A late lower Pliocene planation surface across the Italian peninsula: a key tool in neotectonics studies

An integrated geological-geomorphological approach is proposed in order to provide more information for the assessment of neotectonic deformation in the Apennines. On this basis, it can be stated that: (1) a major flat planation surface is recognisable across the whole Italian Peninsula; (2) it is better preserved on harder rocks and in the higher parts of the local relief; (3) it cuts strata ranging in age from Palaeozoic to early Lower Pliocene; (4) it smoothed tectonic structures older than early Lower Pliocene; (5) it is buried below continental and marine deposits younger than late Lower Pliocene; (6) it is displaced and deformed by local thrust re-activation and, since the Lower Pleistocene, by high angle normal faults. Displacement analysis of this morphological feature at local scale allowed us to discriminate between pre- and post-planation tectonic deformations. hence providing useful information about the rates of uplift and faulting in the Apennines.