JournalTOCs

Mediterranean Geoscience Reviews
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Hybrid journal (It can contain Open Access articles)
ISSN (Print) 2661-863X - ISSN (Online) 2661-8648
Published by Springer (Kluwer Academic Publishers); Brill Academic Publishers [1 journal]

Actual evapotranspiration estimation using METRIC model and Landsat
satellite images over an irrigated field in the Eastern Mediterranean
Region of Turkey
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  Abstract: Abstract Actual evapotranspiration (ETa) estimates at regional and river basin scales can assist water authorities with water allocation decisions in agriculture and the ecosystem. Remote sensing is cutting-edge technology as well as a robust tool for generating spatiotemporal variation of energy balance components over large areas. The objectives of this study were to: (a) estimate and generate fully distributed ETa maps by the “Mapping Evapo Transpiration at high Resolution with Internalized Calibration” (METRIC) in the Akarsu Irrigation Area (A = 9495 ha) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey, (b) compare ETa estimations with crop evapotranspiration (ETc) series acquired by FAO-56 methodology, i.e., “two-step approach” and (c) investigate the correlation between Kc obtained by the METRIC model and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for some specific crop types. Landsat satellite imagery data with 30 m by 30 m spatial resolution and meteorological data of two ground stations (L8 and Adana) were used to estimate daily and monthly ETa by the METRIC model in the winter and summer seasons of 2020. Results showed acceptable agreement between ETa and ETc estimations. ETa maps reflected the changes in parallel with crop type variations over the study area in the summer and winter seasons of 2020. A strong and moderate correlation was found between Kc acquired by METRIC (ETrF) and NDVI (r = 0.91 for Peanut1 and r = 0.55 for Corn1) in the summer season. Research results led us to conclude that remote sensing technologies could be applied to quantify the spatiotemporal dynamics of surface energy balance variables for irrigation and non-irrigation seasons. Moreover, ETa estimation by the METRIC model could be used over large-scale irrigation schemes in realizing rational irrigation scheduling efficiently and managing agricultural water more effectively.
  PubDate: 2023-03-13
Deterministic tsunamigenic earthquake hazard assessment for the northern
coast of Egypt based on multi-scenario approach
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  Abstract: Abstract Egypt’s northern coast can be considered a dynamic natural system like several coastal regions worldwide. While it provides many opportunities and resources, it may also pose significant challenges to the community, as the area is prone to land and marine-related geohazards (e.g., earthquakes, sea-level rise, land subsidence, storms, coastal erosion, and tsunamis). Also, the recent national census survey indicates that numerous assets, systems, infrastructures, and cultural heritage sites (elements under risk) are situated within the zone of hazards. Multi-hazard and risk assessments are therefore necessary to achieve national sustainable development plans. This study, in particular, focuses on tsunami hazard, which is defined here as the envelope (upper bound estimate) from a comprehensive set of possible simulated tsunami scenarios. The main aim of this work is to provide robust and conservative hazard estimates while considering the variability related to earthquake parameters. The seismological parameters that describe each tsunamigenic earthquake scenario are extracted from published works. Also, detailed nested grids of topo-bathymetry are developed from free-access data sources. The seismological and topo-bathymetry data are essential components for separately carrying out tsunami modelling for each individual scenario. The simulated scenarios are aggregated to build tsunami intensity maps of interest. The ETAs (Expected Time of Arrival), the maximum, average, and standard deviation of coastal tsunami wave height and the inundation maps are developed based on an aggregated scenario. In addition, the simulation of tsunami wave propagation can provide synthetic mareographs computed at selected sites, which can be used for detailed site-specific analysis. The obtained results from the current work indicate that the northern Egyptian coast is characterized by a moderate-to-high tsunami hazard. The western part of this coast poses the maximum coastal tsunami wave heights; however, the longitudinal dunes, extending parallel to the shoreline, form a natural barrier that reduces the tsunami hazard. In contrast, the central and eastern parts of the Nile Delta and the entrance of the Suez Canal show relatively lower tsunami amplitude but a large inundation because of its low altitude and flat topography that could pose a higher risk to this area. The relatively high exposure and high vulnerability of elements under threat along the northern coast of Egypt may dramatically increase the future risk. It is critical to incorporate these results into a broader multi-hazard and risk assessment to effectively mitigate the impact of natural disasters on the Egyptian-Mediterranean coast.
