Geology of the Brenner Pass-Fortezza transect, Italian Eastern Alps

We present a 1:30,000 geological map resulting from detailed geostructural surveys carried out along the Italian segment of the design corridor for the Brenner Pass railway base tunnel (BBT), extending from Fortezza (Italy) to Innsbruck (Austria). The map covers the southern part of the Austroalpine-Penninic collisional wedge, the Periadriatic Fault System, associated Oligocene igneous bodies (Periadriatic magmatism) and part of the Southalpine basement. The Penninic Zone in the western Tauern Window is represented by the double domal structure of the Europe-derived Tux and Venediger-Zillertal basement and cover nappe system, capped by the ophiolitic Glockner nappe. The overlying Austroalpine nappe system is here represented by the polymetamorphic Merano-Mules basement and minor cover sheets. The Southern Alps domain includes the Bressanone Granite and pre-granite quartz-phyllites. Four Alpine ductile deformation phases have been recognized, followed by ductile-brittle shear zones, and finally brittle deformations along faults with extensional and strike-slip kinematics. The Quaternary is characterized by glacial deposits, large gravitational mass movements and landslides

55.10 : Carta geologica e note illustrative del transetto Val di Vizze - Fortezza (Alpi orientali)

20 p., 1 carta geologica allegata. Memorie di scienze geologiche, vol. 55, fasc. 10 (2003)

Three-dimensional modelling of a complex metamorphic nappe stack from field survey only: the case study of the Aosta Valley (Italian NW-Alps)

International audienceThree-dimensional structural modelling of complex metamorphic settings is an extremely challenging task. In these settings, rocks sequences record multiple ductile and brittle events, leading for instance to refolded fold structures, isoclinal folds and dense network of faults. In this contribution, we build a 3D structural model of a portion of the highly deformed core of the Alpine orogeny in the North-Western Italian Alps, by using field data (1:10,000 geological map and a dense database of structural stations) as unique input source. Our model area has an extension of ca. 1,300 km<sup>2</sup> and a vertical elevation difference between the highest mountains (e.g., Cervino-Matterhorn) and the valley floors of ca. 4,000 meters, reflecting a truly three-dimensional dataset.</p> <p>Our workflow expects a first phase of orientation statistics study of the structural field database, followed by structural interpretation in vertical cross-sections and 3D interpolation using implicit surfaces and structural constraints. The implicit approach allows us to propagate field data and geological interpretation through mathematical constraints and to obtain structural interfaces reflecting observations.</p> <p>After introducing the new 3D structural model of the portion of the North-Western Alps, we discuss the difficulties related to geomodelling using input surface data only, by qualitatively addressing the uncertainty aspects of our workflow. We also focus on the range of geological and structural constraints that fieldwork allows us, reasoning on the distinction between observed and interpreted geological information

Geology of the Brenner Pass-Fortezza transect, Italian Eastern Alps

<p>We present a 1:30,000 geological map resulting from detailed geostructural surveys carried out along the Italian segment of the design corridor for the Brenner Pass railway base tunnel (BBT), extending from Fortezza (Italy) to Innsbruck (Austria). The map covers the southern part of the Austroalpine-Penninic collisional wedge, the Periadriatic Fault System, associated Oligocene igneous bodies (Periadriatic magmatism) and part of the Southalpine basement. The Penninic Zone in the western Tauern Window is represented by the double domal structure of the Europe-derived Tux and Venediger-Zillertal basement and cover nappe system, capped by the ophiolitic Glockner nappe. The overlying Austroalpine nappe system is here represented by the polymetamorphic Merano-Mules basement and minor cover sheets. The Southern Alps domain includes the Bressanone Granite and pre-granite quartz-phyllites. Four Alpine ductile deformation phases have been recognized, followed by ductile-brittle shear zones, and finally brittle deformations along faults with extensional and strike-slip kinematics. The Quaternary is characterized by glacial deposits, large gravitational mass movements and landslides.</p

Regional-scale 3D modelling in metamorphic belts: An implicit model-driven workflow applied in the Pennine Alps

