Search Results (65)

The Marnoso-arenacea basin (MaB) of the Northern Apennines represents one of the most significant lower–middle Miocene foredeep turbidite systems in the Mediterranean region. While the northern part of the basin (Emilia-Romagna Region) has been extensively investigated, the Umbrian portion remains less understood, particularly concerning high-resolution stratigraphic and structural frameworks. This study integrates detailed field mapping, physical stratigraphy, biostratigraphic data from calcareous nannofossils, and petrographic analyses of arenites and calcarenites to reconstruct the tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the MaB in the Umbrian portion of the basin. The basin is divided into three main tectono-stratigraphic units: Afra-Mt. Verde, Pietralunga–Gubbio–Valtopina and Mt. Vicino. The middle unit is detailed by means of stratigraphic architecture and sedimentary characteristics, which allow us to identify two distinct sub-units. Several carbonate and hybrid turbidite beds, including the Contessa megabed, serve as regional key markers, enabling robust stratigraphic correlations. Two mass-transport complexes (MTDs) have been identified and dated, revealing close relationships between sedimentation patterns and thrust propagation. Modal petrographic data indicate a mixed provenance, from the Alpine and Apennine regions, changing over time in response to tectonic segmentation. These findings enhance our understanding of the internal organization of the MaB and provide new insights into the foredeep’s paleogeography and tectono-sedimentary evolution during the Langhian–Serravallian stages. Full article

Earthquakes are the result of the dynamic processes occurring beneath the Earth’s crust; specifically, the movement and interaction of tectonic/lithospheric plates. When one plate shifts relative to another, stress accumulates and is eventually released as seismic energy. This process is continuous and unstoppable. This phenomenon is well recognized in the Mediterranean region, where significant seismic activity arises from the northward convergence (4–10 mm per year) of the African plate relative to the Eurasian plate along a complex plate boundary. Consequently, our research will focus on the Mediterranean region, specifically examining seismic activity from 1990 to 2015 within the latitude range of 33–44° and longitude range of 17–44°. These geographical coordinates encompass 28 seismic zones, with the most active areas being Turkey and Greece. In this paper, we applied Grammatical Evolution for artificial feature construction in earthquake prediction, evaluated against machine learning approaches including MLP(GEN), MLP(PSO), SVM, and NNC. Experiments showed that feature construction (FC) achieved the best performance, with a mean error of 9.05% and overall accuracy of 91%, outperforming SVM. Further analysis revealed that a single constructed feature $\left(N_f=1\right)$ yielded the lowest average error (8.21%), while varying the number of generations indicated that $N_g=200$ provided an effective balance between computational cost and predictive accuracy. These findings confirm the efficiency of FC in enhancing earthquake prediction models through artificial feature construction. Our results, as will be discussed in greater detail within the research, yield an average error of approximately 9%, corresponding to an overall accuracy of 91%. Full article

Pockmarks are ubiquitous seafloor depressions formed by the fluid/gas seepage through marine sediments, with implications for geohazards, benthic ecosystems, and climate-related processes. Despite extensive research, the mechanisms controlling the formation and spatial distribution of pockmarks are not completely understood, owing to the diverse and site-specific geo-environmental conditions. In this study, we provide a first review of over 7500 pockmarks mapped across the Mediterranean and Black seas, showing their relationship with depth range, slope gradient, seafloor lithology, proximity to tectonic faults, and sediment thickness. Our analysis reveals that pockmarks are predominantly located at intermediate water depths (100–700 m), with two main clusters around 100–200 and 500–700 m. They are commonly found on gently sloping seafloor (<4°), often clustering around slope breaks. In detail, two slope-related peaks around 1.5° and 3.5° suggest distinct geological settings for pockmark formation: sediment-rich and low-energy environments versus more dynamic slope domains. Fault proximity plays a critical role, with over 40% of pockmarks occurring within 1 km of mapped faults, indicating that structural discontinuities act as preferential fluid pathways. Pockmarks concentrate in areas with moderate Plio-Quaternary sediment thickness (300–600 m), suggesting an optimal window for overpressure generation and fluid expulsion. A strong lithological control is evident: 74% of pockmarks occur on muddy sand or sand-rich substrates. In terms of ongoing to recent seepage/activity, ~27% of pockmarks show evidence of ongoing fluid seepage (e.g., acoustic gas flares, seismic wipeouts), particularly in regions such as the Black Sea, Aegean, and Central Tyrrhenian, where faulting, salt tectonics, or hydrothermal systems enhance permeability. Conversely, pockmarks in the Western Mediterranean appear to be generally inactive and buried. These findings underscore the influence of tectono-sedimentary architecture on seafloor fluid escape and provide essential insight into methane seepage, slope stability, and benthic habitats. This pedagogic review enhances our understanding of pockmark systems and establishes a foundation for future geohazard assessment, climate studies, and marine resource exploration. Full article

