Rapid uplift, stepped marine terraces and raised shorelines on the Calabrian coast of Messina Strait, Italy

A series of 26 Quaternary shorelines, stepped between present sea level and 556 m, are studied. They are part of the flight of marine terraces of the Aspromonte region. The shorelines were determined using three geomorphological models: wave‐cut platforms and gravel‐built terraces associated with their sea‐cliff foot, and observations of lateral changes between marine terraces and fluvial terraces. The elevation of the sea‐cliff foot is either measured directly, by exposure in cross‐section, or by estimation from geomorphological patterns. With caution, we connect the different landmarks of the shorelines which are discontinuous because of destruction between interfluves or because they are overlain by torrential deposits. The results of mapping show that there are few differential movements from one transect to another and mean uplift rate is 98 cm ka−1. This rate is calculated on the basis of a correlation of the area studied with the Ravagnese Tyrrhenian site, 125 m high, whose date is isotopic substage 5e. Middle and Late Quaternary tectonic activity leads to faulting, slight folding and warping but some scarps associated with faults are actually ancient sea cliffs.