Exploring ophiolitic deposits offshore Scoglio d’Affrica islet (northern Tyrrhenian Sea): A comprehensive geophysical model of the shallow crustal dynamics

The islet of Scoglio d’Affrica (Tuscany Archipelago, northern Tyrrhenian Sea) is an emerging segment of the Elba-Pianosa Ridge. This ridge is a major tectonic-structural high formed by Eocene-Early Miocene clastic succession which separates the Tuscany shelf from the Corsica basin. The distinctive structural setting of the Scoglio d’Affrica region is a result of crustal fragmentation during the extensional tectonic regime of the northern Tyrrhenian Sea. Along the Elba Pianosa Ridge, a complex interplay between Miocene magmatism, active submarine gas emissions and mud volcanism has been observed. Currently, the Scoglio d’Affrica region experiences active mud volcanism, accompanied by diffuse seafloor gas leakages and sporadic violent mud-water mixed eruptions, as exemplified by the most recent event in 2017. In this study, we present a comprehensive analysis of shipborne magnetic data, swath bathymetry, single and multichannel seismic profiles of Scoglio d’Affrica region focalized to provide a comprehensive geophysical model of shallow crustal dynamics. Forward and inverse magnetic models reveal the presence of a continuous high magnetic susceptibility body running along a NNW-SSE direction, parallel to the main tectonic lineaments. This high magnetic source is interpreted as an ophiolite/high grade serpentinite deposit embedded in Eocene siliciclastic layers resulting from the disrupting of the Corsica Alpine basement. This deposits are related to sedimentary gravity processes originated from peripheral highs and accumulated in intra-wedge basins subsequently deformed during the Oligocene. Our reconstruction provides previously unknown details about geometry and distribution of shallow ophiolite-like deposits thereby improving the comprehension the intricate structural evolution of Elba-Pianosa Ridge featured by a multiphase tectonic deformation and shallow manifestations of fluid/gas circulation.