Speaker
Mrs
Anne-Sophie Mreyen
(University of Liege)
Description
The historic 1692 Verviers Earthquake (Ms 6-6.3) represents one of the most significant events in NW Europe, with its supposed epicentral area being located along the Hockai Fault Zone (HFZ) in East Belgium. This, and other seismic events in the past, characterises the 42 km long HFZ as a seismically active zone of multiple fault segments, which also crosses the entire Stavelot Massif. In this work, we present various geomorphological markers that can be used as proxy indicators to characterise the seismotectonic activity of the area. A special focus is laid on recently discovered geomorphological features in the region of Malmedy, i.e. a steep scarp in the orientation of the HFZ adjacent to two ancient landslides. These features have been investigated by various geophysical techniques, notably passive and active seismic measurements (H/V method and seismic refraction) as well as electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). Seismic and electric profiles across the scarp reveal a significant contrast in geophysical properties of soil, confirming its assumed tectonic origin. Results of our field campaign are compared to earlier research of the better known slope failures in the northern segment of the HFZ - the landslides of the Pays de Herve (region of Battice). These slope failures can be essential markers in order to understand not only the geomorphological history of the region, but also to confirm the seismotectonic context of the region.
Primary author
Mrs
Anne-Sophie Mreyen
(University of Liege)
Co-authors
Alain Demoulin
(Université de Liège)
Prof.
Hans-Balder Havenith
(Liège Université)
