Quaternary Marine Terraces Research Articles

Crustal uplift rates implied by synchronously investigating Late Quaternary marine terraces in the Milazzo Peninsula, Northeast Sicily, Italy

AbstractLate Quaternary crustal uplift is well recognized in northeast Sicily, southern Italy, a region also prone to damaging earthquakes such as the 1908 “Messina” earthquake (Mw 7.1), the deadliest seismic event reported within the Italian Earthquake Catalogue. Yet it is still understudied if, within the Milazzo Peninsula, crustal uplift rates are varying spatially and temporally and whether they may be either influenced by (i) local upper‐plate faulting activity or (ii) deep geodynamic processes.To investigate the long‐term crustal vertical movements in northeast Sicily, we have mapped a flight of Middle‐Late Pleistocene marine terraces within the Milazzo Peninsula and in its southern area and refined their chronology, using a synchronous correlation approach driven by published age controls. This has allowed a new calculation of the associated crustal uplift rates, along a north–south oriented coastal‐parallel transect within the investigated area. Our results show a decreasing uplift rate from south to north across the Milazzo Peninsula and beyond, and that the associated rates of uplift have been constant through the Late Quaternary. This spatially varying yet temporally constant vertical deformation helps to constrain the amount of uplift, allowing us to explore which is the driving mechanism(s), proposing a few related scenarios.We discuss our results in terms of tectonic implications and emphasize the importance of using appropriate approaches, as such applying a synchronous correlation method, to refine chronologies of undated palaeoshorelines when used for tectonic investigations.

Variability of quaternary marine terraces and uplift rates in the Andean coastal zone at 23°S

During the Quaternary most of the coastal areas along the Andes were uplifted due to subduction related processes. At 23°S, along the Mejillones Peninsula and the shoreline of the Coastal Cordillera, there is an abundance of Quaternary marine terraces, coastal cliffs, eroded dikes, alluvial fans, and fault scarps which preserve evidence of this uplift. The hyper-arid conditions have minimised subaerial erosion to the extent that the Quaternary marine terraces (QMT) can be carefully studied to understand the amount of permanent deformation in the forearc and the variability of uplift rates along the coast. A morpho-metric analysis using remotely sensed imagery from ALOS-PALSAR, drone survey and local differential GPS data allowed us to define the best-preserved QMT sequences and the elevation at which they were found with respect to the modern mean sea level. We propose a correlation between the individual paleo-shorelines of each marine terrace with a Quaternary Marine Isotope Stage (MIS). We determined two representative areas with well-preserved marine terraces: Morro Mejillones, in the western zone of the Mejillones Peninsula (∼12 × 10 km2) and the combined Hornitos – Punta Chacaya zone (∼16 × 7 km2), in the northern part of the Mejillones Bay. Within these areas we identified 12 QMT's in Morro Mejillones with estimated uplift rates between 0.31 and 0.76 m/ka over the last 600 ka, 3 QMT's In Hornitos with uplift rates between 0.28 and 0.4 m/ka over the last 220 ka, and 4 QMT's in Punta Chacaya with uplift rates between 0.25 and 0.39 m/ka over the last 330 ka. We link differences in uplift rates as related primarily to the distance from the coastal zone to the subduction trench and, locally, to their variable location with respect to faults active during the Quaternary.

Structure and morphology of an active conjugate relay zone, Messina Strait, southern Italy

AbstractMessina Strait is a narrow fault‐bounded marine basin that separates the Calabrian peninsula from Sicily in southern Italy. It sits in a seismically active region where normal fault scarps and raised Quaternary marine terraces record ongoing extension driven by southeastward rollback of the Calabrian subduction zone. A review of published studies and new data shows that normal faults in the Messina Strait region define a conjugate relay zone where displacement is transferred along strike from NW‐dipping normal faults in the northeast (southern Calabria) to the SE‐dipping Messina‐Taormina normal fault in the southwest (offshore eastern Sicily). The narrow marine strait is a graben undergoing active subsidence within the relay zone, where pronounced curvature of normal faults results from large strain gradients and clockwise rotations related to fault interactions. Based on regional fault geometries and published age constraints, we infer that normal faults in southern Calabria migrated northwest while normal faults in NE Sicily migrated southeast during the past ca. 2–2.5 Myr. This pattern has resulted in tectonic narrowing of the strait through time by inward migration of facing normal faults and rapid mantle‐driven uplift.

