H2020Individual fellowship2016–2019

PALEOSEISQUAKE · New approaches in subaqueous PALEOseismology using high‐resolution SEISmics to derive single net paleoearthQUAKEs displacement and to characterize the seismic cycle on active faults

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2016-08-01 → 2019-07-31
EU contribution
€239,191
Participants
2
Scheme
MSCA-IF

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

New approaches in subaqueous PALEOseismology using high‐resolution SEISmics to derive single net paleoearthQUAKEs displacement and to characterize the seismic cycle on active faults

PALEOSEISQUAKE: New approaches in subaqueous PALEOseismology using high‐resolution SIESmics to derive single net paleoearthQUAKEs displacement and to characterize the seismic cycle on active faults. Since the beginning of the XXI Century, our society has witnessed the occurrence of the offshore Sumatra (2004) and Japan (2010) earthquakes and subsequent tsunamis. These events has shown that understanding the earthquake history of active submarine faults is key to comprehend better the related seismic hazard and, thus, to mitigate the consequences of future events. Accordingly, the study of past earthquakes is essential in modern seismic hazard assessment. Paleoseismology is a field of research that allows to characterize past earthquakes and to determine the seismic potential of the source faults based on the interpretation of the geological record. Thus, its strength is that covers much longer periods than the instrumental or historical seismic catalogues. Subaqueous paleoseismology merge and integrate paleoseismology and marine geology to detect and describe the occurrence of paleoearthquakes on faults located underwater. The main objective of the PALEOSEISQUAKE project is to implement a new approach to characterize the seismic potential of active faults, with special emphasis on recognizing single event displacements and obtaining precise upper Quaternary slip-rates. To achieve this objective different active fault systems located in the California margin (US) and Alboran Sea (westernmost Mediterranean) have be analyzed using closely-spaced grids (pseudo 3D) or 3D PCable surveys of high-resolution seismic data to derive 3D geological models. The obtained results allow characterizing better the seismic potential of active submarine faults, improve knowledge about their behavior and determine better their seismic and tsunami hazard for the coastal areas.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The study of past earthquakes is essential in modern seismic hazard assessment. Paleoseismology is a field of research that allows to characterize past earthquakes and to determine the seismic potential of the source faults based on the interpretation of the geological record. Thus, its strength is that covers much longer periods than the instrumental or historical seismic catalogues. Subaqueous paleoseismology merge and integrate paleoseismology and marine geology to detect and describe the occurrence of paleoearthquakes on faults located underwater. Recent advances in subaqueous paleoseismology have allowed to derive the submarine paleoearthquake records directly on-faults and their individual vertical displacement. The next step now is to move towards the obtaining of net displacements per event (normal and strike-slip components) and short term net slip-rates. The main objective of the PALEOSEISQUAKE project is to implement a new approach to characterize the seismic potential of active faults, with special emphasis on recognizing single net event displacements and obtaining precise net slip-rates. To achieve this objective different active fault systems located in the California margin (US) and Alboran Sea (southeastern Iberia) will be analyzed using closely-spaced grids (pseudo 3D) or 3D PCable surveys of high-resolution (HR) seismic data to derive 3D geological models where net displacements will be calculated. The resulting methodology will give more accuracy on the Quaternary slip rates of the faults and improve scientific knowledge about their behavior, but, also, reduce the uncertainties on the data used by scientists and civil protection authorities involved in seismic hazard assessment. PALEOSEISQUAKE is an original and innovative project that aims to develop a new scientific approach using modern analysis techniques, and will represent a step forward in subaqueous paleoseismology.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS · MadridCoordinatorSpain
  • THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA · OaklandUnited States

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union