Development of SLO KARST Near Fault Observatory site in SW Slovenia

Abstract

The project RI-SI-EPOS (Research Infrastructure-Slovenia-European Plate Observing System) provided new scientific equipment for solid Earth science related to geology, seismology, geodesy and karstology. Karst research infrastructure is primarily used at the SLO KARST NFO (Near Fault Observatory) developing site. The area covers ~ 2600 km2 and is one of the most seismically active areas in SW Slovenia. It consists mostly of karstified Mesozoic carbonate rocks and partly of non-karstified Eocene flysch. The landscape has numerous karst features including caves, poljes, dolines, uvalas, karst springs, ponors and periodic karst lakes, with typical karst underground water drainage. Site development commenced with the installation of seven temporary seismic stations in the area, along with other geoscience equipment (gravimeter, 3D laser terrestrial scanner, GNSS antenna, TM72 extensometers, spectrometer for methane and drone), deployed in 2020. With the new dense seismic network, locations and other seismic parameters are already determined more reliably than in the past, contributing to a better understanding of active tectonic deformations at the junction between the seismically active Friuli region (Italy) and the Zagreb–Petrinja area (Croatia). The new solid Earth Geoscience research infrastructure is already collecting a big amount of data following the FAIR principles (making data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) aiming to be included in the national and international research databases. Here, the first results from the newly operating SLO KARST NFO temporary seismic network (May 2020–June 2021) are discussed.