Plio-Quaternary coastal landscape evolution of north-western Sicily (Italy)

ABSTRACT We present and discuss the results of a geomorphological and geological study aimed at reconstructing the Plio-Quaternary evolution of the NW Sicily coastal belt , a low strain rate region in the central Mediterranean Sea. We performed morphometric and field analysis of Quaternary marine terraces extracting more than 300 shoreline location points subdivided into six orders. The obtained dataset was validate by investigating the morphological changes along topographic profiles and comparing the extracted locations and elevations with the stratigraphic boundaries in the Plio-Quaternary units. We distinguished two contiguous coastal sectors characterized by different paleo-shoreline elevations and Plio-Quaternary evolution, whose estimated uplift rates fit well with the well-known, regional eastward uplift rate increase along the Northern Sicilian continental margin. Obtained results, summarized in a geomorphological map and a morpho-evolutionary model, provide new valuable data to characterize the active deformation processes and the seismotectonic setting in this critical sector of the Africa-Europe plate boundary.

한반도 서해안 고창 하전리 일대 제4기 후기 해안단구의 발달

This study investigates the distribution and developmental characteristics of the late Quaternary marine terraces in Hajeon-ri, Gochang-gun in the western coast of the Korean Peninsula. The altitudes of the first and second terraces are 8~13m and 17~23m, respectively, from a regional high sea-level. As a result of OSL(Optically Stimulated Luminescence) and IRSL(Infra-red stimulated Luminescence) dating, the depositional ages of the second marine terrace are estimated as 189.53±5.19ka BP, indicating that the second terrace was formed during the penultimate interglacial period (MIS 7). The silt deposits overlying the first and second terrace surfaces are likely to have originated from paleo-tidal flat sediments based on their depositional facies and the results of geochemical analysis.

Late Pleistocene Geomorphic Evolution of Cephalonia Island, Western Greece, Inferred from Uplifted Marine Terraces

Combined with eustatic sea-level changes, uplifted Quaternary marine terraces provide insight into the tectonics of coastal areas. Cephalonia Island lies 35 km off the western coast of mainland Greece and 15 km northeast of the Hellenic subduction zone. Late Pleistocene eustatic sea-level oscillations and the long-term tectonic movements are imprinted on the landscape of the southern part of the island, in the form of seven uplifted marine terraces. In the present study we aim to identify and map in detail these terraces, applying Digital Elevation Model analysis, utilizing Geographic Information Systems techniques and extensive fieldwork. The GIS-based analysis combined with field geomorphological observations revealed a sequence of seven marine terraces at the southern part of the main island ranging in elevation between 4 m and 176 m asl. Microscope, petrological and microgeomorphological analyses on two caprock samples suggest strong marine influence during the deposition of the sediments covering the marine terraces. The age of the formation of the 32 m marine terrace was assigned to the MIS 3e, based on OSL dating of a caprock sample, and an average uplift rate of 1.4 ± 0.35 mm a−1 was calculated for the last 61 ± 5.5 ka. Assuming a uniform uplift rate for the Late Pleistocene allowed us to correlate the marine terrace with the sea-level highstands and constrain their ages.

Uplift and fault slip during the 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake and Late Quaternary, Kaikōura Peninsula, New Zealand

