西藏安多最新史前大地震的地质证据及其年龄

在西藏安多地区进行活动断裂研究过程中,进行地表调查和探槽开挖,证实错那－安多地堑北缘主边界断裂上的最新地表断层陡坎实际是该区史前大地震的地表遗迹。根据地表观察和实地测量结果可知,该区最新古地震断坎的延伸范围可达 26～36km,平均垂直位移量达 1.0～1.4m。相关地层－地貌体的年代学测试结果和古地震破裂参数表明,最新的古地震发生在距今约 10.0～8.1ka期间,估计当时的古地震震级介于 6.9～7.3级之间,当时的极震区烈度可能≥Ⅸ度。此古地震破裂的发现表明,青藏高原中部正断层型大地震之后的沉寂时间可以长达近万年,明显长于藏南裂谷带上的正断层型古地震活动间隔。由于安多地区最新大地震之后的离逝时间已足以积累类似强度的大地震,因此,该区未来的大地震危险性较高。     

基于低空遥感地貌观测的逆断层陡坎研究:以张流沟滩断层陡坎为例

活动断层相关地貌特征的定量研究是揭示古地震和断裂属性的重要依据,其中陡坎地貌是断裂活动的重要地貌响应,是有效识别活动断裂的重要地貌标志。近年来,无人机低空遥感观测技术的不断进步,使得高分辨率地貌数据的快速获取成为现实。本研究利用无人机低空遥感地貌观测技术,对张流沟滩处的断层陡坎附近进行高分辨率数字地形数据的采集。断层陡坎位于张流沟滩河流Ⅱ级阶地上,影像采集范围为800 m×400 m的矩形区域。经过一系列的影像处理,最终获取了目标区地面分辨率为0.1 m的DEM(数字高程模型)数据。基于该DEM数据可以提取到正交于断层陡坎的高程、坡度剖面。利用高程剖面所展示的地形地貌信息,可以提取到陡坎高度为(2.81±0.05) m;利用坡度剖面所展示的坡度曲线特征,可以推断该陡坎至少经历过两次断错活动事件,并且陡坎存在向上“凸起样式”。通过探槽解译,确定该陡坎下伏断裂至少发生过两次活动事件,其中较早的地震事件接近(3.68±0.14) ka B.P.,最晚期的地震活动应为1927年古浪8级地震,两次断裂活动累计垂直位移为(2.80±0.2) m。将以上两种研究方法相比较可以发现,探槽结构分析与低空遥感获取的定量化地貌信息分析结果基本一致,均能够有效揭示古地震期次及累计的同震位移量。最终本研究将探槽揭示的地层单元的沉积、构造信息与陡坎坡度数据特征相结合,提出了基于断层传播褶皱模型的“陡坎凸起”地貌响应样式来解释陡坎存在的向上“凸起样式”。实践证明,利用无人机低空遥感地貌观测技术能够定量、半定量化揭示下伏断裂的活动信息,结合传统断裂研究手段,可以更全面解释活动断层的沉积、构造特征及地形、地貌现象。总的来说,无人机低空遥感地貌观测技术的应用可作为传统古地震研究的辅助手段,并有其独特的方法优势。     

Late Quaternary paleoseismic evidence on the Munébrega half-graben fault (Iberian Range,Spain)

