Foredeeps and thrust systems in the northern Apennines

There is condiderable evidence that in the evolution of the Northern Apennines, rather than one migrating foredeep basin, at least three distinct foreland basins formed, which are progressively younger loward the cast: the Macigno, the Marnoso Arenacea and the Marche foredeeps. Applying Beaumont's foredeep model, the possible deep-rooted thrust system and the possible peripheral bulge regions to connect to them are described. We suggest that they are bounded by three thrust stacks complexes: the Liguride accretionary wedge, the Tuscan metamorphie chain and the Umbria Marche thrust fold belt respectively. A prograding suture model can account for the evolution of such foreland basins. The present day Northern Apennines correspond to tbc thrust of a crustal element responsible for the flexure of Adria lithosphere required to explain the presence of the Messinian to Present Marchean foredeep basin.