ABSTRACT The Kaikōura Earthquake uplifted Kaikōura Peninsula by ≤∼1 m. Uplift in 2016 mainly resulted from slip on an offshore thrust fault (OSTF), modelled to splay from the plate-interface, and was further influenced by slip on two newly identified faults (Armers Beach Fault, ABF; Te Taumanu Fault, TTF) mapped onshore from differential lidar (D-lidar). Forward dislocation modelling indicates that 2016 peninsula uplift can be reproduced by mean slip of ∼2.3 m on the OSTF and 0.25–0.5 m on the ABF and TTF. The variable co-seismic uplift recorded during the 2016 earthquake differs from the near-uniform (1.2 ± 0.2°) northwest tilting of MIS5c (96 ± 5 ka) and MIS5e (123 ± 5 ka) marine terraces; these ages are constrained by Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating and correlation to sea-level curves. Tilting of Late Quaternary marine terraces can be primarily reproduced by slip rates of ∼0.8–2.7 mm/yr on the OSTF and 0.3–0.6 mm/yr on the ABF. Slip on the TTF is not required to produce tilting of the marine terraces, suggesting that it may have ruptured less frequently than the OSTF and ABF in the Late Quaternary. The OSTF links 2016 ruptures north and south of Kaikōura, with the earthquake rupturing an interconnected network of faults.

Late Quaternary Marine Terraces and Tectonic Uplift Rates of the Broader Neapolis Area (SE Peloponnese, Greece)

Marine terraces are geomorphic markers largely used to estimate past sea-level positions and surface deformation rates in studies focused on climate and tectonic processes worldwide. This paper aims to investigate the role of tectonic processes in the late Quaternary evolution of the coastal landscape of the broader Neapolis area by assessing long-term vertical deformation rates. To document and estimate coastal uplift, marine terraces are used in conjunction with Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating and correlation to late Quaternary eustatic sea-level variations. The study area is located in SE Peloponnese in a tectonically active region. Geodynamic processes in the area are related to the active subduction of the African lithosphere beneath the Eurasian plate. A series of 10 well preserved uplifted marine terraces with inner edges ranging in elevation from 8 ± 2 m to 192 ± 2 m above m.s.l. have been documented, indicating a significant coastal uplift of the study area. Marine terraces have been identified and mapped using topographic maps (at a scale of 1:5000), aerial photographs, and a 2 m resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM), supported by extensive field observations. OSL dating of selected samples from two of the terraces allowed us to correlate them with late Pleistocene Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) sea-level highstands and to estimate the long-term uplift rate. Based on the findings of the above approach, a long-term uplift rate of 0.36 ± 0.11 mm a−1 over the last 401 ± 10 ka has been suggested for the study area. The spatially uniform uplift of the broader Neapolis area is driven by the active subduction of the African lithosphere beneath the Eurasian plate since the study area is situated very close (~90 km) to the active margin of the Hellenic subduction zone.

Luminescence dating of Quaternary marine terraces from the coastal part of Eastern Black Sea and their tectonic implications for the Eastern Pontides, Turkey

The timing of the deposition of the well-preserved Quaternary marine terraces in the coastal region of northeastern Turkey are crucial in understanding the Quaternary tectonics of the Pontides. The chronology of raised marine terraces between Trabzon and Rize has remained unrevealed because of chronologic limitations. This study aims to establish chronology for the terrace deposits by applying optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating methods using single aliquot regenerative dose (SAR) techniques on quartz grains extracted from marine terraces. Eleven samples were collected from the lowest three Quaternary marine terraces. The OSL ages clusters into three groups: 52.4 ± 4.6 to 60.0 ± 4.7 ka (terrace level T1); 16.8 ± 0.8 to 33.9 ± 2.8 ka (T2); and 11.7 ± 0.9 ka (T3). This chronology is consistent with the classical terrace stratigraphy; i.e. younger terraces are located at lower elevations and vice versa for the older terraces. We correlate the established terrace chronology with MIS 3c, MIS 3a, and MIS 1. We calculated apparent uplift rates are 0.98 ± 0.12 mm/year, 1.39 ± 0.26 mm/year, and 1.50 ± 0.78 mm/year from marine terrace levels 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Based on the existing eustatic sea-level data/curve, we estimated tectonic uplift rates up to 5 mm per year. Our results indicate that the coastal region of the Eastern Pontides experienced three accumulation periods, with sea-level highstands overprinting the uplifting coastline, and the coastal region of Eastern Pontides has been tectonically active from Late Pleistocene to Early Holocene. This study reveals that marine terraces in the coastal region of northeastern Anatolia might have displaced by the South Black Sea Fault which ultimately points to a regional subsidence with the higher uplift rate, and it points to a differential uplift along the Eastern Pontides.

