Guidelines for Continental Quartenary mapping
One of the innovative features of the 1:50,000 geological
cartography project (CARG project) is the importance accorded to
plio-quaternary continental deposits (hereinafter reference will be
made to the Quaternary only) in mapping and cartographic
representation. This project considers quaternary deposits –
traditionally considered by geology as merely covering up the
underlying rocks – at par with the substratum. This approach
is already apparent in the "Mapping guide for the 1:50,000
Geological map of Italy" – Quaderno, serie III, n. 1, which
dedicates a separate chapter to the mapping of quaternary
continental successions. Moreover, the CARG project quaternary
mapping encounters the difficulties arising from the absence, in
many cases, of an adequate geological culture and of sufficient
cartographic experience, at least at national level.
These aspects have led, on the one hand, to the poor quality of
various cartographic products available today, and on the other
hand to confusion at regulatory level and to the lack of precise
guidelines providing operators with univocal indications. In fact,
some sheet legends are drawn up using lithostratigraphic criteria,
while other ones using allostratigraphic terminology and yet other
ones using "Unconformity-bounded
stratigraphic units" (UBSU). I
In some cases, different stratigraphic criteria have been used in
adjoining sheets, revealing a complete lack of coordination. The
aim of this document is to take stock of the situation after ten
years of cartographic studies and production. To this end, a
meeting was held with several experts in Quaternary geology and
stratigraphy and with various members of the Geological Committee
to discuss various problems involved in mapping quaternary deposits
and search for possible solutions. Following the meeting, a series
of guidelines was drawn up with the aim of dealing with
Quaternary-related problems in a clear homogeneous manner at
national level.
These guidelines are to be considered binding for all sheets whose
progress report allows ongoing adjustments. Attempts will be made
to uniform completed sheets, evaluating whether adjustment is
really impossible on a case by case basis. Operators are asked to
collaborate fully in order to guarantee CARG project the necessary
uniformity at national level. This will require great coordination
between adjoining sheets and great efforts on the part of the Area
Committees.
All indications included in the guidelines published so far and in
the subsequent additions that are not modified by this document
shall continue to be valid.
For easiness of consultation, the document has been divided into
sections under the following headings:
