Abstract
The aim of this study was to outline the seismologically active zones in Syria using the focal mechanisms of the largest events recorded by the Syrian National Seismological Network over the last decade. A dataset of fault-plane solutions was obtained for 49 events with magnitude ≥3.5 using the first P-wave motions. Most of these events had strike‐slip mechanisms in agreement with the configuration of the seismogenic belts in Syria. Normal mechanisms were more scarce and were restricted to certain areas, such as the coastal ranges. These data show that despite the relatively small magnitudes of the events studied, they provide a coherent picture of the deformation that has currently been taking place along the active faults. However, some other faults were inactive during the period of this study.
Highlights
Syria is located in the northern part of the Arabian plate (Figure 1)
It is bound in the West by the northern section of the Dead Sea Fault System (DSFS)
North-East of Antioch, the DSFS intersects the Eastern Anatolian Fault System (EAFS) and the Bitlis Suture zone, both of which comprise the northern border of the Arabian plate
Summary
Syria is located in the northern part of the Arabian plate (Figure 1). It is bound in the West by the northern section of the Dead Sea Fault System (DSFS). North-East of Antioch, the DSFS intersects the Eastern Anatolian Fault System (EAFS) and the Bitlis Suture zone, both of which comprise the northern border of the Arabian plate. The neotectonic map of Syria recently published by Rukieh et al [2005] illustrated the evolution of the north-western boundary zone of the Arabian plate. Previous studies on the focal mechanisms of the past events in Syria have illustrated the left-lateral pattern of active deformation, with minor components of normal faulting associated with pull-apart basins along the DSFS [Garfunkel et al 1981, Chaimov et al 1990, Barazangi et al 1993]. Previous studies on the focal mechanisms of the past events in Syria have illustrated the left-lateral pattern of active deformation, with minor components of normal faulting associated with pull-apart basins along the DSFS [Garfunkel et al 1981, Chaimov et al 1990, Barazangi et al 1993]. Salamon et al [2003] calculated the fault-plane mechanisms of all ML ≥ 4 seismicity recorded in the eastern Mediterranean region during the 20th century
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