The Terminillo, Gran Sasso and Majella Mountains: The 'Old Guardians' of the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Seas

Terminillo, Gran Sasso and Majella , the highest mountains of the Central Apennines , are spectacular landmarks showing outstanding geological and geomorphological variability and complexity. Geological features are related to a Neogene NE-verging thrust belt; geomorphological features are related to the superimposition over time of structural, slope, fluvial, glacial and karst landforms. With the support of the words of d’Annunzio, a great poet from Abruzzo , we can describe these mountains as “old guardians” of the Apennines from the Tyrrhenian to the Adriatic side of Central Italy. Here, the landscape can be deciphered by earth scientists and results from an intricate geomorphological history. Nevertheless, the same landscape can be discovered and comprehended by everyone.