Journal articles on the topic 'Alps-Adriatic region'

Abstract. The Alpine orogen formed as a result of the collision between the Adriatic and European plates. Significant crustal heterogeneity exists within the region due to the long history of interplay between these plates, other continental and oceanic blocks in the region, and inherited crustal features from earlier orogenies. Deformation relating to the collision continues to the present day. Here, a seismically constrained, 3-D structural and density model of the lithosphere of the Alps and their respective forelands, derived from integrating numerous geoscientific datasets, was adjusted to match the observed gravity field. It is shown that the distribution of seismicity and deformation within the region correlates well to thickness and density changes within the crust, and that the present-day Adriatic crust is both thinner and denser (22.5 km, 2800 kg m−3) than the European crust (27.5 km, 2750 kg m−3). Alpine crust derived from each respective plate is found to show the same trend, with zones of Adriatic provenance (Austro-Alpine unit and Southern Alps) found to be denser and those of European provenance (Helvetic zone and Tauern Window) to be less dense. This suggests that the respective plates and related terranes had similar crustal properties to the present-day ones prior to orogenesis. The model generated here is available for open-access use to further discussions about the crust in the region.

This paper evaluates Integrated Multi-Satellite Retrievals from GPM (IMERG-F) over Europe for the period 2014–2018 in order to evaluate application of the retrievals to hydrology. IMERG-F is compared with a large pan-European precipitation dataset built on rain gauge stations, i.e., the ENSEMBLES OBServation (E-OBS) gridded dataset. Although there is overall agreement in the spatial distribution of mean precipitation (R2 = 0.8), important discrepancies are revealed in mountainous regions, specifically the Alps, Pyrenees, west coast of the British Isles, Scandinavia, the Iberian and Italian peninsulas, and the Adriatic coastline. The results show that the strongest contributors to poor performance are pixels where IMERG-F has no gauges available for adjustment. If rain gauges are available, IMERG-F yields results similar to those of the surface observations, although the performance varies by region. However, even accounting for gauge adjustment, IMERG-F systematically underestimates precipitation in the Alps and Scandinavian mountains. Conversely, IMERG-F overestimates precipitation in the British Isles, Italian Peninsula, Adriatic coastline, and eastern European plains. Additionally, the research shows that gauge adjustment worsens the spatial gradient of precipitation because of the coarse resolution of Global Precipitation Climatology Centre data.

Positive structural inversion within foreland domains ahead of thrust belts can create structures with significant hydrocarbon potential in mature and underexplored areas. Within this context, the Adriatic region represents a well-established hydrocarbon province constituting a foreland domain bounded by the Apennines, Southern Alps, and Dinaric fold-and-thrust belts. Newly reprocessed regional 2D seismic data and a renewed exploration interest in the area motivate a reappraisal of the regional structure and stratigraphy of the deformed Central Adriatic region of Italy (i.e., the Mid-Adriatic Ridge). Here, we developed and discussed examples of inversion structures that have different structural styles. The structural interpretations displayed on time-to-depth converted profiles had been validated by 2D structural-kinematic balancing and forward modeling. Our aim was to better define the geometry, style, and timing of the analyzed inversion-related folds. Positive inversion structures appeared locally as asymmetric harpoon-shaped anticlines riding over high-angle blind thrusts. More commonly, inversion structures were symmetric anticlines formed above conjugate faults. Retrodeformed cross sections showed that positive inversion involved symmetric graben and asymmetric half-graben that originated during the Triassic and Jurassic. That these inversion structures developed during basement-involved thrusting, as suggested for the Adriatic in general, was consistent with forward modeling. Regionally, the contractional structures belonging to the Mid-Adriatic Ridge can be explained in terms of intraplate deformation that chiefly acted through reactivation of Mesozoic normal faults.

SUMMARY The Western Alps shows a complex crustal organization due to the subduction of the European Plate beneath the Adriatic Plate and exhumation of the mantle wedge. The lithospheric structure of the Western Alps, that may hold significance for understanding orogenic processes and evolution, has been the subject of many geophysical studies, but the Moho profile remains unclear and this has led to controversies about the depth and extent of the European Plate beneath the Adriatic Plate. With the goal of retrieving detailed information on crustal constitution, we use autocorrelation of seismic ambient noise as a tool to map the body wave reflectivity structure at the subduction zone under the southwestern Alps. We use data recorded by the China–Italy–France Alps (CIFALPS) seismic transect, that includes 45 stations located approximately 5–10 km apart along a profile crossing the Alpine continental subduction in the Western Alps. We analyse the data set in four different frequency bands between 0.09 and 2 Hz. We automatically pick the arrival time of the Moho reflection in the second derivative of the envelope of the autocorrelation stack using prior Moho information. The 0.5–1 Hz frequency band mostly gives the best result due to the clear changes in reflectivity along the waveforms of the autocorrelation stacks after the picked arrival times of the Moho reflections. We find spatial coherence between 18 and 23 km depth in the western portion of the profile, indicating relatively homogeneous crustal rocks, and highly reflective structure under the central mountain range, due to the existence of a highly faulted zone. The very thin crust and the underlying mantle wedge known as the Ivrea body show instead high transparency to seismic waves and absence of reflections. The subduction profile of the European Plate shows a steep trend as compared to previous studies. We discuss autocorrelation stacks and Moho depths obtained from the arrival times of the picked reflectivity change in comparison with previous studies to validate the different reflection structures. Stacked ambient noise autocorrelations reliably image varied crustal properties and reflectivity structures in the highly heterogeneous region of the southwestern Alps.

Abstract The SWATH-D experiment involved the deployment of a dense temporary broadband seismic network in the Eastern Alps. Its primary purpose was enhanced seismic imaging of the crust and crust–mantle transition, as well as improved constraints on local event locations and focal mechanisms in a complex part of the Alpine orogen. The study region is a key area of the Alps, where European crust in the north is juxtaposed and partially interwoven with Adriatic crust in the south, and a significant jump in the Moho depth was observed by the 2002 TRANSALP north–south profile. Here, a flip in subduction polarity has been suggested to occur. This dense network encompasses 163 stations and complements the larger-scale sparser AlpArray seismic network. The nominal station spacing in SWATH-D is 15 km in a high alpine, yet densely populated and industrialized region. We present here the challenges resulting from operating a large broadband network under these conditions and summarize how we addressed them, including the way we planned, deployed, maintained, and operated the stations in the field. Finally, we present some recommendations based on our experiences.

Abstract. A case of snow fall in the plains of the Northern Italian region Veneto is presented from a forecasters' perspective. Contrasting forecast guidance came from the ECMWF global model and the limited area model LAMI. The former showed a marked warm-moist Sirocco flow coming from the Adriatic Sea onto the coast at all levels, the latter discerned a distinct cold air flow from the north-east along the foothills of the Alps. The integrated observing network of the Centro Meteorologico di Teolo ARPA Veneto revealed this cold-air structure and helped the forecaster in the choice of the forecast and underpin the snowfall alert to the road authorities. It is argued that this feature is a crucial element for the occurrence of snowfall over the Veneto plains, and that the high-resolution numerical weather prediction model was essential in describing this mesoscale feature. The nature of the north-easterly flow is thought to be a combination of a Bora like flow and a barrier jet induced by flow blocking by the Alps.

Abstract A research was conducted in the Veneto region (NE-Italy) inside kitchen gardens and potato fields of outer pre-Alps, and in asparagus fields on the low Po plain near the Adriatic coast, in late summer-autumn after harvesting. Original vegetation-plot records were compared with historic and recent materials from Italy, especially N-Italy, and with comparable associations from Central and South-Eastern Europe, to ensure a consistent syntaxonomical frame of this highly dynamic vegetation. At the same time it was possible to shed light on the actual occurrence of past coenoses, cited by Italian authors for the Po plain. The analysis not only confirmed the occurrence of Echinochloo-Setarietum pumilae in north-eastern Italian territories, but also showed that it was more extensive than previously thought. It also confirmed the persistence of Panico-Polygonetum persicariae. The historical presence of Veronico-Lamietum hybridi occurring in pre-Alps and Dolomites needs confirmation. Further regional-scale investigations of summer crop weed vegetation appear necessary.

AbstractThe contribution presents findings from the research on a constitution of new ethnic identities in Alps-Adriatic region. The key question dealt here with was to which extent the recent demographical processes impact the peripheral, mountainous, and ethnically specific cross-border region between Slovenia and Italy. In lay and professional discourse there is still omnipresent mentality of extinguishing Slovene minority in Italy. Applying various demographical methods the article resolves the demographical processes and quantifies the extent of the local Slovene speakers. The author argues that the recent demographical processes of heavy depopulation tend to stabilize towards stagnation. Depopulation is stronger in the Slovenian part of the region, though the traditional Slovene-speaking areas in Italy aren’t as threatened as the adjacent Friulian areas. New migration trends along with the generally low fertility contribute to changes in traditional dualistic structure and bring refreshment to remote parts of the border region as well.

