**4. Integrated stratigraphy**

In this book, different studies on integrated stratigraphy have been presented, which are grouped in the second section of the book. These studies are based on the integration of several stratigraphic methodologies, including the lithologic and paleobotanical data, the three-dimensional seismic models, the biostratigraphy, the paleopedology and paleoaquifer studies, the lithologic logs of cores and their subaerial exposure profiles, the individuation of the eroded paleosols, the lithologic and lithofacies logs of wells and some corresponding measurements and, finally, the facies analysis aimed at individuating the depositional architecture and the sequence stratigraphic setting.

Different stratigraphic methods are involved in the integrated stratigraphy, including the chemostratigraphy, the isotopic stratigraphy, the oxygen isotopes, the carbon isotopes, the strontium isotopes, the orbital cyclostratigraphy, the response of the climate system to the orbital forcing, the orbital forcing and the sedimentary environments, the identification of cyclical features and the spectral analysis of time series. Particular attention must be given to the methods of absolute dating and to the geological timescale.

Numerous papers have been produced in the field of the integrated stratigraphy, covering a wide range of competences. The stratigraphic record of Gubbio (Central Apennines, Italy) is one of the most studied research topics in the integrated stratigraphy [78]. Cretaceous and Paleogene stratigraphy of the Central Apennines has been deeply studied from the beginning of 1900. A pioneer of these studies was Otto Renz (1906–1992). Many paleomagnetic investigations have also been carried out on the Mesozoic-Paleogene stratigraphic record of the Umbria–Marche basin. One of the most significant lithological types is represented by the Scaglia limestones, whose directions of remnant magnetization have indirectly given indications on the geodynamic evolution of the Adria African Promontory [79]. Starting from the Middle Jurassic, the magnetic stratigraphy of the Mesozoic-Paleogene succession of the Umbria–Marche basin has allowed to individuate a record of the geomagnetic polarity [78]. The value of this record has been confirmed from its correlation with the oceanic paleomagnetic records. The integrated stratigraphic studies of the Gubbio section include the individuation of an Early Cretaceous tectonic event in the Adria promontory, having insights from the Umbria-Marche pelagic basin, the Barremian-Aptian boundary in the Poggio Le Guaine core, giving evidence on the magnetic polarity chron M0r and on the oceanic anoxic event 1a, the *Rotalipora cushmani* extinction at Gubbio, a planktonic foraminifer testifying the emplacement of a large volcanic province and the evaluation of the environmental fluctuations during the late Cenomanian at Gubbio based on the ichnofabric [78].

In my opinion, another main research topic in the integrated stratigraphy is represented by the Messinian Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) [80]. High-resolution integrated stratigraphy has been presented by Hilgen et al. [80], based on the integration of different stratigraphic methodologies, including the calcareous plankton biostratigraphy, the magnetic stratigraphy and the cyclic stratigraphy. The Messinian GSSP has been individuated at the base of the red layer of the cycle n. 15 in the section Oued Akrech. It coincides with the first occurrence of *Globorotalia mitumida* and is dated back at 7.251 My [80]. For the upper part of the Miocene, the Messinian is the standard chronostratigraphic unit, whose knowledge is due to the corresponding salinity crisis occurring in the Mediterranean Sea.
