Of the complex, retreating, stalling and foundering subduction zones of the Mediterranean, Calabria is one of the most intriguing.  In contrast to the Apennines to the north and Sicily to the south, it continues to subduct oceanic lithosphere, yet convergence appears to have stalled and uplift appears to have accelerated in the Pleistocene. Modern uplift rates are some of the highest in the Adriatic subduction systems. This project will focus an array of modern analysis techniques on this problem: first, by refining the observations of horizontal and vertical motions back through time and second, by linking these to geodynamic models of upper mantle, lithospheric and crustal deformation.

To focus our efforts, we formulate three testable hypotheses: (i) Has subduction stopped and is slab-pull waning? (ii) Is the lower plate subducting and retreating, while the upper plate is jammed between Sicily and the southern Apennines? (iii) Has motion of Calabria to the south-east merely paused and is current uplift driven by crustal underplating?

The Calabrian arc represents an outstanding example of subduction and continental platform collision leading to rapid uplift and deformation of the upper plate. Its small size makes it a tractable field laboratory in which to study processes important to all subduction zones, including analysis of the forces driving and resisting subduction and their manifestations on plate motion and surface uplift.  The key is to connect the surface observations to the underlying geodynamics.  Recent advances in Quaternary dating methods and in geodynamic modeling now make this linkage possible.  We have assembled a strong international team to integrate and extend the field observations and modeling necessary to (1) understand why Calabria is undergoing sustained rapid uplift, and (2) explore the implications for processes at depth. To achieve these goals, we propose to use Quaternary geochronology, geomorphology and sedimentology to map the pattern of uplift in time and space, structural geology and imaging of the local seismicity to characterize faulting and kinematics, thermochronology to obtain estimates of longer-term exhumation, and GPS geodesy to resolve current kinematics and strain accumulation.  These surface and near-surface observations will be combined with analysis of the deeper structure provided by the CAT/SCAN passive seismic experiment.  Integrated numerical and laboratory geodynamic modeling will evaluate the active processes and quantify their impact. This blend of multiple disciplines is essential if we are to understand the outstanding geodynamic questions in Calabria and their broader implications for subduction.

Our thematic projects include:

• Developing Quatenary dating tools

• Probing active deformation

• Tectonic modeling of arc evolution

• Tracking coastal evolution and great earthquakes