Paleomagnetic study of the Capo di Bove lava flow, Rome, Italy

A paleomagnetic study of the Capo di Bove lava flow near Rome, Italy, reveals that the ancient Appian Way's brief deviation from its straight SE-NW trajectory was not due to tectonic deformation. The research, conducted on samples collected along a 10 km transect, found no evidence of post-emplacement tectonic rotations, ruling out the presence of previously undetected faults. Instead, the bend in the Appian Way is likely attributed to pre-existing morphology and historical factors. The study employed rock magnetic, paleomagnetic, and petrographic analyses, with reliable paleomagnetic data obtained from three sampling sites indicating a consistent lava flow direction from SE to NW.

Di Chiara, A., Srivastava, P., Florindo, F., Gaeta, M., Marra, F., Sagnotti, L., Bonilla Alba, R., Tescione, I., Sorice, A., & Spagnuolo, L. (2024). Paleomagnetic study of the Capo di Bove lava flow, Rome, Italy. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 455, 108202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2024.108202