1. Revealing subtle active tectonic deformation: integrating lidar, photogrammetry, field mapping, and geophysical surveys to assess the Late Quaternary activity of the Sava Fault (Southern Alps, Slovenia)Petra Jamšek Rupnik, Jure Atanackov, Barbara Horn, Branko Mušič, Marjana Zajc, Christoph Grützner, Kamil Ustaszewski, Sumiko Tsukamoto, Matevž Novak, Blaž Milanič, Anže Markelj, Kristina Ivančič, Ana Novak, Jernej Jež, Manja Žebre, Miloš Bavec, Marko Vrabec, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: We applied an interdisciplinary approach to analyze the late Quaternary activity of the Sava Fault in the Slovenian Southern Alps. The Sava Fault is an active strike-slip fault, and part of the Periadriatic Fault System that accommodated the convergence of Adria and Europe. It is one of the longest faults in the Southern Alps. Using high-resolution digital elevation models from lidar and photogrammetric surveys, we were able to overcome the challenges of assessing fault activity in a region with intense surface processes, dense vegetation, and relatively low fault slip rates. By integrating remote sensing analysis, geomorphological mapping, structural geological investigations, and near-surface geophysics (electrical resistivity tomography and ground penetrating radar), we were able to find subtle geomorphological indicators, detect near-surface deformation, and show distributed surface deformation and a complex fault pattern. Using optically stimulated luminescence dating, we tentatively estimated a slip rate of 1.8 ± 0.4 mm/a for the last 27 ka, which exceeds previous estimates and suggests temporal variability in fault behavior. Our study highlights the importance of modern high-resolution remote sensing techniques and interdisciplinary approaches in detecting tectonic deformation in relatively low-strain rate environments with intense surface processes. We show that slip rates can vary significantly depending on the studied time window. This is a critical piece of information since slip rates are a key input parameter for seismic hazard studies. Keywords: active fault, lidar, photogrammetry, tectonic geomorphology, structural geology, geophysics, electrical resistivity tomography, ground penetrating radar, slip rate, Sava Fault Published in DiRROS: 30.04.2024; Views: 379; Downloads: 240
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