OPEN‑AIR CLASSROOM: THE WALK OF PEACE EXAMPLEThe Walk of Peace from the Alps to the Adriatic is a project created under the auspices of the Walk of Peace in the Soča Region Foundation. Walk of Peace is a trail following the remnants of the Isonzo Front. Its intention is to emphasise the values of peace and remembrance of an essential part of the nation's collective consciousness, conveying the tragedy of World War I in light of the important historical heritage. Thus this trail is an extraordinary didactic element, as its authentic locations and areas of remembrance provide a direct link with the past and allow for the efficient implementation of an open‑air classroom.

Abstract. The Alpine chain in western and central Europe is a complex orogen developed as a result of the African–Adriatic plate convergence towards the European continent and the closure of several Tethys oceanic branches. Seismic tomography studies detected high-wave-speed slabs plunging beneath the orogen to variable depths and a potential change in subduction polarity beneath the Central Alps. Alpine subduction is expected to leave a significant imprint on the surrounding mantle fabrics, although deformation associated with the Hercynian Orogeny, which affected Europe prior to the collision with Adria, may have also been preserved in the European lithosphere. Here we estimate SKS anisotropy beneath the central and greater Alpine region at 113 broadband seismic stations from the AlpArray experiment as well as permanent networks from Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and France. We compare the new improved dataset with previous studies of anisotropy, mantle tomography, lithospheric thickness, and absolute plate motion, and we carry out Fresnel analysis to place constraints on the depth and origin of anisotropy. Most SKS directions parallel the orogen strike and the orientation of the Alpine slabs, rotating clockwise from west to east along the chain, from −45 to 90∘ over a ∼700 km distance. No significant changes are recorded in Central Alps at the location of the putative switch in subduction polarity, although a change in direction variability suggests simple asthenospheric flow or coupled deformation in the Swiss Central Alps transitions into more complex structures beneath the Eastern Alps. SKS fast axes follow the trend of high seismic anomalies across the Alpine Front, far from the present-day boundary, suggesting slabs act as flow barriers to the ambient mantle surrounding them for hundreds of km. Further north across the foreland, SKS fast axes parallel Hercynian geological structures and are orthogonal to the Rhine Graben and crustal extension. However, large splitting delay times (>1.4 s) are incompatible with a purely lithospheric contribution but rather represent asthenospheric flow not related to past deformational events. West of the Rhine Graben, in northeastern France, anisotropy directions are spatially variable in the proximity of a strong positive seismic anomaly in the upper mantle, perhaps perturbing the flow field guided by the nearby Alpine slabs.

AbstractWinds through the Vratnik Pass, a mountain gap in the Dinaric Alps, Croatia, are polarized along the gap axis that extends in the northeast–southwest direction. Although stronger northeasterly wind at the Vratnik Pass is frequently related to the Adriatic bora wind, especially at the downstream town of Senj, there are many cases in which the wind at Senj is directionally decoupled from the wind at the Vratnik Pass. A cluster analysis reveals that this decoupling is sometimes related to lower wind speeds or a shallow southeasterly sirocco wind along the Adriatic, but in many cases the bora blows over a wider region, while only Senj has a different wind direction. Several mechanisms can be responsible for the latter phenomenon, including the formation of a lee wave rotor. A numerical model simulation corroborates the decoupling caused by a rotor for a single case. The prevalence of northeasterly winds at the Vratnik Pass during southeasterly sirocco episodes is another result that challenges the current understanding. It is shown that, at least in one of these episodes, this phenomenon is related to a secondary mesoscale low pressure center in the eastern lee of the Apennines that forms as a subsystem of a broader Genoa cyclone. Less frequent southwesterly winds through the gap are predominantly related to the thermal sea breeze and anabatic circulations that are sometimes superimposed on the geostrophic wind.

Abstract. The HYdrological cycle in the Mediterranean EXperiment (HyMeX) is intended to improve the capabilities of predicting high-impact weather events. Within its framework, the aim of the first special observation period (SOP1), 5 September to 6 November 2012, was to study heavy precipitation events and flash floods. Here, we present high-impact weather events over Croatia that occurred during SOP1. Particular attention is given to eight intense observation periods (IOPs), during which high precipitation occurred over the eastern Adriatic and Dinaric Alps. During the entire SOP1, the operational model forecasts generally well represented medium intensity precipitation, but heavy precipitation was frequently underestimated by the ALADIN model at an 8 km grid spacing and was overestimated at a higher resolution (2 km grid spacing). During IOP2, intensive rainfall occurred over a wider area around the city of Rijeka in the northern Adriatic. The short-range maximum rainfall totals were the largest ever recorded at the Rijeka station since the beginning of measurements in 1958. The rainfall amounts measured in intervals of 20, 30 and 40 min were exceptional, with return periods that exceeded a thousand, a few hundred and one hundred years, respectively. The operational precipitation forecast using the ALADIN model at an 8 km grid spacing provided guidance regarding the event but underestimated the rainfall intensity. An evaluation of numerical sensitivity experiments suggested that the forecast was slightly enhanced by improving the initial conditions through variational data assimilation. The operational non-hydrostatic run at a 2 km grid spacing using a configuration with the ALARO physics package further improved the forecast. This article highlights the need for an intensive observation period in the future over the Adriatic region to validate the simulated mechanisms and improve numerical weather predictions via data assimilation and model improvements in descriptions of microphysics and air–sea interactions.

Abstract. During the MAP D-PHASE (Mesoscale Alpine Programme, Demonstration of Probabilistic Hydrological and Atmospheric Simulation of flood Events in the Alpine region) Operational Period (DOP, 1 June–30 November 2007) the most intense precipitation event observed south of the Alps occurred over the Venice Lagoon. In the early morning of 26 September 2007, a mesoscale convective system formed in an area of convergence between a south-easterly low level jet flowing along the Adriatic Sea and a north-easterly barrier-type wind south of the Alps, and was responsible for precipitation exceeding 320 mm in less than 12 h, 240 mm of which in only 3 h. The forecast rainfall fields, provided by several convection resolving models operated daily for the D-PHASE project, have been compared. An analysis of different aspects of the event, such as the relevant mechanisms leading to the flood, the main characteristics of the MCS, and an estimation of the predictability of the episode, has been performed using a number of high resolution, convection resolving models (MOLOCH, WRF and MM5). Strong sensitivity to initial and boundary conditions and to model parameterization schemes has been found. Although low predictability is expected due to the convective nature of rainfall, the forecasts made more than 24 h in advance indicate that the larger scale environment driving the dynamics of this event played an important role in favouring the achievement of a relatively good accuracy in the precipitation forecasts.

The global financial and economic crisis has resulted in large macroeconomic imbalances and a sharp strain on public finances. The negative effects and consequences of the crisis can be more easily and successfully overcome with the help of cross-border cooperation, particularly through the transfer of good practice, experience and knowledge across borders. The aim of this paper is to show that cross-border cooperation can help to overcome the global financial and economic crisis. Factors promoting and hindering cross-border cooperation play a pivotal role in the success of cross-border cooperation. The paper employs a descriptive and analytical approach. The results of empirical research into cross-border cooperation in the Alps-Adriatic region between Carinthia, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Slovenia are analysed. These results highlight the factors which promote and hinder cross-border cooperation, suggesting that personal contacts are the most important factors in promoting cross-border cooperation, while the level of assistance provided and administrative/legislative barriers are the greatest hindrances to cross-border cooperation.

Abstract. In the frame of the AlpArray project we analyse teleseismic data from permanent and temporary stations of the Alpine region to study seismic discontinuities down to about 140 km depth. We average broadband teleseismic S-waveform data to retrieve S-to-P converted signals from below the seismic stations. In order to avoid processing artefacts, no deconvolution or filtering is applied, and S arrival times are used as reference for stacking. We show a number of north–south and east-west profiles through the Alpine area. The Moho signals are always seen very clearly, and negative velocity gradients below the Moho depth are also visible in a number of profiles. A Moho depression is visible along larger parts of the Alpine chain. It reaches its largest depth of 60 km beneath the Tauern Window. However, the Moho depression ends abruptly near about 13∘ E below the eastern Tauern Window. This Moho depression may represent the crustal trench, where the Eurasian lithosphere is subducted below the Adriatic lithosphere. East of 13∘ E an important along-strike change occurs; the image of the Moho changes completely. No Moho deepening is found in this easterly region; instead the Moho bends up along the contact between the European and the Adriatic lithosphere all the way to the Pannonian Basin. An important along-strike change was also detected in the upper mantle structure at about 14∘ E. There, the lateral disappearance of a zone of negative velocity gradient in the uppermost mantle indicates that the S-dipping European slab laterally terminates east of the Tauern Window in the axial zone of the Alps. The area east of about 13∘ E is known to have been affected by severe late-stage modifications of the structure of crust and uppermost mantle during the Miocene when the ALCAPA (Alpine, Carpathian, Pannonian) block was subject to E-directed lateral extrusion.

