Ormeni, Rrapo; Öztürk, Serkan; Silo, Erald; Bozo, Rrezart; Hoxha, Ismail; Mucaj, Dionald

A comprehensive analysis of b-value for the Albanian earthquakes was conducted using the instrumental earthquake catalogue of Albanian region. A total of 38,816 seismic events with magnitudes ML> 0.1 on the Richter scale were utilized. Statistical characteristics of the seismicity were examined based on b-value, as defined by the Gutenberg-Richter law. Considering the magnitude completeness (Mc-value) as 2.7, b-value was estimated as 1.09 ± 0.08 and it indicates a normal stress regime in the region. The Mc-value varies from 1.5 to 3.4, and spatial distribution of b-value ranges from 0.79 to 1.16. Higher b-values (> 1.0) were detected in the southernmost part of Albania, whereas lower b-values (< 1.0) were found in the western part, particularly within the Adriatic-Ionian fault zone and the Lushnje-Elbasan-Dibër transversal fault zone, as well as in the south-eastern Leskovik-Erseka-Korça fault zone. Regions with lower b-values correspond to areas with larger-magnitude events, while higher b-values are associated with smaller earthquakes. These findings suggest that b-values across Albania generally round 1.0, with lower values indicating moderate stress accumulation in the western region and within two other active seismic belts. The b-values less than 1.0 may signal areas of increased seismic potential. The occurrence probability of earthquakes across varying magnitudes was found to be very high (99%-100%) for seismic events with ML between 0.5 and 4.5, and lower (less than 95%) for events with ML > 5.5; it varied from 1% to 60% for events with larger ML > 6.0 for different Tr values. Recurrence periods for smaller magnitudes are relatively short (less than 1 year for magnitudes from 1.0 to 4.2), whereas for larger magnitudes (5.0 to 6.0), recurrence periods are longer, about 100 years. The Albanian region is characterized by a complex geological setting and significant seismic activity, and, thus, it can be stated that these types of analyses may be important in terms of seismotectonic evaluation and seismic hazard.

Ormeni, Rrapo; Öztürk, Serkan; Hasimi, Albana; Silo, Erald; Como, Elvin; Trofymchuk, O.; Rivza, B.

A detailed analysis of the b-value within the Elbasani fault zone, Albania, were studied. From instrumental seismicity in this area have been located 1830 seismic events, with magnitude Ml>0.5 Richter. In the zone of Elbasani, hot mineral water (thermal waters) spot out from natural springs which have been known since the 19th century. The statistical properties of seismicity are analysed by using b-value known as Gutenberg-Richter law. The magnitude of completeness (Mc) value is determined as 2.6, and the bvalue is calculated as 1.03 ± 0.06, and it is determined that the region has a normal stress level. It is seen that the Mc-value varies from 1.6 to 2.9, the b-value changes between 0.9 and 1.3. The regions with the large b-values (> 1.0) are estimated in the eastern parts of the of Elbasani zone. However, the regions with the low b-values (< 1.0) are observed in the north, west and southwest of Elbasani zone. The regions with the small b-values correspond to great-magnitude events, whereas the other large values are related to smallmagnitude earthquakes. These results reveal that b-values for all regions are well represented by a b-value typically close to 1.0. There are clear decreasing trends in temporal changes of b-values before the occurrences of some strong main shocks. The lower b-value indicate that there is still moderate stress accumulation in the southwest area of the Llinxha-Kozan thermal water belt. The b-values smaller than 1.0 indicate potential future earthquake area. Following the strong events, there are remarkable decreases in b-value as a function of time. Changes in b-value with time varies in a large band between 0.6 and 1.4. Probabilities of earthquake activity in different magnitude sizes show comparatively great values changing from 50-100 % for earthquakes of 0.5 ≤ Ml≤ 4.5 and the values relatively lower than 90 % for the earthquakes of 5.0 ≤ Ml. The Elbasani zone has a complex geological structure with a significant number of geothermal water resources and some features of seismicity.