Introducing the PhD theses of our young researchers - Aleša Uršič Arko
Tectonic features of the contact between the Adriatic foreland and the Dinarides in SW Slovenia
Aleša Uršič Arko's PhD research is a continuation of her research in the area of the Kraško rim in SW Slovenia. Currently, extensive excavations are being carried out on the route of the Divača - Koper track 2, which provide direct insight into the structures already detected or indicated by geological mapping as part of the surveys for the construction of the Divača - Koper AC section, the preliminary surveys for the construction of the Koper-Divača track 2, and the production of a hydrogeological map of the Rižana area.
The karst margin is made up of repeated sequences of Palaeogene limestones and flysch rocks, where the limestones were deposited over softer flysch layers during the structural phases of the formation of the Dinarides. Despite numerous studies, key questions remain to be answered about the spatio-temporal dynamics of Cenozoic evolution, the quantification of deformation and the structural and geological structure of the area. Further research is important to understand the interface between the outer Dinarides and the Adriatic Plate and to appropriately spatialise infrastructure in a geologically challenging environment. The thesis has a particular focus on the identification and parameterisation of active faults, the linking of fault structures to deformation zones and the understanding of the dynamics of the area. The study will build on a rich database of data from infrastructure construction, geological mapping and recent projects, and will build on existing research, including ARSO's work on active tectonics and earthquake hazard modelling.
The supervisor of the PhD thesis is Dr Jernej Jež.