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 distinguished : the Tufarelle Formation and the Piano Regio Formation. In the sedimentary series exposed at the Notarchirico Middle Pleistocene prehistoric site, several volcanic episodes represented by pumice falls, coarse and fine ash-falls and subsequent epiclastic processes have interrupted the lacustrine sedimentation and induced specific environmental changes. Hominids were present immediatly after every volcanic event to exploit the new environment on an opportunistic basis.