The Munébrega Plio-Quaternary half-graben is a NW-SE trending neotectonic depression located in the central sector of the intraplate Iberian Range (NE Spain). The master fault of the half-graben offsets an Upper Pleistocene pediment deposit, forming an upslope-facing scarp. A trench dug across the fault scarp exposed a 25-m wide deformation zone consisting of graben and horst fault blocks with fissures in the upper part of the scarp, and a monoclinal flexure affected by normal and reverse faults in the lower part of the scarp. We infer a minimum of three faulting events over the past 72 ka, yielding an average (maximum) recurrence interval of 24 ka. The oldest event (72–41 ka) produced an antislope scarp on the relict pediment surface, confining deposition to the downthrown block. Cross-cutting faults affecting sedimentary units deposited in the sediment trap produced by the first event provide evidence for at least two younger events (33–19? ka). The measured cumulative vertical displacement (7.4 m) yield a minimum vertical slip rate of 0.10 ± 0.01 mm/year (2σ error) for the past 72 ka. If the paleoearthquakes ruptured the whole mappable length of the fault (ca. 20 km), they probably had moment magnitudes ca. 6.9 (Stirling et al. Bull Seismol Soc Am, 2002). Such earthquakes would have been more than a magnitude unit larger than the largest ones recorded historically in the Iberian Range. These results suggest that the official seismic hazard assessments, based solely on the historic and instrumental record, may underestimate the seismic hazard in the area.     

Paleoseismological evidence for non-characteristic behavior of surface rupture associated with the 2004 Mid-Niigata Prefecture earthquake, central Japan

The 2004 Mid-Niigata Prefecture earthquake sequence (mainshock magnitude, M_JMA 6.8), which occurred in an active fold-and-thrust belt in northern central Japan, generated a small thrust surface rupture (< 20 cm of vertical displacement) along a previously unmapped northern extension of the active Muikamachi–Bonchi–Seien fault zone, on the eastern margin of the epicentral region. To better understand past seismic behavior of the rupture, we conducted a paleoseismic trenching study across the 10-cm-high west-side-up surface rupture at the foot of a pre-existing 1.8-m-high east-facing scarp, which probably resulted from past earthquake(s). A well-defined west-dipping thrust fault zone accompanied by drag folding and displacing the upper Pliocene to lower Pleistocene strata and the unconformably overlying upper Pleistocene (?) to Holocene strata was exposed. The principal fault zone is connected directly to the 2004 surface rupture. From the deformational characteristics of the strata and radiocarbon dating, we inferred that two large paleoseismic events occurred during the past 9000 years prior to the 2004 event. These two pre-2004 events have a nearly identical fault slip (at minimum, 1.5 m), which is ≥ 15 times that of the 2004 event (∼ 10 cm). These paleoseismic data, coupled with the geological and geomorphological features, suggest that the 2004 event represented non-characteristic behavior of the fault, which can potentially generate a more destructive earthquake accompanied by meter-scale surface displacement. This study provides insight into the interpretation of past faulting events and increases our understanding of rupture behavior.     

Interplay between tectonic, fluvial and erosional processes along the Western Border Fault of the northern Upper Rhine Graben, Germany

The northern Upper Rhine Graben, situated in the central part of the European Cenozoic rift system, is currently characterized by low intra-plate seismicity. Historical earthquakes have not been large enough to produce surface rupturing. Moreover, the records of Quaternary surface processes and human modifications are presumably better preserved than the record of the relatively slow tectonic deformation.In order to gain information on the neotectonic activity and paleoseismicity in this setting, the geological and geomorphological records of fault movements along a segment of the Western Border Fault (WBF) were studied using an integration of techniques in paleoseismology, structural analysis and shallow geophysics. The WBF segment investigated follows a 20 km long linear scarp of unclear origin. A series of geophysical measurements were performed and the results suggested that near-surface deformation structures are present at the segments' southern end. Several trenches opened at this location revealed fault structures with consistent extensional style and a maximum vertical displacement of 0.5 m. In one trench, the deformation structures were dated between 19 and 8 ka. Assuming the deformation has been caused by an earthquake, a M_w 6.5 earthquake would be implied. Aseismic deformation would point to a fault creep rate ≥ 0.04 mm/yr.A reconstruction of the sequence of events at the trench site, from Middle Pleistocene to Present, demonstrates that the morphology at the base of the scarp is the result of interplay between tectonic activity and fluvial and erosional processes. At the regional scale, a mixed origin for the WBF scarp is proposed, combining the effects of fluvial dynamics, erosion, regional uplift and localized tectonic activity on the WBF.     

