Relationships between folds and faults in central Apennine: The case of the Aurunci mountains (Southern Latium) | [Relazioni tra pieghe e sovrascorrimenti nell'appennino centrale: Il caso dei Monti Aurunci (Lazio meridionale)]

This paper describes how different deformation processes due to compressional tectonics, favourite the development of different structures relative to a specifically rheological characters. Thrust faults, recognised in the study area, shows different trajectories (ramp or flat) relative to the rheological properties of the involved sedimentary succession. The presence of several levels of dolomite within the cretaceous sedimentary succession support the changing in deep angles of many thrust faults, from high to low. The occurrence of detachment folding in the forelimb of many thrust faults, is also due to the mechanical properties of the sedimentary succession, that controls the geometry and the evolution of these kind of folds. The dolomite, act as decollement levels, while limestones, under compression, favorite the development of thrust faults. Field analyses demonstrate also that the lower shear strength of the dolomite levels, under particular conditions, makes these rocks suitable to produce detachment folding.