Abstract
We present the compilation of a new database of active faults in Slovenia, aiming at introducing geological data for the first time as input for a new national seismic hazard model. The area at the junction of the Alps, the Dinarides, and the Pannonian Basin is moderately seismically active. About a dozen Mw > 5.5 earthquakes have occurred across the national territory in the last millennium, four of which in the instrumental era. The relative paucity of major earthquakes and low to moderate fault slip rates necessitate the use of geologic input for a more representative assessment of seismic hazard. Active fault identification is complicated by complex regional structural setting due to overprinting of different tectonic phases. Additionally, overall high rates of erosion, denudation and slope mass movement processes with rates up to several orders of magnitude larger than fault slip rates obscure the surface definition of faults and traces of activity, making fault parametrization difficult. The presented database includes active, probably active and potentially active faults with trace lengths >5 km, systematically compiled and cataloged from a vast and highly heterogeneous dataset. Input data was mined from published papers, reports, studies, maps, unpublished reports and data from the Geological Survey of Slovenia archives and dedicated studies. All faults in the database are fully parametrized with spatial, geometric, kinematic and activity data with parameter descriptors including data origin and data quality for full traceability of input data. The input dataset was compiled through an extended questionnaire and a set of criteria into a homogenous database. The final database includes 96 faults with 240 segments and is optimized for maximum compatibility with other current maps of active faults at national and EU levels. It is by far the most detailed and advanced map of active faults in Slovenia.
Highlights
Modern seismic hazard assessment studies strive in incorporating state-of-the-art knowledge from its various input datasets
In setting up the criteria for the active fault database, we studied several regional/national compilations in order to comply with the accepted definitions and standards (e.g. Haller et al, 2011; Styron and Pagani, 2020, and references therein)
Horizontal displacement rate determined over a period of 8 years Milanic (2010) Measured on a single fault plane within the inner fault zone of the idrija fault over a period of 7 years Gosar et al (2009), Gosar et al (2011) Measurement of displaced surfaces, age 150–300 kyr Moulin et al (2014), Moulin et al (2016) Displaced geological markers over a period of 6 Myr Placer, (1982), Vrabec and Fodor (2006) Average slip rate value based on crustal properties and stress orientation Kastelic and Carafa (2012)
Summary
Modern seismic hazard assessment studies strive in incorporating state-of-the-art knowledge from its various input datasets. We report on the new map and database of active, probably active and potentially active faults in Slovenia through the lens of seismic hazard input model. Slovenia and its immediate vicinity is a seismically moderately active region with a number of damaging to very destructive historic earthquakes, including some of the strongest events in the broader Alpine area. The near-continuous tectonic activity in Mesozoic and Cenozoic spans rifting phases of Meliata and Vardar oceans and the complex Alpine orogeny phase, beginning in Cretaceous and still ongoing (Schmid et al, 2020, and references therein). The long and varied tectonic history has resulted in strong structural footprints and overprints
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