SEDIMENTARY DYNAMICS AND TECTO-VOLCANISM IN THE VENOSA BASIN (BASILICATA, ITALIA)

Direct tecto-volcanism is the main process involved in the sedimentary filling of the Venosa lacustrine basin. Two Formations have been dist inguished: the Tufarelle Formation and the Piano Regio Formation. In t he sedimentary series exposed at the Notarchirico Middle Pleistocene p rehistoric site, several volcanic episodes represented by pumice falls , coarse and fine ash falls and subsequent epiclastic processes have i nterrupted the sedimentation and induced specific environmental change s. Hominids were present immediately after every volcanic event to exp loit the new environment on an opportunistic basis. (C) 1998 INQUA/Els evier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.