Basic Aspects of Seismic Activity in Albania and Its Surrounding Area During 2018 Year

Bozo Rezart, and Ormeni Rrapo

Institute of Geosciences, Energy, Water and Environment Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania

Abstract: The Albanian orogeny, as the most south-western part of the Euro-Asiatic plate, in convergence with the Adria microplate. The main cause of Albanian seismicity is the collision of Adria microplate with the Albanian orogeny. Seismic phases recorded by the Albanian network, integrated with data of Thessalonica (Greece), Montenegro and INGV (Italy) MSO (Montenegro) and MEDNET networks, are used to prepare the database for this year. On that territory 39.0-43.0N-18.5-21.5E, 780 earthquakes were located with running magnitude 1.0 to 5.1Richter. About 14 earthquakes were felt by population of Albania. In this year some of seismic zones are more active: 1) The Vlora-Lushnje-Elbasan transversal fault zone had generated 72 earthquakes with ranging magnitude 1.0 to 3.9 Richter. 2) In the Himara-Borshi- Kardhiq seismogenic zone, there are faults and flexures, expressed also with contrasts in relief. In this fault zone were located 108 earthquakes with ranging magnitude 1.2 to 4.5 Richter and maximum depth 10 km. 3) The Kurbnesh-Skavica seismogenic zone lies in the area of inner Albanides, along a depression zone of faults extending nearly meridional and relatively narrow. There were located 23 earthquakes with ranging magnitude 1.2 to 3.7 Richter. 4) Significant increase of seismic activity was registered on both sides of Albania and Greece border territory. 5) Highest increased of seismic activity was registered in central Albania expressed by sequences of moderate earthquake of Gjiri Lalzit (Durresi) M_L5.1 occurred at July 4, and by sequences of moderate earthquake of Vinjolla (Bulqiza) earthquake M_L5.1 occurred at August 11. 6) Significant increase of seismic activity was registered in north and northwest Albania border on the Montenegro territory. Two moderate earthquake respectively: the first occurred in Plava M = 4.6 (Richter) on 4 January 2018 and the second occurred in Ulqini M = 4.6 (Richter) on 13 November 2018.

Key words: earthquake, seismicity, aftershocks, fault