Abstract. Due to the low to moderate seismicity of the European Western Alps, few focal mechanisms are available in this region to this day, and the corresponding current seismic stress and strain fields remain partly elusive. The development of dense seismic networks in past decades now provides a substantial number of seismic records in the 0–5 magnitude range. The corresponding data, while challenging to handle due to their amount and relative noise, represent a new opportunity to increase the spatial resolution of seismic deformation fields. The aim of this paper is to quantitatively assess the current seismic stress and strain fields within the Western Alps, from a probabilistic standpoint, using new seismotectonic data. The dataset comprises more than 30 000 earthquakes recorded by dense seismic networks between 1989 and 2013 and more than 2200 newly computed focal mechanisms in a consistent manner. The global distribution of P and T axis plunges confirms a majority of transcurrent focal mechanisms in the entire western Alpine realm, combined with pure extension localized in the core of the belt. We inverted this new set of focal mechanisms through several strategies, including a seismotectonic zoning scheme and grid procedure, revealing extensional axes oriented obliquely to the strike of the belt. The Bayesian inversion of this new dataset of focal mechanisms provides a probabilistic continuous map of the style of seismic deformation in the Western Alps. Extension is found to be clustered, instead of continuous, along the backbone of the belt. Robust indications for compression are only observed at the boundary between the Adriatic and Eurasian plates. Short-wavelength spatial variations of the seismic deformation are consistent with surface horizontal Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements, as well as with deep lithospheric structures, thereby providing new elements with which to understand the current 3D dynamics of the belt. We interpret the ongoing seismotectonic and kinematic regimes as being controlled by the joint effects of far-field forces – imposed by the anticlockwise rotation of Adria with respect to Europe – and buoyancy forces in the core of the belt, which together explain the short-wavelength patches of extension and marginal compression overprinted on an overall transcurrent tectonic regime.

SUMMARY A full understanding of the dynamics of mountain ranges such as the Alps requires the integration of available geological and geophysical knowledge into a lithospheric-scale 3-D geological model. As a first stage in the construction of this geo-model, we derive a new 3-D shear wave velocity model of the Alpine region, with a spatial resolution of a few tens of kilometres, making it possible to compare with geological maps. We use four years of continuous vertical-component seismic noise records to compute noise correlations between more than 950 permanent broad-band stations complemented by ∼600 temporary stations from the AlpArray sea-land seismic network and the Cifalps and EASI linear arrays. A specific pre-processing is applied to records of ocean–bottom seismometers in the Liguro-Provençal basin to clean them from instrumental and oceanic noises. We first perform a 2-D transdimensional inversion of the traveltimes of Rayleigh waves to compute group-velocity maps from 4 to $150\, \mathrm{ s}$. The data noise level treated as an unknown parameter is determined with a Hierarchical Bayes method. A Fast Marching Eikonal solver is used to update ray path geometries during the inversion. We use next the group-velocity maps and their uncertainties to derive a 3-D probabilistic Vs model. The probability distributions of Vs at depth and the probability of presence of an interface are estimated at each location by exploring a set of 130 million synthetic four-layer 1-D Vs models. The obtained probabilistic model is refined using a linearized inversion. Throughout the inversion for Vs, we include the water column where necessary. Our Vs model highlights strong along-strike changes of the lithospheric structure, particularly in the subduction complex between the European and Adriatic plates. In the South-Western Alps, our model confirms the existence of a low-velocity structure at $50-80\, \mathrm{ km}$ depth in the continuation of the European continental crust beneath the subduction wedge. This deep low-velocity anomaly progressively disappears towards the North-Western and Central Alps. The European crust includes lower crustal low-velocity zones and a Moho jump of $\sim \, 8-12$ km beneath the western boundary of the External Crystalline Massifs of the North-Western Alps. The striking fit between our Vs model and the receiver function migrated depth section along the Cifalps profile documents the reliability of the Vs model. In light of this reliability and with the aim to building a 3-D geological model, we re-examine the geological structures highlighted along the Cifalps profile.

Abstract. We perform a teleseismic P-wave travel-time tomography to examine the geometry and structure of subducted lithosphere in the upper mantle beneath the Alpine orogen. The tomography is based on waveforms recorded at over 600 temporary and permanent broadband stations of the dense AlpArray Seismic Network deployed by 24 different European institutions in the greater Alpine region, reaching from the Massif Central to the Pannonian Basin and from the Po Plain to the river Main. Teleseismic travel times and travel-time residuals of direct teleseismic P waves from 331 teleseismic events of magnitude 5.5 and higher recorded between 2015 and 2019 by the AlpArray Seismic Network are extracted from the recorded waveforms using a combination of automatic picking, beamforming and cross-correlation. The resulting database contains over 162 000 highly accurate absolute P-wave travel times and travel-time residuals. For tomographic inversion, we define a model domain encompassing the entire Alpine region down to a depth of 600 km. Predictions of travel times are computed in a hybrid way applying a fast TauP method outside the model domain and continuing the wave fronts into the model domain using a fast marching method. We iteratively invert demeaned travel-time residuals for P-wave velocities in the model domain using a regular discretization with an average lateral spacing of about 25 km and a vertical spacing of 15 km. The inversion is regularized towards an initial model constructed from a 3D a priori model of the crust and uppermost mantle and a 1D standard earth model beneath. The resulting model provides a detailed image of slab configuration beneath the Alpine and Apenninic orogens. Major features are a partly overturned Adriatic slab beneath the Apennines reaching down to 400 km depth still attached in its northern part to the crust but exhibiting detachment towards the southeast. A fast anomaly beneath the western Alps indicates a short western Alpine slab whose easternmost end is located at about 100 km depth beneath the Penninic front. Further to the east and following the arcuate shape of the western Periadriatic Fault System, a deep-reaching coherent fast anomaly with complex internal structure generally dipping to the SE down to about 400 km suggests a slab of European origin limited to the east by the Giudicarie fault in the upper 200 km but extending beyond this fault at greater depths. In its eastern part it is detached from overlying lithosphere. Further to the east, well-separated in the upper 200 km from the slab beneath the central Alps but merging with it below, another deep-reaching, nearly vertically dipping high-velocity anomaly suggests the existence of a slab beneath the eastern Alps of presumably the same origin which is completely detached from the orogenic root. Our image of this slab does not require a polarity switch because of its nearly vertical dip and full detachment from the overlying lithosphere. Fast anomalies beneath the Dinarides are weak and concentrated to the northernmost part and shallow depths. Low-velocity regions surrounding the fast anomalies beneath the Alps to the west and northwest follow the same dipping trend as the overlying fast ones, indicating a kinematically coherent thick subducting lithosphere in this region. Alternatively, these regions may signify the presence of seismic anisotropy with a horizontal fast axis parallel to the Alpine belt due to asthenospheric flow around the Alpine slabs. In contrast, low-velocity anomalies to the east suggest asthenospheric upwelling presumably driven by retreat of the Carpathian slab and extrusion of eastern Alpine lithosphere towards the east while low velocities to the south are presumably evidence of asthenospheric upwelling and mantle hydration due to their position above the European slab.

This paper focuses on the reduction of administrative burdens in Slovenia and how these actions can influence the competitiveness of business. The aim of the paper is to study and analyse the current situation in the field of Slovenian regulations and the disadvantages of the regulations for businesses, to study the possibilities for reducing administrative burdens in Slovenia and to analyse the influence of cross-border cooperation on the reduction of administrative burdens. The paper first describes the regulations and their impact on the competitiveness of business using the data from different international studies that include business environment and competitiveness and by using the results of the research carried out in Slovenia on defining the most burdensome areas of legislation. The paper continues by discussing the reduction of administrative burdens, where the Programme for the Elimination of Administrative Barriers and the Reduction of Administrative Burdens by 25% by 2012 is introduced. The third part of the paper describes the possible connection between the reduction of administrative burdens and cross-border cooperation by introducing the results of a cross-national empirical survey of the current situation and future potentials of cross-border cooperation in the Alps-Adriatic region. At the end, the paper gives some conclusions on the reduction of administrative burdens and the resulting impact on business competitiveness in Slovenia.