Active Characteristics and Paleoearthquakes in the West Kalpin Nappe Since the Holocene,SW Tianshan Mountain

the Kalpin nappe is an important multiple thrust system. It is important to study the Cenozoic tectonic of the Tianshan Mountain. Holocene active characteristics and paleoearthquake of the Kalpin nappe can be used to evaluate the neotectonic of this area. In this paper, we accurately measured the fault scarp in the front of three thrust-fold faults and analyzed paleoearthquake events in the trenches of the Kalpin nappe. Using the ¹⁰Be exposure age, we obtained those geomorphic surface ages and paleoearthquake times. The result showed that the slip rates of the west Kalpintag fault, aozitag fault and the tuoketag fault were 1.45(+1.68/-0.44) mm/a, 0.81(+0.35/-0.19) mm/a and (0.3±0.05) mm/a, respectively since the Holocene. The slip rate indicated that the increased activity transferred from back-row fault to front-row fault and accorded with the piggy-back propagation model in the Tianshan Mountain. Displacements and recurrence intervals of paleoearthquakes was similar to the slip rate characteristics. It also showed paleoearthquakes in the front row fault were stronger than paleoearthquakes of the back row fault. The strong paleoearthquake which caused the highest surface rupture happened in the Kalpintag fault. The interval of paleoearthquakes was about 4 ka and the displacement of every paleoearthquake was about 3 m in the west Kalpintag fault; the interval of paleoearthquakes was about 2 ka and the displacement of every paleoearthquake was about 1m in the aozitag fault; the tuoketag fault ruptured only one paleoearthquake since 7 ka. The Piqiang tear fault was the tectonic result of different shortening rate between the west Kalpin system and the east Kalpin system. The shortening rate of west Kalpin system was obviously stronger than the east Kalpin system. The huge separation distance was near 20 km between the east and the west back-row fault. Because the slip rate of system transferred to the front-row fault in the piggy-back propagation model, the separation distance (~4 km) between the east and the west front-row fault was increasing.     

理塘断裂带沙湾段的晚第四纪活动性*

理塘断裂带沙湾段展布于四川西南部的木里河流域,处于理塘断裂带的南东尾端,为左旋走滑运动性质。文章在航空照片判译的基础上,通过野外研究发现,该断裂段的断错地貌现象主要集中分布在绒龙沟-沙湾的木里河东岸坡麓地带,表现为断层陡坎、断塞塘、断错冲沟、河流阶地及洪积扇等。由5个地点的断裂位错值和位错开始的年代学(TL和¹⁴ C)测试结果,估计的该断裂段晚更新世以来的平均水平滑动速率为2.1±0.3mm/a。在该断裂上开挖的3个探槽资料表明,该断裂段存在史前强震的地质记录,最晚一次强震的发生时间介于1310±90~950±30aB.P.之间,强震所导致的垂直位错量约0.5m, 同震水平位错1.30~1.45m左右。根据同震位错量及断裂长度估计的地震震级为7.0级左右。     

藏南安岗地堑的史前大地震遗迹、年龄及其地质意义

地表调查发现, 沿近南北向亚东-谷露裂谷中段的安岗地堑存在地震大滑坡、多世代断层崖和断层崩积楔等多种类型的史前大地震遗迹.进一步的观测和年代分析表明: 该区的古地震滑坡体至少存在新、老两期, 其中规模最大的"尼续大滑坡体"应该是最新一次大地震所形成.该区T₁到T₆各阶地的形成时代从新到老分别为7.7~2.1 ka、11.0~10.5 ka、17.6~12.1 ka、25.7~22.9 ka、58.4~70.6 ka和130~150 ka, 它们沿主边界正断层的平均垂直断距依次为2.8 m、6.1~7.9 m、10.3~12.5 m、16.6~19.0 m、28.0 m和76.0 m.其中T₁和T₂阶地上的断崖剖面揭示, 最近两次大地震发生在距今约5.8±1.0 ka和2.4±0.2 ka.综合分析认为: 安岗地堑的大地震活动具有较明显的丛集性特征, 并且在距今约23~26 ka以来一直处于大地震活跃期, 期间的断层垂直活动速率为0.8~1.3 mm/a, 大地震的原地复发间隔大致为3.3~3.6 ka, 特征地震的矩震级为7.0~7.2, 推算整个尼木地堑群的大震复发间隔最短可能只有约1.0~1.2 ka.研究结果指示, 藏南裂谷的大地震活动性明显比藏北的近南北向正断层更显著.      

