@article{PerezLopezMartinVelazquezSanchezMoraletal.2017,
  author    = {Perez-Lopez, Raul and Martin-Velazquez, Saul and Sanchez-Moral, Sergio and Patyniak, Magda and Lopez-Gutierrez, Jose and Cuezva, Soledad and Lario, J. and Silva, P. G. and Rodriguez-Pascua, M. A. and Giner-Robles, J. L.},
  title     = {New insights on speleoseismology: The geothermal gradient and heat flow values in caves for the study of active faults},
  series = {Quaternary international : the journal of the International Union for Quaternary Research},
  volume    = {451},
  journal   = {Quaternary international : the journal of the International Union for Quaternary Research},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Oxford},
  issn      = {1040-6182},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.quaint.2016.11.026},
  pages     = {165 -- 175},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Normally in paleoseismology, the study of the tectonic slip-rate is performed in trenches on the fault scarp, or by the estimation of fault movements from the geomorphic features. In this work, we have carried out a paleoseismic analysis of the Benis Fault, located in southeast Spain, combined with a geothermal analysis inside a deep cave related to the fault (-350 m). Thus, we have estimated the last earthquake magnitude and time of occurrence from evidence of ceiling collapse and displaced carbonate blocks inside a cave, which is developed across the fault. The magnitude was obtained from the application of the empirical relationship of the fault parameters and coseismic vertical displacement, yielding a value ranging between M 5.9 and M 6.5. Moreover, we dated this paleoearthquake by the paleontological record of a "Lynx pardinus spelaea", with an age of 65 +/- 18 ka BP. Additionally, we have measured the thermal profile of the Benis Cave (-350 m of depth), from single rock point temperature measurements during 2 years. The temperature profile shows three different parts inside the cave, the shallow heterogeneous thermal zone till 50 m depth; the homogeneous thermal zone 150 m till with constant temperature and the hetero-thermal deep zone, deeper than 150 m and till the deepest zone (350 m). Furthermore, we have estimated the Vertical Geothermal Gradient, 1.85 degrees C/100 m for the deepest zone (-150; -290 m). The temperature increases with depth, showing a reverse thermal profile in comparison with normal gradients in deep caves. Finally, we have calculated the heat flux of 0.46 mWm(2). (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.},
  language  = {en}
}