Albania is characterized by a typically alpine accidented mountain relief. About half of the country (48.1 %) belongs to 200-1000 m altitude belt, and 28.5 % belongs to the levels higher than 1000 m. The average altitude is 708 m., i. e., twice more than high average of Europe. As a result the horizontal Smosh coefficient is more than 3 km/km2. There are formed some genetical types of relief, and namely, structural-erosional, karstic, river-erosional, erosional-denudated, glacial, seacoast. Geological-tectonical evolution, varied kinds of rocks, climate changes and countinuos action of the atmospheric agents have influenced the formation of different kinds of morphological forms of the relief. In such a manner are formed a number of geomorphological sites of natural aesthetic and scientific importance or with climate-curative features. The very dense river net with common tendence from east to west caused formation of many erosional sites. The large surface of carbonate rocks (6600 km2) and evaporite ones favoured formation of karstic plateaus, fields, holes, and caves. Glacial events have their traces as well, especially on the high mountains of Albania. They form lakes, circus, morains, lagoons, etc. often of geomonumental values. Geomorphological sites in Albania are widespread mainly in the Northern Mountain Region (Albanian Alps), central and southern mountain units and less in the hilly-field near the Adriatic sea coast. They are of local, district’s, national and some of Balkan or European importance.

Abstract. In this study, we analyzed a large seismological dataset from temporary and permanent networks in the southern and eastern Alps to establish high-precision hypocenters and 1-D VP and VP/VS models. The waveform data of a subset of local earthquakes with magnitudes in the range of 1–4.2 ML were recorded by the dense, temporary SWATH-D network and selected stations of the AlpArray network between September 2017 and the end of 2018. The first arrival times of P and S waves of earthquakes are determined by a semi-automatic procedure. We applied a Markov chain Monte Carlo inversion method to simultaneously calculate robust hypocenters, a 1-D velocity model, and station corrections without prior assumptions, such as initial velocity models or earthquake locations. A further advantage of this method is the derivation of the model parameter uncertainties and noise levels of the data. The precision estimates of the localization procedure is checked by inverting a synthetic travel time dataset from a complex 3-D velocity model and by using the real stations and earthquakes geometry. The location accuracy is further investigated by a quarry blast test. The average uncertainties of the locations of the earthquakes are below 500 m in their epicenter and ∼ 1.7 km in depth. The earthquake distribution reveals seismicity in the upper crust (0–20 km), which is characterized by pronounced clusters along the Alpine frontal thrust, e.g., the Friuli-Venetia (FV) region, the Giudicarie–Lessini (GL) and Schio-Vicenza domains, the Austroalpine nappes, and the Inntal area. Some seismicity also occurs along the Periadriatic Fault. The general pattern of seismicity reflects head-on convergence of the Adriatic indenter with the Alpine orogenic crust. The seismicity in the FV and GL regions is deeper than the modeled frontal thrusts, which we interpret as indication for southward propagation of the southern Alpine deformation front (blind thrusts).

<p>[The paper shows the evolution of the breeding distribution of the Ashy-headed Wagtail <em>Motacilla</em> <em>flava</em> <em>cinereocapilla</em> in the period 1820-2014. Until 1880, the subspecies nested along the coast north and east of the Adriatic Sea, with some settlements (probably of poor numerical consistency) located in suitable areas of Tuscany, Sicily and Provence; after 1880 it was observed to appear regularly in the Po Valley during migration, and afterwards to occupy the area widely as a breeder. During the nineteenth century the Po Valley underwent major transformation processes with the consequent disruption of ancient agricultural rotations, and an increase of 1°C in the average temperature was also recorded in the area. Out of all the changes that occurred, besides the abundant availability of water, the biotic factor that probably favored the expansion of the subspecies in the Po valley the most is the increase in livestock and the consequent increase in the meadowlands: the first mowing of grass coincides temporally with the hatching of yellow wagtails (often nesting in neighboring fields of wheat), offering them the opportunity to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of foraging on the open ground, with likely benefits for the reproductive success. In the first half of the twentieth century the Ashy-headed Wagtail completed the occupation of the Po Valley, and in the late 1940 a new phase began, during which it settled in new areas in central and southern Italy and Sardinia, extending its distribution area in southern France; but, above all, appearing with increasing frequency and regularity during migrations north of the Alps. These northward shifts later materialized in the settlement of several reproductive groups in France, Switzerland, Germany and Austria, always along basins of rivers or near lakes. Water seems to be the catalyst for the presence of the subspecies. This further expansion phase has probably been favored by climate changes, and in particular by the rise in temperature in the Greater Alpine Region. Favoured by this situation, the subspecies has also colonized mountain areas: in France up to 350 m.a.s.l. in the department of Isère, in Switzerland up to 1700-1800 m.a.s.l. in the Upper Engadine, in Germany up to 880 m.a.s.l. at Ammer and Grunt lakes, in Austria up to 960 m.a.s.l. in Hochfilzen and in Bosnia-Herzegovina up to 720 m.a.s.l. in the plain of Livanjsko. In the Italian Alps it reached the altitude of about 900 m.a.s.l. in Venosta Valley and up to 1000 m.a.s.l. in central Apennines. Since the last decades of the twentieth century nestings have been recorded in Spain. Instead, the breeding of the subspecies in Maghreb is still uncertain.]</p><p> </p>

Abstract. Floods in the Venice city centre result from the superposition of several factors: astronomical tides; seiches; and atmospherically forced fluctuations, which include storm surges, meteotsunamis, and surges caused by atmospheric planetary waves. All these factors can contribute to positive water height anomalies individually and can increase the probability of extreme events when they act constructively. The largest extreme water heights are mostly caused by the storm surges produced by the sirocco winds, leading to a characteristic seasonal cycle, with the largest and most frequent events occurring from November to March. Storm surges can be produced by cyclones whose centres are located either north or south of the Alps. Historically, the most intense events have been produced by cyclogenesis in the western Mediterranean, to the west of the main cyclogenetic area of the Mediterranean region in the Gulf of Genoa. Only a small fraction of the inter-annual variability in extreme water heights is described by fluctuations in the dominant patterns of atmospheric circulation variability over the Euro-Atlantic sector. Therefore, decadal fluctuations in water height extremes remain largely unexplained. In particular, the effect of the 11-year solar cycle does not appear to be steadily present if more than 100 years of observations are considered. The historic increase in the frequency of floods since the mid-19th century is explained by relative mean sea level rise. Analogously, future regional relative mean sea level rise will be the most important driver of increasing duration and intensity of Venice floods through this century, overcompensating for the small projected decrease in marine storminess. The future increase in extreme water heights covers a wide range, largely reflecting the highly uncertain mass contributions to future mean sea level rise from the melting of Antarctica and Greenland ice sheets, especially towards the end of the century. For a high-emission scenario (RCP8.5), the magnitude of 1-in-100-year water height values at the northern Adriatic coast is projected to increase by 26–35 cm by 2050 and by 53–171 cm by 2100 with respect to the present value and is subject to continued increase thereafter. For a moderate-emission scenario (RCP4.5), these values are 12–17 cm by 2050 and 24–56 cm by 2100. Local subsidence (which is not included in these estimates) will further contribute to the future increase in extreme water heights. This analysis shows the need for adaptive long-term planning of coastal defences using flexible solutions that are appropriate across the large range of plausible future water height extremes.

