High-resolution aeromagnetic survey of Calabria (Southern Italy)

We present a 1:350,000 high-resolution magnetic anomaly map of Calabria (Southern Italy),
obtained by merging the results from two low-altitude aeromagnetic surveys performed in
southern and northern Calabria. Magnetic anomalies of Calabria are of low intensity, and
mostly range from 11 to –9 nT. Northern Calabria is characterized by positive anomalies in
the Tyrrhenian margin (Coastal Chain) that turn into negative values moving eastward in the
Sila Massif. Southern Calabria is characterized by slightly positive anomaly values, interrupted
by a null magnetic anomaly corridor roughly corresponding to the eastern margin of the
Gioia Tauro basin. Finally, anomaly values turn systematically negative in the Messina Straits.
Due to the unprecedented resolution (low flying height, spatial sampling along the flight line
of ∼5 m and 1–2 km flight line spacing), the new map highlights, in detail, the geometry and
setting of the upper crustal features. As Calabria is one of the most seismically active regions
in Italy, hit by several high-magnitude earthquakes in recent centuries, the interpretation of
this new map will hopefully contribute to new insights into the crustal geological setting,
location and dimension of the main seismogenic sources.