Geology of the Mt. Cosce sector (Narni Ridge, Central Apennines, Italy)

This paper is companion to a 1:15,000 scale geological map of the southern sector of the Narni Range in Central Italy. This sector of the Apenninic Chain was affected by the western Tethyan rifting stage during the Early Jurassic, and the inherited architectural setting in turn influenced the Mesozoic stratigraphy and the Neogene-Quaternary tectonic evolution of the area. Based on stratigraphic and structural field evidence, a Jurassic structural high has been identified in the Mt. Cosce sector, flanked northward and westward by deeper basins. The basin that had to exist to the east, as well as the top of the horst-block, cannot be observed due to recent erosion and orogenic deformation. The western margin of the Mt. Cosce High was rejuvenated during an extensional tectonic phase which took place in the late Early Cretaceous. This synsedimentary faulting is reported in this area for the first time, and is documented by a sedimentary breccia (Mt. Cosce Breccia) resting unconformably on the Jurassic footwall-block

Productivity or Discrimination? Beauty and the Exams

Do good looks make people more productive? An impact of looks on earnings has been found in the empirical literature: plain people earn less than average-looking people who earn less than the good-looking. However, an important question remains unanswered: is the impact of beauty due to pure discrimination or productivity? We provide evidence against the hypothesis of Becker-type discrimination stemming from tastes and in favor of productivity-related discrimination.Physical appearance; discrimination; productivity.

The role of Jurassic inherited structures on the post-rift Early Cretaceous extensional faults. Comparison between the “Mt. Cosce Breccia” and the “Ballino Breccia”

The tectono-stratigraphic evolution of Mesozoic sedimentary successions in the Alpine Tethys was influenced by Early Jurassic rift-related extension. Evidence for this normal faulting are in the Alps and in the Apennines, where huge Hettangian carbonate platforms (Calcari Grigi Fm. and Calcare Massiccio Fm., respectively) were dismembered into fault-bounded blocks causing a characteristic horst-and-graben/semigraben setting (e.g. Castellarin 1972; Bertotti et al. 1993; Santantonio 1993, 1994). This is highlighted by facies and thickness variations in the syn- and post-rift Jurassic pelagites. While the occurrence and the effects of the Early Jurassic rifting stage is a well-known theme, evidence for an Early Cretaceous extensional tectonic phase is far more sparse. Direct and indirect evidence for this phase is described for several paleogeographic domains, and includes i) the back-stepping of carbonate platform- and pelagic carbonate platform- (PCP sensu Santantonio 1994) margins, ii) the areal reduction or –locally- drowning of carbonate platforms (e.g. Bièvre & Quesne 2004; Santantonio et al. 2013), iii) the deposition of clastic bodies (e.g. Castellarin 1972; Cipriani 2016; Fabbi et al. 2016), iv) the occurrence of neptunian dykes (e.g. Bertok et al. 2012), v) the development of angular unconformities (e.g. Menichetti 2016). In the Narni-Amelia Ridge (central Apennines), a Cretaceous megaclastic deposit, called the “Mt. Cosce Breccia” (Cipriani, 2016), was recently identified during a geological mapping project. Due to the stratigraphic, sedimentological and paleotectonic similarities with the “Ballino Breccia” outcropping in the Southern Alps (Castellarin 1972), the two sectors were compared. The aim of this work is to understand the influence on inherited Jurassic structures on the development of Early Cretaceous extensional faults in two different paleogeographic domains of Italy, albeit with a comparable tectono-sedimentary evolution

Geological map of the central part of Narni-Amelia Ridge (Central Apennines, Italy)

These explanatory notes are companion of a 1:12,500 geological map and present new stratigraphic and structural data gathered from the under-investigated Narni-Amelia Ridge (Central Apennines, Italy). Here Meso-Cenozoic rocks of the Umbria-Marche-Sabina sedimentary succession crop out, deeply influenced in its tectonic-stratigraphic evolution by the Early Jurassic Tethyan rifting. Geological mapping was accompanied by facies analysis and by a dense network of stratigraphic/sedimentologic logs.Several Jurassic structural highs flanked by deeper-water basins were identified through palaeoescarpments analysis and allowed to reconstruct the Mesozoic palaeogeography of the study area.Unexpected fine-grained calcarenites made up of neritic material were found embedded in the upper Pliensbachian-Bajocian deposits (sedimented after the drowning of the Calcare Massiccio carbonate platform), providing new data for restoring the Jurassic palaeogeography of the Central Apennines.Evidence of an Early Cretaceous extensional phase, which is well-documented in the southernmost part of the Narni Ridge, was also recognised in the study area. Here the Marne a Fucoidi (Aptian-Albian) rest unconformably on the Hettangian shallow-water carbonates of the Calcare Massiccio, as a result of rejuvenation and erosion of the Early Jurassic margin of the Amelia intra-basinal high

