Recent, slow and aseismic movement of an overthrust observed in the Abel sink hole (St Vallier de Thiey, 06, France)

Description

The main galeries of the Abel sinkhole near Grasse (Alpes Maritimes - France) are developped along a main thrust fault. The study of speleothems proves clearly a recent movement of this fault. The fractures indicate a north-south movement, they are not fossilised by new calcite. A large rock placed under the fault plane rotated during the movement. The sodastraws fixed to the rock are curved. This allows an estimation of the movement speed.

Abstract

International audience

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