The topic of the field trip is the Mesozoic geodynamic evolution in the Western Tethys realm well recorded in deep-water settings, especially in the radiolarian-bearing sedimentary rocks and radiolarites in the Eastern Alps (Northern Calcareous Alps). The well preserved Mesozoic sedimentary successions deposited in the Northern Calcareous Alps reflect two different Wilson cycles with its mountain building processes: Evolution of the Neo-Tethys Ocean to the south/southeast: The Middle Triassic oceanic break-up (Late Anisian) was followed by the Middle Triassic to Middle Jurassic passive margin evolution and later by Middle to early Late Jurassic thrusting related to ophiolite obduction and subsequent latest Jurassic to Early Cretaceous mountain uplift of the Neo-Tethys orogen to the south of the todays Northern Calcareous Alps. Evolution of the Alpine Atlantic Ocean (named Penninic Ocean in the Eastern Alps) to the north/northwest: The Late Early to Middle Jurassic oceanic break-up was followed by the Middle Jurassic to Late Cretaceous passive margin evolution and Late Cretaceous to Palaeogene subduction of the Penninic realm, Palaeogene collision and subsequent Neogene mountain uplift with its gravitational collapse (Lateral Tectonic Extrusion) of the Alpine orogen s.str. For another orogenesis in the “Mid-Cretaceous” (Aptian-Cenomanian), i.e. between these two well recognizable Wilson cycles, the geodynamic background has not been well explored or explained yet. This “Mid-Cretaceous” orogenesis draws a veil over the older Mesozoic plate configuration and has generated controversial discussion about the geodynamic evolution and palaeogeography in Triassic to Early Cretaceous times. However, this orogenesis is not connected to the Neo-Tethys or the Alpine Atlantic Wilson cycle. The field trip will focus on Triassic to Early Cretaceous deep-water, radiolarian-bearing sedimentary rocks deposited during the geodynamic history of the Neo-Tethys in different basins: rift-basins, shelf areas to continental slope, oceanic domains, and trench-like foreland basins. Special emphasis will be on the Jurassic to Early Cretaceous history, i.e. the geodynamic evolution before the “Mid-Cretaceous” tectonic motions and the influence of the evolution of two oceanic domains on the depositional environment above a drowned Triassic shelf (Apulian or wider Adria plate) between the Neo-Tethys Ocean to the south/southeast and the Alpine Atlantic Ocean to the north/northwest. The geodynamically triggered interplay between carbonate production, siliciclastic/volcanic input and deposition of siliceous rocks/radiolarites in combination with the asynchrony of basin formation frequently allows the calibration of radiolarians with e.g., ammonoids, conodonts, calpionellids and other organisms. Following the Middle Triassic (Late Anisian) Neo-Tethys oceanic break-up and the demise of shallow-water carbonate production, deposition of Middle Triassic (Late Anisian to Ladinian) radiolarian-bearing, mainly carbonate deep-water sediments is widespread all over the shelf. Deposition of radiolarites in the Eastern Alps is limited to the outer shelf/continental slope and the Neo-Tethys oceanic domain to the south/southeast. Widespread shallow-water carbonate production started again in the latest Middle Triassic (Late Ladinian) and lasted until the end of the Triassic, interrupted only by short-lasting siliciclastic intervals (“Mid-Carnian” turnover, Lunz event). In the Late Triassic huge carbonate platforms were formed. Deposition of Late Triassic open-marine and radiolarian-bearing sediments is therefore limited mainly to the outer shelf region and radiolarites were deposited only on the Neo-Tethys ocean floor. In Jurassic times, after the demise/drowning of the Late Triassic carbonate platform, calcareous siliceous sediments were again deposited widely. Rifting in the Alpine Atlantic realm to the north/northwest started in the Early Jurassic with oceanic break-up occurring from the Early/Middle Jurassic boundary onwards. The opening of the Alpine Atlantic to the north/northwest and, contemporaneously, the onset of convergence in the Neo-Tethys to the south/southeast worked in concert with radiolarite deposition culminating in the Middle Jurassic. Radiolarites were deposited practically all over the drowned continent except the areas of the Adriatic Carbonate Platform. Obduction of Neo-Tethys derived ophiolites since the Middle Jurassic led to the formation of a thin-skinned orogen with the formation of trench-like foreland basins in front of the advancing ophiolites. In these basins sedimentary mélanges with a radiolaritic-argillaceous matrix were deposited until the early Late Jurassic. Kimmeridgian-Tithonian shallow-water carbonate production on upper surfaces of the nappes restricted radiolarite deposition to remaining deep-water basins. In the frame of mountain uplift from the latest Jurassic (Tithonian) onwards the palaeotopography becomes overprinted by unroofing. Remaining deep-water foreland basins were successively filled in the Early Cretaceous by the erosional products of the uplifted Middle-Late Jurassic Neotethyan orogen. During this field trip in one of the most classical areas of the world, the central Northern Calcareous Alps with its world-wide known touristic highlights, we will visit locations documenting the interplay between siliciclastic input, volcanic activity, carbonate production, various tectonic motions and deposition of radiolarian-bearing siliceous rocks to radiolarites. Key words: Western Tethys realm, Triassic, Jurassic, Radiolarites, Palaeogeography IZVLEČEK Ekskurzija je posvečena mezozojski geodinamični evoluciji zahodne Tetide. Ta je dobro zabeležena v globokomorskih okoljih, še posebej v radiolaritih in drugih radiolarijskih sedimentnih kamninah v Vzhodnih Alpah, katerih del so Severne Apneniške Alpe. Dobro ohranjena mezozojska sedimentna zaporedja v Severnih Apneniških Alpah odražajo dva različna Wilsonova cikla z gorotvornimi procesi. Prvi cikel se nanaša na razvoj oceana Neotetida na jugu do jugovzhodu. Oceanskemu razpadu v srednjem triasu (zgornjem aniziju) je sledil razvoj pasivnega roba do srednje jure in pozneje, v srednji in zgornji juri, narivanje, povezano z obdukcijo ofiolitov. Na koncu jure in v spodnji kredi se je dvigal Neotetidin orogen, lociran južno od današnjih Severnih Apneniških Alp. Drugi cikel je povezan z razvojem oceana Alpski Atlantik (imenovanega Peninski ocean v Vzhodnih Alpah) na severu do severozahodu. Oceanskemu razpadu proti koncu spodnje jure in v srednji juri je sledil razvoj pasivnega roba od srednje jure do zgornje krede in subdukcija Peninika v zgornji kredi in paleogenu. Sledila je kolizija v paleogenu, v neogenu pa nadaljnje dviganje orogena z gravitacijskim kolapsom (lateralnim tektonskim iztiskanjem) Alpskega orogena sensu stricto. Obstajajo še dokazi za orogenezo v “srednji kredi” (aptij-cenomanij) med tema dvema dobro prepoznavnima Wilsonovima cikloma, vendar geodinamično ozadje te orogeneze še ni dobro raziskano ali pojasnjeno. “Srednjekredna” orogeneza zakriva starejšo mezozojsko konfiguracijo plošč, kar je vzrok za kontroverzno razpravo o geodinamičnem razvoju in paleogeografiji od triasa do spodnje krede. Ta orogeneza ni bila povezana z Wilsonovim ciklom Neotetide ali Alpskega Atlantika. Fokus ekskurzije je na radiolarijskih globokomorskih sedimentnih zaporedjih na robu Neotetide od triasa do spodnje krede. Zaporedja so bila odložena v različnih okoljih: v riftnih bazenih, na šelfu in kontinentalnem pobočju, v oceanu in v predgornih bazenih. Poseben poudarek bo na evoluciji v juri in spodnji kredi oziroma na geodinamičnem razvoju pred “srednjekrednimi” tektonskimi premiki. Poudarjen bo vpliv razvoja dveh oceanov na sedimentacijsko okolje, ki se je diferenciralo, ko se je potopil triasni šelf (Apulijska ali širša Jadranska plošča) med Neotetido na jugu/jugovzhodu in poznejšim Alpskim Atlantikom na severu/severozahodu. Geodinamična evolucija in medsebojni vplivi med produkcijo karbonatov, siliciklastičnim ali vulkanskim vnosom in odlaganjem kremenični sedimentov/radiolaritov v kombinaciji z asinhronim oblikovanjem bazenov omogočajo, da se v določenih obdobjih radiolariji pojavljajo skupaj z drugimi organizmi, npr. amonoidi, konodonti in kalpionelidami. Po razpadu Neotetide v srednjem triasu (zgornjem aniziju) in prenehanju produkcije karbonatov v plitvi vodi so bili po celotnem šelfu razširjeni srednjetriasni (zgornjeanizijski do ladinijski) radiolarijski, predvsem karbonatni globokomorski sedimenti. Odlaganje radiolaritov je bilo v Vzhodnih Alpah omejeno na zunanji šelf in kontinentalno pobočje ter na oceansko območje Neotetide na jugu/jugovzhodu. Razširjena produkcija karbonatov v plitvi vodi se je ponovno vzpostavila na koncu srednjega triasa (v zgornjem ladiniju) in je trajala do konca triasa. Prekinjena je bila le s kratkotrajnimi siliciklastičnimi intervali (»srednjekarnijski« obrat, dogodek Lunz). V zgornjem triasu so nastale obsežne karbonatne platforme. Odlaganje zgornjetriasnih globokomorskih sedimentov in sedimentov, ki vsebujejo radiolarije, je bilo torej omejeno predvsem na območja zunanjega šelfa, radiolariti pa so se odlagali zgolj na oceanskem dnu Neotetide. V juri, po potopitvi zgornjetriasne karbonatne platforme, so se s kremenico bogati karbonatni sedimenti ponovno odlagali na širšem območju. V spodnji juri se je začel tudi rifting na severu/severozahodu, ki je na meji med spodnjo in srednjo juro privedel do oceanizacije Alpskega Atlantika. Odpiranje Alpskega Atlantika na severu/severozahodu in sočasni začetek konvergence v Neotetidi na jugu/jugovzhodu sta hkrati delovala na poglabljanje bazenov na kontinentalnem robu, tako da je odlaganje radiolaritov v srednji juri doseglo višek. Radiolariti so se odlagali tako rekoč po celotnem potopljenem območju razen na Jadranski karbonatni platformi. Obdukcija ofiolitov z območja Neotitide od srednje jure dalje je privedla do oblikovanja tankoslojnega orogena in nastanka jarkom podobnih predgornih bazenov pred napredujočimi ofioliti. V teh bazenih so se do začetka zgornje jure odlagali melanži z radiolaritno-glinastim vezivom. V kimmeridgiju in tithoniju se je na novo nastalih pokrovih vzpostavila plitvovodna karbonatna produkcija, radiolariti pa so ostali omejeni na preostale globokovodne bazene. Zaradi dvigovanja orogena od zgornje jure (od tithonija) naprej in posledično erozije se je paleotopografija popolnoma spremenila. Preostali globokomorski predgorni bazeni so bili v spodnji kredi drug za drugim zapolnjeni z materialom, erodiranim z dvignjenega srednje do zgornjejurskega orogena Neotetide. Ekskurzija je speljana po enem najbolj klasičnih območij sveta, osrednjih Severnih Apneniških Alpah, s svetovno znanimi turističnimi znamenitostmi. Obiskali bomo lokacije s sedimentnimi zaporedji, iz katerih lahko razberemo medsebojno povezanost med vnosom siliciklastitov, vulkansko dejavnostjo, produkcijo karbonatov, različnimi tektonskimi dogajanji ter odlaganjem radiolaritov in drugih kremeničnih kamnin z radiolariji. Ključne besede: Zahodna Tetida, trias, jura, radiolariti, paleogeografija

