AFG - Active Faults Greece: a comprehensive geomorphology-based 1:25,000 fault database

Area of Science:

• Tectonics and Structural Geology
• Geomorphology
• Geophysical Hazard Assessment

Background:

• Greece is Europe's most seismically active region due to active subduction and continental rifting.
• Assessing seismic hazard requires a comprehensive map of active earthquake sources.
• Previous fault mapping in Greece was insufficient for reliable seismic hazard assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a comprehensive, high-resolution map of active faults in Greece.
• To establish the Active Faults Greece (AFG) database for seismic hazard analysis.
• To characterize fault geometries, slip senses, and scarp morphologies.

Main Methods:

• Utilized high-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), hillshades, and slope models for fault mapping.
• Interpreted geomorphology at a 1:25000 scale to identify and characterize fault traces.
• Constrained fault geometries and slip senses by analyzing displaced landscape features.

Main Results:

• Developed the Active Faults Greece (AFG) database, recording 3815 fault traces and 892 faults.
• Mapped 53% of fault traces for the first time, detailing geometries and slip senses.
• Identified significant depositional control (57%) and characterized scarp types (sharp, moderate, rounded).

Conclusions:

• The AFG database provides the first nationwide geomorphological interpretation of active faults in Greece.
• This database is crucial for improving paleoseismology and seismic hazard assessment.
• Applications extend to mineral resource exploration and resilience planning.