  PubDate: 2023-03-03
Review of the deformation styles during the Cretaceous Tethyan period:
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  Abstract: Abstract In northern Tunisia, the Cretaceous period is described as a spectacular episode of soft-sediment deformations exposed for several kilometers. These gravity-driven deformations are interpreted to be associated with the Tethyan passive margin rifting. Slump folds and fault kinematics are analysed in order to characterize the structural style of Northern Tunisia basin during the Cretaceous Tethyan period. As a result, Early Cretaceous sedimentation reflects a syn-rift stage mainly underlined by major basement fault systems combined with other intra-basin growth normal faults. These faults are tilted northward creating a paleoslope (estimated here to be ± 3°) associated to abundant soft-sediment deformations. Major faults (probably listric) split the study area into various tectonic blocs. Meanwhile, the post-rift Coniacian–Maastrichtian rich-marly deposits seal all the inherited differentiations and were presumably driven by the isostatic response of various inherited major faults. Based on fault kinematic analysis, compressional events were not observed during the whole Cretaceous and the sedimentation mainly occurred under extensional tectonics during this period. Halokinetic movements and salt rise-up are active on the extensional structures essentially during the end of the Early Cretaceous period allowing the creation of abundant large depocenters with numerous soft-sediment deformations. Thus, the Tunisian margin is described as an evaporite floored margin where significant part of the Mesozoic sedimentary cover underwent frequent gliding and spreading above the Triassic evaporitic detachment layers, as described in several Atlantic-type passive margins. During the Cenozoic shortening, a fault inversion model is mainly accepted for the development of different thrust systems. Thus, a clear field relationship between various inherited structural entities and the present-day geographical repartition of faults and folds belts involves the role of the tectonic inheritance in style and the evolution of the northern Tunisia belt.
  PubDate: 2023-02-28
Assessment of groundwater quality and its recharge mechanisms using
hydrogeochemical and isotopic data in the Tafilalet plain (south-eastern
Morocco)
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  Abstract: Abstract The Tafilalet plain in south-eastern Morocco is characterized by two main economic activities -agriculture and tourism- supported by water from the Quaternary aquifer. This aquifer is under increasing pressure due to low annual rainfall (71.5 mm/year) and intense agricultural activities. Consequently, identifying groundwater recharge mechanisms and assessing their quality is essential for efficient management and sustainable socioeconomic development. This study aims to define the hydrogeochemical and isotopic characteristics and assess groundwater quality and recharge mechanisms in this area. The methodology consists of an investigation coupled with multivariate statistical analysis and combining hydrogeological, hydrogeochemical, and isotopic hydrology data. Results show that the main water types in the study area are sodium chloride and calcium magnesium chloride facies. The groundwater is mainly degraded and highly mineralized. Water shows increasing concentrations of Cl− and Na+ due to the evapotranspiration of irrigation water. The isotopic data show average oxygen-18 and deuterium contents of δ18Oavg = − 6.7‰ and δ2Havg = − 48‰, respectively, with tritium activity varying over a wide range, between 3 and 6 TU, indicating recent recharge. The 18O and 2H values indicate that the Quaternary aquifer recharge occurred under present climatic conditions. This modern recharge, attested by thermonuclear tritium, is confirmed by radiocarbon (14C = 94.9 to 107.6 cfm). In the study area, the approximate soil and groundwater salinity maintenance in irrigated areas is closely related to the current hydrological conditions and the adopted irrigation mode. Therefore, water management measures such as using modern irrigation methods should be encouraged.