Nowadays, information obtained through Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs) is widely employed in modern geodesy. The Precise Point Positioning (PPP) approach, which leverages signals from multiple GNSS constellations (e.g., GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou), enables high-precision positioning—crucial for seismic monitoring and early tsunami warning systems (EEWs). Recent advances, such as increased satellite availability and additional frequency bands, have significantly improved PPP performance, particularly in terms of positioning accuracy and convergence time. This study focuses on the Rete Integrata Nazionale GNSS (RING) network, managed by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), which comprises dual-frequency GNSS receivers distributed across the Italian peninsula and parts of the Mediterranean Basin. We evaluate the performance of the RING data (GPS and GNSS) acquired in a period of three weeks between 19 January 2024 and 9 February 2024 and analyzed in real time by using different PPP strategies: standard PPP and PPP with Regional Augmentation (PPP-RA). The preliminary results show that the PPP-RA approach enhances positioning accuracy and reduces convergence time, especially when comparing GPS-only datasets with those incorporating full multi-GNSS configurations. For the daily solution, in the optimal setup (i.e., full GNSS with RA), real-time solutions exhibit average accuracies of 2.05, 1.73, and 4.35 cm for the North, East, and vertical components, respectively. Sub-daily accuracies’ analysis, using 300 s sliding windows, showed even better uncertainties, exhibiting median values of 0.41, 0.32, and 0.9 cm for the North, East and vertical components, respectively. Based on the outcomes for network-wide sub-daily accuracies, 84% of the stations demonstrate average errors within 2 cm for North and East components and 3 cm for the vertical one. The analysis on the convergence time after data gaps occurred during the investigation period shows that 87% of the RING stations experienced convergence times lower than five minutes in the GNSS PPP-RA solution. These findings underscore the potential of RT-GNSS RING data for enhancing seismic monitoring and early warning systems, particularly in tectonically active regions. Full article

Remote sensing has emerged as an essential method for geological mapping, especially in complex environments such as the Mediterranean region. While earlier global reviews have been focused either on multi- and hyperspectral sensors in general for geological applications or on hyperspectral sensors using machine learning for lithological mapping and mineral prospecting, this review article provides the first regionally focused synthesis dedicated to the Mediterranean region. The review examines both passive sensors such as Sentinel-2 MSI, Landsat-8 (OLI), ASTER, MODIS, Hyperion, PRISMA, EnMAP, and active sensors such as Sentinel-1, ALOS, TerraSAR-X. Furthermore, the review emphasizes the sensor functionalities, the data integration within Geographic Information System (GIS) platforms and methodological advancements such as machine learning and multi-sensor fusion. A total of 42 case studies are assessed, covering Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, the Balkans, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco. These examples highlight how remote sensing techniques have been adapted to varying lithological, tectonic and geomorphological settings across the Mediterranean. The analysis identifies key methodological trends, including the transition from spectral indices to advanced data fusion, the growing reliance on open-access available multispectral archives, and the emerging role of new-generation hyperspectral missions (PRISMA, EnMAP) in high-resolution geological mapping. The findings illustrate the non-invasive and scalable advantages of remote sensing for geological mapping in complex terrains, while also noting current challenges such as atmospheric correction, spatial resolution mismatches, and field validation requirements. By combining region-specific applications, this review demonstrates how remote sensing contributes not only to fundamental geological understanding but also to sustainable resource management and mineral exploration within one of the world’s most geologically diverse regions. Full article

