Earthquake-induced landforms in the context of ice-sheet loading and unloading

In this chapter we present examples of earthquake-induced geomorphology in Northern Europe ranging from the readily visible surface expression to more subtle and complex landforms.

Stress changes in the subsurface created by loading and unloading of the ice sheets can result in reactivation of deep-seated faults. Glacially induced faulting can happen during the glaciation in a proglacial or subglacial setting, in a distal setting away from the ice margin or in a postglacial setting after the ice sheet has melted away. Thus, the timing and the location of the tectonic event is important for the resulting landform creation or landform change. Identification of earthquake-induced landforms can be used in interpretations of palaeoseismic events, for location of previously unrecognized fault zones and in evaluations of the likelihood of future seismic events. Interpretations of earthquake-induced landforms in and around former glaciated areas can therefore add important information to interpretations of both the Quaternary geology and the deep structural framework.