The aim of this anthropometric survey was to map regional differences in height and body proportions in eight counties adjacent to the Adriatic coast of Croatia. Body height was measured in 1,803 males and 782 females aged 17–20 years at 66 schools in 23 towns. When corrected for population size in regions, mean male height is 182.6 cm in all eight counties, 182.8 cm in seven counties of Adriatic Croatia, and 183.7 cm in four counties of Dalmatia proper. Regional variation is considerable: from 180.6 cm in the county of Karlovac to 184.1 cm in the county of Split-Dalmacija. The mean height of females is based on more limited data (168.0 cm in seven counties). These results show that young men from Dalmatia are currently the tallest in the world in the age category of 18 years, and the north-to-south gradient of increasing stature on the Adriatic coast largely mirrors that in neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The extraordinary values of height in Croatia and BiH can most likely be explained by unique genetic predispositions that are shared by the local populations of the Dinaric Alps.

Abstract. In this work we present the application of the global-phase seismic interferometry (GloPSI) technique to a dataset recorded across the Eastern Alps with the EASI (Eastern Alpine Seismic Investigation) temporary seismic network. GloPSI aims at rendering an image of the lithosphere from the waves that travel across the core before reaching the seismic stations (i.e. PKP, PKiKP, PKIKP). The technique is based on the principle that a stack of autocorrelations of transmission responses mimics the reflection response of a medium and is used here to retrieve information about the crust–mantle boundary, such as its depth and topography. We produce images of the upper lithosphere using 64 teleseismic events. We notice that with GloPSI, we can well image the topography of the Moho in regions where it shows a nearly planar behaviour and corresponds to a strong velocity contrast (i.e. in the northern part of the profile, from the Bohemian Massif to the Northern Calcareous Alps). Below the higher crests of the Alpine chain, and the Tauern Window in particular, we cannot find evidence of the boundary between crust and mantle. The GloPSI results indicate the absence of an Adriatic crust made of laterally continuous layers smoothly descending southwards and confirm the observations of previous studies suggesting a structurally complex and faulted internal Alpine crustal structure.

Abstract. The southern Alpine regions were affected by several magmatic and volcanic events between the Paleozoic and the Tertiary. This activity undoubtedly had an important effect on the density distribution and structural setting at lithosphere scale. Here the gravity field has been used to create a 3D lithosphere density model on the basis of a high-resolution seismic tomography model. The results of the gravity modeling demonstrate a highly complex density distribution in good agreement with the different geological domains of the Alpine area represented by the European Plate, the Adriatic Plate and the Tyrrhenian basin. The Adriatic-derived terrains (Southalpine and Austroalpine) of the Alps are typically denser (2850 kg m−3), whilst the Alpine zone, composed of terrains of European provenance (Helvetic and Tauern Window), presents lower density values (2750 kg m−3). Inside the Southalpine, south of the Dolomites, a well-known positive gravity anomaly is present, and one of the aims of this work was to investigate the source of this anomaly that has not yet been explained. The modeled density suggests that the anomaly is related to two different sources; the first involves the middle crust below the gravity anomaly and is represented by localized mushroom-shaped bodies interpreted as magmatic intrusions, while a second wider density anomaly affects the lower crust of the southern Alpine realm and could correspond to a mafic and ultramafic magmatic underplating (gabbros and related cumulates) developed during Paleozoic extension.

The Balkan Peninsula is recognized as an important centre of native and endemic plant species diversity as well as an important wildlife refuge area. However, although Croatia hosts more than half of plant species found on the Balkan Peninsula, the endemic taxa have never been evaluated or used to define conservation priorities. We analyzed the qualitative composition of the endemic and range restricted species, their spatial distribution, centres of endemism, and conservation status (non-IUCN). We generated an updated and annotated checklist of 349 endemic or range-restricted plant taxa (6.9% of the entire native flora), subdivided in 231 species, 103 subspecies and 15 hybrids and belonging to 149 genera and 43 families. Among the 231 species, 69 are considered endemic to Croatia and confined to a small area (< 4,500 km2), while 162 are considered range restricted species, which have larger ranges and/or are shared with neighbouring countries. The genera Centaurea and Hieracium have the highest number of endemic and range restricted taxa. Spatial analyses indicated two notable centres of species richness—the mountainous Dinaric Alps and the SE Adriatic coast, including the islands. Regions with a high richness of range-restricted taxa did not coincide with areas of high richness of endemic species. Taxa exhibited modest bimodality with respect to altitudinal distribution. In addition, the greatest diversity of taxa is concentrated in northwest of Croatia and could be related to differences in mean annual air temperatures and the duration of insolation. As regards their conservation status, 13 of the 349 taxa are endangered, and 62 are near threatened or vulnerable. Despite relatively strong legal protection of endemic and range restricted species, 37 taxa remain unprotected. Changes in conservation practice are therefore proposed.

