The geology around Rome is largely a result of recent geodynamic processes affecting the western Mediterranean area. The geomorphology is mainly due to the Quaternary explosive activity of two volcanic districts, the Sabatini to the northeast and the Colli Albani to the southeast. Both deposited sequences of pyroclastic flows creating a flat and regular morphology that was subsequently deeply excavated by postglacial erosional processes (fig. 9.1). About one million years ago, the Roman region was still submerged under the Pliocene sea. Outcrops of Pliocene clay and sandy-clay sediments were deposited between 3.40 and 1.79 million years ago (Ma), and compose the topographically highest part of Rome: the Vatican, the Gianicolo, and Monte Mario. These sediments were deposited in basins developed as a consequence of the Apennine orogeny and the subsequent opening of the Tyrrhenian Sea (Funiciello 1995) and were uplifted to their present position by tectonic processes active during volcanism. The Pliocene clay sediments have a thickness of more than 800, and constitute the bedrock of the Roman area; their tectonic and stratigraphical relationships with the younger volcanic sediments strongly influenced the development of Rome, and are responsible for some of the problems affecting the land stability of various sectors in the city (Funiciello 1995).
DE RITA, D., Giampaolo, C. (2005). Local volcanic bulding stones used in the construction of ancient Rome. In Cultural responses to volcanic landscape (pp. 165-184). BOSTON : Archaeological Institute of America [10.1111/j.1475-4959.2007.00261_1.x].
Local volcanic bulding stones used in the construction of ancient Rome
DE RITA, Donatella;
2005-01-01
Abstract
The geology around Rome is largely a result of recent geodynamic processes affecting the western Mediterranean area. The geomorphology is mainly due to the Quaternary explosive activity of two volcanic districts, the Sabatini to the northeast and the Colli Albani to the southeast. Both deposited sequences of pyroclastic flows creating a flat and regular morphology that was subsequently deeply excavated by postglacial erosional processes (fig. 9.1). About one million years ago, the Roman region was still submerged under the Pliocene sea. Outcrops of Pliocene clay and sandy-clay sediments were deposited between 3.40 and 1.79 million years ago (Ma), and compose the topographically highest part of Rome: the Vatican, the Gianicolo, and Monte Mario. These sediments were deposited in basins developed as a consequence of the Apennine orogeny and the subsequent opening of the Tyrrhenian Sea (Funiciello 1995) and were uplifted to their present position by tectonic processes active during volcanism. The Pliocene clay sediments have a thickness of more than 800, and constitute the bedrock of the Roman area; their tectonic and stratigraphical relationships with the younger volcanic sediments strongly influenced the development of Rome, and are responsible for some of the problems affecting the land stability of various sectors in the city (Funiciello 1995).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
