IDENTIFICATION OF EARTHQUAKE PRONE AREAS IN THE ALBORZ REGION

We defined nodes prone to earthquakes M6+ and topography features of these nodes in the Alborz region. The nodes have been delineated by the morphostructural zoning (MZ) method and the pattern recognition algorithm CORA-3 defined their seismic potential and characteristic features of topography. The MZ map delineates the hierarchical block-structure of the region, the network of boundary zones separating blocks, and the loci of the nodes, formed at the intersections of boundary zones. The recorded earthquakes M6+ nucleate at some of the nodes. CORA-3 defined other nodes capable of such size earthquakes using topographic, morphometric, and morphostructural parameters of the nodes. Nodes prone to M6+ exhibit the high topographic contrast and the increased fragmentation of the crust. The results obtained indicate a high seismic potential for the studied area and provide important information for seismic hazard assessment: a number of nodes where strong events have not been recorded to date, have been recognized to be prone to large earthquakes and they may warrant a detailed interdisciplinary investigation.