Some results from the CROP-11 deep seismic profile, central Apennines|Alcuni risultati dal profilo CROP-11, Appennino centrale

The CROP-11 deep seismic profile across the central Apennines, Italy, reveals a previously unknown, mid-crustal antiform here interpreted as a fault-bend fold-like structure. The seismic facies and gravity signature suggest that this structure consists of low-grade metamorphic rocks. Geomorphologic, stratigraphic, and tectonic evidences in the overlying shallow thrusts suggest that this structure developed in the early-middle Messinian time and grew out-of-sequence in the late Messinian-Pliocene time. The out-of-sequence growth may reflect a taper sub-criticality stage of the Apenninic thrust wedge, which induced renewed contraction in the rear.