The origin of humans on Earth is closely linked to understanding how ancient populations dispersed into adjacent territories. Traditionally, studies have identified landscape and climatic changes as the primary factors in this dispersal. However, we propose that regional tectonic and geodynamic factors also played a significant role in shaping these movements. To analyze this phenomenon, we employed several primary methods, including radiometric dating, magnetostratigraphy, paleomagnetic correlation, isotope–oxygen analysis, tectonothermal studies, gravity mapping, paleobiogeographic assessment, lithofacies analysis, and event and cyclic stratigraphy. Our research indicates that the Akchagylian hydrospheric maximum, which reached up to +200 m, significantly limited the early dispersal of hominins from Africa to Eurasia. The migration corridor was shaped by tectonic activity between the Dead Sea Transform and the boundary of the Mesozoic Terrane Belt carbonate platform. We argue that, during the early stages of hominin evolution in East Africa, the Levantine Corridor (LC) had not yet developed into an optimal route for dispersal, either tectonically or paleogeographically. Suitable habitats for early hominins emerged only after the regression at the end of the Middle Gelasian, around two million years ago, when sea level fell by approximately 200 m, leading to the dissection of the coastal high plateau of the Eastern Mediterranean. We therefore suggest that the LC became established only after the termination of the Akchagylian transgression and the subsequent landscape reconfiguration of the Eastern Mediterranean. Our integrated analysis, combining paleomagnetic, structural, tectonic, and event stratigraphy data, indicates that the age of the renowned ‘Ubeidiya site in northern Israel is several thousand years older than previously thought. This paleogeographic impact had not been considered in earlier studies. Considering the diverse and complex factors that governed hominin dispersal from Africa into Eurasia within this multifaceted region, we propose that the scope of research should be broadened. Our detailed study of the Carmel area, located northeast of the Levantine Corridor and influenced by it during the Pleistocene, indicates that this region was inundated during the early phases of hominin migration out of Eastern Africa. Besides this, we have conducted an integrated geological–geophysical landscape analysis of the central part of the Israeli coastal plain. Full article

The Paratethyan South Caspian and Mediterranean Levant basins relate to the significant hydrocarbon provinces of Eurasia. The giant hydrocarbon reserves of the SCB are well-known. Within the LB, so far, only a few commercial gas fields have been found. Both the LB and SCB contain some geological peculiarities. These basins are highly complex tectonically and structurally, requiring a careful, multi-component geological–geophysical analysis. These basins are primarily composed of oceanic crust. The oceanic crust of both the South Caspian and Levant basins formed within the complex Neotethys ocean structure. However, this crust is allochthonous in the Levant Basin (LB) and autochthonous in the South Caspian Basin (SCB). This study presents a comprehensive comparison of numerous tectonic, geodynamic, morphological, sedimentary, and geophysical aspects of these basins. The Levant Basin is located directly above the middle part of the massive, counterclockwise-rotating mantle structure and rotates accordingly in the same direction. To the north of this basin is located the critical latitude 35° of the Earth, with the vast Cyprus Bouguer gravity anomaly. The LB contains the most ancient block of oceanic crust on Earth, which is related to the Kiama paleomagnetic hyperzone. On the western boundary of the SCB, approximately 35% of the world’s mud volcanoes are located; the geological reasons for this are still unclear. The low heat flow values and thick sedimentary layers in both basins provide opportunities to discover commercial hydrocarbon deposits at great depths. The counterclockwise-rotating mantle structure creates an indirect geodynamic influence on the SCB. The lithospheric blocks situated above the eastern branch of the mantle structure trigger a north–northeastward movement of the western segment of the Iranian Plate, which exhibits a complex geometric configuration. Conversely, the movement of the Iranian Plate induced a clockwise rotation of the South Caspian Basin, which lies to the east of the plate. This geodynamic ensemble creates an unstable geodynamic situation in the region. Full article

