Recognition of a drowned delta in the northern Adriatic Sea, Italy: Stratigraphic characteristics and its significance in the frame of the early Holocene sea-level rise

Seismic and core data off the Tagliamento river delta, northern Adriatic Sea, Italy, have allowed the recognition of a partially eroded sand ridge at 12 to 18 m water depth, which has been interpreted as a submerged wave-dominated delta with associated beach-ridge complexes. The ridge shows local channel fill features, interpreted as the result of the filling of tidal channels connecting the open sea with bays and lagoons placed adjacent to the ancient delta. This interpretation resembles the present day setting of the Tagliamento delta, located landwards. It is inferred that the recognized delta was drowned during the latest stage of the post-glacial sea-level rise, when the shoreline shifted near the present day position. New studies are needed to recognize other submerged deltas and barrier islands, which may allow the reconstruction of the post-glacial sea-level rise in the Mediterranean and of the position of ancient paleoshorelines.