Deformation pattern at the western tip of the Corinth Rift

The Gulf of Corinth in Greece is an active continental rift propagating westward toward the Aegean subduction zone. GPS data shows that deformation rate reaches a maximum of 15 mm/yr at its western tip. The style of extension and strain distribution is well documented offshore in the eastern and central parts of the rift (Bell, 2009). At its most active western extremity, published offshore data is not sufficient to characterize the deformation pattern. High resolution seismic profiles were thus acquired in that region within the framework of the SISCOR project to improve our understanding of fault evolution, seismicity and to be able to construct mechanical models of deformation. Here we investigate the spatio-temporal pattern of the basin subsidence and deposition with sparker data acquired in November 2011.
Active faults and correlative time horizons were first mapped. The stratigraphy was then correlated with the eustatic sea-level curve. This sequence stratigraphic interpretation is possible because there are strong glacial-interglacial variations in the depositional environment. In fact lacustrine conditions prevail within the gulf during glacio-eustatic lowstands and are characterized by low amplitudes seismic facies. So synrift sediment isopachs over the last 12 000 and 130 000 yrs could be produced. The interpreted data allow us to: (1) compare deformation pattern at the western tip of the Gulf with the more mature central and eastern part of the Rift; (2) constrain the pattern and the timing of deformation as well as rates of faulting.

Reference
Bell, R. E., McNeill, L. C., Bull, J. M., Henstock, T. J., Collier, R. E. L., & Leeder, M. R., 2009. Fault architecture, basin structure and evolution of the Gulf of Corinth Rift, central Greece. Basin Research, 21(6), 824-855. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2117.2009.00401.x