In this study, we examined the microclimates at eight entrances to a karst system distributed between an elevation of 812 and 906 m in Southern Spain. The karst system, characterised by subvertical open tectonic joints that form narrow shafts, developed on the slope of a mountainous area with a Mediterranean climate and strong chimney effect, resulting in an intense airflow throughout the year. The airflows modify the entrance temperatures, creating a distinctive pattern in each opening that changes with the seasons. The objective of this work is to characterise the outflows and find simple temperature-based parameters that provide information about the karst interior. The entrances were monitored for five years (2017–2022) with temperature–humidity dataloggers at different depths. Other data collected include discrete wind measurements and outside weather data. The most significant parameters identified were the characteristic temperature (T_y), recorded at the end of the outflow season, and the rate of cooling/warming, which ranges between 0.1 and 0.9 °C/month. These parameters allowed the entrances to be grouped based on the efficiency of heat exchange between the outside air and the cave walls, which depends on the rock-boundary geometry. This research demonstrates that simple temperature studies with data recorded at selected positions will allow us to understand geometric aspects of inaccessible karst systems. Dynamic high-airflow cave systems could become a natural source of evidence for climate change and its effects on the underground world. Full article

Tectonic activity in the Mediterranean region has been driven by the convergence of the confining plates (Nubia, Arabia and Eurasia). This convergence has been accommodated by the consumption of the oceanic domains that were present in the late Oligocene. It is suggested that this process has been enabled by the lateral escape of orogenic belts in response to constrictional contexts. Where this condition was not present, subduction did not occur. This interpretation can plausibly and coherently account for the very complex pattern of tectonic processes in the whole area since the early Miocene. It is also suggested, by providing some examples, that the geodynamic context proposed here might help us to recognize the connection between the ongoing tectonic processes and the spatio-temporal distribution of past major earthquakes. A discussion is then reported about the incompatibilities of the main alternative geodynamic interpretation (slab pull) with the observed deformation pattern. Full article

In this study, we selected a series of pothole wetlands to investigate their nucleation, evolution, and recent anthropogenic degradation in the Alcores Depression (AD), southern Iberian Peninsula, where over 100 closed watersheds containing shallow, ephemeral water bodies up to 2 hm² have been identified. We surveyed the regional geological framework, utilized digital elevation models (DEMs), orthophotos, and aerial images since 1956. Moreover, we analyzed precipitation and temperature data in Seville from 1900 to 2024, collected hydrometeorological data since 1990 and modelled the water level evolution from 2002 to 2025 in a representative pothole in the area. Our observations indicate a flooded surface reduction by more than 90% from the 1950s to 2025. Climatic data reveal an increase in annual mean temperatures since 1960 and a sharp decline in annual precipitation since 2000. The AD’s inception due to tectonic isolation during the Quaternary favoured the formation of pothole wetlands in the floodplain. The reduction in the hydroperiod and wetland degradation was primarily due to agricultural expansion since 1950, which followed an increase in groundwater extraction and altered the original topography. Recently, decreased precipitation has exponentially accelerated the degradation and even the complete disappearance of many potholes. This study underscores the fragility of small wetlands in the Mediterranean basin and the critical role of human management in their preservation. Restoring these ecosystems could be a highly effective nature-based solution, especially in semi-arid climates like southern Spain. These prairie potholes are crucial for enhancing groundwater recharge, which is vital for maintaining water availability in regions with limited precipitation. By facilitating rainwater infiltration into the aquifer, recharge potholes increase groundwater levels. Additionally, they capture and store run-off during heavy rainfall, reducing the risk of flooding and soil erosion. Beyond their hydrological functions, these wetlands provide habitats that support biodiversity and promote ecological resilience, reinforcing the need for their protection and recovery. Full article

An attempt is made at recognizing the main effects of the strong 1939 earthquake in the Easternmost Anatolian Fault on the seismic activity in key Mediterranean tectonic zones. The major earthquake trends since 1800 indicate that, in the decades following 1939, both the number and intensity of significant earthquakes increased in the central and western NAF, the western Anatolia, the Crete–Rhodes Arc, the Peloponnesus, Sicily, and even the Tell zones. In contrast, seismicity experienced a sharp decline in the Serbo-Macedonian, Epirus-Albanides, and Calabria zones. These findings provide additional constraints on the geodynamic and tectonic framework and on the role played by post-seismic relaxation in the Mediterranean region. Full article

