstruction of articulate coastal scenarios and dynamics - including stages of drainage reorganization. An alluvial plain nourished by the Apenninic Savio River developed in response to low sea-level conditions during the last glacial period. During the first stages of deglaciation (Lateglacial period) the study area was flooded and a coastal plain evolved near the coeval lagoon basin. Subtle change in microfossil content documents the occurrence of a short-term progradational episode that led to the temporary establishment of more terrestrial conditions (likely attributed to the Younger Dryas event - ca. 12,500 cal years BP). Complex and unstable Lateglacial palaeoenvironmental scenarios, and a mixed contribution from two Apenninic rivers (Savio River and Fiumi Uniti system), are suggested by the geochemical composition of coastal sediments. A distinctive flooding event, possibly related to the MWP-1B, caused the abrupt replacement of the coastal plain by a barrier-lagoon system. This landward shift of facies was synchronous with a source area change from the Savio River to the Fiumi Uniti system, triggered by an important phase of drainage system reorganization. Short-term changes in microfossil content also highlight the occurrence of two early Holocene episodes of lagoon infilling not accompanied by significant changes in sediment composition. The complete infilling of lagoon, which evolved in a swamp basin, took place only after ca. 7,600 cal years BP. The establishment of hypohaline environmental conditions is supported by subtle changes in geochemical composition.

Classical (paleo-)ecological indices extracted from benthic foraminiferal assemblages are commonly applied to determine past environmental conditions.We tested the efficiency of selected indices (including wall type proportion, epifaunal/infaunal ratio and pooled diversity indices) on benthic foraminifera from a Holocene shallow marine succession of the Po Delta, in order to evaluate their advantages, limits and differences. The paleoenvironmental record was determined integrating species composition of assemblages. All indices clearly discriminated between low and high riverine influence, even though the boundary at three different core depths revealed their different sensitivity to the faunal response under hanging environmental conditions in terms of organic matter and sediment supply. Specifically, the lowest boundary was highlighted by wall structural types and epifaunal/infaunal ratio that were able to track the first inputs of organic matter provided by the prograding Po River mouths. Upward, low sand concentration and moderate foraminiferal abundance (expressed as Total Foraminiferal Number) indicated significant supplies of fine-grained sediments within a prodelta paleoenvironment. Lastly, diversity indices revealed stressful prodelta conditions with remarkable low diversity and high dominance values. We show that high paleoenvironmental resolution can be obtained through the integration of faunal indices, species composition and sediment grain size within deltaic successions, where many indices should be considered to comprehensively understand the onset of riverine influenced conditions.

The Mediterranean Sea hosts two subduction systems along the convergent Africa-Eurasia plate boundary that have produced strong ground shaking and generated tsunamis. Based on historical descriptions and sedimentary records, one of these events, in 365 CE, impacted a broad geographical area, including tsunami evidence for distances of 700–800 km from the source event, qualifying it as a ‘megatsunami’. Understanding how megatsunamis are produced, and where they are more likely, requires a better understanding of the different secondary processes linked to these events such as massive slope failures, multiple turbidity current generation, and basin seiching. Our sedimentary records from an extensive collection of cores located in distal and disconnected basins, identify turbidites which are analyzed using granulometry, elemental (XRF), micropaleontological, and geochemical data in order to reconstruct their coastal or marine source. The results show that the 365 CE basin floor sediments are a mixture of inner shelf and slope materials. The tsunami wave produced multiple far-field slope failures that resulted in stacked basal turbidites. It also caused transport of continent-derived organic carbon and deposition over basal turbidites and into isolated basins of the deep ocean. The composition of sediment in isolated basins suggests their deposition by large-scale sheet like flows similar to what has been caused by the Tohoku earthquake associated tsunamis. This is significant for rectifying and resolving where risk is greatest and how cross-basin tsunamis are generated. Based on these results, estimates of the underlying deposits from the same locations were interpreted as possible older megatsunamis.

This study investigates Ionian Sea seismo-turbidite (ST) deposits that we interpret to be triggered by major historic earthquakes and tsunamis in the Calabrian Arc. ST beds can be correlated with the AD 1908 Mw 7.24 Messina, AD 1693 Mw 7.41 Catania, and AD 1169 Mw 6.6 Eastern Sicily earthquakes while two previously unknown turbidites might have been generated by the AD 1818 Mw 6.23 Catania and AD 1542 Mw 6.77 Siracusa earthquakes. Textural, micropaleontological, geochemical and mineralogical signatures of STs reveal cyclic patterns of STa, STb, STc and STd sedimentary units for each earthquake with an associated tsunami. The STa unit contains multiple ST stacks with different mineralogy, geochemistry foraminiferal assemblages and sedimentary structures that are deposited from synchronous multiple slope failures and turbidity currents. The STb homogenite graded mud unit overlying the STa unit is deposited by the waning flows of the multiple turbidity currents that are trapped in the Ionian Sea confined basin. The STc laminated and marine-sourced unit results from seiching of the confined water mass that appears to be generated by earthquake ruptures combined with tsunami waves. The STd unit is a tsunamite cap deposited by the slow settling suspension cloud created by tsunami wave backwash erosion of the shoreline and continental shelf. This tsunami process interpretation is based on the textural gradation of the upper unit and a more continental source of the tsunamite cap which includes C/N > 10 and the presence of inner shelf foraminifera with a lack of abyssal species. This interpretation is in agreement with the lack of a tsunamite cap for the turbidite likely linked to the AD 1542 historic earthquake that is not associated with a tsunami. The new sedimentologic criteria identifies the final seiche and tsunamite cap deposits of STs and provides a model that can now be tested in other locations to better understand the different depositional processes of seismo-turbidites in confined basins.