The Dinarides, together with the Albanides and Hellenides, preserve stratigraphic successions derived from the eastern margin of the Adriatic microplate and remnants of ophiolites obducted from the Maliac-Vardar branch of the Neotethys Ocean. The main stages in the Mesozoic geodynamic history are: 1) rifting leading to opening of the Maliac Ocean in the Late Anisian, 2) onset of an east-dipping intra-oceanic subduction in the Early-Middle Jurassic and sea-floor spreading in a supra-subduction setting (Vardar Ocean), 3) formation of ophiolitic mélanges in trench-like basins, westward obduction of young supra-subduction ophiolites in the Middle-Late Jurassic and accumulation of flysch-type deposits in foreland basins in the latest Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, 4) subaerial exposure of the newly formed nappes followed by middle to Late Cretaceous transgression, and 5) continental collision in the Maastrichtian and Paleogene. On the continental margin, the Middle Triassic to Early Jurassic extension created a complex horst-and-graben geometry that is apparent in the stratigraphic record. The present day NW-SE striking tectonic units are in rough accordance with the Mesozoic paleogeography. Hence, the inferred configuration for the most complete SW to NE transect through Montenegro and Serbia is as follows: The Dalmatian Carbonate Platform, the Budva Basin, the High Karst Carbonate Platform, the Bosnian Basin, the Durmitor High, the Lim Basin, the Drina-Ivanjica High, and the deep-marine distal continental-margin domain. We present a short description of the stratigraphy for these tectonic/paleogeographic units and discuss their possible connection with other units of the Dinarides and Hellenides. The field guide focuses on deep-water deposits, in which radiolarians are the crucial tool for dating. We describe the complete Mesozoic succession of the Budva Zone, the Middle Triassic pelagic episode of the High Karst Zone, the Upper Triassic and Jurassic pelagic rocks of the Lim Zone and two localities with radiolarites associated with ophiolites. The largest part of the guide is devoted to the Budva Zone, a deeply rifted trough in the continuation of the Pindos Basin. The Budva Zone with its external location in the Dinaric orogen was a site of continuous pelagic sedimentation from the Middle Triassic to the end Cretaceous. Radiolarites characterize the Middle Triassic, Hettangian–Sinemurian, Aalenian to Tithonian, and Hauterivian–Barremian to lower Turonian; pelagic limestones prevail in the Upper Triassic, Berriasian–Valanginian and upper Turonian to Maastrichtian. Calcareous turbidites from the adjacent High Karst Carbonate Platform are interstratified in all units and completely replace radiolarites in the Pliensbachian. Pelagic sequences also occur in the High Karst Zone, but are confined to the Middle Triassic syn- and early post-rift deposits. A 20 m thick unit of Middle Triassic nodular limestone and radiolarite within shallow-water carbonates is a typical example. More internally, the western Ćehotina Subzone of the Lim Zone records pelagic sedimentation from the Middle Triassic to early Cretaceous, when synorogenic mixed carbonate-siliciclastic deposition began. This zone has been less investigated than the Budva Zone. A 100 m thick Norian to Rhaetian succession of limestone with chert nodules is dated with conodonts. A Callovian-early Oxfordian age of lime-free cherts is determined with radiolarians. The Mihajlovići Subzone that may have been part of the Drina-Ivanjica paleogeographic unit shows Triassic shallow-water carbonates and a Jurassic deepening upward sequence ending with Oxfordian radiolarites. The last two field-trip stops show upper Bathonian-lower Callovian radiolarites in an ophiolitic mélange and upper Anisian radiolarites in direct contact with basalt. These ages, obtained in the south-westernmost ophiolite remnants of the Dinarides, agree with previously documented ophiolite ages in the wider region. In comparison with the Southern Alps and the Apennines, pelagic deposits of the Dinarides are characterized by an earlier onset and considerably higher proportions of silica with respect to carbonate throughout the Mesozoic. The Dinaric basins were connected with the central Neotethys, where the high fertility of surface waters enabled radiolarite formation since the oceanisation (Anisian or earlier) until the early Late Cretaceous, when planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannoplankton began to dominate worldwide. Key words: Dinarides, Neotethys, radiolarites, continental margin, ophiolitic mélange IZVLEČEK V Dinaridih, Albanidih in Helenidih so ohranjena stratigrafska zaporedja vzhodnega roba Jadranske mikroplošče in ostanki ofiolitov, narinjenih na kontinent iz oceana Maliak-Vardar, ki je bil del Neotetide. Glavne stopnje v mezozojski geodinamični evoluciji tega ozemlja so bile: 1) rifting, ki je v zgornjem aniziju privedel do odprtja oceana Maliak, 2) v spodnji do srednji juri začetek intraoceanske subdukcije in raztezanje oceanskega dna v suprasubdukcijskem okolju Vardarskega oceana, 3) v srednji do zgornji juri formacija ofiolitnega melanža v jarkom podobnih bazenih in obdukcija mladih suprasubdukcijskih ofiolitov proti zahodu ter na koncu jure in v spodnji kredi akumulacija flišnih sedimentov v predgornih bazenih, 4) emerzija novo nastalih pokrovov in nato transgresija v srednji do zgornji kredi, 5) kolizija kontinentov v maastrichtiju in paleogenu. Kontinentalni rob se je med ekstenzijo od srednjega triasa do spodnje jure diferenciral na horste in grabne, kar se odraža v stratigrafskem zapisu. Današnje NW-SE usmerjene tektonske enote v Dinaridih se v grobem ujemajo z mezozojsko paleogeografijo, iz česar sklepamo, da je bila konfiguracija kontinentalnega roba v prečnem preseku čez Črno goro in Srbijo naslednja: Dalmatinska karbonatna platforma, Budvanski bazen, karbonatna platforma Visokega Krasa, Bosanski bazen, Durmitorski prag, Limski bazen, prag Drina-Ivanjica in globokomorski distalni kontinentalni rob. V članku je najprej na kratko opisan stratigrafski razvoj tektonskih oziroma paleogeografskih enot tega preseka in domnevna povezava z drugimi enotami v Dinaridih in Helenidih. V nadaljevanju so opisane ogledne točke ekskurzije s poudarkom na globokomorskih sedimentnih kamninah, ker so za določanje starosti teh kamnin radiolariji najpomembnejši in pogosto edini fosili. Podrobno predstavljamo celotno mezozojsko zaporedje Budvanske cone, srednjetriasno pelagično epizodo v coni Visokega Krasa, zgornjetriasne in jurske pelagične kamnine Limske cone in dve lokaliteti z radiolariti v ofiolitih. Največji del vodnika je posvečen Budvanski coni v Zunanjih Dinaridih. V mezozoiku je bila ta cona globokomorski jarek v nadaljevanju bazena Pindos s kontinuirano pelagično sedimentacijo od srednjega triasa do konca krede. Radiolariti so značilni za obdobje srednjega triasa, hettangija in sinemurija, aalenija do tithonija ter hauterivija-barremija do spodnjega turonija. Pelagični apnenci prevladujejo v zgornjem triasu, berriasiju in valanginiju ter od zgornjega turonija do maastrichtija. Karbonatni turbiditi, prinešeni s sosednje karbonatne platforme Visokega Krasa, so interstratificirani v vseh formacijah, v pliensbachiju pa prevladujejo in popolnoma izpodrinejo pelagične sedimente. Pelagična zaporedja v coni Visokega Krasa so omejena na sinriftne in zgodnje postriftne sedimente. Kot tipičen primer predstavljamo 20 m debelo zaporedje srednjetriasnih gomoljastih apnencev in radiolaritov znotraj plitvovodnih karbonatov. V bolj interni Limski coni je za podcono Ćehotina značilna pelagična sedimentacija od srednjega triasa do začetka krede, ko so se začeli odlagati sinorogeni mešani karbonatno-siliciklastični sedimenti. Stratigrafsko zaporedje te podcone do sedaj ni bilo podrobneje proučeno. V članku je prvič datiran 100 m debel profil apnencev z gomolji roženca, ki smo ga s konodonti uvrstili v norij in retij. Z radiolariji smo dokazali callovijsko do spodnjeoksfordijsko starost plastovitih rožencev brez karbonata. V podconi Mihajlovići je stratigrafski razvoj podoben kot v enoti Drina-Ivanjica. Triasnim plitvovodnim karbonatom sledijo jurski apnenci, ki kažejo na postopno poglabljanje sedimentacijskega okolja. Zaporedje se konča z oxfordijskimi radiolariti. V Črni gori so ohranjeni najbolj jugozahodno ležeči ostanki ofiolitov v Dinaridih. Zadnji dve točki prikazujeta bathonijske do spodnjecallovijske radiolarite v ofiolitnem melanžu in zgornjeanizijske radiolarite v kontaktu z bazaltom. Te starosti se ujemajo z do sedaj znanimi datacijami v ofiolitih širše regije. V primerjavi z Južnimi Alpami in Apenini je za pelagične sedimente Dinaridov značilno, da so se začeli odlagati prej in da so skozi ves mezozoik vsebovali znatno višji delež kremenice glede na karbonat. Dinarski bazeni so bili povezani s centralno Neotetido, kjer je visoka produktivnost površinskih voda omogočala nastanek radiolaritov od oceanizacije (v aniziju ali še prej) do sredine zgornje krede, ko so po vsem svetu začeli prevladovati foraminifere in kalcitni nanoplankton. Ključne besede: Dinaridi, Neotetida, radiolariti, kontinentalni rob, ofiolitni melanž

Owing to its geographical location, Istria was not directly exposed to the devasta- tion in the fourth and fifth centuries, when it avoided both the civil wars and the migratory movements accompanied by invasions of wandering barbarian tribes. After the victory of Christianity, newly created city elites, with the bishop at the helm, had, since the early fifth century, managed the construction activities in cities, primarily relating to monumental projects, which altered the physical appearance of the cityscape. Local peculiarities are often considered as one of the most import- ant factors both for the process of change and for the endurance of the preexist- ing values in political and religious life. Recent studies, however, suggest that the transformation of post-Roman cities was not exclusively a consequence of intense Christianization. The emergence of the new city elite was the result of a conscious effort by the representatives of state authorities. This phenomenon is noticeable as early as the Late Roman Empire and persisted during the times of the barbar- ian states of Odoacer and Theoderic. In Istria it is most evident during Byzantine reign when the intertwining of political and religious spheres is the clearly visible in post-classical urban centres. This phenomenon can be detected thanks to a greater number of written and material sources. The events that took place in the aftermath of the Byzantine-Gothic war and Justinianʼs reconquest of the former Arian regions between 535 and 555 were an intentional reaction of the Byzantine political and religious power centres. Their primary objective was the cleansing of the vestiges of the Arian heresy, followed by the construction of new Christian edifices. The spon- sors of these building projects were Justinian himself, then bishops, state officials and members of the aristocracy. Justinianʼs conquest of the territories of the Ostro- gothic Kingdom between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea – including Istria – caused not only social-political, but also religious-political changes. The transformation of Ravenna into a political power centre during the reign of Theoderic also marks a turning point for the historical development of Istria, although one should consider the situation on the peninsula before the onset of Byzantine rule, as well.