  PubDate: 2023-01-31
On parametric seismicity catalogues: the impact on the seismic risk
assessment in Mediterranean regions
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  PubDate: 2023-01-25
Analysis of the effectiveness of alert messages issued by tsunami service
providers: a case study from May 2nd, 2020 South Crete earthquake and
tsunami alert for Egypt
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  Abstract: Abstract At 12:51 UTC on May 2nd, 2020, an offshore earthquake of magnitude Mw = 6.7 and focal depth of around 10 km occurred south of the island of Crete (Greece). The initial tsunami alert message (TAMs) received by the Egyptian National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics—NRIAG (i.e. the National Tsunami Warning Focal Point for Egypt) was issued by the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens (NOA-HLNTWC), and was based on preliminary, a rather inaccurate hypocenter and magnitude estimates. About 36 min after the earthquake, a follow-up message with an increased tsunami warning level was issued; the updated warning was motivated by a significant revision of hypocenter and magnitude estimates rather than on standard incoming sea-level data processing. This study's main objective is to evaluate the North-East Atlantic, Mediterranean and connected Seas (NEAMTWS) tsunami service providers (TSPs) dissemination process of tsunami alert messages (TAMs) basin-wide and in the Eastern Mediterranean in particular and cross-checking them against observed and modelled seismological and sea-level data. Based on the critical review of the tsunami warning messages disseminated by NOA-HLNTWC and other TSPs (which is a TSP in the Eastern Mediterranean) and received by NRIAG (which is a TWFP for Egypt), a comprehensive review of the tsunami early warning system tools and procedures is urgently needed in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, it is crucial to show the active involvement of countries on the southern coast of the Mediterranean, since tsunami warning can only be efficient with international cooperation on data (seismic and sea level), and procedures, with the participation of all the Mediterranean shorelines.
  PubDate: 2022-12-28
Coseismic and cumulative costal deformations along the 2003 Zemmouri
earthquake area (Mw 6.8, Tell Atlas, Algeria)
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  Abstract: Abstract Coastal tectonics in seismically active regions often leaves geomorphological and tectonic markers with cumulative uplift. We studied the late Quaternary tectonic geomorphology in the Zemmouri earthquake (21 May 2003, Mw 6.8) area and its correlation to the coseismic coastal uplift in the Tell Atlas (Northern Algeria). The average 0.55 m coseismic uplift along the ~ 60-km-long coastline is compared to the late Quaternary geomorphological changes that include alluvial and marine terraces distribution and drainage system distribution. Field investigations are coupled with aerial photographs, high-resolution Pleiades satellite images and digital elevation models (extracted from Pleiades tri-stereo images, SRTM 1″ and ASTER Global). Uplifted marine and alluvial terraces, distribution of drainage network with river mouth migrations and convex shape of most river channel profiles document the coastal late Quaternary deformation. Morphometric parameters applied to the rivers and streams illustrate the effect of vertical movements on the landforms and channels in the Zemmouri coastal area, Upper Pleistocene and Holocene marine terraces, and paleo-wave-cut notch levels reveal ~ 0.3 mm/yr uplift rate between 130 and 30 ka and increases to reach 1.7 mm/yr during late Pleistocene and Holocene. This rate is consistent with the seismotectonic (fault geometry and earthquake mechanisms) and geodetic (InSAR and GPS) results. The tectonic geomorphology with the characterization of coastal uplift is critical for the long-term active tectonics and seismic hazard assessment in the Tell Atlas of Algeria and along the Africa–Eurasia plate boundary.
  PubDate: 2022-12-01
The recent seismicity of northern Algeria: the 2006–2020 catalogue
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  Abstract: Abstract An accurate and complete seismic catalogue is fundamental for studying the temporal, spatial, and size distribution of earthquakes. It also aids in the review of hazard assessment studies and geodynamic processes. In this paper, we present a new Algerian Seismic Catalogue for 2006–2020, compiling the more complete and accurate seismic events recorded in the referenced period. This catalogue is issued from data collection of the new Algerian Digital Seismic Network composed of 80 digital stations mainly distributed in northern Algeria and one at Tamanrasset in the south. The resulting catalogue contains 4858 events that were declustered from a total of 9000 recorded ones by removing foreshocks, aftershocks, and mine blasts. The parametric catalogue includes the following information for each earthquake: date, origin time, geographical coordinates (longitude and latitude), magnitudes (Md, Mb or Mw), focal depth, intensity (I0), and, for the strongest events, spectral source parameters and focal mechanisms. In contrast to previous catalogues, the current one is the most accurate of Algerian seismicity due to both digital data and modern locating methods. Indeed it is characterised by a remarkable improvement in the total number of events recorded with a completeness magnitude of Mc 2.5 and by the accuracy of earthquake parameters estimation. The seismicity distribution of the resulting catalogue reveals that two-thirds of the epicentres are clustered in the central and eastern Algeria. In comparison, the western region remains quieter with a few events recorded. The recent activity reported in the catalogue enables the delineation of previously poorly known seismogenic zones such as the Medea basin, the Babors region, the North Constantine–Mila basin, or N–S named “the 4°50 shear zone” of the Hoggar shield. For the first time, the catalogue documents an induced earthquake during the 2007 Mila seismic crisis. The recently collected seismic data allow us to distinguish the epicentral zones of several historical events from previous catalogues.
