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JOURNAL OF MAPS 7
this case the role of some biota, such as green algae, Software
may play a role in shaping them (Maggi et al., 2012).
Vector data management and final layout were per-
formed using QGIS 2.18. The topographic profile
4.7. Anthropogenic landforms was carried out from LiDAR data (Ministero dell’Am-
biente, http://www.pcn.minambiente.it/mattm/tag/
The morphology of the eastern tableland of Favignana
dati-lidar/) using Profile tool plugin and it was verified
Island is deeply modified by quarrying activities. The
on the field using DGPS Leica GS09.
Lower Pleistocene calcareous sandstones outcropping
there have been extensively carved (Figure 3(e)).
Different quarrying techniques have been used Acknowledgements
through time. Along the coast blocks were dislodged
This work was funded with University of Pisa ordinary
directly from the cliff face, promoting enhanced cliff
research funds (Ateneo 2017 M. Pappalardo and FFARB
retreat up to 80 m from its original position. This
2018 M. Bini). MATTM (Ministero dell’Ambiente e della
can be reconstructed based on relic rock outcrops. Tutela del Territorio e del Mare) is kindly acknowlwdged
Inland the most common quarrying technique has for providing LiDAR data. The Authors are very grateful
been in the underground, although a few open-air to Dr Paolo Balistreri for fruitful discussions on ecological
quarries are still active (Figure 3(f)). aspects of Favignana coastal landforms and to Prof. Valerio
Agnesi for useful suggestions. The paper is dedicated to the
inhabitants of this wonderful island.
5. Discussion and conclusion
The combination of remote sensing techniques Disclosure statement
applied to detect the landforms of Favignana validated
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
by a geomorphological field surveyrevealed that the
Island morphology is dominated by different morpho-
logical agents in the central ridge and in the eastern
Funding
and western plains. The morphological evolution of
This work was supported by Italian Ministry of Education
the central ridge is constrained by the geological struc-
and Research [grant number FFARB 2018 M. Bini]; Univer-
ture, being represented by a monocline relief, the
sity of Pisa [grant Ateneo 2017 M. Pappalardo].
slopes of which are affected mostly by active gravita-
tional processes. Conversely the western plain is domi-
nated by karst action. Limestone dissolution produces References
different landforms. In the view of previous Authors
Abate, B., Ferruzza, G., Incandela, A., & Renda, P. (1995).
(e.g. Agnesi et al., 1993) the overall flat morphology
Tettonica trascorrente nelle Isole Egadi sicilia
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