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

Main Article Content

Petra Jamšek Rupnik
Lucilla Benedetti
Frank Preusser
Miloš Bavec
Marko Vrabec

Abstract

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.

Article Details

How to Cite
Jamšek Rupnik, P., Benedetti, L., Preusser, F., Bavec, M. and Vrabec, M. (2014) “Geomorphic evidence of recent activity along the Vodice thrust fault in the Ljubljana Basin (Slovenia) – a preliminary study”, Annals of Geophysics, 56(6). doi: 10.4401/ag-6252.
Section
SPECIAL ISSUE