The 1988 Tennant Creek,northern territory,earthquakes: A synthesis

Three large earthquakes with surface‐wave magnitudes 6.3–6.7 on 22 January 1988 were associated with 32 km of surface faulting on two main scarps 30 km southwest of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. These events provide an excellent opportunity to study the mechanics of midplate earthquakes because of the abundance of geological and geophysical data in the area, the proximity of the Warramunga seismic array and the ease of access to the fault zone. The 1988 earthquakes were located in the North Australian Craton in an area that had no history of moderate or large earthquakes before 1986. Additionally, no smaller earthquakes from the fault zone were identified at the Warramunga array, which is situated only 30 km from the nearest scarp, between the 1965 installation of the array and 1986. The main shocks were preceded by a swarm of moderatesized (magnitude 4–5) earthquakes in January 1987 and many smaller aftershocks throughout 1987. Careful relocation of all teleseismically recorded earthquakes from the fault zone shows that the 1987 activity was concentrated in an area only 6 km across in the gap between the two main fault scarps. The main shocks also nucleated in the centre of the fault zone near the 1987 activity. Field observations of scarp morphology indicate that the scarp is divided into three segments, each showing primarily reverse faulting. However, whereas the western and eastern segments show movement of the southern block over the northern, the central scarp segment shows the opposite, with the northern block thrust over the southern block.

Analysis of the first arrival times at Warramunga suggests that the three main shocks were associated with the western, central and eastern scarp segments, respectively. The locations of aftershocks determined using data from temporary seismograph arrays in the epicentral area define three inclined zones of activity that are interpreted as fault planes. In the western and eastern portions of the aftershock zone, these concentrations of activity dip to the south at 45° and 35°, respectively, but in the central section the aftershock zone dips to the north at 55°. Focal mechanisms derived from modelling broadband teleseismic data show thrust and oblique thrust faulting for the three main shocks. The first event ruptured unilaterally up and to the northwest on the westernmost fault segment, while the third main shock ruptured horizontally to the southeast. Modelling of repeat levelling data from the epicentral area requires at least three distinct fault planes, with the eastern and western planes dipping to the south and the central plane dipping to the north. The combination of scarp morphology, aftershock distribution and elevation data makes a strong case for rupture of fault planes in conjugate orientation during the 22 January 1988 Tennant Creek earthquakes. More than 20000 aftershocks have been recorded at Warramunga and activity continues to the present‐day with occasional shocks felt in the town of Tennant Creek and some recent off‐fault aftershocks located directly under the Warramunga seismic array. Stratigraphic relationships exposed in trenches excavated across the scarps suggest that during the Quaternary, a large earthquake ruptured the surface along one segment of the 1988 scarps.     

2008年汶川Ms8.0地震北川以北段地表破裂变形的主要样式

2008年5月12日发生的汶川地震是由青藏高原东部龙门山断裂的活动所导致。震后的调查表明,北川县城以北的断裂段破裂了约90km。在北川县城以北,不同地点沿地震地表破裂所展现的地表变形差异很大,可能反映了断裂附近地表特性的变化。文章主要从5个典型地点来阐述5种代表性的地表变形模式。前两个地点,在北川县城以北几公里,反映了近地表基岩中的一种变形和从基岩向松散堆积物过渡区的一种变形模式。与此两种断裂陡坎变形不同,中间的两个点则阐述了褶皱陡坎,它们反映了2008年地震中断裂断错在地表以下终止的不同情形。最后一个点位于汶川地震地表破裂的北端,可能代表了当地表破裂结束时地表变形的模式。在北川以北段地表破裂上典型地点的详细测量的基础上,通过归纳野外获得的地表变形资料,构建出汶川地震地表破裂北川以北段的基本变形模型。     

