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The geometry, rates and kinematics of active faulting in the region close to the tip of a major crustal-scale normal fault in the Gulf of Corinth, Greece, are investigated using detailed fault mapping and new absolute dating. Fault offsets have been dated using a combination of 234U/230Th coral dates and in situ 36Cl cosmogenic exposure ages for sediments and wave-cut platforms deformed by the faults. Our results show that deformation in the tip zone is distributed across as many as eight faults arranged within ~700 m across strike, each of which deforms deposits and landforms associated with the 125 ka marine terrace of Marine Isotope Stage 5e. Summed throw-rates across strike achieve values as high as 0.3–1.6 mm/yr, values that are comparable to those at the centre of the crustal-scale fault (2–3 mm/yr from Holocene palaeoseismology and 3–4 mm/yr from GPS geodesy). The relatively high deformation rate and distributed deformation in the tip zone are discussed in terms of stress enhancement from rupture of neighbouring crustal-scale faults and in terms of how this should be considered during fault-based seismic hazard assessment.

Quaternary uplift is well documented in SE Sicily, a region prone to damaging seismic events, such as the 1693 “Val di Noto” Earthquake (Mw 7.4), 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 re-calculation of uplift rates along a N-S oriented transect within the Hyblean Plateau (HP) foreland region. Consequently, we have mapped the geometry of palaeoshorelines 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 E-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.

The 28th December 1908 Messina earthquake (Mw 7.1), Italy, caused >80,000 deaths and transformed earthquake science by triggering the study of earthquake environmental effects worldwide, yet its source is still a matter of debate. To constrain the geometry and kinematics of the earthquake we use elastic half-space modelling on non-planar faults, constrained by the geology and geomorphology of the Messina Strait, to replicate levelling data from 1907–1909. The novelty of our approach is that we (a) recognise the similarity between the pattern of vertical motions and that of other normal faulting earthquakes, and (b) for the first time model the levelling data using the location and geometry of a well-known offshore capable fault. Our results indicate slip on the capable fault with a dip to the east of 70° and 5 m dip-slip at depth, with slip propagating to the surface on the sea bed. Our work emphasises that geological and geomorphological observations supporting maps of capable non-planar faults should not be ignored when attempting to identify the sources of major earthquakes.

In order to investigate the deformation within the upper plate of the Calabrian subduction zone, we have mapped and modeled a sequence of Late Quaternary paleoshorelines tectonically deformed by the Capo D'Orlando normal fault, NE Sicily, which forms part of the actively deforming Calabrian Arc. In addition to the 1908 Messina Strait earthquake (Mw 7.1), this region has experienced damaging earthquakes, possibly on the Capo D'Orlando Fault; however, it is not considered by some to be a potential seismogenic source. Uplifted Quaternary paleoshorelines are preserved on the hangingwall of the Capo D'Orlando Fault, indicating that hangingwall subsidence is counteracted by regional uplift, likely because of deformation associated with subduction/collision. We attempt to constrain the relationship between regional uplift, crustal extensional processes, and historical seismicity, and we quantify both the normal and regional deformation signals. We report uplift variations along the strike of the fault and use a synchronous correlation technique to assign ages to paleoshorelines, facilitating calculation of uplift rates and the fault throw rate. Uplift rates in the hangingwall increase from 0.4mm/year in the center of the fault to 0.89mm/year beyond its SW fault tip, suggesting 0.5mm/year of fault-related subsidence, which implies a throw rate of 0.63±0.02mm/year, and significant seismic hazard. Overall, we emphasize that upper plate extension and related vertical motions complicate the process of deriving information on the subduction/collision process, such as coupling and slip distribution on the subduction interface, parameters that are commonly inferred for other subduction zones without considering upper plate deformation.

We demonstrate a synchronous correlation technique to determine the chronology of Quaternary palaeoshorelines to test proposed relationships between tectonics, climate and sea-level change. The elevations of marine palaeoshorelines in Calabria around the active Vibo normal fault have been measured from TIN DEM 10m data and fieldwork and correlated with global sea-level curves. A synchronous correlation method and new U/Th dates are used to ascertain how the slip-rate on the fault relates to uplift rates across the region. Regional uplift, possibly associated with subduction along the Calabrian trench or due to the cumulative effect of closely-spaced active normal faults, is rapid enough to uplift even the hangingwall of the Vibo normal fault; the actual value for the rate of background uplift can only be ascertained once the rate of slip on the Vibo fault is subtracted. Synchronous correlation of multiple palaeoshorelines sampled along 29 elevation profiles with global sea-levels shows that the resultant uplift rate (background uplift minus local hangingwall subsidence) is constant through time from 0 to 340ka, and not fluctuating by a factor of 4 as previously suggested. The uplift rate increases from 0.4mm/yr at the centre of the hangingwall of the fault to 1.75mm/yr in the hangingwall in the vicinity of the fault tip. Palaeoshorelines can be traced from the hangingwall to the footwall around the fault tip and hence correlated across the fault. The throw-rate on the fault averaged over 340ka decreases from a maximum at the centre of the fault (1mm/yr) to zero at the tip. This gradient in throw-rate explains the spatial variation in resultant uplift rates along the fault. We interpret the 1.75mm/yr resultant uplift rate at and beyond the fault tip as the signature of a regional uplift, presumably related to subduction, although we cannot exclude the possibility that other local faults influence this uplift; the lower uplift rates in the hangingwall of the fault are due to interaction between "regional" uplift and subsidence associated with the local active normal faulting. We discuss (a) how our synchronous correlation technique should trigger a re-appraisal of palaeoshoreline chronologies worldwide, and (b) the implications for the tectonics and seismic hazard of Calabria, suggesting that perturbations in the uplift-rate field are a key criterion to map the locations of active faults, their deformation rates, and hence seismic hazard above subduction zones. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Preserved sets of marine terraces and palaeoshorelines above subduction zones provide an opportunity to explore the long‐term deformation that occurs as a result of upper‐plate extension. We investigate uplifted palaeoshorelines along the South Central Crete Fault and over its western tip, located above the Hellenic Subduction Zone, in order to derive uplift rates and examine the role that known extensional faults contribute to observed coastal uplift. We have mapped palaeoshorelines and successfully dated four Late‐Quaternary wave‐cut platforms using in situ 36Cl exposure dating. These absolute ages are used to guide a correlation of palaeoshorelines with Quaternary sea level highstands from 76.5 to ~900 ka; the results of which suggest that uplift rates vary along fault strikes but have been constant for up to 600 ka in places. Correlation of palaeoshorelines across the South Central Crete Fault results in a throw‐rate of 0.41 mm/year and, assuming repetition of 1.1‐m slip events, a fault‐specific earthquake recurrence interval of approximately 2,700 years. Elastic‐half‐space modeling implies that coastal uplift is related to offshore upper‐plate extensional faults. These faults may be responsible for perturbing the uplift rate signals in the south central Crete area. Our findings suggest that where uplifted marine terraces are used to make inferences about the mechanisms responsible for uplift throughout the Hellenic Subduction Zone, and other subduction zones worldwide, the impact of upper‐plate extensional faults over multiple seismic cycles should also be considered.