Testing Late Quaternary tectonics in low-rate contractional settings – Preliminary outcomes from fluvial network analysis along the Southern Apennine Outer compressional Front (SAOF)

The Apennine compressional Outer Front (AOF) is clearly seismogenic in northern- and central Italy, and along the Maghrebian chain in Sicily. This seismogenic setting is supported by geodetic data revealing evidence of active shortening, at low rates (0.2–0.8 mm/y), as well as by available focal mechanisms. On the other hand, the AOF is often considered inactive in southern Italy (SAOF) where it is buried under Plio-Quaternary foredeep successions, and relevant instrumental seismicity with compressive kinematics is lacking. 
Following some recent literature reporting Late Quaternary regional uplift affecting marine terraces (Gulf of Taranto-southern Italy), as well geological/ morphotectonic evidence and macroseismic data analyses supporting the existence of active compressive structures in the Maiella Mt-Abruzzo foothill areas (central-southern Italy), we tested the hypothesis of Late Quaternary deformation along the SAOF. 
Considering the favorable setting of the drainage system (with respect to the SAOF) in the southern Abruzzi and Molise regions, we here investigated the transient response that fluvial networks could exhibit as a consequence of active processes (active folding, uplift) and related base-level changes. Knick-point detection over along-river longitudinal profiles, along with more advanced metrics (normalized steepness index maps) were compared with the geological, lithological and structural features known for the area. Geomorphic indexes seem to suggest significant tectonic signals along the Adriatic piedmont sector, between the rivers Pescara and Saccione. Preliminary results will be shown and discussed in terms of fluvial landscape response in low deformation rate areas and to comparison to adjacent and/or similar settings.