The Serra d’Ivrea (NW Italy) as a didactic example of lateral moraine devoted to the scientific dissemination

The Ivrea Morainic Amphitheatre (IMA) is well-known worldwide among the European south-alpine end moraine systems for its remarkable geomorphology. The Serra d’Ivrea, its most typical evidence, constitutes an unusually straight, continuous and long (16 km) set of lateral moraines, which crests gradually decline from 937 m to 250 m asl. The Serra d’Ivrea, regarded as the biggest moraine of the Alps, represents a very didactic example of a marginal glacial landform result of the glacial sedimentation. However, until now it has not been the subject of many specific researches (Forno & Gianotti, 2005) and its age, ranging from the Middle Pleistocene to the Late Pleistocene, still remain a controversial issue. The PROGEO-Piemonte Project, promoted by the Turin Earth Sciences Department, points to increase the scientific knowledge of the IMA geological features. A 55 m long core was drilled in 2013 into the sedimentary sequence. The radiocarbon dating and the palinological analysis of two superimposed lacustrine bodies, in addition to the study of soils developed on the outcropping glacial sediments, are going to strongly revise the Serra d’Ivrea stratigraphy. Moreover, researches on the petrographic composition of clasts forming the different glacial deposits are carrying out to define the clast source and the relation between clast features and transport/deposition processes. A significant aim of this project is the dissemination of the results by geological brochures, posters and itineraries books, as well as lectures, workshops and short courses for teachers and naturalistic guides. A travelling exhibition on the IMA geology (supported by the IMA Ecomuseum since 2012) is going round the local municipalities and schools, with a series of lectures and the publication of a popular book (Gianotti & Marra, 2012). The scientific dissemination is essentially based on sketches of geologic elements and processes. A permanent exhibition on the IMA geology was also placed (May 2014) in a strategic site offered by the Caravino Municipality. This location is closed to the frequently visited Masino castle, on a panoramic moraine crest rising above the IMA internal depression. The exhibition consists of display panels regarding the IMA geology, a big plastic model and some old and modern geological maps. It will be soon supplemented with other materials also concerning the Serra d’Ivrea. This institution has to become, according to our intention, an active centre of vulgarization of the IMA geological knowledge, managed by the Ecomuseum. Forno M.G. & Gianotti F. 2005. Arrêt 2. Stratigraphie de la Serra d’Ivrea (Chiaverano). In: Deline P., Giardino M. & Nicoud G. Eds, Le Quaternaire des vallées alpines. Collection EDYTEM, Cahiers de Géographie, 3, 140-143, Chambéry. Gianotti F. & Marra D. 2012. L’impronta del Ghiacciaio. Anfiteatro Morenico di Ivrea: un unicum geologico. Ecomuseo AMI, Bolognino Ed., Ivrea, 63 pp.