The first dating of strong Holocene earthquakes in Gorny Altai using long-term tree-ring chronologies

Abstract

Abstract We present the first results of application of long-term tree-ring chronologies for dating seismically triggered rockfalls and determining the upper age of Holocene rockfalls in southeastern Altai. Based on the results of seismic dendrochronological analysis, dating of penetrating wood injuries is proposed and tested, and the criterion for the distinguishing of seismically triggered rockfalls among slope processes of climatic nature is formulated. An earlier unknown strong earthquake of 1532 has been recognized; its traces are dated by the radiocarbon method. Based on the new data and calibration of earlier radiocarbon dates, the recurrence period of strong earthquakes in the southeastern Altai is refined.