Regional Deformation and Offshore Crustal Local Faulting as Combined Processes to Explain Uplift Through Time Constrained by Investigating Differentially Uplifted Late Quaternary Paleoshorelines: The Foreland Hyblean Plateau, SE Sicily

AbstractQuaternary uplift is well documented in SE Sicily, a region prone to damaging seismic events, such as the 1693 “Val di Noto” earthquake (Mw7.4), the largest seismic event reported within the Italian Earthquake Catalogue, whose seismogenic source is still debated and, consequently, the long‐term seismic hazard is poorly understood. However, the spatial variation in the timing and rates of uplift are still debated, so it is difficult to link the dominant tectonic process(es) responsible for the uplift and the location of seismogenic sources. To better constrain the uplift rate, we have refined the dating of Late Quaternary marine terraces, using a synchronous correlation approach, driven by both published and newly obtained numerical age controls (234U/230Th dating on corals). This has allowed recalculation of uplift rates along a N‐S oriented transect within the Hyblean Plateau (HP) foreland region. Consequently, we have mapped the geometry of paleoshorelines along a coastline‐parallel transect and hence the rates of uplift. The results suggest increasing uplift rate from south to north across the HP and that uplift rates have remained constant through the Late Quaternary. This spatially changing but temporally constant uplift places constraints on the proportion of uplift produced by regional geodynamic processes versus produced by local faults, such as an offshore east dipping active normal fault. We discuss these new findings in terms of the long‐term seismic hazard for one of the most seismically active regions in the Mediterranean Basin.

Taphonomic problems in reconstructing sea-level history from the late Quaternary marine terraces of Barbados

AbstractAlthough uranium series (U-series) ages of growth-position fossil corals are important to Quaternary sea-level history, coral clast reworking from storms can yield ages on a terrace dating to more than one high-sea stand, confounding interpretations of sea-level history. On northern Barbados, U-series ages corals from a thick storm deposit are not always younger with successively higher stratigraphic positions, but all date to the last interglacial period (~127 ka to ~112 ka), Marine Isotope Substage (MIS) 5.5. The storm deposit ages are consistent with the ages of growth-position corals found at the base of the section and at landward localities on this terrace. Thus, in this case, analysis of only a few corals would not have led to an error in interpreting sea-level history. In contrast, a notch cut into older Pleistocene limestone below the MIS 5.5 terrace contains corals that date to both MIS 5.5 (~125 ka) and MIS 5.3 (~108 ka). We infer that the notch formed during MIS 5.3 and the MIS 5.5 corals are reworked. Similar multiple ages of corals on terraces have been reported elsewhere on Barbados. Thus, care must be taken in interpreting U-series ages of corals that are reported without consideration of taphonomy.

Quaternary marine terraces and fault activity in the northern mainland sectors of the Messina Strait (southern Italy)

The Strait of Messina area has been affected by strong uplift, which caused the development of spectacular sequences of Pleistocene coastal marine terraces. A new detailed mapping of the terraced surfaces has been carried out on both sides of the northern sector of the Strait. In the Calabrian side, a complete sequence of ten fluvial-coastal terraces has been recognized at elevations ranging from 40 to 520 m a.s.l. and dated from 60 to 330 ka. The series is partly displaced by normal faults bordering the structural high of Campo Piale and the estimated uplift rates change in time and space in response to the fault activity. They range from 1.5 mm/yr for the period 330-200 ka, on the Campo Piale high, to 0.8 mm/yr for the period 125-60 ka, on the hanging wall of the Scilla Fault that borders the Campo Piale high to the north. The constant elevation of the I order terrace suggests an uniform uplift rate of 1.4 mm/yr along the Villa San Giovanni coastal area and the termination of the western sector of the Scilla Fault, even though the offshore activity of segments belonging to the same system is not excluded. In the Sicilian side, six orders of terraces have been recognized on the Capo Peloro promontory. Their inner edges range in elevation from 30 m to 170 m a.s.l., the age attribution varies from 60 to 240 ka. The series is tilted of ~10-15° southward due to the activity of the Mortelle Fault, bounding the promontory to north. The elevation of inner edges suggests that the uplift process, characterized by rate of 0.8 mm/yr, has undergone an acceleration during the late Pleistocene, probably related to activity of offshore structures.

