Geodynamics of the France Southeast Basin

2010 ◽  
Vol 181 (6) ◽  
pp. 477-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xavier Le Pichon ◽  
Claude Rangin ◽  
Youri Hamon ◽  
Nicolas Loget ◽  
Jin Ying Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Activity ◽  
Sedimentary Cover ◽  
Central Basin ◽  
The South ◽  
Western Basin ◽  
Active Deformation ◽  
The North ◽  
The Alps ◽  
Sediment Cover ◽  
Surrounding Areas

AbstractWe investigate the geodynamics of the Southeast Basin with the help of maps of the basement and of major sedimentary horizons based on available seismic reflection profiles and drill holes. We also present a study of the seismicity along the Middle Durance fault. The present seismic activity of the SE Basin cannot be attributed to the Africa/Eurasia shortening since spatial geodesy demonstrates that there is no significant motion of Corsica-Sardinia with respect to Eurasia and since gravitational collapse of the Alps has characterized the last few millions years. Our study demonstrates that the basement of this 140 by 200 km Triassic basin has been essentially undeformed since its formation, most probably because of the hardening of the cooling lithosphere after its 50% thinning during the Triassic distension. The regional geodynamics are thus dominated by the interaction of this rigid unit with the surrounding zones of active deformation. The 12 km thick Mesozoic sediment cover includes at its base an up to 4 km thick mostly evaporitic Triassic layer that is hot and consequently highly fluid. The sedimentary cover is thus decoupled from the basement. As a result, the sedimentary cover does not have enough strength to produce reliefs exceeding about 500 to 750 m. That the deformation and seismicity affecting the basin are the results of cover tectonics is confirmed by the fact that seismic activity in the basin only affects the sedimentary cover. Based on our mapping of the structure of the basin, we propose a simple mechanism accounting for the Neogene deformation of the sedimentary cover. The formation of the higher Alps has first resulted to the north in the shortening of the Diois-Baronnies sedimentary cover that elevated the top of Jurassic horizons by about 4 km with respect to surrounding areas to the south and west. There was thus passage from a brittle-ductile basement decollement within the higher Alps to an evaporitic decollement within the Diois-Baronnies. This shortening and consequent elevation finally induced the southward motion of the basin cover south of the Lure mountain during and after the Middle Miocene. This southward motion was absorbed by the formation of the Luberon and Trévaresse mountains to the south. To the east of the Durance fault, there is no large sediment cover. The seismicity there, is related to the absorption of the Alps collapse within the basement itself. To the west of the Salon-Cavaillon fault, on the other hand, gravity induces a NNE motion of the sedimentary cover with extension to the south and shortening to the north near Mont Ventoux. When considering the seismicity of this area, it is thus important to distinguish between the western Basin panel, west of the Salon-Cavaillon fault affected by very slow NNE gliding of the sedimentary cover, with extension to the south and shortening to the north; the central Basin panel west of the Durance fault with S gliding of the sedimentary cover and increasing shortening to the south; and finally the basement panel east of the Durance fault with intrabasement absorption of the Alps collapse through strike-slip and thrust faults.

The arc of the Western Alps : understanding its kinematics and formation mechanisms based on new structural and paleomagnetic datas, and thermo-mechanical modelling.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quentin Brunsmann ◽  
Claudio Rosenberg ◽  
Nicolas Bellahsen ◽  
Laetitia Le Pourhiet
Keyword(s):  
Western Alps ◽  
Strike Slip ◽  
Rheological Parameters ◽  
The South ◽  
Adriatic Plate ◽  
The North ◽  
Field Evidence ◽  
Internal Zone ◽  
The Alps ◽  
East West

