Abstract
Studies of historical earthquakes in Switzerland are contained in monographs, chronological collections of effects and parametric catalogues. The systematic collection of macroseismic material started with the creation of the Swiss Seismological Commission in 1878. All parametric catalogues since 1975 have been prepared for seismic hazard assessment. The most up-to-date investigation of macroseismic data and compilation into a catalogue (ECOS) was made in the 2002 in context of the re-assessment of seismic hazard for nuclear sites.
Highlights
Descriptions of historical earthquakes in Switzerland can be divided up into three categories: i) Monographs on single prominent earthquakes by one author (e.g., Heusser, 1856), ii) Chronological collections of earthquakes and observed phenomena (e.g., Volger 1857-1858), iii) Catalogues with source parameters deduced from the descriptive information (e.g., MECOS, 1999)
For ECOS, earlier compilations served as guidelines for intensive searches in libraries and archives for primary sources such as annals, chronicles written by clergy and laymen, private and official documents, newspapers, journals etc
The expected output of such projects has set the main guidelines for the composition of parameters in the catalogues
Summary
Descriptions of historical earthquakes in Switzerland can be divided up into three categories: i) Monographs on single prominent earthquakes by one author (e.g., Heusser, 1856), ii) Chronological collections of earthquakes and observed phenomena (e.g., Volger 1857-1858), iii) Catalogues with source parameters deduced from the descriptive information (e.g., MECOS, 1999). Certain events in history have often initiated or intensified the investigation of historical earthquakes in Switzerland. Such an effect certainly occurred e.g. after the destructive Lisbon and Valais earthquakes in 1755, the establishment of the Swiss Earthquake Commission (SEC) in 1878, or even by demand of the regulatory body for improved seismic hazard assessments, as in 1974 and 1998 for nuclear installations. It was usually left to individuals with a strong motivation to work on this «side track of real science» This summary concentrates on the enumeration of significant works completed in different epochs in Switzerland and, if appropriate, describes the connected projects.
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