ORCID

Abstract

The ancient city of Sparti (Greece) suffered extensive damage from an estimated Mw 7.2 earthquake in 464 BCE, resulting in c. 20 000 fatalities, but questions remain about the short-(c. 104 years) and long-term (105–106 years) activity of this important structure. This paper presents new structural data and fluvial geomorphological analysis from the Sparta Fault and, in particular, considers the less well-known northern fault segment. A new topographic profile on the well-developed post-glacial fault scarp from the northern strand indicates a 7.53 m offset over the last c. 15 ka, suggesting a throw-rate of c. 0.5 mm a−1. The longitudinal profiles of rivers flowing across the fault allow the elucidation of longer term fault activity. Along the strike of the fault, rivers exhibit up to two slope-break knickpoints, which decrease in height from south to north. These knickpoints are interpreted to have formed as a result of the initiation of faulting and a subsequent slip-rate acceleration. The post-glacial fault scarp and fluvial geomorphology both indicate that the entire fault is active and has an asymmetrical throw profile that results in the highest slip-rate in the south.

DOI

10.1144/jgs2024-066

Publication Date

2024-09-02

Publication Title

Journal of the Geological Society

Volume

181

Issue

5

ISSN

0016-7649

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