Abstract Seventeen layers characterized by soft-sediment deformation structures (SSDS) were identified within the “calcari di Fiumicello”, an upper Messinian (Miocene) stratigraphic unit (30 m thick), cropping out in the northern sector of the Gargano Promontory (Apulia, southern Italy). Facies analysis was performed on the whole outcrop and detailed sedimentological investigations were carried out on the deformed beds, in order to interpret the deformation mechanism, the driving mechanism and the possible trigger agent. Deformed layers occur in some thin-bedded ooidal limestones, skeletal calcarenite, as well as in some pebble-size conglomerate, alternated with marls, deposited in a protected embayment or barrier-island-lagoon system, possibly characterized by high salinity, and tidal influx. SSDS can be classified as load- and slump/slide structures. The continuous exposures allow us to follow a single deformed layer along tens of meters, hence several types of lateral variations were observed that can be summarised as follows: (1) SSDS disappear within a few meters (with a decreasing pattern of their deformation or in an abrupt way); (2) deformed layers laterally change in thickness and morphology; and (3) a single deformed bed can laterally correspond to two deformed beds. Most of the soft sediment deformation features were identified as liquefaction and/or fluidization features related to seismic shocks (seismites). Seismites are often used as an indicator of seismic events, especially along small outcrops, trench excavation and core analysis. This study highlights the value of the sedimentological analysis for paleoseismic investigations, with the aim of improving criteria for identifying seismites in the sedimentary record, and their suitability as marker of seismic events.

中文翻译：

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影响地震岩发生和空间变异的沉积特征（晚墨西拿，加尔加诺海角，意大利南部）

摘要 在“calcari di Fiumicello”中确定了以软沉积物变形结构 (SSDS) 为特征的 17 层，这是一个上墨西拿 (中新世) 地层单元 (30 m 厚)，在加尔加诺海角 (Apulia,意大利南部）。对整个露头进行了相分析，并对变形层进行了详细的沉积学调查，以解释变形机制、驱动机制和可能的触发因素。变形层出现在一些薄层卵状石灰岩、骨架钙磷灰石中，以及一些鹅卵石大小的砾岩中，与泥灰岩交替，沉积在受保护的海湾或屏障-岛-泻湖系统中，可能以高盐度和潮汐流入为特征. SSDS 可分为负载结构和坍落/滑动结构。连续曝光使我们能够沿着几十米的单一变形层进行观察，因此观察到几种类型的横向变化，可以总结如下：（1）SSDS 在几米内消失（变形的减少模式或一种突然的方式）；(2) 变形层的厚度和形态发生横向变化；(3)单个变形层可以横向对应两个变形层。大多数软沉积物变形特征被确定为与地震冲击（地震岩）相关的液化和/或流化特征。地震岩通常用作地震事件的指标，尤其是沿小露头、沟渠开挖​​和岩心分析。