Skip to main content

Recent Instrumental Earthquake Activity Along the Damascus Fault (Syria)

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
On Significant Applications of Geophysical Methods (CAJG 2018)

Part of the book series: Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation ((ASTI))

Included in the following conference series:

  • 737 Accesses

Abstract

In this study, the results of earthquake data processing, recorded essentially by the Syrian National Seismological Network (SNSN), were analyzed, and a special earthquakes catalogue for Damascus fault covering the period 1995–2012 was established. During the study period of approximately 17 years, it was observed that the seismic activity of this fault is characterized by low-magnitude events. It was therefore deduced that Damascus fault is actually in a quiescence state in contrast with other faults segments of the Dead Sea Faults System such as Yammoneh and Aqapa segments. Such a seismic quiescence along the Damascus fault implies that a large earthquake is overdue. The Gutenberg-Richter relationship, deduced from the established catalogue, inferred that the b-value is about 0.93 using the least-squares technique. This value, close to 1.0, can be accepted regarding the reported values in the literature. Extrapolation of Gutenberg-Richter relationship reveals long return periods of large earthquakes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Barazangi, M., Seber, D., Chaimov, T., Best, J., Sawaf, T.: Tectonic evolution of the northern Arabian plate in western Syria. In: Boschi, E., Mantovani, E., Morelli, A. (eds.) Recent Evolution and Seismicity of the Mediterranean Region, pp. 117–140. Kluwer Academic Publishers (1993)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Brew, G., Lupa, J., Barazangi, M., Sawaf, T., Al-Imam, A., Zaza, T.: Structure and tectonic development of the Ghab basin and in Dead Sea fault system Syria. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 158, 665–674 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Sbeinati, M.R., Darawcheh, R., Mouty, M.: The historical earthquakes of Syria: an analysis of large and moderate earthquakes from 1365 B.C. to 1900 AD. Ann. Geofis. 48(3), 347–435 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Sharkov, E.V., et al.: Geochronology of Late Cenozoic basalts in western Syria. Petrology 2(4), 385–394. Russian original: Petrologiya 2(4), 439–448 (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Romieh, A., et al.: Active crustal shortening in NE Syria revealed by deformed terraces of the River Euphrates. Terra Nova 21, 427–437 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Abdul-Wahed, M.K., Asfahani, J., Al-Tahan, I.: A combined methodology of multiplet and composite focal mechanism techniques for the identification of the seismological active zones in Syria. Acta. Geophys. 59(5), 967–992 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Abdul-Wahed, M.K., Al-Tahan, I.: Preliminary outlining of the seismological active zones in Syria. Ann. Geophys. 53(4), 1–9 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  8. SNSN Bulletins: General Establishment of Geology and Mineral Resources, Syria. SNSN: Syrian National Seismological Network (1995–2012)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohamad Khir Abdul-Wahed .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Abdul-Wahed, M.K. (2019). Recent Instrumental Earthquake Activity Along the Damascus Fault (Syria). In: Sundararajan, N., Eshagh, M., Saibi, H., Meghraoui, M., Al-Garni, M., Giroux, B. (eds) On Significant Applications of Geophysical Methods. CAJG 2018. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01656-2_41

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics