Mud



The Apennines between Tuscany and Emilia present many geological curiosities. This book takes a look at some details of the landscapes shaped and influenced by the clay soil which make up the foothills of this mountain range.



The “Salse” are mud volcanoes which expel liquid clay mixed with gas and bitumen from the stratum below. Some of the clay dries and forms a cone, the rest runs over the ground forming strange patterns.



“Calanchi “ are a feature of the landscape formed by water eroding thick blue clay deposits. They were formed in the presence of deforestation along with a particular soil composition and hot dry summers alternating with periods of intense rainfall.



In the lower foothills outcrops of coloured clay occur. This is due to presence of minerals in the “Argille scagliose” the geological term for these rocks.