Lithological control and structural inheritance on faults growth in multilayer foreland sequences

Foreland sectors and foredeep-forebulge systems are affected, as the orogenic wedge migrates, by successive stages of stress states and tectonic deformation, resulting in the development of complex fault networks, even if characterized by limited deformation. The role played by structural inheritance and changes in stress field through time, in influencing the successive re-activations of fault segments, is still a topic to be thoroughly investigated. In this work, thanks to an extensive database made available by courtesy of Energean, we were able to investigate a foreland sector at the margin of the southern Apennines. By means of thickness analysis of the Neogene foredeep sequence and of displacement analysis along the fault network, we documented a shift from forebulge-related extension, in Zanclean, to a new tectonic phase, since Piacenzian, related to a strike slip stress field, possibly related to the activity of the Tremiti Fault Zone. We also characterized the geometry and connectivity of the cover-restricted faults, developing above propagating normal faults and observed a clear correlation between fault propagation tendency and lithological/mechanical layering within the cover units. • Documented tectonic phase shift from Zanclean to Piacenzian in the southern Apennines, underlining lithological control on fault growth. • Analysed extensive database to illustrate the impact of structural inheritance on fault re-activations and foreland basin evolution. • Reveals correlation between fault propagation and lithological/mechanical layering within Neogene foredeep sequence cover units. • Presents new insights into fault growth mechanisms, enhancing understanding of structural connectivity in foredeep basins. • Emphasizes the importance of considering lithological controls and structural inheritance in analysing complex fault networks.