<p>The Alps have an overall East-West orientation, which changes radically in their western termination, where they rotate southward into a N-S strike, and then eastward into an E-W strike, forming the arc of the Western Alps. This arc is commonly inferred to have formed during collision, due to indentation of the Adriatic plate into the European continental margin. Several models attempted to provide a kinematic explanation for the formation of this arched, lateral end of the Alps. Indeed, the radial nature of the transport directions observed along the arc of the Western Alps cannot be explained by a classic convergence model.<br>For more than 50 years the formation of this arc was been associated to westward-directed indentation of Adria, accommodated along East-West oriented strike-slip faults, a sinistral one in the South of the arc and a dextral one in the North. The dextral one correspond to the Insubric Fault. The sinistral strike-slip zone, inferred to be localized along the «Stura corridor» (Piedmont, Italy) would correspond to a displacement of 100 to 150 km according to palaeogeographical, and geometric analyses. However, field evidence is scarce and barely documented in the literature.<br>Vertical axis rotations of the Adriatic indenter also inferred to be syn-collisional could have influenced the acquisition of the morphology of the arc. Paleomagnetic analyses carried out in the Internal Zone and in the Po plain suggest a southward increading amount of counter-clockwise rotation of the Adriatic plate and the Internal Zone, varying from 20°-25° in the North to nearly 120° in the South.<br>Dextral shear zones possibly accommodating this rotation in some conceptual models is observed in several places below the Penninic Front and affect the Argentera massif to the south. However, the measured displacement quantities do not appear to be equivalent to those induced by such rotations.<br>The present study aims to constrain the kinematic evolution of the arc of the Western Alps through a multidisciplinary approach. The first aspect of this project is the structural analysis of the area (Stura corridor) inferred to accommodate large sinistral displacements allowing for the westward indentation of the Adriatic indenter. We discuss the general lack of field evidence supporting sinistral strike-slip movements, in contrast to large-scale compilation of structures suggesting the possible occurrence of such displacement. The second part consists of a palaeomagnetic study, in which new data are integred with a compilation of already existing data. This compilation shows that several parts of the arc in the External Zone did not suffer any Cenozoic rotations, hence suggesting that a proto-arc already axisted at the onset collision, as suggested by independent evidence of some paleogeographic reconstruction. Finally, 2D and 3D thermo-mechanical modeling in using the pTatin3D code is used to test which structural (geometrical), and rheological parameters affected the first-order morphology of the Western Alpin arc and its kinematics. The synthesis of these different approaches allows us to propose a new model explaining the kinematics and the mechanisms of formation of the Western Alps arc.</p>

scholarly journals Convergence of the Pamir and the South Tian Shan in the late Cenozoic: Insights from provenance analysis in the Wuheshalu section at the convergence area

Lithosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 507-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinwei Chen ◽  
Hanlin Chen ◽  
Edward R. Sobel ◽  
Xiubin Lin ◽  
Xiaogan Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Source Area ◽  
Limited Area ◽  
Late Cenozoic ◽  
Provenance Analysis ◽  
The South ◽  
Active Deformation ◽  
The North ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Tian Shan

Abstract In response to collision and convergence between India and Asia during the Cenozoic, convergence took place between the Pamir and South Tian Shan. Here we present new detrital zircon U-Pb ages coupled with conglomerate clast counting and sedimentary data from the late Cenozoic Wuheshalu section in the convergence zone, to shed light on the convergence process of the Pamir and South Tian Shan. Large Triassic zircon U-Pb age populations in all seven samples suggest that Triassic igneous rocks from the North Pamir were the major source area for the late Cenozoic Wuheshalu section. In the Miocene, large populations of the North Pamir component supports rapid exhumation in the North Pamir and suggest that topography already existed there since the early Miocene. Exhumation of the South Tian Shan was relatively less important in the Miocene and its detritus could only reach a limited area in the foreland area. Gradually increasing sediment loading and convergence of the Pamir and South Tian Shan caused rapid subsidence in the convergence area. Since ca. 6–5.3 Ma, the combination of a major North Pamir component and a minor South Tian Shan component at the Wuheshalu section is consistent with active deformation of the South Tian Shan and the North Pamir. During deposition of the upper Atushi Formation, a larger proportion of North Pamir–derived sediments was deposited in the Wuheshalu section, maybe because faulting and northward propagation of the North Pamir caused northward displacement of the depocenter to north of the Wuheshalu section.

