Surface faulting within active normal fault zones: examples from the Gulf of Corinth fault system, central Greece

Deformation mechanisms, diagenetic evolution, slip rates and earthquake recurrence intervals have been determined for active fault zones capable of hosting large earthquakes (~Ms 6.4) within the Gulf of Corinth area, Greece. Vadose cements and flowstones within the Pisia, Psatha and Kaperelli fault zones, dated at >350 ka by U-series methods, have been deformed at shallow levels in the crust, above the water table. Examination of the distribution and microstructures of fracture-filling vadose cements allows an assessment of the deformation and diagenetic proceses within the shallowest portions of active normal fault zones. U-series dating of in situ flowstones from the Pisia and Kaparelli fault zones, combined with fault scarp morphological studies, have provided estimates of the slip per event, slip rate and earthquake recurrence. -from Authors