A late Lower Pliocene planation surface across the Italian Peninsula: a key tool in neotectonic studies

An integrated geological–geomorphological approach is proposed in order to provide more information for the assessment of neotectonic deformation in the Apennines. On this basis, it can be stated that: (1) a major flat planation surface is recognisable across the whole Italian Peninsula; (2) it is better preserved on harder rocks and in the higher parts of the local relief; (3) it cuts strata ranging in age from Palaeozoic to early Lower Pliocene; (4) it smoothed tectonic structures older than early Lower Pliocene; (5) it is buried below continental and marine deposits younger than late Lower Pliocene; (6) it is displaced and deformed by local thrust re-activation and, since the Lower Pleistocene, by high angle normal faults. Displacement analysis of this morphological feature at local scale allowed us to discriminate between pre- and post-planation tectonic deformations, hence providing useful information about the rates of uplift and faulting in the Apennines.