EVIDENCE OF MARINE OVER-EXCAVATION ALONG THE SANTA MARIA DEL FOCALLO COASTLINE (ISPICA, SOUTHEASTERN SICILY)

Abstract

A geomorphologic survey was performed along the shoreline extending for about 3 km between the beache of Santa Maria del Focallo and Porto Ulisse, on the southeastern coast of Sicily. The study area belongs to the territory of Ispica, within the Ragusa province. This area is characterized by anthropic activities due to the agricultural and turistic use of the territory. Here the coastline is featured by cliffs made of calcarenitic breccia and sandy levels with Strombus coronatus (Upper Pliocene). The maximum elevation of the cliffs is 12 m a.s.l.. At the base of the cliffs are a number of caves caused by marine erosion. This process causes rockfalling and the formation of small, short-living sandy beaches. Further, the presence of several stacks is evidence of a progressive and fast coastline retreat. An interesting phenomenon can be observed at the artificial harbour of Punta Cirica, where marine erosion has excavated small caves along pre-existing fault planes. In some of these caves the partial collapse of the roof has caused the formation of sink holes.