Post-lacustrine evolution of a tectonically-controlled intermontane basin: Drainage network analysis of the Mercure basin, southern Italy

Topographic analysis, drainage network morphometry, river profile and spatial distribution of fluvio-lacustrine terraces have been used to reconstruct the evolution in Mercure River basin, a large intermontane tectonic basin axial zone southern Apennines. Morphotectonic study area is mainly controlled by poly-kinematics high-angle WNW-ESE NE-SW faults, which promoted development complex landscape with relict landscapes and/or low-relief erosional surfaces that occurred staircase arrangement at top or higher altitudes than infill. The creation accommodation space for deposition thick infill was related an important phase block-faulting along N120°-trending normal final part Lower Pleistocene. Such strongly controls longitudinal forms channels draining northern sector area, are featured well-developed concave-up segment profiles these between upward trait lower values channel steepness trace master fault. north-western south-east sectors exhibit clear knickpoints comparable those superimposed orders initial formation subsequent endorheic post-lacustrine geomorphological fluvial incision occurring rates reconstructed independent morphotectonic markers. erosion threshold during base-level fall MIS 12 dramatic about 150 m, corresponds mean rate 0.35 mm/yr. Post-lacustrine morphometric features network, preserves centripetal pattern several planimetric anomalies such as counterflow confluences, local-scale capture phenomena divide migrations.