A review on Quaternary tectonic and nontectonic faults in the central sector of the Iberian Chain, NE Spain

Abstract

Several grabens superimposed on the previous contractional structures have been developed in the central sector of the Iberian &KDLQ GXULQJ WKH SRVWRURJHQLF VWDJH 7HUXHO DQG &DODWD\XG JUDEHQV ZHUH IRUPHG LQ D ¿UVW ULIWLQJ SKDVH 0LRFHQH/RZHU 3OLRFHQH The second extensional phase is recorded by Late Pliocene-Quaternary grabens superimposed and/or inset with respect to the previous basins (Río Grío, Munébrega, Daroca and Jiloca depressions). This article reviews the existing knowledge on the main Quaternary faults (distribution, seismogenic potential) in the study area and discusses its limitations: (1) Two new grabens (Río Grío and Munébrega) have been recently documented on the basis of geomorphological mapping, suggesting that our knowledge on the distribution of Quaternary faults in the Iberian Chain is still limited. (2) Available data on cumulative displacement and long-term slip rate is scarce for a number of faults mainly due to the lack of correlatable markers on both sides of the faults and/or lack of numerical dates. (3) Our capability to estimate earthquake recurrence and elapsed time is largely limited due to the scarcity of paleoseismological data. Only the Munébrega W Fault and the Concud-Teruel Fault have been studied. The paleoearthquake record inferred for the former is probably under-represented and the latter fault has received different interpretations. The paper also includes the main results of a trenching investigation carried out in a graben generated by interstratal dissolution of evaporites, which allowed us to propose some criteria that may help to differentiate between tectonic (seismogenic) and gravitational (nonseismogenic) faults.

A multi-dating approach to age-modelling long continental records: The 135 ka El Cañizar de Villarquemado sequence (NE Spain)

“…The evolution of the lake basin has been controlled by tectonics, subsidence, and the depositional dynamics of two ephemeral streams to the north, the Villarrosano and Rebollos. As the basin sits on Mesozoic limestones, variable karstic activity during the last millennia could also have affected base level and influenced depositional history (Gracia et al, 2003;Gutiérrez et al, 2008Gutiérrez et al, , 2012.…”

Reconstrucción paleoambiental del último ciclo glacial-interglacial en la Iberia continental: la secuencia del Cañizar de Villarquemado (Teruel)

“…Se trata de una cuenca endorreica en su parte sur, determinada por fallas normales al este (Calamocha, Palomera y Concud) que crean una semi-fosa de actividad neotectónica Plio-Cuaternaria de carácter distensivo (Simón, 1983, AEQUA, 1993. Además, la conformación de la cuenca está asociada a un rebajamiento erosivo subkárstico de tipo polje, probablemente iniciado por la mencionada actividad neotectónica (Gracia et al, 2003;Gutiérrez et al, 2012;Gutiérrez et al, 2008;Lafuente et al 2010). Su fondo aparece modelado, casi en su totalidad, por una superficie de glacis desarrollada sobre los depósitos de piedemonte del Plioceno Superior y Cuaternario.…”

Facies control on seismites in an alluvial–aeolian system: The Pliocene dunefield of the Teruel half-graben basin (eastern Spain)

“…et al, 2009); c) the studied SSDS are located in a tectonically active basin during the Late Pliocene, 2 km from the Sierra del Pobo active fault zone, and at a distance of b50 km from other active normal faults (Concud, Sierra de Palomera, or Teruel faults; see location in Fig. 1B) (e.g., Gutiérrez et al, 2008Gutiérrez et al, , 2012Lafuente et al, 2011;Liesa, 2011;Simón et al, 2012); d) in an ancient wall of the South Quarry, Lafuente et al (2008) described and interpreted numerous cases of seismically induced SSDS, some of them controlled by either the local prevailing fracture set or the maximum horizontal stress (S Hmax ), therefore linking them to tectonic activity; and e) similar load structures have been described in recent earthquakes (e.g., Sims, 1975;Thakkar and Goyal, 2004).…”

“…Its tectonic activity is continuous at present, in a radial extensional stress field (Simón, 1989;Liesa, 2000Liesa, , 2011Arlegui et al, 2005Arlegui et al, , 2006. Several normal faults or fault zones accommodate this extension: Sierra del Pobo, Concud or Sierra de Palomera faults, among others (Gutiérrez et al, 2012;Simón et al, 2012).…”