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Quaternary neotectonic configuration of the southwestern Peloponnese, Greece, based on luminescence ages of marine terraces

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Abstract

This project studies marine terraces in western Messenia, southwestern Peloponnese, Greece, to propose a model of neotectonic configuration and paleogeographic evolution of western Messenia during the Quaternary. GIS analysis of topographic data and geological mapping revealed flanks of raised terraces created on Quaternary marine deposits. Luminescence ages of sediments from the three westernmost marine terraces tend to be consistent OIS-5, OIS-7 and OIS-9, respectively, thus agreeing with the three latest warm stages of the Pleistocene. Moreover, the type and the extent of deformation of the dated marine terraces allowed us to reflect on the neotectonic configuration of western Messenia as well as to conclude that progressive differential uplift over the last 300 ka has induced a dome-like structure to the upper crust of western Messenia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Archaeometry, Institute of Materials Science, N.C.S.R. ‘Demokritos’, Aghia Paraskevi, Athens, 153 10, Greece

    Constantin Athanassas

  2. Department of Dynamic, Tectonic and Applied Geology, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou, Athens, 157 84, Greece

    Ioannis Fountoulis

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  1. Constantin Athanassas
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Correspondence to Constantin Athanassas.

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This study was supported by the State Scholarships Foundation of Greece (No. 1500521537.008.040).

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Athanassas, C., Fountoulis, I. Quaternary neotectonic configuration of the southwestern Peloponnese, Greece, based on luminescence ages of marine terraces. J. Earth Sci. 24, 410–427 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-013-0334-1

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