Tectonophysique comparee des chaines telliennes et rifaines

1952 ◽  
Vol S6-II (7-9) ◽  
pp. 619-639
Author(s):  
Louis Glangeaud
Keyword(s):  
Fourth Order ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Second Order ◽  
North African ◽  
The South ◽  
Structural Interpretation ◽  
The North ◽  
The Alps

Abstract Correlates the structure and evolution of the Atlas ranges of the Tell and Rif regions and presents a general structural interpretation of the north African coastal region. The Miocene thrusts in the south are local regional adjustments (of the fourth order) to second-order processes occurring farther to the north--compression of the Alps in upper Nummulitic time (Tertiary).

scholarly journals Oligocene-Miocene extension led to mantle exhumation in the central Ligurian Basin, Western Alpine Domain

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anke Dannowski ◽  
Heidrun Kopp ◽  
Ingo Grevemeyer ◽  
Dietrich Lange ◽  
Martin Thowart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Data ◽  
Sedimentary Cover ◽  
Seafloor Spreading ◽  
Wide Angle ◽  
The South ◽  
Seismic Line ◽  
Acoustic Basement ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Ligurian Basin

Abstract. The Ligurian Basin is located in the Mediterranean Sea to the north-west of Corsica at the transition from the western Alpine orogen to the Apennine system and was generated by the south-eastward trench retreat of the Apennines-Calabrian subduction zone. Late Oligocene to Miocene rifting caused continental extension and subsidence, leading to the opening of the basin. Yet, it still remains enigmatic if rifting caused continental break-up and seafloor spreading. To reveal its lithospheric architecture, we acquired a state of the art seismic refraction and wide-angle reflection profile in the Ligurian Basin. The seismic line was recorded in the framework of SPP2017 4D-MB, the German component of the European AlpArray initiative, and trends in a NE-SW direction at the centre of the Ligurian Basin, roughly parallel to the French coastline. The seismic data recorded on the newly developed GEOLOG recorder, designed at GEOMAR, are dominated by sedimentary refractions and show mantle Pn arrivals at offsets of up to 70 km and a very prominent wide-angle Moho reflection. The main features share several characteristics (i.e. offset range, continuity) generally associated with continental settings rather than documenting oceanic crust emplaced by seafloor spreading. Seismic tomography results are augmented by gravity data and yield a 7.5–8 km thick sedimentary cover which is directly underlain by serpentinised mantle material at the south-western end of the profile. The acoustic basement at the north-eastern termination is interpreted to be continental crust, thickening towards the NE. Our study reveals that the oceanic domain does not extend as far north as previously assumed and that extension led to extreme continental thinning and exhumation of sub-continental mantle which eventually became serpentinised.

Geophysical modeling of Devonian plutons in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence: implications for Appalachian terrane boundaries in Maritime Canada

2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (11) ◽  
pp. 1551-1565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori A Cook ◽  
Sonya A Dehler ◽  
Sandra M Barr
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Anomaly ◽  
Prince Edward Island ◽  
Sedimentary Cover ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Physical Property ◽  
Gravity Anomalies ◽  
The South ◽  
Cape Breton Island ◽  
The North ◽  
Cape Breton

A prominent positive magnetic anomaly spans the 100 km distance between Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton Island in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. The anomaly occurs in an area of complex structure where Appalachian terrane boundaries are poorly resolved because of thick late Paleozoic sedimentary cover. Analysis of the magnetic anomaly led to the interpretation that it is produced by four separate, approximately circular, source bodies aligned along the northwesterly trend of the anomaly. Seismic data, physical property measurements, and magnetic and gravity anomalies were used to further investigate the anomaly sources through forward modeling techniques. The four source bodies have densities and magnetic susceptibilities compatible with dioritic to granitic compositions. Modeling also suggests that basement to the north of the plutons has higher density and susceptibility than basement to the south, and hence the source bodies are interpreted as plutons emplaced along the boundary between Ganderian composite terranes to the north and the Ganderian Brookville – Bras d’Or terrane to the south. This interpretation suggests that the Ganderia–Avalonia boundary is located farther south, and shows the need for re-evaluation of the location and role of the Canso fault in offsetting terranes between Cape Breton Island and southern New Brunswick.

PALEOSEISMOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS AT THE FRONT OF THE EASTERN SOUTHERN ALPS (NE Italy)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Patricelli ◽  
Maria Eliana Poli ◽  
Giovanni Paiero ◽  
Giovanni Monegato ◽  
Francesco Marinoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Damage Zone ◽  
Southern Alps ◽  
Alluvial Fan ◽  
The South ◽  
Active Deformation ◽  
The North ◽  
Ne Italy ◽  
Structural Framework ◽  
Accademia Dei Lincei ◽  
The Village

<p>In the framework of the III level Seismic Microzonation of the Pieve del Grappa municipality (Treviso, NE Italy), three paleoseismological trenches were dug, in order to investigate activity and capacity of the Crespano del Grappa backthrust.</p><p>The study area is located in the Veneto foothills, where the Plio-Quaternary external front of the Eastern Southern Alps (Castellarin and Cantelli, 2000) presently propagates with a 2-3 mm/y velocity towards the south (Serpelloni et al., 2016). The external front is composed of a series of arcuated WSW-ENE striking, S verging structures (Galadini et al, 2005). Moreover, the area is characterized by a medium-to-low seismicity with only one M>6 earthquake during the last millennium: the 1695 Asolo event, Mw 6.45 (Rovida et al., 2016).</p><p>Regarding the structural framework, the study area is located between the Bassano-Vittorio Veneto Thrust to the north and the Bassano-Cornuda Thrust to the south. The investigated tectonic structure, i.e. the Bassano-Cornuda backthrust, is a N-verging E-W striking reverse structure. Moving from east to the west, it widely crops out near the Castelcucco village, causing a hundred meters displacement in the Miocene Molasse (Braga, 1970). In particular in Crespano village the thrust is responsible of an about 10 m vertical throw in the Quaternary alluvial conglomerates of Lastego river (Parinetto, 1987). Because of the urbanization, the paleoseismological trenches were realized at the eastern (Col Canil) and western (San Vito) borders of the village. In the former case, the trench cut through thick colluvial deposits that probably buried an abandoned valley. Differently, the second and the third trenches affected wide coalescent LGM alluvial fans, which border the southern slope of Mt. Grappa.</p><p>The results testify an intense Pleistocene-Holocene deformation of the Crespano del Grappa backthrust. Particularly, active deformation evidence deals with:</p><ul><li>back-tilting of the Holocene colluvial units;</li> <li>pronounced polyphasic liquefaction episodes, locally completely altering the sedimentary structures of colluvial units;</li> <li>a wide damage zone in the proximity of the morphological scarp and associated with the peak of the induced polarization. This observation testifies that the Crespano del Grappa backthrust reached the surface and displaced topography in the past, probably at the occurrence of one or more events which generated the paleoliquefaction effects;</li> <li>the 3-4 m displacement of the LGM alluvial fan deposits.</li> </ul><p>Concerning the age of the deformation, the dating of the involved units suggests a post LGM activation, probably recent-to-historical.</p><p> </p><p>REFERENCES</p><p>Braga GP, 1970. Rendiconti Fisici dell’Accademia dei Lincei, serie 8, 48(4): 451-455.</p><p>Castellarin A. and Cantelli L., 2000. Journal of Geodynamics. DOI: 10.1016/S0264-3707(99)00036-8.</p><p>Galadini et al., 2005. Geophysical Journal International. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2005.02571.x.</p><p>Parinetto A., 1987. Aspetti morfotettonici del versante meridionale del Grappa e delle colline antistanti. Unpublished degree thesis. University of Padova, Italy.</p><p>Rovida et al., 2016. DOI: http://doi.org/10.6092/INGV.IT-CPTI15.</p><p>Serpelloni et al., 2016. Tectonophysics, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2016.09.026.</p>

Geodynamic study of the north of the Andes block (Colombia, Panama, Ecuador and Venezuela) through gnss-gps: models of displacements, models of deformation and definition of local and regional geodynamic structures.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berrocoso Manuel ◽  
Del Valle Arroyo Pablo Emilio ◽  
Colorado Jaramillo David Julián ◽  
Gárate Jorge ◽  
Fernández-Ros Alberto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Seismic Activity ◽  
Great Part ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
South American ◽  
The South ◽  
South American Plate ◽  
Northern Andes ◽  
Velocity Models ◽  
The North