Detrital events within pelagic deposits of the Umbria-Marche basin (Northern Apennines, Italy). Further evidence of Early Cretaceous tectonics

Re-sedimented deposits characterize different stratigraphical intervals in the pelagic successions of the Umbria-Marche-Sabina Domain (Central and Northern Apennines, Italy). Three stratigraphic sections of the Maiolica and Marne a Fucoidi Formations, characterized by breccias and calcarenites embedded in pelagic sediments, were sampled across the Mt. Primo area (Umbria- Marche Ridge, Northern Apennines). Facies analysis indicates a gravity-driven origin for the clastic levels, interpreted as debris-flows, or turbidity flows. The massive lensoid-to-tabular levels are composed of loose shallow-water benthic material, sourced from an unknown carbonate platform, associated with: i) lithoclasts made of Lower Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous shallow-water carbonates; ii) Jurassic mudstones and wackestones referable to the pelagic succession; iii) calpionellid/radiolarian-rich soft pebbles (Maiolica-type facies). The compositional features of the studied detrital deposits imply submarine exposure and dismantling of portions of the stratigraphic succession older than the Barremian/Aptian, which had to be buried in the late Early Cretaceous. Such evidence led us to refer the investigated clastic event to an extensional tectonic phase. Our interpretation well fits with data coming from different geological settings of Italy, strongly suggesting the occurrence of a widespread extensional phase in the late Early Cretaceous

Money Illusion: Are Economists Different?

We carried out a survey among a large group of undergraduate students of different disciplines and different years to test whether the study of economics or scientific majors influences the degree by which people are affected by money illusion. We find significant differences between first-year students, suggesting the presence of a selection bias towards money illusion in humanities students and away from it in economics and science students. In addiction, comparing economics students of different years, we do not find evidence of a learning effect.Money illusion

The dolines of Campoli Appennino (Frosinone, Italy). A geo-historical overview

The spectacular karst morphologies of the area between Campoli Appennino and Alvito (Southern Lazio, Italy) represent an emblematic example of karst processes acting on different types of substrate. Hypogean forms are subordinated to epigean ones, with dolines as undiscussed leaders. Imposing and famous are the dolines of "Fossa Maiura" (also known as "Fossa Majura" or Fossa Majora"") and "Il Tomolo", around which the town of Campoli Appennino is built in a semi-circle, but are 8 the karst depressions with a diameter greater than 200 m ("main macrodolines") in this area. These forms of landscape controlled the cultural and socio-economic aspects of this corner of Ciociaria. Starting from the second half of the 19th century, the hydrogeological, structural, stratigraphic and geomorphological features of the Campoli Appennino area, attracted the interest of geologists, allowing to recognize a "site of geological memory". However, the geological heritage of this area worth greater visibility, as indicated by the poorly-developed geo-tourism, and for a greater dissemination, making the geo-morphological features more accessible and understandable, even for non-geologists

Il Lago di Posta Fibreno (FR)

Il Lago di Posta Fibreno (provincia di Frosinone) è una Riserva Naturale regionale dal 1983, un SIC e una ZPS, nonché un geosito. Questo lago è caratterizzato da un complesso sorgentizio lungo circa 3 km che si estende da NW a SE, con sorgenti carsiche peri-lacuali, sub-lacuali o sommerse. L’evoluzione geo-morfologica e idrogeologica del bacino lacustre è stata controllata dalla tettonica estensionale Pleistocenico-Olocenica e dall’interazione tra substrato carbonatico meso-cenozoico e fluidi ricchi in CO2. Il Lago di Posta Fibreno rappresenta un caso esemplificativo di relazioni tra stratigrafia, idrogeologia, geomorfologia e tettonica, e ha attirato l’attenzione dei geologi sin dalla fine del XIX secolo. Questi caratteri permettono di definire il Lago di Posta Fibreno come un geosito storico

