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Seismogenic faulting in an area of low seismic activity: Paleoseismicity of the El Camp fault (Northeast Spain)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2016

E. Masana ,
J.A. Villamarín ,
J. Sánchez Cabañero ,
J. Plaza  and
P. Santanach
E. Masana
Affiliation:
Universitat de Barcelona, Dept. Geodinàmica i Geofísica, Zona Universitaria de Pedralbes, Barcelona 08028, Spain. E-mail: eula@natura.geo.ub.es, javill@geo.ub.es, santanac@natura.geo.ub.es
J.A. Villamarín
Affiliation:
Universitat de Barcelona, Dept. Geodinàmica i Geofísica, Zona Universitaria de Pedralbes, Barcelona 08028, Spain. E-mail: eula@natura.geo.ub.es, javill@geo.ub.es, santanac@natura.geo.ub.es
J. Sánchez Cabañero
Affiliation:
Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear, Justo Dorado, 11, Madrid 28040, Spain. E-mail: jsc@csn.es
J. Plaza
Affiliation:
ENRESA, Emilio Vargas, 7, Madrid 28043, Spain. E-mail: JPLH@enresa.es
P. Santanach
Affiliation:
Universitat de Barcelona, Dept. Geodinàmica i Geofísica, Zona Universitaria de Pedralbes, Barcelona 08028, Spain. E-mail: eula@natura.geo.ub.es, javill@geo.ub.es, santanac@natura.geo.ub.es

Abstract

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Given that earthquakes do not occur only along high slip-rate faults, slow moving seismogenic faults should be characterized in order to minimize seismic hazard uncertainties. Although no historical earthquakes related to the El Camp fault have been documented, earlier regional geological analysis and the presence of a fault scarp provide evidence of its activity. A paleoseismological study on the southern part of the fault was performed in accordance with the following steps: 1) geological and géomorphologie analysis focussing on the detection of evidence for the seismogenic behavior of the fault, 2) near fault analysis to select the best trenching sites, and 3) trenching to establish and characterize the paleoseismic events. Different dating procedures were used in regional and trenching analyses (Thermoluminiscence, U/Th, Radiocarbon, Pollen analysis). The seismogenic nature of the fault was established by the presence of liquefaction features related to the fault, and by the presence of colluvial wedges composed of large angular blocks. We identified a segment boundary to the north of the Porquerola creek and we focussed our attention on the southern segment, which was active after 125000 yr. The slip rate in this southern segment is 0.02 mm/yr. A minimum of three seismic events were detected, from young to old: the last event Z took place some time prior to 1195 yr AD, the penultimate event Y between event X and the Holocene, and, finally, event X occurred after 125000 yr and prior to 60000 yr. The recurrence period is between 25000 and 35000 yr, the elapsed time is estimated to be no longer than 3000 yr; and the maximum estimated earthquake considering both the onshore and the offshore part of the fault is Mw 6.7 +/-0,5.

Keywords

Seismogenic faultPaleoseismicityTrenchingLiquefactionSpain
Type
Research Article
Information
Netherlands Journal of Geosciences , Volume 80 , Issue 3-4 , December 2001 , pp. 229 - 241
Copyright
Copyright © Stichting Netherlands Journal of Geosciences 2001

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