Late Holocene cliff-top dune evolution in the Hengchun Peninsula of Taiwan: Implications for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction

The Fung-Chuei-Sha (FCS) cliff-top dunes, the only coastal cliff-top dunes known in Taiwan, are situated on a 70m high, tectonically uplifted Quaternary marine terrace surface in the Hengchun Peninsula of southern Taiwan. The development of the FCS dune and its relationship with palaeoenvironmental changes are still unknown. The optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating approach utilizing a pIRIR150 (post infrared, infrared stimulated luminescence at 150°C) single aliquot regenerative (SAR) dose protocol for K-rich feldspar, in combination with radiocarbon dates and high resolution sedimentological analyzes, have proven to be a powerful tool for reconstructing the depositional history of the FCS dune and the related palaeoenvironmental conditions during the late Holocene. This study identified three major aeolian sediment accumulation periods at ∼4ka to ∼2.3ka, ∼1.8ka to ∼1.1ka, and ∼0.7ka to ∼0.4ka, which are consistent with the cold/cooling periods identified from the palaeoclimate record of the Dongyuan Lake in southern Taiwan. Two palaeosurfaces and two short interruptions of sand accumulation indicate periods of surface stabilization at the FCS site. The OSL ages and radiocarbon ages from the dune, and the palaeoclimate data from Dongyuan Lake suggest that these surfaces developed at ∼4.3ka, ∼2ka, ∼1ka and ∼0.3ka. The palaeoclimatic conditions inferred from the FCS dunes are largely consistent with those reconstructed for the coastal dunes of the Fulong Beach area in northeastern Taiwan. This may indicate an over-regional pattern of dune formation primarily driven by strong winds of the Asian Winter Monsoon as the primary forcing factor for coastal dune development in Taiwan during the late Holocene.

Environmental controls on 10Be‐based catchment‐averaged denudation rates along the western margin of the Peruvian Andes

AbstractWe present 10Be‐based basin‐averaged denudation rates for the entire western margin of the Peruvian Andes. Denudation rates range from c. 9 mm ka−1 to 190 mm ka−1 and are related neither to the subduction of the Nazca plate nor to the current seismicity along the Pacific coast and the occurrence of raised Quaternary marine terraces. Therefore, we exclude a tectonic control on denudation on a millennial time‐scale. Instead, we explain >60% of the observed denudation rates with a model where erosion rates increase either with mean basin slope angles or with mean annual water discharge. These relationships suggest a strong environmental control on denudation.

Quaternary marine terrace chronology, North Canterbury, New Zealand, using amino acid racemization and infrared-stimulated luminescence

AbstractExtensive marine terraces along the North Canterbury coast of the South Island of New Zealand record uplift in this tectonically active area. Although the terraces have been studied previously, applications of Quaternary geochronological techniques to the region have been limited. We use infrared-stimulated luminescence (IRSL), amino acid racemization (AAR), and radiocarbon to determine ages of terraces at three locations—Glenafric, Motunau Beach, and Haumuri Bluff. We develop an AAR calibration curve for the mollusk speciesTawera spissafrom sites of known age, including the sedimentary sequence of the Whanganui Basin. Bayesian model averaging of the results is used to estimate ages of marine shells from the North Canterbury terraces. By using both IRSL and AAR, we are able to confirm ages using two independent dating methods and to identify one IRSL result that is likely in error. We develop new age estimates for the marine terraces of North Canterbury and propose correlations between sites. This terrace chronology differs significantly from most previous studies, highlighting the importance of numerical dating. The most extensive terraces are from marine isotope stages (MISs) 5a and 5c, with partial reoccupation of one terrace during MIS 3, whereas MIS 5e terraces are notably lacking among those dated.

