Holocene uplift and palaeoseismicity on the Eliki Fault, Western Gulf of Corinth, Greece

Abstract

Radiocarbon dating of elevated coastal phenomena along the emergent footwall of the Eliki Fault in the West- em Gulf of Corinth has established a chronology of tectonic emergence during Holocene times. The results confirm -6 m of coastal uplift over the last 3000 years at sites both immediately adjacent to, and more distant from, the offshore l'ault. Although revealing little or no spatial vm.iation along the fault, temporally the data de- fine two phases of enhanced tectonic activity (0-3000 year B.P. and pre- 7-8000 year B.P.) separated by a 4- 5000 year period of tectonic quiescence. Well documented historical surface faulting during the most recent lclive phase testify to the contribution to net uplift played by coseismic increments, but these are considered to be superimposed on significant aseismic movements. While asesismic uplift confuses the palaeoseismic .ecord, correlation of prominent notch levels with dated raised shoreline fauna provides evidence for at least 3 surface faulting events during the past 2500 years.