Neotectonics of the eastern Matano fault, Sulawesi, Indonesia: Preliminary results

Abstract

The Matano fault in central Sulawesi is one of the major strike-slip faults that accommodate the rapid left-lateral slip between the Pacific and Australian plates. The Matano fault has a high seismic potential of producing large (Mw ≥7) earthquakes. However, the Matano fault was less studied, unlike the Palu-Koro fault. This paper presents preliminary results of our active fault investigation in the eastern Matano fault which may help in understanding the neotectonics and earthquake hazard in central Sulawesi. The late Quaternary deformation of the eastern Matano fault is evidenced by deformed young geomorphic surfaces. The fault shows predominantly left-lateral motion and has steeply dipping fault plane. The eastern portion of the Matano fault may form a seismic gap that potentially host the next surface-rupturing earthquake.