International audienceLeveraging a high resolution geological and structural dataset acquired over decades of fieldwork, we build the 3D structural model of a portion of the highly deformed core of the Alpine orogen, in the Northern Aosta Valley. The model represents tectonic contacts separating the tectono-metamorphic units outcropping along the section between Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa, and it covers an area of ca. 1500 km2. The input source data include original 1:10,000 geological surveys synthetised in a 1:75,000 tectonic map, and a dense database of structural stations. After a first orientation statistics study of the structural field database, our workflow develops through structural interpretation in vertical cross-sections that allow including in the modelling process structural drivers such as crosscutting relationships, interference patterns, kinematic constraints and fold morphology from detailed field studies. Three-dimensional interpolation on a tetrahedral mesh using the implicit Discrete Smooth Interpolator method follows, using also foliation and fold axes data as interpolation constraints. After describing the workflow and the model, we discuss the difficulties of modelling in polydeformed metamorphic complexes. In particular, we address the issue of modelling shear zones, refolded, isoclinal and/or recumbent folds and dense networks of faults, that characterise the geology of the Northern Aosta Valley

Annexin A1 contributes to pancreatic cancer cell phenotype, behaviour and metastatic potential independently of Formyl Peptide Receptor pathway

Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is a Ca2+-binding protein over-expressed in pancreatic cancer (PC). We recently reported that extracellular ANXA1 mediates PC cell motility acting on Formyl Peptide Receptors (FPRs). Here, we describe other mechanisms by which intracellular ANXA1 could mediate PC progression. We obtained ANXA1 Knock-Out (KO) MIA PaCa-2 cells using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology. LC-MS/MS analysis showed altered expression of several proteins involved in cytoskeletal organization. As a result, ANXA1 KO MIA PaCa-2 partially lost their migratory and invasive capabilities with a mechanism that appeared independent of FPRs. The acquisition of a less aggressive phenotype has been further investigated in vivo. Wild type (WT), PGS (scrambled) and ANXA1 KO MIA PaCa-2 cells were engrafted orthotopically in SCID mice. No differences were found about PC primary mass, conversely liver metastatization appeared particularly reduced in ANXA1 KO MIA PaCa-2 engrafted mice. In summary, we show that intracellular ANXA1 is able to preserve the cytoskeleton integrity and to maintain a malignant phenotype in vitro. The protein has a relevant role in the metastatization process in vivo, as such it appears attractive and suitable as prognostic and therapeutic marker in PC progression

Change in diversity, ecological significance and biogeographical relationships of the Mediterranean Miocene toothed whale fauna

The main evolutionary trend in the Mediterranean Miocene toothed whale fauna is related (1) to the change in diversity and (2) to the turnover in community structure. Diversity increases from Upper Aquitanian-Lower Burdigalian to Burdigalian-Langhian, when it reaches its maximum. Starting from this time, diversity decreases progressively. The Early Miocene (Upper Aquitanian-Lower Burdigalian) Mediterranean toothed whale fauna, as well as the extramediterranean ones, is characterised by a high number of endemic taxa and by the prevalence of longirostral forms living in estuarine-neritic environments. A more diversified fauna spreading in neritic and pelagic environments characterises the Burdigalian-Langhian age, while an increase in pelagic forms and the nearly complete disappearance of some archaic longirostral taxa is typical of the Serravallian-Messinian fauna. Decrease in diversity and disappearance of archaic longirostral taxa are also recorded, at more general scale, in the Late Miocene extramediterranean fossil bearing deposits. These events can be related to the progressive global climatic deterioration, starting from Middle Miocene. From a biogeographic point a view, we can outline some relationships between the Mediterranean and western North Atlantic Miocene faunas. Closer affinities are observed between the Baltringen fauna and the northern Atlantic one, because of the presence of the genera Pomatodelphis and Zarhachis (platanistids) in both areas. In the Miocene Mediterranean and in North Atlantic, the delphinids are apparently absent as well as other extant delphinoid groups even if erroneously recorded in the past