5. 07 Field Trip to Apennines, Italy 1st – 11th May 2010 Leader: Dr Alex Whittaker 1st – 11th May 2010 Leader: Dr Alex Whittaker

Demonstrators Dr Jon Hill (Imperial) Dr Gillian McCay (Edinburgh) Grace Cairns (Imperial) Nikolas Michael (Imperial) Dr Jon Hill (Imperial) Dr Gillian McCay (Edinburgh) Grace Cairns (Imperial) Nikolas Michael (Imperial)

Itinerary 1 May: Coach departs RSM, 6am. Meet at Stansted airport departures lounge, flight FR 124, depart Arrive Ancona 13.10, drive to Sigillo, overnight at Hotel Dominus 3 days on the thrust belt and its synorogenic sediments, Mesozoic passive margin and deformation, based at Scheggia Move to Perugia (2 nights) via famous K-T boundary at Gubbio. 1 day on “Tuscan flysch” Drive to Piombino and ferry to Elba - igneous intrusions, oceanic sediments/lavas and deformation of Elba island (3 nights) 20 May: Depart Elba by ferry, driver to Pisa, depart Pisa airport FR 589 at 22.15, arrive Stansted 23.30; Coach transfer to RSM 1 May: Coach departs RSM, 6am. Meet at Stansted airport departures lounge, flight FR 124, depart Arrive Ancona 13.10, drive to Sigillo, overnight at Hotel Dominus 3 days on the thrust belt and its synorogenic sediments, Mesozoic passive margin and deformation, based at Scheggia Move to Perugia (2 nights) via famous K-T boundary at Gubbio. 1 day on “Tuscan flysch” Drive to Piombino and ferry to Elba - igneous intrusions, oceanic sediments/lavas and deformation of Elba island (3 nights) 20 May: Depart Elba by ferry, driver to Pisa, depart Pisa airport FR 589 at 22.15, arrive Stansted 23.30; Coach transfer to RSM

Transect across a mountain belt and its associated basins

What we see…. Structural Geology Contractional deformation

What we see…. Extensional deformation Structural Geology

What we see…. Sediments carbonates, fluvial deposits and turbidites Sediments carbonates, fluvial deposits and turbidites

What we see…. Igneous and Metamorphic Monte Capanne Pluton Punto Zuccale Pillow Basalts Schists Intrusives Geology of Elba

Oh no!

Aim of trip Idea is to produce an integrated geological history of the Apennines from field observations Not just about interpreting outcrops as moderately diverting but ultimately random bits of rock….. Idea is to produce an integrated geological history of the Apennines from field observations Not just about interpreting outcrops as moderately diverting but ultimately random bits of rock…..

Tectonic setting of the Apennines  Shortening and extension in the Western Mediterranean

From Faccenna et al. Tectonics

Vignaroli et al Crustal scale section - approx. along transect of field trip

Anticlines of Umbria-Marche Modern thrust front of the Northern Apennines

From Platt, J Geol. Soc. London 2007

From Lonergan & White, Tectonics, 1997

Pecerillo & Donati (2002) Young volcanism in Italy

From Lonergan & White, Tectonics, 1997

From Lonergan & White, Tectonics, 1997 Explanation

Extension in the Apennines Now active extension; up to 6mm/yr stretching Whittaker et al., 2008

Extensional deformation

Extensional deformation in the Apennines Extension drives deformation –due to eastward movement of rising aesthenospheric plume in Tyrrhenian Sea Continuous eastward thrusting of crust drives deformation (extension is minor) Extension and shortening driven by roll- back of subducting slab? Extension drives deformation –due to eastward movement of rising aesthenospheric plume in Tyrrhenian Sea Continuous eastward thrusting of crust drives deformation (extension is minor) Extension and shortening driven by roll- back of subducting slab?

Timing of deformation and volcanism Timing of Thrusting Timing of Thrusting

W E Contractional basins Extensional basins volcanism Pauselli et al. 2006

Key Questions: What field data can be observed that support or distinguish between these hypotheses? What implications does the dynamic history of the Apennines have for the timing, locus and style of sedimentation? How does the igneous and metamorphic geology of Elba fit with the evolution of the Apennine belt? What do the Apennines tell us about the growth and collapse of mountain belts generally? Requires synthesis and integration of structural geology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, igneous geology, metamorphic studies What field data can be observed that support or distinguish between these hypotheses? What implications does the dynamic history of the Apennines have for the timing, locus and style of sedimentation? How does the igneous and metamorphic geology of Elba fit with the evolution of the Apennine belt? What do the Apennines tell us about the growth and collapse of mountain belts generally? Requires synthesis and integration of structural geology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, igneous geology, metamorphic studies

Routine Field visits during day (4 x 9-seater minivans). Fieldwork tasks include: sketching, structural measurements, logging, sedimentology, petrology etc Evening work will include: discussion sessions, seminars and group presentations and structural/cross section work. This takes place between 6.45 and 8pm, BEFORE dinner. Field visits during day (4 x 9-seater minivans). Fieldwork tasks include: sketching, structural measurements, logging, sedimentology, petrology etc Evening work will include: discussion sessions, seminars and group presentations and structural/cross section work. This takes place between 6.45 and 8pm, BEFORE dinner.

Assessment At least two main assessed components: 1) Field notebook, including large-scale sketches 2) Synthesis group presentations, conducted on the Isle of Elba e.g: “Extensional faulting in the Apennines; observations and interpretations....” At least two main assessed components: 1) Field notebook, including large-scale sketches 2) Synthesis group presentations, conducted on the Isle of Elba e.g: “Extensional faulting in the Apennines; observations and interpretations....”

Logistics We will buy lunches (supplies at supermarkets). All evening meals, except for two are provided. Breakfasts provided for all days, but note that breakfasts in Italy are not as plentiful as in the UK, so do not expect cereal and lots of bread. Please make sure you have filled in the medical/personal information form and returned this to Liz Swift; We also require information on any dietary requirements on this form. Make sure you bring your own medical supplies. In early May the weather can be very variable in Italy. For the first part of the trip we stay in the mountains - bring warm and waterproof clothing, but also sun screen, hats and sunglasses etc for warm weather. A towel is required for the Youth Hostel in Perugia We will buy lunches (supplies at supermarkets). All evening meals, except for two are provided. Breakfasts provided for all days, but note that breakfasts in Italy are not as plentiful as in the UK, so do not expect cereal and lots of bread. Please make sure you have filled in the medical/personal information form and returned this to Liz Swift; We also require information on any dietary requirements on this form. Make sure you bring your own medical supplies. In early May the weather can be very variable in Italy. For the first part of the trip we stay in the mountains - bring warm and waterproof clothing, but also sun screen, hats and sunglasses etc for warm weather. A towel is required for the Youth Hostel in Perugia

Please remember.... Passport, European Health Insurance Card, any special medical or dietary needs, cash To bring/pick up:- hardhat, field guidebook, fluorescent vest, HP tablet (shared) and cable Be sure to bring:- field notebook (+A4 sketching pad), compass-clinometer, digital camera, hand lens, pens, pencils, crayons You don’t really need a hammer Passport, European Health Insurance Card, any special medical or dietary needs, cash To bring/pick up:- hardhat, field guidebook, fluorescent vest, HP tablet (shared) and cable Be sure to bring:- field notebook (+A4 sketching pad), compass-clinometer, digital camera, hand lens, pens, pencils, crayons You don’t really need a hammer