Control of slope deformations in high seismic area: Results from the Gulf of Corinth observatory site (Greece)

Description

The northern coast of the Peloponnesus (Greece) is characterized by high seismic activity related to the Gulf of Corinth opening with an extension rate of 16 mm y− 1. Studies presented in this paper focus on the characterization of links between tectonic and slope deformations on the Panagopoula slope, located on the southern coast. The approach is centred on qualitative and quantitative data acquisition based on geological and geomorphological investigations, geophysical imagery by electrical resistivity tomography and slope displacement monitoring. Firstly, we highlight two different types of slope deformation on Panagopoula: a superficial landslide affecting weathered limestone, and a large-scale deformation without global failure expressed in the field. Tectonic features play a major role in these two dynamic processes, taking into account the strong geometrical link between the inherited fractures and gravitational scarps mapped in the field. Secondly, the displacements survey network, distributed on both sides of a significant fault crossing the slope, allows the quantification of slope displacements underlying two components: (i) a gravitational sliding (N010) along the slope, and (ii) a supposed tectonic component (N240).

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