The Po Plain in northern Italy is a rapidly subsiding sedimentary basin characterized by a complex geological history that created an extensive fold and fault system that hosts numerous underground hydrocarbon reservoirs. The evolution of the basin is not only governed by natural factors but also by anthropogenic factors that affect both the shallower and deeper sedimentary layers. The Emilia-Romagna alluvial plain makes up part of the Po Plain and has been the focus of numerous studies related to its geomorphology, land settlement, hydrocarbon exploitation, water production and seismic behavior. The research activity has increased throughout the years due to the concern for its management and conservation, ensuring its upholding against environmental changes and human activity. An essential part for most of these studies is the geological review of the area that provides the necessary base for understanding the basin evolution and connecting results of previous studies with new research outcomes. In the current work, some aspects of the geological framework of the Po Plain are presented, focusing on the characteristics of the uppermost sedimentary deposits of the Emilia-Romagna region and in particular its hydrogeological setting and groundwater bodies. This paper provides an overview of the fundamental geological characteristics of the alluvial subsurface exploited for groundwater production, which constitute the main cause of land subsidence in Emilia-Romagna.

The Po Plain in northern Italy is a rapidly subsiding sedimentary basin characterized by a complex geological history that created an extensive fold and fault system that hosts numerous underground hydrocarbon reservoirs. The evolution of the basin is not only governed by natural factors but also by anthropogenic factors that affect both the shallower and deeper sedimentary layers. The Emilia-Romagna alluvial plain makes up part of the Po Plain and has been the focus of numerous studies related to its geomorphology, land settlement, hydrocarbon exploitation, water production and seismic behavior. The research activity has increased throughout the years due to the concern for its management and conservation, ensuring its upholding against environmental changes and human activity. An essential part for most of these studies is the geological review of the area that provides the necessary base for understanding the basin evolution and connecting results of previous studies with new research outcomes. In the current work, some aspects of the geological framework of the Po Plain are presented, focusing on the characteristics of the uppermost sedimentary deposits of the Emilia-Romagna region and in particular its hydrogeological setting and groundwater bodies. This paper provides an overview of the fundamental geological characteristics of the alluvial subsurface exploited for groundwater production, which constitute the main cause of land subsidence in Emilia-Romagna.