This study presents the first detailed investigation of the petrography, mineralogy, and depositional environment of Messinian gypsum lithofacies outcropping on the western side of the Crati Basin (Calabria, Southern Italy), focusing on three sections: Castelluccio, Striscioli, and Piretto. The different localities preserve in situ gypsum accumulation (laminar gypsum and gypsiferous mudstone) and clastic gypsum deposits (nodular, gypsarenite and gypsrudite) formed during the second stage (5.60–5.55 Ma) of the Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC). Observation and analyses of macro-, meso- and nanoscale reveal a complex climatic variability and depositional history that reflect different environmental conditions, from shallow-water evaporitic environments to deep basin settings affected by slope failures. The data highlights the influence of tectonic activity on facies distribution within the basin. Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of climatic and geological controls on gypsum deposition, offering a detailed interpretation of the Crati Basin’s evaporitic history and contributing to the broader understanding of Mediterranean Messinian evaporites. Full article

It is suggested that the occurrence of tectonic activity in the northern Nubian belts (Tell-Rif and Atlas systems) since the Late Pliocene can be interpreted as one of the processes that were produced in the central and western Mediterranean zones by the collision of the Adriatic continental promontory with the Anatolian–Aegean Tethyan system. Since then, the consumption of the residual low-buoyancy domains in the Mediterranean area was allowed by a major change in the plate mosaic and the related kinematics. The new tectonic setting started with the decoupling of a large portion of the Adriatic domain (Adria plate) from Nubia, through the formation of a long discontinuity crossing the Ionian domain (Victor Hensen–Medina fault) and the Hyblean–Pelagian domain (Sicily channel fault system). Once decoupled, the Adria plate underwent a clockwise rotation, at the expense of E–W shortening in the Hyblean–Pelagian domain and in the northern Nubian margin. The shortening in the Pelagian domain was accommodated by the northward escape of the Adventure wedge, which in turn caused the northward displacement of the eastern Maghrebian sector. The indentation of these structures into the Alpine–Apennine material lying east of the Corsica–Sardinia block induced an east to southeastward escape of wedges (southern Apennines and Calabria). This occured at the expense of the remnant Ionian Tethys oceanic domain and the thinned Adriatic margin. The extensional regime that developed in the wake of the migrating wedges led to the formation of the central and southern Tyrrhenian basins. In the northern Nubian belts, the westward push of the Adria–Hyblean–Pelagian domain has been accommodated by oroclinal bending, thrusting and uplifting across the Tell and Atlas belts. This geodynamic context might explain some features of the seismicity time pattern observed in the Tell system. Full article

The North Aegean Sea region in Greece is located at the convergence of the Eurasian, African, and Anatolian tectonic plates. The region experiences frequent seismicity ranging from moderate to large-magnitude earthquakes. Tectonic interactions and seismic events in this area have far-reaching implications for understanding the broader geological processes in the eastern Mediterranean region. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the seismic activity of the North Aegean Sea region by employing advanced seismological techniques and data analyses. Data from onshore seismological networks were collected and analyzed to assess the characteristics of the earthquakes in the region. Seismicity patterns, focal mechanisms, and seismic moment calculations were performed to assess current seismic activity. The present study combined spatiotemporal analysis with the analysis of genesis mechanisms, and this resulted in more results than those of previous studies. Detailed analysis of the seismic data showed patterns in the occurrence of earthquakes over time, with periodic episodes of increased seismic activity compared to activities followed by quieter periods. Finally, this study proves that recent earthquakes in the study area (2017, 2020) highlight the complexity of seismicity as well as the consequences of strong earthquakes on people and buildings. Overall, these findings suggest that the North Aegean Sea is becoming increasingly seismically active and is a potential risk zone for adjacent regions. Full article