Project:overview introduction

The South Eastern part of Europe is the most seismically active region on the continent, and consequently the region with the highest seismic hazard and risk in Europe . Unfortunately, the level of earthquake research capacity, as an average, is far below the European standard. Some countries that were previously part of Yugoslavia , at present perform seismological observations at a minimal level. The status in seismic hazard evaluation in such circumstances is inadequate.
Despite the fact that this part of the Balkan Peninsula , compared to the rest of Europe is characterized by very high earthquake hazard and risk (Fig. 1), seismological and seismotectonical research are still poorly resolved. In addition, relatively sparse seismological networks in the region and limited cross-border seismic data exchanges, generate a lot of doubts in seismotectonical interpretation and understanding of phenomena of seismic and geodynamic processes in the region.

The present situation results in insufficient quality of seismic hazard assessment, and significantly limits disaster management. Therefore, the development of proper prevention and preparedness measures may be hampered. Furthermore, it contributes to a lack of national expertise in seismology and disaster management, an inability to connect with the international research and engineering community, and it produces a downward spiral in overall capability and capacity to resist by natural disaster.
The main technical objectives of the proposed P roject‘Harmonization of Seismic Hazard Maps for the Western Balkan Countries' are to make improved and integrated seismological and seismotectonical databases and to prepare seismic hazard maps for the region, harmonized with the European standards (EURCODE-8) . Project realization will accommodate technical and scientific training programmes for young scientific staff at the national seismological centers in the region. Planners, engineers and the civil protection agencies will be engaged to ensure the improvement in disaster management and seismic risk assessment process.
To demonstrate its willingness to collaborate, each partner has identified its' field of contribution to the Project, such are: completion of national earthquake catalogues, delineation of active seismotectonic faults, development of predictive ground motion formulas etc. This project will integrate all separate national databases in a unique database of the region, which will be used for the seismic hazard assessment. A careful consideration and choice of peak-ground and spectral acceleration empirical function will be performed, respecting in the same time EUROCODE recommendations. Next, seismic hazard algorithm assessment and computer software will be elaborated and chosen for the purpose of automatic multi-purpose and multi level seismic hazard evaluation, resulting in seismic hazard maps for the whole region.
Through a specially developed GIS application, this Project will offer each partner the opportunity to access high quality data, to collaborate in research, as well as to develop and improve its own research capacity. Commitment of seismologists and disaster managers to cooperate on the national level will foster disaster preparedness and contingency planning for earthquakes.
As a conclusion, it may be pointed out that the project ‘Harmonization of Seismic Hazard Maps for the Western Balkan Countries’ will result in development of the harmonized regional seismic hazard map covering territories of the participating states. The map will be produced in digital form in different layers, covering several thematic harmonized seismic hazard maps for different seismic models, probability and earthquake return periods. The produced GIS application will be equipped by various background layers, covering topography (expressed by a digital terrain model with 3 arc seconds resolution), hydrography, demographic density, also epicentral map connected with the isoseismal maps for stronger earthquakes, seismotectonic map of active faults etc.
As the crucial reasons for launching the Project, the following can be listed:

Updating of existing seismic hazard maps is necessary, from the stand point of view to introduce the state of the art in the methodological approach, as well as to introduce of newly gathered seismicity data available in the region.
Local seismic design code regulations, seismic risk estimation, risk management and seismic safety improvements should be based on reliable hazard maps.
The fact that current seismic provisions have been updated in early 1980-is (practically in all of participating countries) underlines an evident need to upgrade these technical norms. The foreseen logical step is harmonization with EU standards (EUROCODE 8), what impose the seismic hazard harmonization as the first step towards.
Necessity to overcome the problem of artificial differences in the level of seismic hazard in cross-border areas (resulting from different methodologies applied to produce national maps) by performing unique seismic hazard analysis - over the whole area of the region.
Improvement of scientific collaboration in the region for hazard assessment methods and seismological data exchange.
Necessity for young scientists training in hazard assessment methodology.