How are the limestone plateaus of Puglia different from the main Apennine ranges?

The limestone plateaus of Puglia differ significantly from the main Apennine ranges in their geological formation and physical structure. While the main Apennine chain is characterized by a rugged, high-altitude thrust-belt structure formed through intense tectonic activity during the Alpine orogeny, the ranges in Puglia consist of low, horizontal limestone plateaus that remained less affected by these mountain-building processes.1

These plateaus, such as the Murge, are defined by their relatively low elevation and gradual slopes compared to the high peaks found in the central and northern Apennines. Furthermore, the region is marked by a distinct lack of surface water, a consequence of the porous limestone composition that necessitates the use of large-scale infrastructure like the Apulian Aqueduct to supply water from the western Apennine watershed. While the main Apennine ranges exhibit a juvenile stage of relief shaped by significant erosion and complex geological units, the Puglian landscape is dominated by these stable, horizontal calcareous formations.213