Onshore to offshore stratigraphic-structural correlation in the north-eastern Lampedusa area (Sicily Channel, Mediterranean sea)

The Pelagian Archipelago (Lampedusa, Lampione and Linosa) is located in a complex and wide geodynamic system characterized by the occurrence of two independent tectonic processes acting simultaneously (Corti et al., 2006 and references therein): convergence along the Apennine-Maghrebian accretionary wedge and rifting in the Sicily Channel (Giunta et al., 2000). Through high resolution single-channel seismic reflection profiles (Sparker) acquired on July 2015 in the offshore of the Lampedusa Island, we aim to define in detail the late Miocene-Pleistocene stratigraphic and structural evolution of this sector of the Pelagian Archipelago. In particular, we focus on the northeastern sector of Lampedusa, where onshore stratigraphic-structural measurements are available (Baldassini et al., 2015). The onshoreoffshore correlation will enhance the current geodynamic and paleogeographic knowledge on the Lampedusa area (Grasso & Pedley, 1985; Torelli et al., 1995). The dataset consists of a grid of 21 seismic profiles for a total length of about 140 km. The preliminary analysis of seismic data highlights a well-defined post-Tortonian erosive truncation here interpreted as an unconformity separating the Lampedusa Formation from sub-horizontal Pleistocene to Holocene deposits (Grasso & Pedley, 1985), which are characterized by bedforms, erosional features and diapirs. The onshore sediments are represented by shallow water bioclastic grainstones and carbonate lithoclast breccias, ranging in thickness between 10 and 30 m. Furthermore, the high resolution of the seismic profiles allows us to better define the offshore prosecution and activity of the most important tectonic structure recognized onland, the Cala Creta fault. The latter appears inactive at least from the Pliocene and shows late Miocene syn-sedimentary transtensional deformation, as also shown by Torelli et al. (1995 and references therein).