In the northern Dalmatia region where there were only two cultural systems throughout the Bronze and Iron Ages, four moments are crucial in the use of cremation ritual during the 2nd/1st centuries BC: in the Early Bronze Age (Cetina culture: Ervenik, Podvršje − Matakov brig, Nadin, Krneza − Duševića glavica), in the Early Iron Age (Nadin, mound 13, Krneza − Jokina glavica), in Hellenism (Dragišić, gr. 4 A-C), and finally, for the first time very intensively during the Romanization of Liburnians. Newly discovered cremations in ceramic urns (gr. 3, 13) in burial mound 13 (9th – 6th cent. BC) from Nadin near Benkovac are the first example (after Dragišić) of Liburnian cremation; more precisely, burial mound 13 with 19 graves represents a form of biritualism in the Liburnians. It is also an example of the greatest number of Liburnian burials under a mound, with crouched, extended and cremated skeletons and many ritual remains (traces of fire on the ground and on animal bones: funerary feast?; numerous remains of ceramic vessels (libation?). Although typical Liburnian burial "inherits" many formal and symbolic elements (stone cist, enclosing wall, libation, etc.) from the (Early) Bronze Age (and probably Eneolithic as well), cremation in the Liburnian burial mound 13 from Nadin cannot be explained in terms of continuity from the Early Bronze Age; links are missing, particularly those from the Middle Bronze Age in the study of the cultural dynamics of the 2nd millennium BC in the northern Dalmatia region. Squat form of the Nadin urns with a distinct neck has analogies in the Liburnian (Nin) and Daunian funerary pots for burying newborns (ad encytrismos), and also in the typology of pottery (undecorated or decorated) in a wider region (Ruše, V.Gorica, Dalj/Vukovar, Terni II, Este, Bologna I-II, Roma II, Cumae I, Pontecagnano IA, Histrians, etc.), i.e. in the forms widespread from the Danubian region, Alps, and Balkans to the Apennine Peninsula between the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages (10th/9th – 8th cent. BC). Although appearance of cremation in the Picenian culture has not been completely clear (Fermo necropolis, burials from Ancona, Numana, Novilara: graves Servici, 29, 39 from Piceno II-III, from the 8th/7th.cent. BC), Liburnian culture is most similar to the Picenian culture in the Adriatic world by the intensity and period of cremation, and form of urns. Specifically, decorated urn in a male grave 52 from Numana from the 9th century BC is analogous to the Nadin urns. This grave from Numana is usually mentioned as an example of trans-Adriatic, Picenian-Liburnian (Balkanic) i.e. Picenian-Histrian relations. Liburnian urns are similar to the urn from the grave in Numana, 495, Davanzali, from the late 9th century by their profilation. "Genesis" of both Liburnian and Picenian cremation is unknown. They are two convergent phenomena, reflecting the "unity" of the late Urnenfelder world of the 10th/9th centuries BC and resulting from cultural-ethnical contacts in a "closed circle" from the Danubian region – southeastern Alpine region – Apennine Peninsula, supported by smaller migrations in the first centuries of the Iron Age, from the trans-Adriatic direction in Picenum (with definite Villanova influence), and in Liburnia probably from the hinterland. In this Adriatic circle in the first centuries of the Iron Age multiple cultural contacts between Liburnians, Histrians and Picenians are for now a good (initial) context for a more detailed interpretation of Liburnian cremation. Despite the aforementioned, it is not necessary to relate directly the structure (ritual, goods) of gr. 52, Numana – Qualiotti to Histrian patterns nor the grave 495, Numana-Davanzali to the Iapodian ones. Cremated Liburnian burial from the Early Iron Age represents a certain continuity and a "reflection" of the late Urnenfelder circle, which was manifested in different ways in the beginnings of the Liburnian, Picenian, and Histrian cultures and elsewhere. The latest excavations on a planned Liburnian-Roman necropolis in Nadin (Nedinum) provided us with new information about the spatial, chronological and symbolical relation (religious, social) between the autochtonous Liburnian and Roman component in the period of Romanization of northern Dalmatia.

In the period from 1999 to 2008, as part of motorway construction works, comprehensive archaeological excavations were conducted in the part of the Prekmurje region between the banks of the Mura River and the town of Murska Sobota. Numerous remains were unearthed that can be associated with the first Slavic settlement in the area of the Eastern Alps and Northern Adriatic. In Nova Tabla, 189 residential structures from the early Middle Ages were examined. The settlement also contained a group of 11 skeleton graves, unearthed on the south-western margin of Roman tumuli with incineration graves. On the basis of typology and comparison with other related sites, and with the help of numerous radiocarbon dating tests, the Nova Tabla settlement has been divided into two larger cultural and time horizons: Murska Sobota 1 and 2, with interstages of development encompassing the period from the 6th until the beginning of the 9th century. The inventory of pit SO 11 with a fragment of a simply made small jug with a loosely curved mouth can be classified as belonging to the oldest early Slavic settlement remains in Nova Tabla. The reconstructed small pot (Fig. 3) with its slender shaped body, indefinitely shaped mouth, hand-made with a porous undecorated surface, is a good representative of Prague Culture pottery (cf. M. KUNA et al., 2005, 347) and has the recognisable workmanship characteristic of the earthenware of the first Slavic horizon of Murska Sobota 1. Apart from the light non-oxidised burning, the uneven, porous surface of the entire vessel is also typical of this facture. In the Slovenian archaeological context, a porous surface on ceramic vessels and carved, wave-shaped decorative lines are typical of early mediaeval Slavic pottery. Generally, the porosity of the surface is associated with admixtures of plant origin, usually with grains of wheat, which usually get completely burned in the process of baking (G. FUSEK, 1994, 16; M. KUNA et al., 2005, 339). One of the possible ways of achieving a porous surface was adding crushed coal. This method is hard to prove but was successfully carried out as part of an experiment in making Slavic pottery (M. GUŠTIN, 2005, 37; I. BAHOR, 2010). The newcomers’ distinctive pottery with its porous surface remained the only type of pottery over a short period of time. Soon after its appearance, in the first half of the seventh century, the first shaping and technological developments in early Slavic pottery from Nova Tabla and other sites had started.

The present breeding range of the Reed Bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus, in Italy is mainly centered in the northern regions, where there is a fairly homogeneous distribution in the east-central Po Valley and along the northern Adriatic coast. On the contrary, in the remaining parts of continental Italy (Tuscany, Abruzzo, Molise, Apulia) and in Sicily, the species is rare or occasionally present. Most birds belong to the ssp. intermedia (“thick-billed”), with only small numbers of the ssp. schoeniclus (“thinbilled”), mainly located in the foothills and lower Alps, in the provinces from Varese to Belluno. In the past three decades, and mainly since 2000, there have been both a reduction in the breeding range and a decrease in numbers, with about 1000-3000 breeding pairs remaining (10,000-30,000 breeding pairs in the mid 80’s).

The analysis of geomagnetic field variations is a useful tool to detect electrical conductivity contrasts within the Earth. Lateral resolution of outlined patterns depends on the array dimensions and density of measurement sites over the investigated area. The inspection depth is constrained by the period of geomagnetic variations considered in data processing. Regions with significant geological features such as boundaries of continental plates, marginal areas of contact between tectonic units or other geodynamical processes, are of primary interest for the application of the MagnetoVariational (MV) method. In the last ten years, in the frame of the ElectroMagnetic (EM) sounding techniques in applied geophysics, this method has been applied in Italy by researchers of the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica, Rome, the Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Universitá di Genova and the Czech Science Academy of Prague. The Ivrea body in the Northwestern Alps and their junction with the Apennine chain, the micro-plate of the Sardinian-Corsican system and, recently, the central part of the peninsula along Tyrrhenian-Adriatic lithospheric transects were investigated. Studies in time and frequency-domain used in the first investigations, have been followed by more refined analysis involving tests on the induced EM field dimension, computations of single site Transfer Functions (TFs) through Parkinson arrows' and Fourier maps in the Hypothetical Event technique (HE). It was possible to describe the electrical conductivity distribution in the inner part of the SW Alpine arc and to confirm the presence of lithospheric and asthenospheric anomalies obtained by other geophysical methods. For the Sardinia-Corsica system, 2D and 3D inversion models highlighted the existence of two major conducting bodies, one north of Corsica, and the other south of Sardinia. In Central Italy, the regional electrical conductivity distribution pointed out a deep conductive structure beneath the Apennines and a very resistive root for this part of the mountain chain.