Marine and nonmarine trace fossils and plant roots in a regressional setting (Pleistocene, Italy)

The sedimentary structures, occuring in one of the Pleistocene marine terraces at the Ionian coast, indicate a shoaling upward trend from the shoreface of a sandy beach to nonmarine conditions. Four main facies have been recognised. Facies A consists of hummocky cross-bedded sands representing a wave-dominated nearshore environment. Physical and biological structures of facies B are suggestive of an abrupt reduction in energy level. Features of facies C suggest a stable environment of upper shoreface but strongly influenced by continental supplies. The last facies (D) is related to moist or wet terrestrial environments.