Exploring ophiolitic deposits offshore Scoglio d’Affrica islet (northern Tyrrhenian Sea): A comprehensive geophysical model of the shallow crustal dynamics

• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2024.106847
• Publication Date: 2024-04-05T22:32:10Z
• Authors: Luca Cocchi; Filippo Muccini; Daniele Casalbore; Francesco Latino ...; Maria Filomena Lo...; Camilla Palmiotto; Vincenzo Pascucci; Roberta Ivaldi; Gilberto Saccorotti
• Keywords: Siliciclastic

The islet of Scoglio d'Affrica (Tuscany Archipelago, northern Tyrrhenian Sea) is an emerging segment the Elba-Pianosa Ridge. This ridge a major tectonic-structural high formed by Eocene-Early Miocene clastic succession which separates Tuscany shelf from Corsica Basin. distinctive structural setting region result crustal fragmentation during extensional tectonic regime Northern Sea. Along Elba Pianosa Ridge, complex interplay between magmatism, active submarine gas emissions and mud volcanism has been observed. Currently, experiences volcanism, accompanied diffuse seafloor leakages sporadic violent mud-water mixed eruptions, as exemplified most recent event in 2017. In this study, we present comprehensive analysis ship-borne magnetic data, swath bathymetry, single multichannel seismic profiles focalized to provide geophysical model shallow dynamics. Forward inverse models reveal presence continuous susceptibility body running along NNW-SSE direction, parallel main lineaments. source interpreted ophiolite/high grade serpentine deposit embedded Eocene siliciclastic layers resulting disrupting Alpine basement. deposits are related sedimentary gravity processes originated peripheral highs accumulated intra-wedge basins subsequently deformed Oligocene. Our reconstruction provides previously unknown details about geometry distribution ophiolite-like thereby improving comprehension intricate evolution Ridge featured multiphase deformation manifestations fluid/gas circulation.