Seismicity of Western Europe as Determined from ISC Data Files

Abstract

The extent of damage caused by the moderate-sized earthquake at Liège on 8 November 1983 is a reminder of the vulnerability of populated areas with relatively low seismic activity to the effects of close shallow earthquakes. An essential first step in understanding the seismicity of an area is the compilation of comprehensive catalogues of earthquakes, and this paper presents plots of events in northwest Europe taken from the files of the International Seismological Centre in various combinations of area, time-period and magnitude. The diffuse nature of the activity in such areas makes precise delineation of active areas difficult, and the information in such catalogues, although a valuable starting point in the studies of seismicity, must be supplemented by both historical investigations of past events, and more detailed investigations of present events using modern techniques of recording and analysis. A brief field trip to Liege enabled local effects to be estimated generally at intensity VII, but reaching VIII in the worst areas.