The Lassee segment of the Vienna Basin fault system as a potential source of the earthquake of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carnuntum</Emphasis> in the fourth century <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">a.d.</Emphasis>

The Vienna Basin fault system is a slow moving (1–2 mm/y) active sinistral fault extending from the Alps through the Vienna Basin into the Carpathians. It comprises an array of NE-striking sinistral strike-slip segments, which differ both by their kinematic and seismologic properties. Among these, the Lassee segment 30 km east of Vienna is of particular interest for seismic hazard assessment as it shows a significant seismic slip deficit. The segment is located about 8 km from the Roman city of Carnuntum, for which archaeological data indicate a destructive earthquake in the fourth century a.d. (local intensity about 9 EMS-98). Mapping of the Lassee segment using 2D seismic, GPR, tectonic geomorphology and Pleistocene basin analysis shows a negative flower structure at a releasing bend of the Vienna Basin fault. The hanging wall of the flower structure includes a Quaternary basin filled with up to 100-m thick Pleistocene growth strata. Faults root in the basal detachment of the Alpine-Carpathian floor thrust at about 8 km depth. The active faults east of the flower structure offset a Middle Pleistocene terrace of the Danube River forming an up to 20-m high composite fault scarp. High-resolution GPR (40, 500 MHz) mapped at least four distinct surface-breaking faults along this scarp including three faults, which are covered by about 2 m of post-tectonic strata. The youngest fault offsets these strata and coincides with a 0.5-m high scarp. This scarp may be interpreted as the product of a single surface-breaking earthquake, provided that the mapped fault offset formed during coseismic surface rupture. Data indicate that the Lassee segment may well be regarded the source of the fourth century earthquake. The interpretation is in line with local attenuation relations indicating a source close to the damaged site, observed fault dimensions and the fault offsets recorded by GPR and morphology.     

阿尔金断裂带康西瓦段晚第四纪以来的左旋滑移速率及其大地震复发周期的探讨

在高分辨率Ikonos卫星影像（1m分辨率）分析基础上,结合野外考察和定量测量,详细研究了阿尔金断裂带西段康西瓦段三十里营房地区晚第四纪以来的变形特征,在三十里营房东侧塔尔萨依吉勒尕河下游地区,断裂切割了一系列发育完好的冲积扇和阶地。6级不同阶地陡坎和邻近冲积扇面上冲沟的左旋位错量分别为251±4m,250±5m,198±4m,22±2m,12±1m和约6m。T2表面的放弃年龄约10.9±0.2ka（10Be）所限定的位错量22²00m,得到左旋滑移速率为2¹8mm/a;而T4阶地的最大累积位错可能达500m,暗示的左旋滑移速率约4⁵mm/a。最近一次大地震造成的最新地貌左旋水平位错量约6m,该地震同震地表破裂带沿喀拉喀什河谷延伸长达100km,估算为Mw7.4地震,约12m的位错量可能是公元975¹020年（AMS14C）以来最近两次大地震的累积同震地表位错,约6m的特征滑移量暗示该地段发生类似约Mw7.4地震的复发周期约370⁵00 a。这些结果表明,在青藏高原北缘,阿尔金断裂带西段为大型的左旋走滑断裂,它吸收了印度/欧亚大陆碰撞产生的较大部分应变,并使高原西部物质向东运移。     

Parameters of Coseismic Reverse- and Oblique-Slip Surface Ruptures of the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake,Eastern Tibetan Plateau

On May 12th,2008,the M_w7.9 Wenchuan earthquake ruptured the Beichuan,Pengguan and Xiaoyudong faults simultaneously along the middle segment of the Longmenshan thrust belt at the eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau.Field investigations constrain the surface rupture pattern, length and offsets related to the Wenchuan earthquake.The Beichuan fault has a NE-trending rightlateral reverse rupture with a total length of 240 km.Reassessment yields a maximum vertical offset of 6.5±0.5 m and a maximum right-lat...     

