Geological Evidence of Paleotsunamis at Torre degli Inglesi (northeast Sicily)

Two layers of fine sand of marine origin occur in asequence of organic rich colluvia in an archaeologicalexcavation at Torre degli Inglesi, on Capo Peloro, northeast Sicily. Stratigraphic and micropaleontologic analysessupport the hypothesis that these layers are related todeposition due to paleotsunami waves. Their ages are constrained both with radiocarbon and archaeological datings. The age of the oldest layer is coincident with the 17 A.D. earthquake that hit Reggio Calabria but for whichno tsunami was previously reported. The age of theyoungest layer can be only constrained in the range 3rd–19th century and is tentatively associated to the 6 Feb. 1783 event.