Quaternary morpho-evolution, tectonic and environmental changes in the Boiano intermontane basin (central-southern Italy)

The Molise Apennine, located in the northern sector of the southern Apennine arc, is characterized by the presence of several Quaternary intra-montane basins of tectonic origin (Isernia, Carpino-le Piane, Sessano, Boiano, Sepino) (Fig. 1). Their evolution has been strongly influenced by the development of fault systems related to the post-collisional extensional tectonics that have affected these sectors of the chain since the Late Pliocene-Early Pleistocene, and since Middle Pleistocene, was controlled by extensional fault systems with a general NW-SE trend (AMATO et alii, 2011). The Boiano and Sepino basins, located within a narrow NW- SE deformation belt, are filled with huge Quaternary successions of marshy to lacustrine, volcanoclastic and alluvial deposits (AMATO et alii, 2010). Middle Pleistocene-Holocene chrono-stratigraphical and environmental data were available for the Boiano infilling successions (ISPRA, in press). In order to better understand the chrono-stratigraphical features of the Boiano basin deeper infilling and its environmental and tectonic evolution, an integrated geomorphological, stratigraphical, geochronological, tephrostratigraphical, pollen and structural approach was carried out.