祁连山北缘佛洞庙-红崖子断裂晚第四纪滑动速率研究

佛洞庙-红崖子断裂是发育于祁连山北缘中段河西走廊南缘的一条重要的块体边界断裂,总体走向北西西,长约110 km。该断裂为一条全新世活动的逆-左旋走滑断裂,也是1609年红崖堡7 1/4 级地震的发震断裂。断裂活动形成了一系列陡坎、断层崖以及冲沟和阶地左旋等断错地貌。我们通过详细的野外考察,选择典型断错地貌进行大比例尺差分GPS测量,结合所获相应地貌面的年代数据,得到该断裂晚第四纪平均垂直滑动速率为(0.61±0.28)mm/a,水平滑动速率为(1.27±0.58)mm/a,其结果与相邻断裂相吻合。     

Parameters of Coseismic Reverse‐ and Oblique‐Slip Surface Ruptures of the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake,Eastern Tibetan Plateau

Abstract: On May 12th, 2008, the Mw7.9 Wenchuan earthquake ruptured the Beichuan, Pengguan and Xiaoyudong faults simultaneously along the middle segment of the Longmenshan thrust belt at the eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau. Field investigations constrain the surface rupture pattern, length and offsets related to the Wenchuan earthquake. The Beichuan fault has a NE-trending right-lateral reverse rupture with a total length of 240 km. Reassessment yields a maximum vertical offset of 6.5±0.5 m and a maximum right-lateral offset of 4.9±0.5 m for its northern segment, which are the largest offsets found; the maximum vertical offset is 6.2±0.5 m for its southern segment. The Pengguan fault has a NE-trending pure reverse rupture about 72 km long with a maximum vertical offset of about 3.5 m. The Xiaoyudong fault has a NW-striking left-lateral reverse rupture about 7 km long between the Beichuan and Pengguan faults, with a maximum vertical offset of 3.4 m and left-lateral offset of 3.5 m. This pattern of multiple co-seismic surface ruptures is among the most complicated of recent great earthquakes and presents a much larger danger than if they ruptured individually. The rupture length is the longest for reverse faulting events ever reported.     

嘉峪关断裂古地震活动特征及其强震危险性影响

嘉峪关断裂位于河西走廊西端,是酒西盆地和酒东盆地的分界断裂,其最新活动特征及强震危险性关系到嘉峪关地区及相关文物古迹的地震灾害问题.基于高分辨率卫星影像解译及野外考察,发现嘉峪关断裂中段由多条分支断裂组成,通过古地震探槽研究以及光释光方法测年,对断裂古地震特征进行了研究.结果表明,嘉峪关断裂最新的一次地震事件发生在约4.3~5.3 ka,之前在约20.0~21.2 ka、37.0~45.0 ka、58.1 ka分别发生过3次古地震事件.根据经验公式,嘉峪关断裂具有发生Mw7.0左右强震的潜能及危险性.在此震级下,嘉峪关城楼文物区的烈度可达到Ⅸ度,嘉峪关市区烈度会达到Ⅷ度.因此,嘉峪关断裂是本区防震减灾需重点关注的发震断层.      

