A combined data technique for seismic risk assessment in Vrancea area

Medium- to short-term earthquake prediction is becoming ever more essential for safeguarding man, but till now there have been developed no verifiable methods of reliable earthquake prediction. As one of the most seismically active area in Europe, Vrancea region in Romania presents a relatively high potential of seismic risk mainly due to the subcrustal earthquakes located at the sharp bend of the Southeast Carpathians. The joint analysis of geodetic, seismological and geological information on the spatial distribution of crustal deformations reveals new insights in understanding the kinematics and dynamics of the complex plate boundary system present in the Eastern Carpathians. Combination of satellite (LANDSAT TM, ETM, SAR-ERS, ASTER), GPS and field data on Vrancea area provides a better monitoring of different geophysical parameters and long-term deformation in relation with earthquake activity. Multispectral and multitemporal satellite images over 1975-2006 period have been analyzed for obtaining the continuity and regional relationships of active faults as well as for geologic and seismic hazard mapping. GPS Romanian network stations data revealed a displacement of about 5-6 millimeters/year in horizontal direction relative motion, and a few millimeters/year in vertical direction. (authors)