Unexpected earthquake hazard revealed by Holocene rupture on the Kenchreai Fault (central Greece): Implications for weak sub-fault shear zones

Copley, Alex and Grützner, Christoph and Howell, Andy and Jackson, James and Penney, Camilla and Wimpenny, Sam (2018) Unexpected earthquake hazard revealed by Holocene rupture on the Kenchreai Fault (central Greece): Implications for weak sub-fault shear zones. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 486. pp. 141-154. ISSN 0012821X DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2018.01.014

Preview

Text 2018_kenchriae_epsl - Copy.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (138kB) | Preview

Abstract

High-resolution elevation models, palaeoseismic trenching, and Quaternary dating demonstrate that the Kenchreai Fault in the eastern Gulf of Corinth (Greece) has ruptured in the Holocene. Along with the adjacent Pisia and Heraion Faults (which ruptured in 1981), our results indicate the presence of closely-spaced and parallel normal faults that are simultaneously active, but at different rates. Such a configuration allows us to address one of the major questions in understanding the earthquake cycle, specifically what controls the distribution of interseismic strain accumulation? Our results imply that the interseismic loading and subsequent earthquakes on these faults are governed by weak shear zones in the underlying ductile crust. In addition, the identification of significant earthquake slip on a fault that does not dominate the late Quaternary geomorphology or vertical coastal motions in the region provides an important lesson in earthquake hazard assessment.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	2017AREP; IA73; Sylvia
Subjects:	02 - Geodynamics, Geophysics and Tectonics
Divisions:	02 - Geodynamics, Geophysics and Tectonics 07 - Gold Open Access
Journal or Publication Title:	Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Volume:	486
Page Range:	pp. 141-154
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2018.01.014
Depositing User:	Sarah Humbert
Date Deposited:	08 Feb 2018 15:36
Last Modified:	09 Feb 2018 12:38
URI:	http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/id/eprint/4092

Actions (login required)

View Item