Magnitudes and source areas of large prehistoric northern Alpine earthquakes revealed by slope failures in lakes

Research Article| December 01, 2006 Magnitudes and source areas of large prehistoric northern Alpine earthquakes revealed by slope failures in lakes Michael Strasser; Michael Strasser 1Geological Institute, ETH Zurich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Flavio S. Anselmetti; Flavio S. Anselmetti 1Geological Institute, ETH Zurich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Donat Fäh; Donat Fäh 2Swiss Seismological Service, ETH Zurich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Domenico Giardini; Domenico Giardini 2Swiss Seismological Service, ETH Zurich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Michael Schnellmann Michael Schnellmann 3Geological Institute, ETH Zurich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Michael Strasser 1Geological Institute, ETH Zurich, Switzerland Flavio S. Anselmetti 1Geological Institute, ETH Zurich, Switzerland Donat Fäh 2Swiss Seismological Service, ETH Zurich, Switzerland Domenico Giardini 2Swiss Seismological Service, ETH Zurich, Switzerland Michael Schnellmann 3Geological Institute, ETH Zurich, Switzerland Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 09 Mar 2006 Revision Received: 12 Jun 2006 Accepted: 21 Jun 2006 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 The Geological Society of America, Inc. Geology (2006) 34 (12): 1005–1008. https://doi.org/10.1130/G22784A.1 Article history Received: 09 Mar 2006 Revision Received: 12 Jun 2006 Accepted: 21 Jun 2006 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Michael Strasser, Flavio S. Anselmetti, Donat Fäh, Domenico Giardini, Michael Schnellmann; Magnitudes and source areas of large prehistoric northern Alpine earthquakes revealed by slope failures in lakes. Geology 2006;; 34 (12): 1005–1008. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G22784A.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract We identify evidence for three large paleo-earthquakes in central Switzerland with moment magnitudes (M > 6.5–7.0) significantly exceeding historically known values. These earthquakes occurred during the past 15 k.y. and were strong enough to simultaneously affect a large region that includes the present-day major cities of Lucerne and Zurich. We reconstruct the chronology, magnitudes, and epicenters of these prehistoric earthquakes using temporal and spatial correlation of multiple subaqueous landslide deposits in Lake Zurich and Lake Lucerne through high-resolution seismic surveys, radiocarbon-dated sediment cores, and spatial calculations using an empirical seismic attenuation model. Our data indicate ongoing Alpine deformation that generated and could potentially generate destructive events in heavily populated regions that have been unaccustomed to seismic activity during historic time. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.