<p>The northwest of South America is conformed by the territories of Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. Great part of these territories make up the Northern Andes Block (BAN). The tectonic and volcanic activity in the northwest of South America is directly related to the interaction of the South American plate, and the Nazca and Caribbean plates, with the Maracaibo and Panama-Chocó micro plates. The high seismic activity and the high magnitude of the recorded earthquakes make any study necessary to define this complex geodynamic region more precisely. This work presents the velocity models obtained through GNSS-GPS observations obtained in public continuous monitoring stations in the region. The observations of the Magna-eco network (Agustín Codazzi Geographic Institute) are integrated with models already obtained by other authors from the observations of the GEORED network (Colombian Geological Service). The observations have been processed using Bernese software v.52 using the PPP technique; obtaining topocentric time series. To obtain the speeds, a process of filtering and adjustment of the topocentric series has been carried out. Based on this velocity model, regional structures have been defined within the Northern Andes Block through a differentiation process based on the corresponding speeds of the South American, Nazca and Caribbean tectonic plates. Local geodynamic structures within the BAN itself have been established through cluster analysis based on both the direction and the magnitude of each of the vectors obtained. Finally, these structures have been correlated with the most significant geodynamic elements (fractures, faults, subduction processes, etc.) and with the associated seismic activity.</p>

scholarly journals New Insights on the Impact of Tidal Currents on a Low-gradient, Semi-enclosed, Epicontinental Basin—the Curtis Formation, East-central Utah, USA

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 131-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentin Zuchuat ◽  
Arve R.N. Sleveland ◽  
Douglas A. Sprinkel ◽  
Algirdas Rimkus ◽  
Alvar Braathen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Seismic Activity ◽  
Late Jurassic ◽  
The South ◽  
East Central ◽  
The North ◽  
Facies Associations ◽  
Composite Nature ◽  
Sandy Substratum ◽  
Deformational Event

Based on a methodic sedimentological analysis, the Late Jurassic (Oxfordian) Curtis Formation unravels the intricate facies variability which occurs in a tide-dominated, fluvially starved, low-gradient, semi-enclosed epicontinental basin. This unit crops out in east-central Utah, between the eolian deposits of the underlying Middle Jurassic (Callovian) Entrada Sandstone, from which it is separated by the J-3 unconformity, and the conformable overlying supratidal Summerville Formation of Oxfordian age. A high-resolution sedimentary analysis of the succession led to the recognition of eight facies associations (FA) with six sub-facies associations. Based on the specific three-dimensional arrangement of these eight facies associations, it is proposed to separate the Curtis Formation into three sub-units: the lower, middle and upper Curtis. The J-3 unconformity defines the base of the lower Curtis, which consists of upper shoreface to beach deposits (FA 2), mud-domi­nated (FA 3a) and sand-dominated heterolithic subtidal flat (FA 3b), sand-rich sub- to supratidal flat (FA 4a) and correlative tidal channel infill (FA 4c). It is capped by the middle Curtis, which coincides with the sub- to intertidal channel-dune-flat complex of FA 5, and its lower boundary corresponds to a transgressive surface of regional extent, identified as the Major Transgressive Surface (MTS). This surface suggests a potential correlation between the middle and the upper Curtis and the neighboring Todilto Member of the Wanakah Forma­tion or Todilto Formation. The upper Curtis consists of the heterolithic upper sub- to intertidal flat (FA 6) and coastal dry eolian dunes belonging to the Moab Member of the Curtis Formation (FA 7), and it conformably overlies the middle Curtis. The spatial distribution of these sub-units supports the distinction of three different sectors across the study area: sector 1 in the north, sector 2 in the south-southwest, and sector 3 in the east. In sector 1, the Curtis Formation is represented by its three sub-units, whereas sector 2 is dominated by the middle and upper Curtis, and sector 3 encompasses the extent of the Moab Member of the Curtis Formation. This study also highlights the composite nature of the J-3 unconformity, which was impacted by various processes occurring before the Curtis Formation was deposited, as well as during the development of the lower and middle Curtis. Local collapse features within the lower and middle Curtis are linked to sand fluid over­pressure within a remobilized sandy substratum, potentially triggered by seismic activity. Furthermore, the occurrence of a sub-regional angular relationship between the middle Curtis and substratum implies that the area of study was impacted by a regional deformational event during the Late Jurassic, before the deposition of the middle Curtis. The spatial distribution of these sub-units supports the distinction of three different sectors across the study area: sector 1 in the north, sector 2 in the south-southwest, and sector 3 in the east. In sector 1, the Curtis For­mation is represented by its three sub-units, whereas sector 2 is dominated by the middle and upper Curtis, and sector 3 encompasses the extent of the Moab Member of the Curtis Formation. This study also highlights the composite nature of the J-3 unconformity, which was impacted by various processes occurring before the Curtis Formation was deposited, as well as during the development of the lower and middle Curtis. Local collapse features within the lower and middle Curtis are linked to sand fluid over­pressure within a remobilized sandy substratum, potentially triggered by seismic activity. Furthermore, the occurrence of a sub-regional angular relationship between the middle Curtis and substratum implies that the area of study was impacted by a regional deformational event during the Late Jurassic, before the deposition of the middle Curtis.

