Maximum macroseismic intensity map of Greece for the time period 1953–2011

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present the spatial distribution of macroseismic intensities assigned in modified Mercalli (MM) scale, across the Greek territory. For this purpose, a digital database with more than 30,000 local seismic intensity recordings from 156 major earthquake events that affected Greece and adjacent areas during the period 1953–2011 was developed. These events have focal depths up to about 150 km and surface-wave magnitudes (Ms) greater than 4.4. Various GIS-based techniques for data analysis and map creation were applied. A number of seismic intensity maps have been produced taking into account different attributes like intensities for shallow or deep events, maximum intensities by administrative units, maximum intensity for significant earthquakes, etc. The main map produced is the national map of maximum seismic intensities for shallow earthquakes (scale 1:1.500.000). The final layout also contains the maximum seismic intensities for deep earthquakes, the tectonic lines of Greece, the earthquakes of the database as well as the seismic intensities for two significant earthquakes in the last six decades.