Le doline di Campoli Appennino (FR)

Le spettacolari morfologie carsiche del territorio di Campoli Appennino rappresentano un esempio emblematico di carsismo agente su diversi tipi di substrato. Forme ipogee sono subordinate a quelle epigee, con le doline che la fanno da padrone. Imponenti e famose sono le doline di “Fossa Maiura” (o “Fossa Majura”) e “Il Tomolo”, attorno alla quale è costruito a semi-cerchio l’abitato di Campoli Appennino, ma sono 8 le depressioni carsiche con diametro maggiore di 200 m (“macrodoline”) in quest’area. Il controllo sulla topografia e sugli aspetti socio-economici di questo angolo di Ciociaria è emblematico da parte di queste forme del paesaggio, e i caratteri idrogeologici, strutturali, stratigrafici e geomorfologici del territorio di Campoli Appennino hanno, sin dalla fine dell’800, destato l’interesse dei geologi. Questo permette di riconoscere, in quest’area, un sito della memoria geologic

Paleogeografia mesozoica ed evoluzione tettonosedimentaria della dorsale Narnese-Armerina (Appennino Centrale): rilevamento geologico, biostratigrafia, analisi di facies

Un progetto di cartografia geologica di dettaglio (scala 1:10.000) ha coinvolto circa 135 kmq della Dorsale Narnese-Amerina (Appennino centrale). Il lavoro di terreno è stato svolto avvalendosi delle metodologie tradizionali del rilevamento geologico, alle quali però è stato associato il riconoscimento di particolari caratteri stratigrafico-sedimentologici tali da permettere la definizione di peculiari contesti deposizionali mesozoici tipici dell'Appennino Umbro-Marchigiano-Sabino. La carta geologica e la ri-definizione della litostratigrafia dell'area analizzata sono stati i primi prodotti del progetto. A questi è susseguita la ricostruzione della paleogeografia mesozoica della Dorsale Narnese-Amerina. Sono stati riconosciuti numerosi elementi morfostrutturali ereditati dal rifting del Giurassico Inferiore. Questa fase estensionale smembrò l'estesa paleo-piattaforma del Calcare Massiccio e, per quanto riguarda il Dominio Umbro-Marchigiano-Sabino, causò l'annegamento della fabbrica bentonica e provocò un tipico assetto ad alti e bassi strutturali intrabacinali. Numerosi blocchi di footwall delle faglie giurassiche caratterizzano il settore in analisi, e il riconoscimento è stato possibile mediante l'analisi delle paleoscarpate sottomarine in quanto le tipiche successioni condensate di alto strutturale non affiorano per erosione o per tettonica. Una particolarità è rappresentata da blocchi di Calcare Massiccio (diametro > 100 m) inglobati in successioni bacinali, che hanno portato alla deposizione di facies ad affinità condensata in un contesto deposizionale puramente bacinale. Sono state riconosciute torbiditi carbonatiche con materiale bentonico intercalate in pelagiti di età post-Pliensbachiano del settore Amerino, permettendo di porre dei vincoli sulla ricostruzione paleogeografica dell'Appennino centrale e sulla definizione delle influenze esercitate dagli elementi morfostrutturali sulla deposizione di materiale neritico esportato dalla Piattaforma Carbonatica Laziale-Abruzzese. Durante il Cretaceo Inferiore alcune discontinuità giurassiche sono state ri-utilizzate da una neo-identificata tettonica estensionale post-rift. Le maggiori evidenze dell'attività delle faglie dirette cretacee sono: i) contatti stratigrafici inconformi tra il Calcare Massiccio e depositi del Cretaceo inferiore sommitale (Marne a Fucoidi) a causa del ringiovanimento di margini giurassici; ii) la deposizione di brecce sin-tettoniche intercalate nelle pelagiti cretacee e poggianti in discordanza su scarpate di faglia sottomarine; iii) slumps, nicchie di distacco e faglie sin-sedimentarie che caratterizzano il top della Maiolica. E' stato operato anche un confronto tra l'Appennino Umbro-Sabino e il Sud-Alpino per definire l'influenza delle strutture giurassiche sullo sviluppo delle faglie dirette cretacee. Con il coinvolgimento del settore Narnese-Amerino nelle deformazioni compressive mioceniche ed estensionali post-orogeniche (Pliocene), è stato possibile riconoscere come le discontinuità ereditate dal Mesozoico abbiano controllato la propagazione delle faglie cenozoiche. In particolare, i sovrascorrimenti e le rampe laterali/faglie di strappo legati alla strutturazione dell'Appennino tagliarono i margini giurassici e cretacei senza riattivazione dei piani ereditati. Il rapporto tra