  PubDate: 2022-09-23
Testing the earthquake damage and vulnerability of the Cherichira aqueduct
bridge, Kairouan (Tunisia) with discrete element modeling
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  Abstract: Abstract The Cherichira aqueduct, originating from Roman times, supplied the city of Kairouan, Tunisia, with water and has had alternating phases of damage and repair after the Roman and during the Aghlabid and Fatimid era. A crucial section of the lifeline is the Cherichira aqueduct bridge (CAB), and scholars have discussed the possibility that earthquake ground motions caused damage which disrupted the water supply of Kairouan. However, little was known about the dynamic behavior of the bridge and its vulnerability to earthquake ground motions. Computer-aided design based on a detailed laser scan model of the remains of the bridge and published data were used to reconstruct the CAB of the Aghlabid period. Subsequently converted into a discrete element model, the digital version of the CAB was subjected to analytic ground motion signals and full 3D simulations of local earthquakes. The CAB model shows a fundamental eigenfrequency close to 1 Hz in the direction transverse to its trend, and single-component ground motions in this direction with peak particle velocities above 1.0 m/s cause damage to the top of the CAB. Among the earthquake scenarios with full 3D ground motions applied, only the activation of a nearby thrust fault caused distinct damage. While fractures in the ruins of the CAB cutting through the upper part of the bridge which includes the water canal are a likely cause for disrupting the water flow and are similar to the damage pattern produced in the model calculations, a solely seismogenic cause of the total collapse of some parts of the CAB cannot be verified by the simulations.
  PubDate: 2022-09-21
The 21 and 22 August 1856 earthquake (I0 IX-X EMS, Ms 6.6): damage and
repair from an unpublished historical source and impact on Jijel city
nowadays
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  Abstract: Abstract The recent seismic activity (2018–2021) in the Jijel region provides us with an opportunity to return to the most destructive and tsunamigenic earthquakes that hit Jijel town (formerly Djidjelli) on 21 and 22 August 1856. The purpose of this study is to deliver to scientists and different users detailed information on the damage caused by the seismic events to the buildings of Jijel city. This information is contained in an unpublished report that we found in the historical archives of the French colonial Army. The first exploitation of these data, supported by different illustrations, allows us to get indices for evaluating a priori possible damage that could be caused by a forthcoming earthquake of the same size (I0 IX, Ms ≥ 6.6) to Jijel city and its close surroundings.
  PubDate: 2022-09-13
Joint inversion of receiver functions and surface wave dispersion
velocities to investigate the crustal structure of north of Morocco: case
of Rif domain
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  Abstract: Abstract Based on three-component seismograms of teleseismic events, the receiver function (RF) and surface wave dispersion approaches are well-confirmed tools for exploring crustal and upper mantle structures of northern Morocco. In addition, providing new data to better constrain and understand the geodynamic evolution and the Earth’s interior structure under the Rif Mountain is crucial. This study aimed to investigate the crustal complexities and the mohogeometry beneath the study area and to detect the possible high velocity. In addition, the depth of basement rocks and the thickness of the sedimentary cover under the surface of the study area are retrieved. A database of teleseismic events digitally recorded by 35 broad-band seismic stations from the TopoIberia, Picasso and CNRST located in Northern Morocco is used. Results show that the crustal structure of northern Morocco is filled by a sequence of sediments that differs in thickness across the region. The crustal thickness differs from West to East and reaches a maximum value of about 45 km in the Central Rif and a minimum of about 18 km in the Eastern Rif. The obtained Vp/Vs ratio varies between 1.7 and 1.8 in northern Morocco. The areas with a somewhat noticeable increase in the Vp/Vs ratio may represent geothermal areas, which could be exploited as renewable energy sources in the north of Morocco. The shear wave velocity model delineates a low seismic velocity zone in the upper crust at Central Rif and is observed at depths ranging from 5 to 12 km. This low-velocity zone may be attributed to the presence of weak fault zones. Compared with previous studies, the current study covers most of northern Morocco and provides new information about the tectonic evolution and crustal structure for those regions. The crustal models inferred from the RFs are consistent with previous studies, especially at stations located in the same areas.
