Micro-displacement monitoring in caves at the Southern Alps–Dinarides–Southwestern Pannonian Basin junction

Abstract

In situ micro-displacement monitoring in caves at the seismically active junction of the Southern Alps, Dinarides and Southwestern Pannonian Basin revealed active tectonic micro-deformations. The largest total vertical movement of 0.35 mm (2008–2018) occurred at Kostanjeviška Jama (Southwestern Pannonian Basin–Dinarides). Two abrupt displacements observed at that cave location correspond to pre- and post-seismic episodes in 2014 and 2015. At Pološka Jama (Southern Alps), more gradual and continuous displacement on a monitored bedding plane of 0.13 mm down-slip (2008–2018) was observed. This movement is attributed to slope relaxation as well as tectonic activity on the Julian Alps thrust fault and the seismogenic Ravne Fault, which generated earthquakes at Mw = 5.6 in 1998 and Mw = 5.2 in 2004. At Jama pri Svetih Treh Kraljih in Dinarides, activity on the Ravne Fault was shown as sinistral-horizontal (0.1 mm) and vertical (0.15 mm) movement along an E–W-oriented tectonic structure. This shallowly buried site also experienced cyclic seasonal displacements. At Županova Jama, multiple short-term horizontal dextral and sinistral strike-slip pulses (2016–2018) demonstrated active tectonic micro-deformations within the wider zone of the Dobrepolje and Želimlje faults. At Postojnska Jama, two episodes of vertical movement on a NW–SE-oriented fault are associated with earthquake swarms: the first episode was in 2010 (MLV = 3.7) and the second in 2014 (MLV = 4.3). In-cave flood events do not coincide with periods of micro-displacement activity in the studied caves, and therefore are not the drivers of the micro-displacement.