Tertiary and quaternary marine terraces and planation surfaces of northern Oman: Interaction of flexural bulge migration associated with the Arabian-Eurasian collision and eustatic sea level changes

The northeastern Arabian passive margin is being subducted beneath the Zagros and Makran of Iran. A flexural bulge related to the weight of the Makran has migrated at 4 cm/a through the previously uplifted Hajar Mountains of Oman as this active convergence and collision between Arabia and Eurasia progresses, adding approximately another 500 meters of relief, and forming a series of uplifted marine terraces, alluvial terraces, and planation surfaces that record the passage of the bulge. We use a combination of field studies, remote sensing and GIS to map and better-understand these terraces, and elucidate how the tectonics of bulge migration, down-to-trench normal faulting, and eustatic sea level changes have interacted to produce the extant geomorphic features on the inner slope of the flexural bulge as it sinks into the foredeep of the Gulf of Oman. We speculate those terraces that were uplifted on the outer slope of the forebulge as it initially migrated through the passive margin (affected by ophiolite obduction in the Cretaceous) 3.75–7.5 Ma ago are now sinking on the inner slope of the forebulge (corresponding to the outer trench slope in the foredeep), and have been partly covered by Quaternary marine terraces related to a Weichselian sea level high stand. Both the Tertiary and Quaternary terraces are cut by faults related to the active collision, confirming that there is a significant risk of moderate earthquakes in the region.

한반도 해안-하안단구 퇴적층에 대한 K 장석 pIR-IRSL연대측정법 적용가능성 고찰: 울진 하안단구와 구산단층 연대측정

한반도 해안-하안단구 퇴적층에 대한 K 장석 pIR-IRSL연대측정법 적용가능성 고찰: 울진 하안단구와 구산단층 연대측정

Tectonic Processes along the South America Coastline Derived from Quaternary Marine Terraces

Isla, F.I. and Angulo, R., 2016. Tectonic processes along the South America coastline derived from Quaternary marine terraces.South America is overriding the Nazca, Antarctic, and Cocos plates, and at the same time is moving along the Caribbean and Scotia plates. Quaternary sea-level highstands are ideal benchmarks to estimate tectonic uplifts considering altitude differences along the coast. The Sangamonian highstand, corresponding to the Marine Isotopic Stage 5, is the most helpful indicator for these purposes as it is more easily preserved and spanning a record of 120,000 years. The Mid-Holocene highstand leads to errors assigned to tidal-range variations, estuarine floods, and meteorological effects; however, its maximum altitudes could confirm faster uplifting rates. The major uplifting trends were estimated in relation to the subduction of seismic or aseismic ridges along the Pacific Ocean coast. The Quaternary uplifted terraces of the Atlantic coast at Patagonia were explained by the decreasing uplift induced by the subduction of the Chile Ridge, and related to a very modern volcanic field.

Application of 10Be Dating Technique for Marine Terrace Studies and Its Limitations

Although Quaternary marine terraces and onshore paleo-shoreline records provide clues to our understanding for the mode and nature of neotectonics in the Korean peninsula, it cannot be accomplished without knowledge on both independent information of the past sea level records and tectonic deformation field together with precise results of numerical dating for higher terraces. This study reported cosmogenic radionuclides () dating results conducted in higher terraces in the eastern and western coasts of the Korean peninsula. As a result, the measured concentration ratio of and the exposure ages were much younger than expected. It implies that either there is possibility of error in experimental processes or the samples experienced a complex exposure history probably included a burial at some stage. Considering the past climatic conditions around the Korean peninsula and a possible complex exposure history after the emergence of marine terrace, the discovery of a suitable study area and a sampling site are an essential part of successful dating technique.

Comments on the paper “Stratigraphy and geochronology of Quaternary marine terraces of Tasmania, Southeastern Australia: implications on neotectonism” by Jaeryul Shin, Geosciences Journal, 17, 429–443

The uplift rates calculated for Tasmania by Shin (2013) are not supported by the data presented in his paper. The OSL ages obtained indicate a Last Glacial age and fluvial origin for many of the deposits analysed. OSL ages obtained on sediments at Mary Ann Bay in southern Tasmania confirm recent research indicating a Last Glacial age and aeolian deposition of the sands rather than marine (Last Interglacial) deposition. Anomalously high uplift rates for southern Tasmania, proposed by earlier researchers and Shin (2013), are discounted.