Kinematic and dynamic array of the alpine deformations in alto Tajo area (Guadalajara)

The geological macrostructure of Alto Tajo is defined by several N1500E dextral strike-slip faults with related secundary structures. The former set of faults together with others N-S sinistral strike-slip faults delimited areas in transtension and transpession. Four tectonic phases have been detected by means of microstructural analysis: N600E compression; N1500E compression (the main deformation phase). N-S compression, without important structures asociated and a last episode of radial extension.Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasFALSEpu

Paleoseismological analysis of late Miocene lacustrine successions in the Prebetic Zone, SE Spain

El estudio paleosismológico en las cuencas neógenas (Mioceno superior) lacustres del Prebético de Albacete ha sido abordado mediante un enfoque multidisciplinar para poder extrapolar los datos paleosímicos a la actualidad. Dicho enfoque integra las siguientes disciplinas: estratigrafía, análisis estructural, análisis de la sismicidad y paleosismología. El estudio paleosismológico se ha realizado en depósitos de facies someras y profundas, ya que los sedimentos de ambas zonas presentan un comportamiento diferente frente a la deforrmación. Las sismitas localizadas en sedimentos someros fueron generadas por fenómenos de licuefacción y son: diques de arena, estructuras en almohadilla y licuefacción y fracturación en gr avas. Las zonas profundas presentan estructuras más diversas: loop bedding, alteración de la estructura planar de va rvas, niveles de mezcla y pseudonódulos. Las sismitas estudiadas se pueden utilizar como indicadores de intervalos de magnitudes sísmicas. Las estructuras se orientan sistemáticamente según los campos de esfuerzo reciente y actual (que se mantienen desde el Mioceno superior hasta la actualidad): NW-SE y NE-SW. Éste es un punto que permite relacionar genéticamente la tectónica y las sismitas. Se ha utilizado el carácter anual de la sedimentación va rvada para datar de forma relativa las estructuras y establecer periodos de recurrencia de paleoterremotos. El intervalo de recurrencia medio está próximo a los 130 años (9.446 años de registro total y 73 eventos datados), el intervalo máximo es de 454 años y el mínimo de 23 años y la magnitud media estimada es de 5,1. Se ha aplicado la ley de Gutenberg-Richter a los datos paleosísmicos y de sismicidad actual y se obtienen valores del parámetro "b" muy similares, próximos a 0,86. Todas estas premisas indican que las condiciones de la sismicidad en el Mioceno superior fueron muy similares a las actuales.A paleoseismological study of late Miocene lacustrine sediments was carried out in the Neogene basins of the Prebetic Zone in Albacete (Spain). We developed a multidisciplinary methodology which could be used to extrapolate the paleoseismic data to the present day. This multidisciplinary approach includes different disciplines, i.e. stratigraphy, structural analysis, seismological analysis and paleoseismology. Paleoseismological analysis was focussed on both shallow and deep lake deposits given that these sediments behave differently in different deformation fields. The seismites formed in shallow sediments were generated by liquefaction and include: sand dikes, pillow structures and intruded and fractured gr avels. The deep lake deposits show varied structures, such as loop bedding, disturbed varved lamination, mixed layers and pseudonodules. Seismites indicate paleoearthquake magnitude intervals. The trends of the seismites are usually oriented ve ry close to the stress field trends (from the late Miocene to the Present): NW-SE and NE-SW trends. This constitutes a link between tectonics and seismites. The va rved annual sedimentation evidenced by the deep lake facies was used as a relative dating method. Mixed layers were employed as paleoseismic indicators to calculate the earthquake recurrence interval. The mean recurrence interval is close to 130 years (9446 years of total record with 73 dated events), one maximum interval of 454 years and one minimum interval of 23 years and the mean estimated magnitude value is 5.1. The Gutenberg-Richter relationship shows similar "b" values close to 0.86 from paleoseismological and seismological data. This suggests that the seismic conditions have been similar since the late Miocene

Seismic effects in archaeological sites: Archaeoseismological cataloguing and quantification

