The geodynamics of the southern Tyrrhenian Sea margin as revealed by integrated geological, geophysical and geodetic data

The recent and present-day deformation field of the southern Tyrrhenian Sea margin, as revealed from integrated geophysical, structural and space geodesy data, is characterised by subhorizontal NW-SE directed shortening and SW-NE directed extension. This deformation was mainly accommodated by development of an E-W trending, complex fault system that has the geometrical features of a strike-slip duplex, and that is here indicated as the Southern Tyrrhenian Strike-Slip Duplex (STSSD). Most faults within the STSSD are recent. There are, however, local examples of ancient faults that were repeatedly reactivated through time, such as the Gratteri-Mt. Mufara Line. Structural measurements on these exposed fault surfaces help constrain the kinematics of coeval structures offshore, and make it possible to interpret the latter as transtensional, rather than purely extensional structures, as proposed by many authors. The results of our study ultimately shows the effectiveness of an integrated, multidisciplinal approach in the study of active deformation margins.