The Athens earthquake (7 September 1999): intensity distribution and controlling factors

Abstract

The Athens earthquake, M s =5.9, that occurred on 7th September 1999 with epicenter located at the southern flank of Mount Parnitha (Greece, Attiki) according to instrumental data, is attributed to the reactivation of an ESE–WNW south- dipping fault without surficial expression. The earthquake caused a large number of casualties and extensive damage within an extended area. Damage displayed significant differentiation from place to place, as well as a peculiar geographic distribution. Based on geological, tectonic and morphological characteristics of the affected area and on the elaboration of damage recordings for intensity evaluation, it can be safely suggested that intensity distribution was the result of the combination of a number of parameters both on macro and microscale. On the macroscale, the parameters are the strike of the seismogenic fault, seismic wave directivity effects and to an old NNE–SSW tectonic structure, and they are also responsible for the maximum intensity arrangement in two perpendicular directions ESE–WNW and NNE–SSW. On the microscale, site foundation formations, old tectonic structures buried under recent formations and morphology are the parameters that differentiated intensities within the affected area.