Post-Congress field trip
E4. The Oligocene and Miocene reef complexes of the Salento Peninsula (4 days field trip)
Leaders: Alessandro Vescogni (Univ. Modena), Francesca Bosellini (Univ. Modena), Cesare Papazzoni (Univ. Modena), Beatrice Fornaciari (Univ. Modena).
Presentation. Along the south-eastern coast of the Apulia region (south-east Italy), a spectacular superimposition of carbonate sequences is exposed, their age spanning from the late Cretaceous to the Quaternary. Among them, of particular interest are two extensive coral reef complexes, represented by the Castro Limestone Fm. (lower Chattian) and by the Novaglie Fm. (lower Messinian). The Castro Limestone is one of the best preserved Oligocene coral reef in the Mediterranean area. A sequence of five outcrops delineates a transect intercepting the main reef palaeoenvironments, from the back reef to the distal slope. The Novaglie Fm. is a classical example of Mediterranean low-diversity coral reef, that grew immediately prior to the Messinian salinity crisis. A series of outcrops along the coastal road allows to observe the transition from the reef core to the slope setting, with changes of Porites growth forms. In addition, other biotic structures, such as Halimeda bioherms and vermetid bioconstructions can be appreciated.
Programme:
– September 8 (Sunday): meeting at the Brindisi airport (6.30 pm) and departure by minibus to the hotel in the town of Castro Marina (about 1 h driving).
– September 9 (Monday): the Oligocene reef complex of the Castro Limestone Fm.
– September 10 (Tuesday): the lower Messinian reef of the Novaglie Fm. Before and after the Messinian reef: the condensed hard ground of the Aturia Level (Serravallian to Tortonian) and the “Terminal Carbonate Complex” (upper Messinian).
– September 11 (Wednesday): The Eocene reef of S. Cesarea. The upper Chattian Porto Badisco Calcarenites. Visit at the town of Otranto. Departure at 2,30 pm and arrival at the Brindisi airport at 4 pm.
Excursion fee includes: guidebook, meals, hotel accommodation and travels in Salento. Cost is 500€ (550€ for single room). Please note that plane tickets to and from the Brindisi airport and the lunch in Otranto (11 Sept.) are not included. Participants should organize their own travel to and from the Brindisi airport. The excursion is organized according to the flights schedule of the Ryanair company, that ensures the best connection between the Bologna and Brindisi airports. September 8 the best flight option leaves Bologna at 4.15 pm and arrives in Brindisi at 5.45 pm, we warmly suggest to book the flight in advance in order to get the most favorable price.
Number of participants: min 10/max 20
Contact: alessandro.vescogni@unimore.it