Central Alps – Helvetic Nappes

First off we should define what is a nappe. A nappes is a package of rock that has been folded and deformed to the point that it is completely allocthonous, that is disconnected from its origin (generally over 5km from the original position). They are characterized by rootless, recumbent, and isoclinal folds. The word nappe is […]

Central Alps – Sesia-Lanzo

Last week we transected the Apulian crust through the Ivrea-Verbano Zone to the Insubric Line. The Insubric Line is the suture between the Apulian crust that makes up Italy and the European continent. Within this suture zone is a sliver of oceanic crust zone known as the Sesia-Lanzo Zone. The Sesia Lanzo and other units of […]