Earthquake monitoring & seismic hazard mitigation in Balkan countries (NATO science series IV: Earth & environmental sciences, Vol. 81) (Paper)

Seismology is rated the Queen of Earth Sciences due to its ability to provide detailed structural information bearing on the Earth interior and on-going dynamic processes. This is due to the advanced theoretical foundation of seismology and the extensive cooperation among seismologists on recording and disseminating of data worldwide. In contrast, some 40 years ago seismology was a backward science and hence funding was poor.This abruptly changed with the political interest in seismology as the principal tool for monitoring compliance with a potential Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban treaty (CTBT) banning nuclear testing in any environment.Major countries like USA, UK and USSR launched large-scale research programs including deployment of modern seismograph stations and arrays and these developments are detailed in the book for CTBTO (UN), IRIS (USA), MedNet (Italy), Geofon (Germany) and the tiny Karelia network, NW Russia. Station and network operations require near real time record analysis and topics dealt with here are 2-D signal detector, epicenter location and earthquake monitoring. Balkan is seismically the most active part of Europe due to multiple plate interactions in the Aegean Sea. The tectonic evolution and on-going geodynamic deformations are described in 2 articles. Earthquake hazard analysis and topographic site effects are discussed and likewise large earthquake hazards in the Aegean and the Marmara seas relate to practical applications of such procedures. Foremost, the book gives a good account of past, present and likely future seismological developments in Balkan countries and various kinds of network operations on local to global scales.

I. Tectonic Framework and Geodynamics of the South Balkan Region.Patterns of Cenozoic Extensional Tectonism in the South Balkan Extensional System, B.C. Burchfiel et al.- Crustal Motion and Strain Accumulation in the South Balkan Region Inferred from GPS Measurements, V. Kotzev et al.- II: Seismicity Studies in the South Balkan Region. Recent Devasting Earthquakes in Turkey and Active Tectonics of the Aegean and Marmara Seas, T. Taymaz et al.- Estimates of Stress Drop and High Frequency Diminution Parameter from Strong Motion Data Recorded in Albania, L. Duni L, N. Kuka.- Seismicity of Croatia, S. Markušic.- Seismicity of the Pannonian Basin, L.Tóth et al.- III. Seismic Network Operations on Global, Regional and National Scales. CTBTO International Monitoring System and Global Seismicity, R. Kebeasy.- The IRIS Consortium: Community Based Facilities and Data Management for Seismology, S. Ingate.- The Mediterranean Broad Band Seismographic Network Anno 2005/06, S. Mazza et al.- Geofon and its Role in Earthquake Monitoring and Tsunami Warning, W. Hanka, J. Saul.- The Karelian Regional Seismic Network in NW Russia, T. Matveeva et al.- IV. Seismic Network Operations, Event Location and 2.D Signal Detection. Cossack Ranger II— A high Quality, Versatile and Affordable 3-C shortperiod Station, Yu. V. Fedorenko et al.- A 2-D Seismic Signal Detector for stand alone 3-Component stations, Yu.V. Fedorenko et al.- Accurate Location of Seismic Sources with and without Travel Time Model, V. Pinsky.- Earthworm Auto-Earthquake Location Performance and Recent Improvements in Seismic Data Acquisition, Processing, Archiving and Dissemination at Kandilli Observatory And Earthquake Research Institute, C. Dean et al.- V. Seismic Hazard Analysis and Assessment.

A unique collection of papers detailing Balkan seismicity

Geodynamics of the South Balkan and Aegean sea regions

New approaches to seismological network operations and data analysis

Innovative and inexpensive seismograph design and real-time earthquake monitoring

Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis and modelling of topographic responses