Calibración de la constante de difusión (k0) para la datación de escarpes cosísmicos: aplicación al terremoto de Alborax (Albacete, SE España)

Abstract

The diffusion equation was formulated to estimate the age of fault scarps. This technique is rather simple, taking into account the degradation of the unconsolidated scarp with the time. The Tobarra-Cordovilla segment consists in a surface rupturing associated to undated paleoearthquakes. This segment configures a graben basin with normal faults affecting Quaternary deposits. Preliminary study of the paleoearthquake indicates a magnitude greater than 5.5. As a primary approach, we have applied the Diffusion Equation in order to delimitate the age interval of occurrence. However, the diffusion constant for such equation (K0) is only calibrated for arid environmental. Therefore, we have introduced a new equation to obtain the K0-value according the fault throw, the erodability and the apparent density of the unconsolidated faulted sediment.