Neotectonic features in the Catalan Coastal Ranges, Northeastern Spain

The Catalan Coastal Ranges constitute the northwestem emerged sector of the Catalan-Valencian domain of the Valencia trough. Since late Oligocene this domain of the Valencia trough was subjected to extension wich gradually attenuated during later periods. The Miocene tectonic evolution of the Catalan Coastal Ranges is relativelly well known while the Pliocene to-Quaternary stages have not been studied in detail. The recorded seismicity of the area is moderate and constant but not sufficiently intense to cliaracterize and locate recent tectonics. However, geological analysis provides further information. A morphotectonic and deformational analysis of the Catalan Coastal Ranges is presented in this paper.

Expresión geomorfológica de la actividad reciente de la falla de Amer (NE de la Península Ibérica)

Triangular facets, related drainage basins, alluvial fans and subtle scarps reveal the recent activity of the normal Amer fault (NE Spain). The 1427 earthquakes which reached epicentral intensities ranging between VI1 and VI11 have been attributed to the Amer fault. However, the geomorphologic and geologic characteristics of this fault (30 km length) suggest that it might be capable of producing larger earthquakes than those occurred during de 15th century.