Seismites in Late Pleistocene and Holocene deposits of the northwestern Kola region (northern Baltic Shield)

摘要

New data on soft-sediment deformation in Late Pleistocene and Holocene deposits of the northwestern Kola Peninsula (Pechenga River valley) are reported and analyzed in terms of paleoseismicity implications. Soft-sediment deformation is assigned to paleoseismic triggers on the basis of special criteria. One sedimentary section in the Pechenga valley bears signature of several seismic events at the Late Pleistocene-Holocene boundary, constrained by radiocarbon dates. According to the morphology, sizes, and types of seismites, the earthquakes had an MSK-64 intensity at least VI-VII. The observed earthquake-induced deformation may be associated with tectonic subsidence of the Pechenga valley block.