Morphostructural elements of central–eastern Abruzzi: contributions to the study of the role of tectonics on the morphogenesis of the Apennine chain.

The relief features of the Apennine chain have been developed in a complex geomorphological and geological evolution from Neogene to Quaternary. In order to define regional geomorphological characteristics of the central and eastern part of the Abruzzi region (Central Italy), between the Fucino plane and the Adriatic coast, a schematic map of morphostructural elements, structural landforms and erosional landforms was constructed. The results point out the clear coherence of present landforms with the tectonic framework in the Abruzzi area. In the Chain area exhumed thrust ridges and faulted homocline ridges are present (generally NW SE, NNW-SSE, N-S), separated by tectonic valleys, fault line valleys, tectonic basins and tectonic-karstic basins, partially filled up with continental deposits. In the Piedmont periadriatic area the most important morphological elements are represented by homocline relief (gently NE dipping), mesa relief, dip-stream valleys (SW-NE), and alluvial plains. The latter grade eastwards towards the Coastal Plain.