龙首山南麓新发现的地震地表破裂带——兼论1954年山丹MS7?地震发震构造

基于详细的遥感解译和野外调查,发现龙首山南缘断裂发育有较新的地震地表破裂遗迹,包括断层坎、地震鼓包、河道的系统位错等断层地貌标志,破裂带总长度超过20 km,沿断裂走向其垂向位移介于0.35～4 m,水平位移介于0.3～1.9 m,龙首山南缘断裂主体表现为逆冲性质,仅在西端表现为局部左旋走滑的性质。通过剖面和探槽揭示,龙首山南麓地区全新世以来发生多次断层活动,最新的一次在约3.96 ka以来。经过与区域内的强震记录比对,认为此次新发现的地震地表破裂带可能是1954年山丹M_S 7地震所致。1954年山丹M_S 7地震在浅表沿两条断裂同时发生了地表破裂,表现为正花状构造的变形样式。这种同震位移分配现象以往多发现于走滑型地震中,此次在逆冲型地震中发现。龙首山南缘断裂地表破裂带的发现为揭示1954年山丹地震的震源过程和破裂样式提供了新的证据和思路。     

海原断裂的古地震及特征地震破裂的分级性讨论

海原断裂高湾子地点三维探槽揭露了全新世5次事件的位移量。由老至新走滑位移量分别为：5．6±2．3,1．5±1．1,1．5±1．2,2±1和7±0．5m。古地震对比反映出,晚第四纪以来断裂带发生的14次事件中,仅有2～3次事件为贯穿全断裂的破裂事件,说明古地震并不都具有1920年海原大地震的强度。特征地震和段落存在分级性。破裂分级的现象不是孤立的,但多发生在走滑断裂上。     

The 1909 Benavente (Portugal) earthquake: search for the source

The Lower Tagus River Valley has been affected by severe earthquakes comprising distant events, as in 1755, and local earthquakes, as in 1344, 1531, and 1909. The 1909 earthquake was located NE of Lisbon, near Benavente, causing serious damage and many losses. Mw 6.0 has been assessed for this earthquake and a reverse faulting focal mechanism solution has been calculated. Poor epicenter location, possible directivity and site effects, low fault slip rates, and the thick Cenozoic sedimentary cover make difficult correlation with regional structures. The focal mechanism indicates an ENE reverse fault as source, though it does not match any outcropping active structure suggesting that the event could have been produced by a blind thrust beneath the Cenozoic sedimentary fill. Hidden sources, inferred from seismic reflection data, are a possible NE structure linking the Vila Franca de Xira and the Azambuja faults, or the southern extension of the later. Evidence of surface rupturing is inhibited by the thick Holocene alluvial cover and the high fluvial sedimentation rate, though a slightly depressed area was identified in the Tagus alluvial plain W of Benavente which was investigated as possible geomorphic evidence of co-seismic surface deformation. A high-resolution seismic reflection profile was acquired across a 0.5 m high scarp at this site, and two trenches were opened across the scarp for paleoseismic research. Some deformation of dubious tectonic origin was found, requiring further studies.     

Unknown large ancient earthquakes along the Kurai fault zone (Gorny Altai): new results of palaeoseismological and archaeoseismological studies

Palaeoseismological and archaeoseismological studies in the Kurai fault zone, along which the Kurai Range is thrust onto Cenozoic deposits of the Chuya intramontane basin, led to the identification of a long reverse fault scarp 8.0 m high. The scarp segments are primary seismic deformations of large ancient earthquakes. The scarp’s morphology, results of trenching investigations, and deformations of Neogene deposits indicate a thrusting of the piedmont plain onto the Kurai Range, which is unique for the Gorny Altai. Similarly for Northern Tien Shan, we explain this by the formation of both a thrust transporting the mountain range onto the depression and a branching thrust dislocation that forms the detected fault scarp. In a trench made in one of the scarp segments, we identified the parameters of the seismogenic fault – a thrust with a 30° dipping plane. The reconstructed displacement along the fault plane is 4.8 m and the vertical displacement is 2.4 m, which indicates a 7.2–7.6 magnitude of the ancient earthquake. The ¹⁴C age of the humus-rich loamy sand from the lower part of the colluvial wedge constrains the age of the earthquake at 3403–3059 years BP. Younger than 2500 years seismogenic displacements along the fault scarp are indicated by deformations of cairn structures of the Turalu–Dzhyurt-III burial mound, which was previously dated as iron age between the second half of I BC and I AD.