Some Features of Seismicity in Bulqiza-Macukull Fault Zone During This Century

Abstract

During two decades of this century, the Albanian and its surrounding seismicity is dominated by high values. One active fault zone, determined on the foci and energy of earthquakes is Bulqiza-Macukull zone. On August 11, 2018 a moderate Ms5.2 earthquake sequence burst in the Bulqiza-Macukull tectonic fault zone. The main shock was located 8 km northwest of Bulqiza town and was felt over a larger area of northern, central and southern Albania. The Bulqiza-Macukull tectonic segment is exposed on the ground at a length of about 35 km, according to the SE-NW direction. The database of this study, composed of 305 seismic events with ML>1.0 is characterized by tectonic earthquakes activity in this fault zone. The focal mechanisms solution of the moderate earthquake indicate stress regime in this zone. The analysis of main aspects of seismicity during this century provides us correct interpretations of seismotectonics, geodynamic phenomena of the Earth's crust. The Bulqiza-Macukull transversal fault zone presents a threat to the nearby urban and hydropower areas.