Abstract

In this study, we elaborated a 2D model that reproduces the thermal structure of the central-northern Adriatic offshore and adjacent onshore area of the Italian peninsula. Based on the crustal structure along the trace of the CROP-03 deep section, the geotherms offshore Gabicce (northern Marche region) were obtained by an analytical procedure taking into account the role of thrusting within the sedimentary cover. Basement involvement at depth beneath the neighbouring Mondaino area to the SW, where a crustal thrust ramp dips towards the hinterland, required the use of a different analytical procedure. The results obtained in this study allowed us to define a satisfactory description of the thermal state of the northern Marche coastal area and adjacent Adriatic offshore. These results, integrated with those obtained by previous studies, confirm that the isotherms of 250°C and 400°C are placed in the stable Adriatic lithosphere at depths of about 11 km and 22 km, respectively. Furthermore, the 400°C isotherm is deeper in the onshore area, reaching a depth of about 30 km in the zone comprised between Gabicce and Mondaino, whereas the 250°C isotherm deepens towards the SW along the Adriatic Sea sector, to reach a maximum depth of 13 km in coastal area, rising again at a depth of 11 km in the innermost sector of the studied section.

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