Late Holocene earthquake geology in Sweden

Abstract

AbstractAs a function of the rapid rate of glacial isostatic uplift, deglacial palaeoseismicity in Sweden was exceptionally high, in magnitude as well as frequency. Today, seismic activity is low to moderately low with occasional events reaching M 4–5. In the Late Holocene, 11 events in the order of M 6–7 are recorded. These palaeoseismic events seem also to be recorded in several old place names, as in the tale of the Fenris Wolf. Some of the events generated local to regional tsunamis. The palaeoseismic activity recorded in Late Holocene time implies that our short-term seismic hazard assessment must include the possibility of future events in the order of up to M 7. For long-term hazard assessment, repeating glacial/deglacial phases, we must work with magnitudes of M 8 to 9.