No specific study exists on the Mirandola source. Nevertheless, information on 
the location, geometry and recent activity of the source can be obtained from a 
number of papers dealing with the subsurface geology and geomorphology of the Po 
Plain.

Castaldini et al. (1979)
In the framework of a reconstruction of neotectonic events, these workers 
examine the evolution of the drainage system of this reach of the Po Plain. The 
analysis considers the full length of the Holocene but special emphasis is given 
to the past three thousand years of progressive shift and sudden diversions of 
the main streams of the area. In particular, Castaldini et al. (1979) point out 
that the Secchia and Panaro rivers are first attracted towards each other and 
towards the axis of the so-called Bologna-Bomporto-Reggio Emilia syncline, 
then pushed sideways respectively towards the NW and E as they cross the 
alignment Carpi-Crevalcore. Castaldini et al. (1979) also describe important 
diversions that occurred after the VIII century B.C., particularly affecting the 
Po river turning North at Guastalla ("rotta di Guastalla"), the Secchia river 
turning East just North of Modena, and again the Secchia river turning northwest 
a few km South of Mirandola. Finally, Castaldini et al. (1979) describe surface 
faults in the area Mirandola-Concordia based on correlations of the stratigraphy 
of water wells, in the area of Canalazzo di Finale Emilia based on observations 
of open ground cracks aligned along a WNW trend, and near Correggio based on 
observations of fractures in walls and road pavements. This last fault is also 
seen in satellite imagery.

Veggiani (1985)
In the context of a reconstruction of paleo-channels of the Po river and of its 
main tributaries, this worker proposes a scheme for the evolution of the 
Secchia, Panaro, Crostolo and Reno rivers during the past 3,000 years. In 
particular, Veggiani (1985) proposes a dated sequence of progressive shifts of 
the Secchia and Panaro rivers up to their present position. 

Cassano et al. (1986)
These investigators provide a comprehensive summary of subsurface and surface 
data along several transects crossing the Po Plain from the Southwest to the 
Northeast. Their interpretation of Section 9 shows a major anticline driven by a 
low-angle north-verging blind thrust culminating between Mirandola and Medolla.

Burrato et al. (2000)
These workers analyse in detail the fluvial system of the Po Plain and identify 
several areas where significant drainage anomalies (e.g., river diversions and 
shifts in channel patterns) with wave-length comparable to that of tectonic 
structures of crustal significance are suggestive of the presence of active 
blind thrust or reverse faults. As second step of their approach the authors 
compare the position of the drainage anomalies with the location of known buried 
anticlines, to corroborate the hypothesis of the tectonic nature of the 
anomalies. Following the observation that some of the anomalies are associated 
also with historical earthquakes, they propose that these blind thrusts may be 
potential sources of rather infrequent large earthquakes beneath the Po Plain. 
Burrato et al show that the Secchio and Panaro rivers exhibit significant 
anomalies in their trend as they cross an anticline reported in the official 
geological map. They interpret the fluvial anomaly as having tectonic origin.
