Annals of Geophysics (Feb 2014)

Geomorphic evidence of recent activity along the Vodice thrust fault in the Ljubljana Basin (Slovenia) – a preliminary study

  • Petra Jamšek Rupnik,
  • Lucilla Benedetti,
  • Frank Preusser,
  • Miloš Bavec,
  • Marko Vrabec

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4401/ag-6252
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 56, no. 6

Abstract

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We investigated two prominent, ~E-W trending scarps in Quaternary sediments, located close to the town of Vodice in the Ljubljana Basin (central Slovenia). By using detailed geomorphological analysis of the scarps, field surveying, and structural observations of deformed Quaternary sediments, we conclude that the scarps are the surface expression of a N-dipping thrust fault that has been active during the Quaternary. From Optically Stimulated Luminescence and Infrared Stimulated Luminescence dating of deformed Quaternary sediments we estimate a slip rate of 0.1 to 0.3 mm a-1 in the last 133 ka. Using the published empirical fault-scaling relationships, we estimate that an earthquake of magnitude 5.9 to 6.5 may be expected on the Vodice thrust fault. The fault may, therefore, present a major seismic hazard for the densely populated and urbanised region of central Slovenia.

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