Which fault destroyed Fes city (Morocco) in 1755? A new insight from the Holocene deformations observed along the southern border of Gibraltar arc

In this paper, we present the first estimate of the Holocene deformation along the southern front of Gibraltar arc (Morocco) and the first field constraints on the local 1755CE Fes-Meknes surface rupturing earthquake which could be associated to the “Great Lisbon Earthquake” (M>8.5) in November 1st, 1755. Using satellite imagery, aerial photographs and field investigations, we carried out a morphotectonic study along the ~150km-long Southern Rif Front (SRF) to identify the most recent evidences of tectonic activity. Analyzed offset alluvial deposits confirm that (i) the last ~5ka cumulative deformation leading to a slip rate of ~3.5±1mm/yr for this segment of the SRF is consistent with the GPS derived horizontal shortening rate of 2–4mm/yr and (ii) a recent major earthquake ruptured a~30km-long segment along the SRF. Based on deposits dating and historical seismicity we propose that this seismic event occurred in 1755 as a local earthquake. Even though this 1755 local event cannot be considered as a strong aftershock of the main Lisbon seismic event (M>8.5), their temporal closeness, their occurrence under the same convergent stress regime (~NNW-SSE-oriented compression) and the fact that Fes-Meknes area was strongly shaken during the Lisbon earthquake, raises the question of the possible triggering of the Fes earthquake. Anyway, our new results suggest that most of the Nubia-Rif belt convergence is accommodated by the SRF, making it potentially the most destructive structure of the Rif. •The first estimate of the Holocene deformation along the southern front of Gibraltar Arc (Morocco)•The first field constraints on the local AD 1755 Fes-Meknes surface rupturing earthquake•The Holocene slip rate is ~3.5±1mm/yr for this segment of the SRF.•A recent major earthquake ruptured a~30km-long segment along the SRF.•The SRF accommodates most of the Nubia-Rif convergence.