The analysis of the damage caused by seismic events in archaeological sites provides significant information about ancient and historic earthquakes that can improve seismic hazard analysis. In this paper a methodological analysis to quantify the deformation of structural damage recorded in archaeological sites is proposed. This methodology focuses on the establishment of the seismic/non-seismic origin of the observed damage and consists of three phases: (a) identification and inventory of damage; (b) quantification of deformation; and (c) incorporation of the results to seismic catalogues. The first phase is the inventory and mapping of the damage according with the classification of archaeological effects of earthquakes (EAEs). The second phase is to quantify the deformation of damage by setting different parameters such as the direction of maximum horizontal strain (ey). This analysis is performed at different levels: for each of the recorded EAEs, for all the records of a particular category of EAEs, and finally for the complete archaeological site including all the categories of EAEs. The homogeneity of the results (damage orientation) allows us to establish the seismic origin of deformations. This methodology has been developed in the Roman site of Baelo Claudia (Cádiz, Spain) and has been applied to different historical earthquakes in the Iberian Peninsula. To calibrate the method, analyses on oriented damage were carried out immediately after the recent instrumental earthquakes of Lorca 2011 (5.1 Mw, Spain) and Emilia Romagna 2012 (5.9 Mw; Italy).The analysis of the damage caused by seismic events in archaeological sites provides significant information about ancient and historic earthquakes that can improve seismic hazard analysis. In this paper a methodological analysis to quantify the deformation of structural damage recorded in archaeological sites is proposed. This methodology focuses on the establishment of the seismic / non-seismic origin of the observed damage and consists of three phases: (a) identification and inventory of damage; (b) quantification of deformation; and (c) incorporation of the results to seismic catalogues. The first phase is the inventory and mapping of the damage according with the classification of archaeological effects of earthquakes (EAEs). The second phase is to quantify the deformation of damage by setting different parameters such as the direction of maximum horizontal strain (ey). This analysis is performed at different levels: for each of the recorded EAEs, for all the records of a particular category of EAEs, and finally for the complete archaeological site including all the categories of EAEs. The homogeneity of the results (damage orientation) allows us to establish the seismic origin of deformations. This methodology has been developed in the Roman site of Baelo Claudia (Cádiz, Spain) and has been applied to different historical earthquakes in the Iberian Peninsula. To calibrate the method, analyses on oriented damage were carried out immediately after the recent instrumental earthquakes of Lorca 2011 (5.1 Mw, Spain) and Emilia Romagna 2012 (5.9 Mw; Italy).Este trabajo ha sido financiado por los proyectos CGL2015-67169-P (QTECTSPAIN, USAL) y CATESI-07 (IGME). Es una contribución al INQUA TERPRO Project 1299 y a los grupos de trabajo QTECT-AEQUA y GQMAEQU

Alpine structure and evolution of central Spain

Dirección General de Investigación Científica y Técnica; PB91-039

Catalogue of the geological effects of earthquakes in Spain based on the ESI-07 macroseismic scale: A new database for seismic hazard analysis

This paper summarizes the content and scope of the “Catalogue of Earthquake Geological Effects in Spain”. The catalogue has been published by the Geological Survey of Spain (IGME) and constitutes the first official publication (in Spain) on seismic hazard containing geological information. The catalogue gathers the 51 stronger earthquakes that have occurred in Spain since the Neolithic period to the present and classifies earthquakes with geological or archaeological seismic records in paleoseismic, ancient, historical and instrumental earthquakes. The catalogue offers a variety of parametric information, quality indexes (Qe, Qi, Qg), and Environmental Seismic Intensity Scale (ESI-07) based description of environmental damage structured in individual “event files”. Sixteen of the 51 catalogued events present full information files (full event files), with individualized analyses of the geological and geoarchaeological data as well as graphic information with hybrid ESI-EMS intensity maps, ShakeMaps (seismic scenarios) and complementary kmz files (Google Earth) for each of the sixteen selected earthquakes; among which is the well-known AD 1755 Lisbon earthquake-tsunami. These selected earthquakes present individual environmental earthquake effects (EEE) or earthquake archaeoseismological effects (EAE) files for each catalogued effect containing specific site geo-information and graphic data (photos, graphs, maps, etc.). The second edition of the catalogue record 1027 EEEs and 187 EAEs, of which 322 effects have individual filesThis research was funded by the Spanish Research Project MINECO-FEDER CGL2015-67169-P (QTECSPAIN-USAL). This is contribution of the QTECT-AEQUA Working Group

Paleogeografía sísmica de zonas costeras en la Península Ibérica: su impacto en el análisis de terremotos antiguos e históricos en España

