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]

Apuan Alps
Apuan Alps seen from Pietrasanta.
Highest point
PeakMonte Pisanino
Elevation1,946 m (6,385 ft)
Coordinates44°08′01″N 10°12′52″E / 44.13361°N 10.21444°E / 44.13361; 10.21444
Geography
Location of the Apuan Alps in Italy
CountryItaly
RegionTuscany
Parent rangeApennine Mountains
Geology
Age of rockTriassic
Northern view of the Pizzo d'Uccello.

The name derives from the Apuani Ligures tribe that lived there in ancient times.

The mountain range is known for its Carrara marble. Due to its extraction height environmental impact, the No Cav movement strongly opposes this activity.[citation needed]

Geology and geography edit

 
Carrara marble being mined in the Apuan Alps

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 No Cav environmental movement is fighting for the closure of the marble quarries in the Apuan Alps due to their environmental impact.

Main peaks edit

References edit

  1. ^ 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 edit

  Media related to Apuan Alps at Wikimedia Commons