A brief paleoseismology literature review: Contribution for the local seismic culture study in Portugal

Abstract

On the framework of the FCT research project ‘SEISMIC-V: Vernacular Seismic Culture in Portugal’, the team was recommended, by the Evaluation Panel, to perform a review on the field of Paleoseismology and its application to the Portuguese territory. This paper intends to fulfil this request, by presenting an introduction to the history of Paleoseismology, its application and main techniques. The paper also includes a literature review regarding Portuguese geology, and a brief summary on the paleoseismic studies in Portugal, focusing on the following regions: the Gulf of Cadiz, and the Lower Tagus Valley. Finally, it presents an overview with general conclusions.