Structural setting, active tectonics and seafloor morphology of the northeastern Calabria accretionary prism (Ionian Sea, Italy) 

<p>The Calabrian accretionary prism is the result of a complex interaction between subduction-related tectonics and sedimentation, active since the Eocene. The limited seismicity recorded in recent years in the area appears mostly associated to the subduction interface and could reflect either a weak subduction coupling or a slow subduction rate. Nevertheless, recent intense deformation and uplift of the seafloor has been observed within the accretionary prism.</p><p>The analysis of multichannel 2D and high-quality 3D seismic data, morphobathymetric data and instrumental seismicity, allows defining and characterizing both the deeper and shallower tectonic deformation affecting the northeastern sector of the Calabrian accretionary prism.&#160;</p><p>Besides the uppermost thrust fault of the Calabrian accretionary prism, that outlines the Crotone promontory, the shallow tectonic pattern of the prism is characterized by a belt of broad flat-topped anticlines, and a set of minor narrow structures, mainly NNW-SSE to N-S oriented, that present a variable relationship with the underlying main thrust faults. The uppermost sedimentary strata within the anticlines are affected by numerous small-scale extensional faults, not rooted at depth, likely due to outer-arc extension above uplifted depocenters. In places, the inversion of basin-bounding faults is also visible. More regularly spaced and cylindrical NW-SE anticlines are also observed in the Gulf of Taranto, in the outer sector of the accretionary prism, where a thrust/back-thrust tectonic style is present. The origin of the anticlines varies within the overall set and reflects the long-term tectonic evolution of the accretionary prism, with the oblique docking of the Calabrian accretionary prism onto the Apulian Escarpment as a key feature.</p>