Decoding the instabilities features along the continental margin of Sicily(central Mediterranean Sea)

Along the continental margin of Sicily, a combined interpretation of swath bathymetry and high - resolution seismic reflection data has been performed in order to identify the geological mechanisms at the origin of observed slope instability and deformation features, recognised within the Late Pleistocene to Holocene sedimentary successions. The results are based on the studies performed in different sectors of the Sicilian continental margin and allowed to characterise the geologic origin, the deformation styles as well as the main triggering mechanisms of instability features, recognised in the area. Offshore mass - movements (landslides and giant debris flows), gas - related morphologies (mud vulcanoes and pockmarks), and volcanism related features (debris avalanche, gravitational collapse of volcanic edifices) were detected.