Ponsul: PO002

Identification - compilation

Identification

Identification code :
PO002
Fault name :
Ponsul
Identification method :
Geological/Geomorphological field mapping
Geological and geographical set :
Iberian Massif (Portugal)

Compilation

Name/s of the compiler/s :
Canora, C., García-Mayordomo, J., Martín-Banda, R.
Filiation/s :
UAM; IGME
E-mail :
julian.garcia@igme.es
Latest update :
2020-03-09

Location

Geometry and kinematics

Conventions

      
 
 
Variability/Error
Source
Brief comment
Average strike (º) :
235
Variability/Error: 
+ 5 / - 30 
Source: 
LD
Brief comment: 
Fault trace is undulated. In some areas it presents large sinuosities separating NE trending right-hand stepping en-echelon segments. Related data published in Cabral and Ribeiro, 1988, Dias and Cabral, 1989. 
Dip (º) :
55
Variability/Error: 
+ 35 / - 30 
Source: 
LD
Brief comment: 
Very different dips observed at outcrop (from 25ºNW to ~90º), mostly between 35º and 55ºNW. Related data published in Dias and Cabral, 1989. 
Rake (º) :
100
Variability/Error: 
± 10 
Source: 
LD
Brief comment: 
Related data published in Dias and Cabral, 1989. 
Sense of movement :
R
Variability/Error: 
 
Source: 
AR
Brief comment: 
Related data published in Dias and Cabral, 1989. 
Length (km) :
130
Variability/Error: 
± 5 
Source: 
LD
Brief comment: 
Length of the Portuguese sector, comprising 4 segments, is 82km. Fault continues in Spain for more 36km, along a 5th segment (Moraleja segment). Related data published in Dias and Cabral, 1989. 
Min depth (km) :
0
Variability/Error: 
± 1 
Source: 
LD
Brief comment: 
Fault outcrops at the surface 
Max depth (km) :
25
Variability/Error: 
± 5 
Source: 
EJ
Brief comment: 
Inferred from maximum depth of (scarce and low magnitude) regional seismicity and rheological models of lithosphere. 
Width (km) :
30.519
Variability/Error: 
 
Source: 
AR
Brief comment: 
 
Area (km²) :
3967.517
Variability/Error: 
 
Source: 
AR
Brief comment: 
 

Quaternary activity Strength: A 

 
 
Variability/Error
Source
Brief comment
Quaternary activity evidence :
Geomorphic expression, stratigraphy and structural data. Well preserved fault scarp, clear topographic lineament in remote sensing imagery and DEMs
 
 
Variability/Error: 
 
Source: 
LD
Brief comment: 
Dias and Cabral, 1989, 1991; Cunha et al., 2005, 2008; Costa et al., 2006. 
Age of the youngest deposits or landforms affected by the fault :
140 ky
Variability/Error: 
± 10 ky 
Source: 
EJ
Brief comment: 
Estimated correction of OSL age of T4 terrace sediments of the Tagus river (129 +/- 8 ky, in Cunha et al., 2008) (Cunha, personal communication). Deformation inferred from vertical offset of top of T4 from one side of the fault to the other side. 

Slip rate Accuracy: C 

 
 
Variability/Error
Source
Brief comment
Vertical Slip Rate VSR (m/ky) :
0.055
Variability/Error: 
± 0,015 
Source: 
LD
Brief comment: 
Martins et al., 2017. 
Horizontal Slip Rate HSR (m/ky) :
0
Variability/Error: 
 
Source: 
EJ
Brief comment: 
HRS=0, assumed pure dip-slip faulting. 
Net Slip Rate NSR (m/ky) :
0.055
Variability/Error: 
± 0,015 
Source: 
LD
Brief comment: 
Martins et al., 2017. 

Paleoearthquakes

 
 
Variability/Error
Source
Brief comment
Net slip per event at the Surface (m) :
 
Variability/Error: 
 
Source: 
 
Brief comment: 
Unknown 
Number of Seismic Events :
 
Variability/Error: 
 
Source: 
 
Brief comment: 
Unknown 
Evidence of aseismic creep? :
 
Variability/Error: 
 
Source: 
 
Brief comment: 
Unknown 

Seismic parameters

 
 
Variability/Error
Source
Brief comment
Maximum magnitude (Mw) :
Reliability: D 
7.0
Variability/Error: 
± 0,25 
Source: 
LD
Brief comment: 
Costa et al., 2006. 
Recurrence interval (years) :
Reliability: D 
20000
Variability/Error: 
± 10000 
Source: 
LD
Brief comment: 
Costa et al., 2006. 
Date of last major earthquake (years) :
 
Variability/Error: 
 
Source: 
 
Brief comment: 
 

Extended data and references

References :
Costa, A.M., Caranova, R., Cabral, J., Silva, S., Laiginhas, C., Taborda, R. (2006). Ponsul fault - An example of introduction of data on Active Geologic Structures on a GIS Seismotectonics database. VII Congresso nacional de Geología. Universidad de Evora, Portugal, 1097-1100.
Cunha, P.P., Martins, A.A., Daveau, S., Friend, P.F. (2005): Tectonic control of the Tejo river fluvial incision during the late Cenozoic, in Ródão – central Portugal (Atlantic Iberian border). Geomorphology, 64: 271–298.
Cunha, P.P., Martins, A.A., Huot, S., Murray, A., Raposo, L. (2008): Dating the Tejo River lower terraces in the Ródão area (Portugal) to assess the role of tectonics and uplift. Geomorphology, 102: 43–54.
Dias, R. P., Cabral, J. (1989): Neogene and Quaternary reactivation of the Ponsul fault in Portugal. Comum. Serv. Geol. Portugal, 75: 3-28.
Dias, R. P., Cabral, J. (1991): Neogene and Quaternary reactivation of the Ponsul river fault (Central Portugal). Publication I.G.N., Série Monografia, 8: 269-282. Madrid.
Martins, A., Cabral, J., Cunha, P., Stokes, M., Borges, J., Caldeira, B., Martins, A.C. (2017). Tectonic and lithological controls on fluvial landscape development in central-eastern Portugal: Insights from long profile tributary stream analyses. Geomorphology 276, 144-163.
SHARE-Database (2011). The European Database of Seismogenic Faults: http://diss.rm.ingv.it/share-edsf/index.html
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