Active tectonics in the Upper Rhine Graben

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This thesis examines the tectonic activity of the northern Upper Rhine Graben (URG) in Germany from the Quaternary to the present, highlighting the challenges posed by significant human modifications and low intra-plate seismicity. The preservation of slow deformation records is limited due to high surface processes during the Quaternary, necessitating a multi-faceted approach to study active tectonics. The research employs paleoseismological trenching, fluvial terrace mapping, quantitative tectonic geomorphology, and tectonic modeling. Chapter 1 reviews the geodynamic context of the URG. Chapter 2 presents findings from paleoseismological trenching and shallow geophysical measurements, focusing on the Western Border Fault (WBF), which showed evidence of Late Pleistocene activity. This chapter also discusses the interaction between fault activity and fluvial processes. Chapter 3 investigates the regional impact of fault activity on landscape evolution through a fluvial terrace study, including morphological mapping along the WBF and the construction of a longitudinal profile to assess displacement rates. Chapter 4 analyzes the tectonic geomorphology of the northern URG, utilizing quantitative landscape measurements to identify lithological and tectonic influences. The study assesses the balance between erosion and tectonic activity while identifying active fault segments. Chapter 5 evaluates the reactivation potential of f