TY  - JOUR
A1  - Perez-Lopez, Raul
A1  - Martin-Velazquez, Saul
A1  - Sanchez-Moral, Sergio
A1  - Patyniak, Magda
A1  - Lopez-Gutierrez, Jose
A1  - Cuezva, Soledad
A1  - Lario, J.
A1  - Silva, P. G.
A1  - Rodriguez-Pascua, M. A.
A1  - Giner-Robles, J. L.
T1  - New insights on speleoseismology: The geothermal gradient and heat flow values in caves for the study of active faults
JF  - Quaternary international : the journal of the International Union for Quaternary Research
N2  - 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.
KW  - Speleoseismology
KW  - Active fault
KW  - Cave
KW  - Slip-rate
KW  - Heat flux
Y1  - 2017
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2016.11.026
SN  - 1040-6182
SN  - 1873-4553
VL  - 451
SP  - 165
EP  - 175
PB  - Elsevier
CY  - Oxford
ER  -