Holocene relative sea-level changes and coastal dynamics in Southern Latium, Italy: an interdisciplinary investigation 

• DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-egu24-21345
• Publication Date: 2024-03-11T14:48:41Z
• Authors: Claudia Caporizzo; Giuseppe Aiello; Vincenzo Amato; Pietro P.C. Aucelli; Diana Barra; Andrea Gionta; Giuseppe Corrado; Gaia Mattei; Gerardo Pappone; Roberta Parisi; Paola Petrosino; Marcello Schiatta...; Matteo Vacchi

Understanding the historical changes in Relative Sea Level (RSL) and coastal responses stable regions is crucial for unraveling intricate relationship between natural dynamics human adaptation. This interdisciplinary study seeks to explore Holocene sea-level fluctuations area of Southern Latium, shedding light on how past societies adapted changes.The area, located Sinus Formianus, Fondi Garigliano plains, played a key role ancient times. Formia, strategic monitoring point Tyrrhenian Sea, was thriving commercial hub during Roman occupation. During this period, stretch from Formia Gaeta witnessed substantial urbanization, leaving behind well-preserved remnants visible today submerged or semi-submerged structures along present shoreline.This reconstructs morpho-evolution RSL by creating geodatabase following international guidelines markers (SLMs). A comprehensive dataset 52 SLMs compiled from direct geoarchaeological measurements, stratigraphic palaeoecological interpretations new borehole data, reinterpreting bibliographic information. Archaeological site selection involved analyzing bibliographic, cartographic, video materials ruins' details dating. Additionally, public institutions provided access an unpublished five deep boreholes drilled plains 2023. Three samples were collected columns analyzed Plain dated using radiocarbon dating technique. One sample, derived lagoonal deposit, presented age exceeding technique's accuracy range older than 54 ka BCE. Despite this, valuable information initiation backshore formation. The other two samples, second drilling inside layers peat deposits, interpreted as Terrestrial Limiting Points (TLPs) defining upper limit -4.20 m MSL position at about 7.5 BP.Accordingly, based 8.0 BP, sea level rose -23 -5 rate 25 mm/yr. Subsequently, slowed less 5 mm/yr, stabilizing its current position. In particular, results coming surveys suggest that local period (I century BCE) no higher - 0.55 ± 0.29 MSL. Overall, data included highlights tectonic stability sector last 2.0 ka, testified accordance with GIA models supported determination average vertical ground movements rates -0.017 0.23 mm/yr.Finally, interplay surveys, sources, LiDAR-based geomorphological analysis allowed creation paleogeographic scenario 1st CE. significant landscape modifications induced anthropic activities period.