Apuan Alps
Apuan Alps | |
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Apuan Alps seen from Pietrasanta. | |
Highest point | |
Peak | Monte Pisanino |
Elevation | 1,946 m (6,385 ft) |
Coordinates | 44°08′01″N 10°12′52″E / 44.13361°N 10.21444°ECoordinates: 44°08′01″N 10°12′52″E / 44.13361°N 10.21444°E |
Geography | |
![]() Location of the Apuan Alps in Italy
| |
Country | Italy |
Region | Tuscany |
Parent range | Apennine Mountains |
Geology | |
Age of rock | Triassic |
The Apuan Alps (Italian: Alpi Apuane) are a mountain range in northern Tuscany, Italy. They are included between the valleys of the Serchio and Magra rivers, and, to the northwest, the Garfagnana and Lunigiana, with a total length of approximately 55 kilometres (34 mi).[1]
The name derives from the Apuani Ligures tribe that lived there in ancient times.
The mountain range is known for its Carrara marble.
Geology and geography[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Cava_di_Gioia_%28Carrara%29.jpg/220px-Cava_di_Gioia_%28Carrara%29.jpg)
The chain formed out of sea sediments in the middle Triassic period, somewhat earlier than the rest of the Apennines, and on a rather different geological structure.[1] Over time, these sediments hardened into limestone, dolomite, sandstone, and shale.[1] Harsh pressure approximately 25 million years ago transformed the limestone in many places into the Carrara marble (named for the nearby city of Carrara) for which the range is renowned.[1] Erosion carved much of the remaining sedimentary rocks into a jagged karst topography.
The marble quarries in the Apuan Alps due to their environmental impact.
environmental movement is fighting for the closure of theMain peaks[]
- Monte Pisanino (1,946 metres (6,385 ft)) – The highest peak in the Apuan alps[1]
- Monte Tambura (1,890 m)
- (1,888 m)
- Pania della Croce (1,858 m)
- Monte Grondìlice (1,808 m)
- Monte Contrario (1,788 m)
- (1,781 m)
- Monte Sumbra (1765 m)
- Monte Sagro (1,749 m)
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Scheffel, Richard L.; Wernet, Susan J., eds. (1980). Natural Wonders of the World. United States of America: Reader's Digest Association, Inc. p. 52. ISBN 0-89577-087-3.
External links[]
Media related to Apuan Alps at Wikimedia Commons
- Mountain ranges of Italy
- Mountains of Tuscany