  PubDate: 2022-09-10
Reassessing the rupture process of the 2003 Boumerdes-Zemmouri earthquake
(Mw 6.8, northern Algeria) using teleseismic, strong motion, InSAR, GPS,
and coastal uplift data
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  Abstract: Abstract In this work, we determined the coseismic slip distribution of the Boumerdes-Zemmouri earthquake (Mw 6.8, 2003) by inverting a most comprehensive set of data, teleseismic seismograms, strong motion seismograms, coastaluplift, Global Positioning System (GPS), and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar. We suggest a best-fitting model of coseismic slip distribution on the following two segments: the first segment oriented at N70° and the second segment located at the west of the first one and oriented at N100°.The slip distribution shows two slip patches on the N70° segment containing the hypocenter. The eastern patch is shallower, located between 0 and 9 km depth, with a maximum slip of 2.30 m. The western slip-patch on this same segment is deeper, between 4 and 12 km depth, with a slip that reaches a maximum value of 2.70 m at the center. The N100° segment also displays two slip patches, a small one in the east of the segment, which is between 4 and 8 km depth and a larger one in the western part of the segment, between 0 and 10 km depth. Both patches associated with the N100° segment show a maximum slip between 1.10 and 1.40 m.
  PubDate: 2022-09-06
Empirical calibration of earthquake magnitudes for the Tell Atlas
(Northern Algeria)
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  Abstract: Abstract The Tell Atlas of Algeria is an earthquake-prone area, which experienced many strong earthquakes induced by the collision between the African and Eurasian plates. The “Centre de Recherche en Astronomie Astrophysique et Géophysique” (CRAAG), in charge of the Algerian Seismological Survey, provides, for each earthquake, the parameters of the macroseismic intensity (I0), the epicenter location and the duration magnitude (Md). The catalog of Algerian earthquakes contains data represented mainly by maximum intensity I0 (for historical seismicity and mostly pre-instrumental earthquakes era) and duration magnitude Md for most of the instrumental seismicity. A previous study by Hamdache et al. (Hamdache et al., Seismol Res Lett 81:732–739, 2010) produced a unified catalog of the main seismic event in Algeria. This study aims to homogenize the Algerian seismic catalog and to achieve its completeness by determining empirical relations converting Md and I0 (given by CRAAG) to Mw, Ms, mb (given by international seismological agencies). To compute the relationship between intensity and magnitudes, we adopted Linear Orthogonal Regression applied to the dataset we selected. Our catalog is now complete and homogeneous, and Mw, Ms and mb were assigned for historical earthquakes. This will be useful for earthquake engineering and for those dealing with seismic hazard assessment in the Tell Atlas (Algeria), where several urbanized large cities are under the threat of strong earthquake, as is the case for Algiers capital city. The recent urban development in countries with catalogs limited primarily to macroseismic data increased the need for useable relations to convert epicentral intensities to instrumental magnitude mb, Ms or Mw.
