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by Rust and Kershaw 2000 roof notch, presently species, and the reef has been interpreted as a
uplifted at 4.9 m, the notch e some fossils were deeper water structure (Kershaw 2000).
aged by Firth et al., 1996, Stewart et al 1997 and Lithophaga borings on the outer surface of the
Antonioli et al., 2003. Between the sea level and eroded reef are Holocene, and suggest uplift over
the roof notch are present also (but with minor the last 6000 y (Firth et al., 1996). The reef itself
morphological evidence) other notches that was may be older, and the oldest date (unpublished is
interprted as co-sismic from De Guidi et al., 2003 c. 9000 y BP). Interpretation of the history of this
(Fig. 25). Should be intersting discuss this reef remains problematic, and further work is in
interpretations. Seem to absent the marine notch progress.
at present sea level, where is possible to observe a
well developed algal reef. All theese morphology Aknowledgments
seem to be compatible with the Malta We thanks Carmelo Monaco that provide some
escarpement sited in the near offshore. figures.
Stop 5 near the beautiful town of Taormina is References
possible to observe moore that one marine
terraces, in particular at the altitude of 97-120 m Abate B., Di Maggio, C., Incandela A. and Renda
there is a terrace that cut the limestone with a 10 P., (1991). Nuovi dati sulla geologia della
m thik marine conglomerate containg fossil penisola di Capo San Vito (Sicilia nord-
shells, Antonioli et al 2002 aged the terrace at occidentale). Mem. Soc. Geol. It., 47, 15-25.
MIS 5, using ESR methodology (Fig. 14-15).
Stop 6, Timpe faults at Santa Tecla. The area is Abate B., Di Maggio, C., Incandela A. and Rend,
dominated by prominent faults striking generally P., (1993). Carta geologica dei Monti di Capo
NNW-SSE, called the Timpe fault system which San Vito, scala 1:25.000. Dip. di Geologia e
are generally regarded as an onshore continuation Geodesia dell'Univ. di Palermo.
of faulting associated with the Malta Escarpment.
The most likely individual candidate for this Abate B., Buccheri G., Renda P. and Incandela
continuation comes onshore at Santa Maria La A., (1996). Le Sezioni Tirreniane delle località
Scala and defines the linear cliffed coast “La Conca e Punta Libeccio” (Isola di Marettimo-
extending southwards. The scarp was well Arcipelago delle Egadi, Sicilia N-O) Indagine
established before 15 ka lavas were emplaced and stratigrafica e paleoecol. Boll. Soc. Geol. It. 115,
yet post-emplacement offset is relatively small. 145-158.
Farther north, as shown by the mapping (Fig. 26-
27), these faults are covered by unbroken lavas Agnesi V., Di Maggio, C. and Macaluso T.,
from the 1329 eruption. Similarly, at Santa Maria (1995). Deformazioni gravitative profonde e
La Scala the main scarp is covered by unbroken superficiali nella Penisola di Capo S.Vito (Sicilia
lavas of the 394 BC flow; only farther downslope occidentale). Mem. Soc. Geol. It., 50, 11-21.
are these lavas cut by a low scarp developed
along an apparently minor fault in the Timpe Antonioli F., Chemello R. Improta S, & Riggio S.
system. Very good overviews of the Timpe faults (1999). The Dendropoma (Mollusca Gastropoda,
can be seen from the main road near Acireale, Vermetidae) intertidal reef formations and their
and from the minor road between Santa Maria La paleoclimatological use. Marine Geology 161,
Scala and Santa Tecla. If time allows we will visit 155-170.
the fault scarp to view slickenlines which show
sense of movement. Antonioli F., Cremona G., Immordino F., Puglisi
C., Romagnoli C., Silenzi S., Valpreda E.,
Stop 7, Aci Trezza: coralline-serpulid Holocene Verrubbi V. (2002a) New data on the holocenic
reef on the uplifting footwall of Malta sea level rise in NW Sicily (central Mediterranean
escarpment. Here early Etna basalts are encrusted sea). Global and Planetary Change, 34, 121-140.
by a reef coating, now strongly eroded. The reef
structure is beautifully exposed, and shows a Antonioli, F., Kershaw, S., Renda, P., Rust, D.,
main phase of growth, followed by erosion and Belluomini, G., Cerasoli, A., Silenzi, S. &
infilling, visible in the field . The coralline algal Radtke, U. (2002b) Altitude of the last
suite does not contain any sea-level critical interglacial highstand in Sicily (Italy) and its
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