Strongly deformed Quaternary sediments in Northern Germany: Possible differentiation of SSDS from non-seismic and seismic settings.

This study is concentrated on distinguishing recently exposed seismically induced sediment structures from those created in non-seismic environments. Earthquake structures documented in Hamburg (NW Germany) primarily consist of compressional forms; less frequent are structures resulting from extensional or gravitational stress. The diverse styles of these seismic deformations can be attributed to different mechanisms, e.g. compression as a result of seismic shock or of sediment intrusion, liquefaction, fluidisation, loading, or shear stress, as well as volume loss and collapse following blowout activity. Originally described two-sided flames, sandwiched occurring interlocked flames, blossom-like seismites, specific diapirs and sediment intrusions (veils) are supposed to be indicative of a seismic genesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]