Abstract
Three generations of slope, colluvial, and alluvial fan systems indicated with F1, F2, and F3, respectively, distributed along the Tifatini Mountains front, at the northeastern margin of the Campanian Plain, southern Italy, were investigated. Field observations, stratigraphic data, geomorphological mapping, DTM-based morphometry, hypsometric analysis, and log–log scaling relationships were integrated to define the morphometric and sedimentological characteristics of the F1, F2, and F3 fan systems. F1 consists of small, steep, and incised fans close to the mountain front and strongly controlled by the tectonic activity. F1 deposits are mainly related to debris-flow and debris-flood processes. F2 includes intermediate piedmont fans characterized by more weak morphometric coupling with the source basins and by a greater role of sediment reworking, producing colluvial fan deposits. Climate was the main factor in controlling these fans than tectonics. F3 consists of large, low-gradient fans developed farther of basins source, where sheetflood and streamflow processes, volcaniclastic aggradation, and subsidence appear to have been dominant. A chronological framework was proposed by comparing the fan systems with the post-15 ka NGRIP δ18O curve, the pollen assemblage zones of the Lago Grande di Monticchio, and the main Campanian volcanic events. F1 was tentatively assigned to the Younger Dryas and the Monticchio PAZ 2, F2 to the Early Holocene minor climatic oscillations, combined with pyroclastic inputs, whereas F3 was related to Mid- to Late-Holocene volcaniclastic supply. Although direct numerical ages are not available, the results suggested a control of tectonics, climate, and volcanoclastic sediment supply on the geomorphic connectivity of the three fan systems.