scholarly journals Descriptive text to the Geological map of Greenland, 1:100 000, Kilen 81 Ø.1 Syd

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-29
Author(s):  
Kristian Svennevig ◽  
Peter Alsen ◽  
Pierpaolo Guarnieri ◽  
Jussi Hovikoski ◽  
Bodil Wesenberg Lauridsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hanging Wall ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Normal Faults ◽  
The South ◽  
Thrust Sheet ◽  
Basin Inversion ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Geological Map ◽  
Surrounding Areas

The geological map sheet of Kilen in 1:100 000 scale covers the south-eastern part of the Carboniferous– Palaeogene Wandel Sea Basin in eastern North Greenland. The map area is dominated by the Flade Isblink ice cap, which separates several minor isolated landmasses. On the semi-nunatak of Kilen, the map is mainly based on oblique photogrammetry and stratigraphical field work while in Erik S. Henius Land, Nordostrundingen and northern Amdrup Land the map is based on field data collected during previous, 1:500 000 scale regional mapping. Twenty-one Palaeozoic–Mesozoic mappable units were identified on Kilen, while the surrounding areas comprise the Late Cretaceous Nakkehoved Formation to the north-east and the Late Carboniferous Foldedal Formation to the south-west. On Kilen, the description of Jurassic–Cretaceous units follows a recently published lithostratigraphy. The Upper Palaeozoic–lowermost Cretaceous strata comprise seven formations and an informal mélange unit. The overlying Lower–Upper Cretaceous succession comprises the Galadriel Fjeld and Sølverbæk Formations, which are subdivided into six and five units, respectively. In addition, the Quaternary Ymer Formation was mapped on south-east Kilen. The Upper Palaeozoic to Mesozoic strata of Kilen are faulted and folded. Several post-Coniacian NNW–SSE-trending normal faults are identified and found to be passively folded by a later N–S compressional event. A prominent subhorizontal fault, the Central Detachment, separates two thrust sheets, the Kilen Thrust Sheet in the footwall and the Hondal Elv Thrust Sheet in the hanging wall. The style of deformation and the structures found on Kilen are caused by compressional tectonics resulting in post-extensional, presumably Early Eocene, folding and thrusting and basin inversion. The structural history of the surrounding areas and their relation to Kilen await further studies.

scholarly journals 1881 and 1949 earthquakes at the Chios-Cesme Strait (Aegean Sea) and their relation to tsunamis

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 717-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Altinok ◽  
B. Alpar ◽  
N. Özer ◽  
C. Gazioglu
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Activity ◽  
Aegean Sea ◽  
Normal Faults ◽  
Natural Phenomena ◽  
Sea Waves ◽  
The South ◽  
Izmir Bay ◽  
Moderate Size ◽  
The North ◽  
Narrow Bays

Abstract. The most earthquake-prone areas in the eastern central Aegean Sea are the Izmir Bay, the Karaburun peninsula and the island of Chios. The level of seismic activity and tsunami potential are influenced by the presence of normal faults around the region. There have been about 20 moderate-size earthquakes from 496 BC to 1949 AD. Among these earthquakes, the ones on the dates 20 March 1389, 13 November 1856, 19/22 January 1866, 3 April 1881 and 23 July 1949 produced tsunamis. The Chios-Cesme earthquake (1881, Mw 6.5) took place in the South of the Cesme strait while the Chios-Karaburun earthquake (1949, Mw 6.7) occurred in the North. The tsunamis caused by the earthquakes affected the coasts of Chios Island and Cesme. These waves are thought to be associated with the earthquakes and co-seismic underwater failures possibly occurred along the coasts of the Chios Island and Karaburun Peninsula or on the complex subaqueous morphology between these lands. Some sea waves or oscillations observed following the aftershocks are believed to be related to other natural phenomena; e.g. the seiches occurred mainly in open-narrow bays as triggered by the earthquakes.

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