  PubDate: 2022-08-28
Detection of faults from 2D seismic data using multi-attribute analysis
and artificial neural network: a case study from Nekor Basin, North
Morocco
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  Abstract: Abstract Al Hoceima region, located in northern Morocco, is frequently stroked by earthquakes associated with tectonic faults in and around the Nekor Basin. In particular, the Al Hoceima area is crossed by a network of active faults, indicating the undergoing of this region under active deformation associated with the convergence between Africa and Eurasia. Here, we attempt to highlight a set of faults from 2D seismic data acquired over the Nekor Basin using artificial neural networks (ANNs) combined with seismic attributes. We condition the seismic data to remove random noise and expose the geological structures, and then we use it to define a group of attributes sensitive to the presence of faults. The selected attributes were trained through a fully connected multi-layer perceptron (MLP) on fault, and non-fault locations picked manually over seismic data to generate a single attribute referred to as fault meta-attribute probability. The generated fault meta-attribute probability has successfully illuminated geological discontinuities with efficiency. It is observed that in the western part of the study area, the fault probability has brought out thinned and sharpened fault images from seismic data, whereas the efficiency of this meta-attribute decreases towards the east due to the presence of noise around the fault’s positions. Based on these results, the interpretative approach followed in this work demonstrates the effectiveness of using machine learning and automatic methods on imaging geological structures from seismic data. We expect that these results can be used directly as input data in seismic hazard studies in this region.
  PubDate: 2022-08-25
Exploiting the legacy of N.N. Ambraseys: known and unknown earthquakes in
the Anatolian area
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  Abstract: Abstract N.N. Ambraseys left us a wealth of papers and volumes on a number of topics; many of them concern the historical earthquake investigation. One of the last works is the 2009 volume (Ambraseys in Earthquakes in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East: a multidisciplinary study of 2000 years of seismicity, Cambridge, Cambridge, UK, 2009), where he summarizes the results of more than thirty years of investigation through archives and libraries, covering earthquakes of a large area, from Albania to Caucasus. For each earthquake, a short summary of the main effects is supplied, together with the list of the sources used. Such information is intended as material for assessing location and size of the earthquakes, task that the author accomplished only in a very preliminary way for a few earthquakes, only. In addition to exhaustive descriptions of the most known earthquakes and the relevant historical sources, the volume contains information on a large number of earthquakes, so far unknown to the current earthquake catalogues. This paper intends to represent a homage to his immense work, partially showing the potential of his volume. We briefly present here some case histories, including the preliminary location and size of the earthquakes – known and unknown—around Anatolia. We add some examples of how he was able to prove that some alleged earthquakes are actually to be considered as fake or very doubtful. We also present the damage information supplied for some known and unknown earthquakes, and how they can be used for assessing location and size of them.
  PubDate: 2022-08-23
Seismicity of northern Algeria: performance of local networks
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  Abstract: Abstract During the past decades, there was a remarkable rebound in seismicity studies in northern Algeria, where almost all moderate earthquakes were thoroughly studied and result published. This fact was made possible by the deployment, extension and modernization of local seismological networks. In this work, 20 earthquakes (4.5 ≤ Mw ≤ 5.9) occurred in the Tell Atlas of Algeria for the period (2006–2021) and recorded by many digital stations of the national accelerograph network are considered. First, we located hypocenters of the events. Second, we performed a waveforms inversion of accelerograms to describe the seismic source (seismic moment, moment magnitude and focal mechanisms of the corresponding earthquake). The hypocenters are well constrained better than those provided by international organisms, while the magnitudes and focal mechanisms are comparable. In the western Tell Atlas, the focal mechanisms often yielded reverse faulting, while in eastern Algeria, they showed often strike slip solutions. The instrumental seismicity often occurred inside or around Neogene basins, known already to have experienced historical seismicity.
  PubDate: 2022-08-13
The history of seismology and historical seismicity in Algeria: an
overview
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  Abstract: Abstract Algeria is one of the most seismically active areas along the Nubia-Eurasia convergent plates boundary. It is well known that the instrumental records of seismic events are incomplete because of inadequate instrumentation and the poor coverage of seismogenic areas from 1900 until the installation in 1992 of the Algerian Telemetered Seismological Network. The available catalogues of the seismicity of Algeria, including several published research papers on the same topic, reported numerous destructive earthquakes striking several regions, particularly along the coast [Oran, Mascara, Chlef (Former Orléansville and El Asnam), Tipasa-Chenoua, Algiers, Zemmouri, Constantine, Béjaia, Djidjelli (5.9 < M < 7.3; IX < Io < X]. This seismicity is the result of the collision between the Nubia and Eurasian plates and is located within the Algerian Tell Atlas. To properly study the seismicity of Algeria, we must consider three periods in relation to the installation of the seismic instrumentation over the Algerian territory: (1) the pre-1910 period with the first published seismic catalogues, (2) the post-1910 period with the beginning of the instrumental seismicity and, finally, (3) the post-1980 period with the installation of the Algerian Teleseismic Network in 1990 and its upgrade following the Zemmouri earthquake of May 21st 2003.
