Stratigraphic versus structural control on the deformation pattern associated with the evolution of the Mt. Catria anticline, Italy

The evolution of deformation patterns during thrust-related folding is of importance for both industrial and academic purposes because of the control that it exerts on the migration and accumulation of fluids in reservoirs. The link between structural position and deformation pattern has been described in both theoretical and field works. On the other hand, the well-documented dependence of deformation structures on the mechanical rock properties and on the environmental conditions indicates that, during folding, structural, stratigraphic, and environmental variables interact to control the deformation pattern within folds. In this work we describe the deformation pattern of the Mt. Catria anticline (Northern Apennines, Italy) and we investigate its variability with (1) the across-strike structural position, and (2) the rock type in the same structural position. Point (1) allowed us to identify and use the syn-folding deformation structures to constrain the fold kinematics. The result of point (2) analyses allowed us to divide the exposed Umbro-Marchean multilayer into three major mechanical units characterised by specific deformation mechanisms and patterns.