Investigation of earthquakes' geo-surroundings in the Pannonian Basin by using GIS tools

Abstract

The mechanism of earthquake occurrence in the Pannonian Basin is not clear in most cases (in other words, it is often not possible to find a relationship between the location of epicenters and the elements of the maps of recent tectonic movements), hence a GIS has been created in order to clarify the origin of these events. The special seismological GIS includes all relevant information (maps and joint database) concerned with earthquakes covering the whole territory of Hungary. GIS contains the following maps: special macro- and microseismic epicenters and their parameters; different active tectonic fault maps; digital terrain model of the recent relief; digital terrain models of different geological basements; appropriate geophysical anomaly maps; Quaternary sediment thickness; recent rivers, water streams and settlements. GIS enables us to carry out special operations between different layers by applying its tools in order to reveal the recent tectonic movements and to throw light upon the generation of possible earthquake occurrences. Results of the present investigation in GIS revealed that significant relation exists between the earthquake foci and recent tectonic lines. Some foci, however, can not be related to fracture lines. One part of earthquakes showed agreement with Pre-Tertiary basement areas of considerable slope, with the recent tectonic elements of Geomorphological maps and with the piedmonts of the North Hungarian Range. Some traces of recent movements have been found with the help of the multiplication map of Quaternary sediment thickness map and Recent relief (Digital Elevation Model).