  PubDate: 2022-08-12
A unified MW parametric earthquake catalog for Algeria and adjacent
regions (PECAAR)
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  Abstract: Abstract This study compiles a parametric earthquake catalog covering Northern Algeria and its adjacent areas from 1658 to 2018. The choice of moment magnitude MW as a unified scale of the compiled catalog ensures the non-saturation of the magnitude for large magnitude events and direct link or access to the physical parameters of the ruptured faults. The compilation process was performed based on data merging from various national and international heterogeneous magnitude sources together with intensity sources from the historical period. Several empirical relationships have been used to link different magnitude scales and intensity, namely Imax, mb, mbLg, MD, ML and MS. In addition, a new set of empirical relationships was established using the General Regression Method (GOR) to link the local magnitude ML and the duration magnitude MD scales used by the Algerian (CRAAG) and Tunisian (NIMT) national seismological agencies, respectively. The obtained earthquake catalog (PECAAR) includes 11,084 events that occurred during the period from 1658 and the end of 2018, with magnitudes MW ≥ 2.8, registered within the area delimited by longitudes 3° W and 10° E and latitudes 32° N and 38° N. The analysis of time variation of the magnitude of completeness mc estimated using the Maximum Curvature method reveals that mc drops to about 4 and 3 starting from 1840 and 1997, respectively. In space, the recent distribution of the magnitude of completeness estimated using the last decade’s data shows quite stable values ranging between 2.8 and 3.4.
  PubDate: 2022-08-09
Was the north-west African coast area free of disastrous earthquakes
during the Roman period'
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  Abstract: Abstract This study focusses on earthquakes in the NW Africa coast during the Roman period (circa 100BC–AD500). For this period, only one earthquake is known from written sources and two from inscriptions explicitly mentioning seismic events. Hence, the corresponding apparent seismicity rate is too small compared to the rate of the instrumental period. This apparent deficit may be due (1) to an interval of seismic quiescence of the North Africa compressional front or (2) to silence of historical sources. To shed light to this problem, seen from a broader perspective, a systematic study of the Roman literature focussing on earthquakes and related effects on a regional scale has started some time ago. A first result is that since the middle of the fourth century AD earthquakes were a tool of propaganda between Christians and pagans, hence any reference to earthquakes in this period, usually vague, should be treated with much care. Methods to decode and evaluate this type of information are discussed, and in addition it is highlighted that the recent digitalization of historical sources opens new ways in earthquake studies. This study represents a tribute to Assia Harbi, whose research covered ancient earthquakes and which unfortunately remained uncomplete.
  PubDate: 2022-07-24
Combining earth sciences with archaeology to investigate natural risks
related to the cultural heritage of the Marsica region (central Apennines,
Italy)
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  Abstract: Abstract Methods of Earth Sciences have been employed in archaeological sites of the Marsica region, central Italy, in two different perspectives: to enhance knowledge on past natural events which damaged/destroyed ancient settlements/monuments and to gather data useful/necessary for preservation of the local cultural heritage. Within this wide perspective, the paper deals with (i) recent archaeoseismological investigations at Alba Fucens and other sites of the Fucino Plain which add evidence of sudden building collapse to the already available (archaeoseismological and paleoseismological) data concerning seismicity of fifth-sixth century AD; (ii) archaeological investigations on remains of the Medieval church of San Bartolomeo showing that coseismic damage in 1349 caused the abandonment of part of the building and its (re)use for burials; (iii) evidence of slope instability which caused rapid mass deposition in the lowest sector of ancient Alba Fucens since around the half of the sixth century AD, inhibiting the occupation of the Roman town; (iv) capable faulting potentially affecting the westernmost sector of the huge hydraulic works made by Romans during the first-second century AD to drain former Lake Fucino.
  PubDate: 2022-07-09