This paper presents three examples of ancient earthquakes occurring in coastal areas of the S and SE of the Iberian Peninsula (218 BC, AD 40-60 and AD 1048) with the aim of illustrating the use of geological and archaeological data in their macroseismic characterization. Historical information for ancient earthquakes that occurred in Spain prior to the 10th century is scarce or non-existent. This paper shows that the current state of knowledge on palaeoseismology and archaeoseismology on these ancient events clearly exceeds the existing historical information allowing the increase of macroseismic information points by using the ESI-07 scale (Environmental Seismic Intensity). Consequently, the geologic analyses of ancient earthquakes contribute to their understanding and parametric evaluations, and improve further advances in seismic hazard assessments. The most significant issue outlined in the present paper is the analysis of the ancient palaeogeography of the affected areas. The studied examples analysed were located in open estuarine areas that have been filled by fluvial sediments or anthropogenic fills over time. The effects of the 218 BC earthquake-tsunami event in the Gulf of Cadiz are analysed in estuarine areas, and especially in the ancient Roman Lagus Ligustinus (Guadalquivir Depression marshes); the effects of the earthquake in AD 40-60 is analysed in the old Roman city of Baelo Claudia located in the Bolonia Bay (Strait of Gibraltar); and the effects of the earthquake of AD 1048on the ancient Sinus Ilicitanus (Bajo Segura Depression) during Muslim times. Descriptions from Roman and Arabic geographers are cross-checked with existing palaeogeographic models based on geological data. This type of analysis results in ancient macroseismic scenarios for the interpretation of theoretical distributions of intensities and environmental effects supporting the concept of “seismic palaeogeography” proposed in this paperEl presente trabajo recoge tres ejemplos de terremotos antiguos (218 AC, 40-60 AD y 1048 AD) ocurridos en zonas litorales del S y SO de la Península Ibérica con la intención de ilustrar el uso de datos geológicos y ar¬queológicos en la caracterización macrosísmica de los mismos. En la mayor parte de los sísmos ocurridos con anterioridad al siglo X d.C. la información documental histórica que se posee es muy escasa o inexistente. El presente trabajo muestra que el actual estado de conocimiento en paleosismología y arqueosismologia sobre este tipo de terremotos sobrepasa con creces la información documental histórica, permitiendo la multiplica¬ción de los puntos de información macrosísmica mediante el uso de la escala ESI-07 (Environmental Seismic Intensity). Consecuentemente, el análisis geológico de los terremotos antiguos mejora su conocimiento y análisis paramétrico, permitiendo avanzar la evaluación de la peligrosidad sísmica de las zonas afectadas. El aspecto que se pone de especial relieve en este trabajo es el análisis de la paleogeografía existente en la antigüedad, ya que todas las zonas (afectadas) analizadas en este trabajo corresponden a zonas estuarinas abiertas que se han ido rellenado por aportes fluviales o de forma artificial con el tiempo. Se analizan los efectos del terremoto de 218 AC en las zonas estuarinas del Golfo de Cádiz y muy especialmente en el antiguo Lacus Ligustinus (marismas del Guadalquivir) durante época romana; los efectos del terremoto de 40-60 AD en la antigua Bahía de Baelo Claudia (Estrecho de Gibraltar); y los efectos del terremoto de 1048 AD en el antiguo Sinus ilicitanus (Depresión del Bajo Segura) durante época musulmana. Se han cotejado descripciones de geógrafos romanos y árabes con modelos basados en datos geológicos. Este tipo de análisis ha permitido generar antiguos escenarios macrosísmicos basados en la paleogeografía y reinterpretar las distribuciones teóricas de intensidades y los efectos ambientales de los terremotos estudiados que es a lo que se refiere el concepto de “paleogeografía sísmica” propuesto en este trabajoThis work has been funded by the Spanish-FEDER research projects CGL2012-37281 C02.01 (QTECTBETICA-USAL), CGL2012-33430 (CSIC) and CGL2013-42847-R (UNED

La Base de Datos de Fallas Activas en el Cuaternario de Iberia (QAFI v.2.0)

