Geological record of tsunami inundations in Pantano Morghella (south-eastern Sicily) both from near and far-field sources

Abstract. Analysis of tsunami deposits from the Pantano Morghella area provided geological evidence for two inundations occurred along the south-eastern Ionian coast of Sicily. Pantano Morghella is a large pond characterised by a fine-grained sedimentation indicating a low-energy depositional environment. Two anomalous yellow sandy layers found at different depths indicate the occurrence of high-energy marine inundations. We studied sedimentological and paleontological features of the anomalous deposits as well as their spatial distribution observing the following properties: different facies with respect to the local stratigraphic sequence; erosive bases, rip-up clasts and broken elements testifying violent deposition mechanisms; macro and micro fauna of marine environment; relatively constant thickness throughout most of the depositional zone with thinning at the distal end; large sand sheets that extend inland. These observations, jointly with their infrequency in the sedimentary record and the age indicating a fast deposition, provided strong evidence for tsunami inundations. Correlations between anomalous layers and historical tsunamis are supported by radiocarbon and OSL dating results. The younger deposit is likely due to the 1908 near-source tsunami, whereas the flooding of the oldest event is most likely associated with a far and large source, the Crete 365 AD earthquake

Geological record of tsunami inundations in Pantano Morghella (south-eastern Sicily) both from near and far-field sources

Analysis of tsunami deposits from the Pantano Morghella area provided geological evidence for two inundations occurred along the south-eastern Ionian coast of Sicily. Pantano Morghella is a large pond characterised by a finegrained sedimentation indicating a low-energy depositional environment. Two anomalous yellow sandy layers found at different depths indicate the occurrence of high-energy marine inundations. We studied sedimentological and paleontological features of the anomalous deposits as well as their spatial distribution observing the following properties: different facies with respect to the local stratigraphic sequence; erosive bases, rip-up clasts and broken elements testifying violent deposition mechanisms; macro and micro fauna of marine environment; relatively constant thickness throughout most of the depositional zone with thinning at the distal end; large sand sheets that extend inland. These observations, jointly with their infrequency in the sedimentary record and the age indicating a fast deposition, provided strong evidence for tsunami inundations. Correlations between anomalous layers and historical tsunamis are supported by radiocarbon and OSL dating results. The younger deposit is likely due to the 1908 near-source tsunami, whereas the flooding of the oldest event is most likely associated with a far and large source, the Crete 365AD earthquake

Tissue-Informative Mechanism for Wearable Non-invasive Continuous Blood Pressure Monitoring

Accurate continuous direct measurement of the blood pressure is currently available thru direct invasive methods via intravascular needles, and is mostly limited to use during surgical procedures or in the intensive care unit (ICU). Non-invasive methods that are mostly based on auscultation or cuff oscillometric principles do provide relatively accurate measurement of blood pressure. However, they mostly involve physical inconveniences such as pressure or stress on the human body. Here, we introduce a new non-invasive mechanism of tissue-informative measurement, where an experimental phenomenon called subcutaneous tissue pressure equilibrium is revealed and related for application in detection of absolute blood pressure. A prototype was experimentally verified to provide an absolute blood pressure measurement by wearing a watch-type measurement module that does not cause any discomfort. This work is supposed to contribute remarkably to the advancement of continuous non-invasive mobile devices for 24-7 daily-life ambulatory blood-pressure monitoring.open

Archaeological evidence for a possible first century AD earthquake in the necropolis of Abakainon (NE Sicily)

The Greek necropolis of Abakainon (NE Sicily, southern Italy) was destroyed suddenly, some time after the 2nd century BC. In order to identify the destruction cause of the necropolis, we analyzed geological, geomorphological data, and site stratigraphy. Evidence on the site suggests that the observed collapse and deformation may be consistent with a seismic event. Optically Stimulated Luminescence dating constrains the age of the collapse to the 1st century AD, probably during the time-span 14e37 AD, when other nearby sites were also damaged by an earthquake, as reported by historical sources. This study contributes to a better characterization of earthquakes in the area during the first millennium AD and improves knowledge on historical seismicity in NE Sicily.Published190-1992T. Tettonica attivaJCR Journalrestricte

Campo nell’Elba (Li). Isola di Pianosa, Grotta di Cala di Biagio: campagna di scavo 2013 (concessione di scavo)

Si descrivono i risultati della campagna di scavo paleontologico effettuata nella Grotta di Cala di Biagio a Pianosa (Marina di Campo, LI

Archaeological evidence for a possible first century AD earthquake in the necropolis of Abakainon (NE Sicily)

The Greek necropolis of Abakainon (NE Sicily, southern Italy) was destroyed suddenly, some time after the 2nd century BC. In order to identify the destruction cause of the necropolis, we analyzed geological, geomorphological data, and site stratigraphy. Evidence on the site suggests that the observed collapse and deformation may be consistent with a seismic event. Optically Stimulated Luminescence dating constrains the age of the collapse to the 1st century AD, probably during the time-span 14e37 AD, when other nearby sites were also damaged by an earthquake, as reported by historical sources. This study contributes to a better characterization of earthquakes in the area during the first millennium AD and improves knowledge on historical seismicity in NE Sicily