Soils and soilscapes of the Upper Volturno basin: a detailed survey of a large intermontane basin in the Central-Southern Apennines, Italy

Soils of the Upper Volturno basin in Central-Southern Apennines (Molise, Italy) were surveyed detail. Trends development are described with focus on contrast between mountain soils and basin. Mountain shallow poorly developed. Topsoils central eastern areas N-facing slopes have a large Late Pleistocene tephra component (Campi Flegrei) Andic. Basin from distinct chronosequence: early Mid-Pleistocene deep highly weathered Chromic Luvisols/Nitosols old surfaces fluvio-lacustrine fill, less developed terraces fans, recent Fluvisols Holocene sediments River tributaries. In basin, Roccamonfina play an important role. SW, it occurs as thick layers, blanketing fluvio-lacustrine/fan deposits. The soil pattern clearly reflects complex geological history prominent subsidence SW.