ABSTRACT. The Quaternary Active Faults Database of Iberia (QAFI) is an initiative lead by the Institute of Geology and Mines of Spain (IGME) for building a public repository of scientific data regarding faults having documented activity during the last 2.59 Ma (Quaternary). QAFI also addresses a need to transfer geologic knowledge to practitioners of seismic hazard and risk in Iberia by identifying and characterizing seismogenic fault-sources. QAFI is populated by the information freely provided by more than 40 Earth science researchers, storing to date a total of 262 records. In this article we describe the development and evolution of the database, as well as its internal architecture. Additionally, a first global analysis of the data is provided with a special focus on length and slip-rate fault parameters. Finally, the database completeness and the internal consistency of the data are discussed. Even though QAFI v.2.0 is the most current resource for calculating fault-related seismic hazard in Iberia, the database is still incomplete and requires further review.RESUMEN. La Base de Datos de Fallas Activas de Iberia (QAFI) es una iniciativa promovida por el Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME) para construir un repositorio público de información científica sobre fallas con actividad en los últimos 2,59 Ma (Cuaternario). Además, la QAFI persigue establecer una base sobre la que facilitar la transferencia de conocimiento geológico al ámbito tecnológico de la gestión del riesgo sísmico en Iberia, en particular en la identificación y caracterización de fuentes sismogénicas tipo falla. La QAFI se ha construido a partir de la información proporcionada de modo altruista por más de 40 investigadores en ciencias de la Tierra conteniendo actualmente un total de de 262 registros. En este artículo se describe la concepción y evolución de la base de datos, y su arquitectura interna. Además, se ofrece un primer análisis global de los datos que contiene, con especial interés en parámetros tan importantes como la longitud y tasa de deslizamiento de las fallas. Finalmente se discuten dos temas cruciales en cualquier base de datos: su completitud y la homogeneidad de los datos. Se concluye que QAFI v.2.0, pese a ser la fuente más actualizada de información disponible en Iberia sobre peligrosidad sísmica de fallas concretas, dista aun de ser completa, por lo que nuevas revisiones y versiones deberán seguir llevándose a cabo en el futuro

The Quaternary Active Faults Database of Iberia (QAFI v.2.0)

The Quaternary Active Faults Database of Iberia (QAFI) is an initiative lead by the Institute of Geology and Mines of Spain (IGME) for building a public repository of scientific data regarding faults having documented activity during the last 2.59 Ma (Quaternary). QAFI also addresses a need to transfer geologic knowledge to practitioners of seismic hazard and risk in Iberia by identifying and characterizing seismogenic fault-sources. QAFI is populated by the information freely provided by more than 40 Earth science researchers, storing to date a total of 262 records. In this article we describe the development and evolution of the database, as well as its internal architecture. Aditionally, a first global analysis of the data is provided with a special focus on length and slip-rate fault parameters. Finally, the database completeness and the internal consistency of the data are discussed. Even though QAFI v.2.0 is the most current resource for calculating fault-related seismic hazard in Iberia, the database is still incomplete and requires further review

Compilation of parameterized seismogenic sources in Iberia for the SHARE European-scale seismic source model.

Abstract: SHARE (Seismic Hazard Harmonization in Europe) is an EC-funded project (FP7) that aims to evaluate European seismic hazards using an integrated, standardized approach. In the context of SHARE, we are compiling a fully-parameterized active fault database for Iberia and the nearby offshore region. The principal goal of this initiative is for fault sources in the Iberian region to be represented in SHARE and incorporated into the source model that will be used to produce seismic hazard maps at the European scale. The SHARE project relies heavily on input from many regional experts throughout the Euro-Mediterranean region. At the SHARE regional meeting for Iberia, the 2010 Working Group on Iberian Seismogenic Sources (WGISS) was established; these researchers are contributing to this large effort by providing their data to the Iberian regional integrators in a standardized format. The development of the SHARE Iberian active fault database is occurring in parallel with IBERFAULT, another ongoing effort to compile a database of active faults in the Iberian region. The SHARE Iberian active fault database synthesizes a wide range of geological and geophysical observations on active seismogenic sources, and incorporates existing compilations (e.g., Cabral, 1995; Silva et al., 2008), original data contributed directly from researchers, data compiled from the literature, parameters estimated using empirical and analytical relationships, and, where necessary, parameters derived using expert judgment. The Iberian seismogenic source model derived for SHARE will be the first regional-scale source model for Iberia that includes fault data and follows an internationally standardized approach (Basili et al., 2008; 2009). This model can be used in both seismic hazard and risk analyses and will be appropriate for use in Iberian- and European-scale assessments