paleogeografia mesozoica e orogenesi non poteva escludere gli olistoliti di Calcare Massiccio, argomento questo del tutto nuovo. A causa della differente reologia tra i blocchi di calcari peritidali e le pelagiti nelle quali sono inglobati, sono stati riconosciuti contatti tettonici su originari contatti stratigrafici in quanto gli olistoliti non sono stati in grado di descrivere pieghe della stessa lunghezza d'onda delle unità bacinali pelagiche. Infine le faglie dirette plioceniche non riutilizzarono le superfici di discontinuità mesozoiche in quanto ruotate dai sovrascorrimenti, ma ne sfruttarono solo lo strike.A detailed geological mapping project (scale 1:10.000) of about 135 kmq involved the Narni-Amelia Ridge (Central Apennines). During the field-work were used the traditional methodologies of the field mapping associated with the identification of characteristic stratigraphic-sedimentological features that allow to define peculiar Mesozoic depositional settings. The first products of the project were the 1:10.000 scale geological map and the re-definition of the lithostratigraphy of the study area. About the paleogeography, several morphostructural elements inherited by the Early Jurassic rifting stage were recognized. This extensional stage dismembered the vast Calcare Massiccio paleo-platform, and the drowning of the benthic factories led to the development of two main sedimentary environments: pelagic carbonate platforms (PCPs) and basins. The Early Jurassic rift architecture is documented by facies and thickness variations of the Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous post-rift succession. Several footwall-blocks of the Jurassic normal faults characterize the Narni-Amelia Ridge. Although the PCP-top successions are not exposed due to post-Jurassic faulting and modern erosion, highly distinctive facies associations define the escarpment margins of these platforms and the adjacent hangingwall-block successions that onlap them, which often embed gravity-driven deposits including rock-fall megaclastics. Fine-grained calcarenites made of shallow water-derived material were found embedded in post-Pliensbachian deposits of the basin-fill succession in the Amelia area. This occurrence is unexpected as these deposits postdate the drowning of the local Calcare Massiccio carbonate platform, which suggests provenance from the Latium-Abruzzi Platform. This provides new evidence for restoring the Jurassic paleogeography of Central Apennines, and for deciphering the itineraries of resedimented carbonate sands from this relatively distant source-area. A newly-identified, post-rift, extensional tectonic affected the Early Jurassic inherited structures during the Early Cretaceous. Evidence for this extensional tectonic phaseare: i) the unconformable contact between the Marne a Fucoidi Fm. (Aptian-Albian) and the Hettangian shallow-water carbonates of the Calcare Massiccio Fm., as a result of rejuvenation and erosion of the Early Jurassic margin of the Amelia intra-basinal high; ii) the occurrence of syn-tectonic breccias embedded in Cretaceous pelagites and locally resting on the submarine fault escarpments; iii) the presence of slumps, scars and syn-sedimentary faults at the top of the Maiolica Fm (Tithonian-early Aptian). Due to the stratigraphic, sedimentological and paleotectonic similarities with the Southern Alps, the two sectors (Narni-Amelia Ridge vs. Ballino area) were compared. The aim of this work was to understand the influence on inherited Jurassic structures on the development of Early Cretaceous extensional faults in two different paleogeographic domains of Italy, albeit with a comparable tectono-sedimentary evolution. During the involvment in Miocene orogenic deformations of the Narni-Amelia Chain, the Jurassic structural highs became part of the hangingwall-blocks of thrusts. Their margins were displaced by frontal thrusts and lateral ramps/tear faults, but not re-activated as usually described in literature. One arresting feature is represented by the behaviour of the Calcare Massiccio blocks during the compressive deformations. In fact, the Calcare Massiccio olistoliths locally developed shear contacts with the embedding pelagic units, due to the contrasting mechanical behavior of the two lithologies when subjected to folding. Last, Pliocene extensional faults apparently exploited the strikes of the rotated pre-orogenic margins