Wednesday, March 2, 2011


        The effects of weathering, erosion, and hydrology in the Province of Naples is vast.  It has created both unique rock formations and a well known agricultural region.  On the Island of Capri is the Natural Arch, as seen in the picture below.  Many websites stated it was formed from wind and water erosion, however, wind erosion as a cause is doubtful.  It was more likely formed from dissolution and salt weathering.  The rock in this area is primarily limestone, which is susceptible to these types of weathering.  One can presume that root pressure and occasional frost will cause fracture and rock fall along the joints.


The Natural Arch on the Island of Capri.  Rock varnish is visible in the picture, particularly on the underside.
Picture sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capri

A picture looking back on the arch, with talus and scree visible at the base of the arch.
Picture sourced from http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KE53wxaEO9YyiEw78uDDuA


       One of the region's most prized exports is the San Marzano tomato.  From ancient times up to today, residents benefit agriculturally from the Andisol soil here. It consists of a dark surface horizon and neutral pH, and was created partly from the ash and tephra that fell during past eruptions of nearby Mt. Vesuvius.  This area lies in the Sarno River drainage basin, which forms a Dendritic pattern over the landscape.  The river is primarily fed by springs fed from lakes in the Apennine mountains, Mt. Vesuvius, and surrounding alluvial plains. Smaller flows are from rainwater and groundwater flows from aquifers outside the basin area.


I took this picture in 2009 of the transport limited landscape while riding on the Circumvesuviana railway near Poggiomarino.  Agricultural fields are in the foreground, and Mt. Vesuvius and Mt. Somma are in the background.

A can of San Marzano tomatoes.  Some local stores carry this brand, D.O.P. from Italy.

Picture sourced from http://www.doma-italian-market.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=249

Works cited:
De Pippo, Tommaso: Donadio, Carlo; Pennetta, Micla; Petrosino, Carmela; Terlizzi, Francesco. "Land Units of Sarno River Basin (Southern Italy) For Land Evaluation.  April 15, 2007. http://www.glaciologia.it/wp-content/uploads/FullText/full_text_31_1/04_De_Pippo_21_36.pdf, accessed 3/1/2011.

Barattolo, Filippo; Schiattarella, Marcello. "A Brief Guide to Geology of Capri Island".  http://www.essc.psu.edu/~bjhaupt/specials/iamg98/capri.html, accessed 2/28/2011.