Colapsos cosísmicos y paleosismicidad en la sima de Benis (Cieza, SE España), asociados al terremoto de Mula (1999; VII mks; Mb = 4,8)

Abstract

In this work we present the first conclusions obtained from the morphotectonic and seismotectonic analysis of the Benis Cave (Cieza, SE of Spain). Both analyses provide new descriptions of seismic structures formed during a known instrumental earthquake and a new type of paleoseismic feature or seismothem (a migrating coral flowstone). From the last seismothem, at least two paleoearthquakes have been identified within the cave. During the Mula earthquake (mb = 4.8, MSK VII, 1999), a massive collapse of metric blocks at -156m was reported. This direct effect caused by a low magnitude earthquake shows the high sensitivity of caves to seismic shaking in this area.