As was to be expected, as the CARG project advanced, the number of abbreviations required for the univocal identification of the stratigraphic units listed in the legends of the 1:50,000 sheets increased considerably. For this reason it was decided to draw up the following list of abbreviations referred to the sheets for which the progress report (SAL) had been presented or, as in the case of Sheets 97 and 198, already printed or awaiting to be printed.
This list has several aims which are also related to the creation of the geological databank:

1. to supply all operators with the list of abbreviations of CARIMATI et alii (1981), representing the basic tool for the choice of abbreviations; 
2. to avoid duplications; 
3. to avoid incongruencies in denominating stratigraphic units with the same abbreviation;
4. to create a valid operative tool facilitating the monitoring and control activities;
5. to contribute to the formalization of the stratigraphic units, facilitating correlations and verification of synonymities.

The list is obviously ongoing and will be progressively updated with definitive legends reaching the Department of Land Defence of ISPRA. During this preliminary phase the formal aspect of denomination was only touched upon marginally because priority was given to coordinating the output produced so far. Boldface italics are used for abbreviations of units that need to be changed either because they are already being used by CARIMATI et alii (1981) or by another contractor (taking into account the consignment date of the most recent SAL, progress report). It was also decided to give precedence to abbreviations relative to units given formal status by the Italian Commission on Stratigraphy (CIS).
Boldface italics are also used for names of units requiring complete or partial modification – either because they differ from those used by other contractors or in other sheets, or because definitely not valid from the stratigraphic nomenclature point of view.
The question mark after some stratigraphic units with the same abbreviations but slightly different names means that the exact denomination of the unit has yet to be decided. Finally, boldface is used for the names of units listed in dossiers 1-6 “Geological Formations” of the Illustrative Studies of the Geological Map of Italy, published by the Italian Geological Service in 1968-1972.
Wherever these are used, operators are asked to ensure that they use exactly the same denomination, if still held valid.
Boldface is also used for names of units hitherto considered formal by the CIS. In this case, the indicated name must be scrupulously adhered to. As well as observing these guidelines included in the list itself, operators must use capitals for all abbreviations – whether in the legend or on the map and regardless of whether they refer to formal or informal stratigraphic units – to guarantee the uniformity of the final cartographic products.
Moreover, it must be underlined that in order for a stratigraphic unit to be considered formal it must be assessed by the Italian Commission on Stratigraphy.
A final note regards the choice of abbreviations: an abbreviation must be an acronym of the name of the stratigraphic unit. Any abbreviations not complying with this criterion are to be changed accordingly.
We rely upon the real collaboration of all those involved in making the modifications described. The said modifications should be communicated as soon as possible to the CARG Geology and Geomorphology Service of the Department of Land Defence so that the list can be updated and all discrepancies eliminated.