Lacustrine sediments are frequently regarded as significant archives of ancient earthquakes in continental basins with a variety of geological settings (Rodrı́guez-Pascua et al., 2000; Koç-Taşgın and Diniz-Akarca, 2018).The earthquake-induced SSDS in lacustrine basins has been successfully applied to the studies of paleoseismology to identify tectonic fabric and activity (Moretti and Sabato, 2007; Rodríguez-Pascua et al., 2010; Berra and Felletti, 2011). However, a range of alternative trigger mechanisms are known to create SSDS. These include ice-induced stresses, strong wave, storm and tidal action, slumping, meteorite impact, rapid sediment loading, volcanic and seismic activity, expulsion of overpressure, drag by subaqueous currents, and groundwater or gas seepage (Moretti et al., 1999; Jones and Omoto, 2000; Alfaro et al., 2002; Moretti and Sabato, 2007; Moretti and Ronchi, 2011; Owen and Moretti, 2011; Alsop et al., 2016). How to distinguish whether the soft-sediment deformation structures are of seismic origin or non-seismic origin? Are there parameters for quantitative discrimination?
There was a similar discussion:
https://www.researchgate.net/post/How-can-one-differentiate-between-Soft-sedimentary-deformation-structures-of-non-seismogenic-and-seismogenic-origin
I think you will find it most fruitful. There are not only opinions, but a few papers you can read.
Thank you! Henrique Joncew
You are right. This is a similar question, but it seems that I haven't found the answer I want. Maybe we can discuss it in more depth.
In an overall scenario, if you are talking about the liquefaction structures, they are off-fault features and can be formed due to shaking because of an earthquake in the region. for example- seismites, sand dikes. These kinda structures are originated because of seismic activity. However, not all soft-sediment deformations are related to an earthquake and some are merely soft sedimentary structures. like- load cast etc.
As noted by the previous posts, its very difficult to determine if SSD structures were created during seismicity or by other processes. What is becoming apparent is that deformation linked to downslope movement (potentially triggered by seismicity) may form within the buried (but unconsolidated) sedimentary sequence as well as at the sediment surface. Criteria to distinguish surface versus sub-surface deformation of soft-sediments have been catalogued and described in a publication (free to download) at: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1eHcbhdGqYvIw
Thanks
Ian
Hi,
I believe that the smoking gun remains to observe SSD at different location in a same region at the same time. This can discriminate other potential origins such as flash floods, rock falls, etc.
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