| dc.description.abstract | In this study, the probabilistic seismic hazard assessment for Albania was obtained by
implementing the extended homogeneous catalog and three source models, including the subduction zone (along with area sources and active faults), which has not been considered in prior studies. Albania’s earthquake catalog is expanded, covering a study area bounded by 36.0◦–46.0◦N latitude and 16.0◦–24.0◦E longitude for the 122 years time period from 1900 to 2022 (counting 17,679 earthquakes with magnitude ≥ 3.5). The three main seismogenic source models consist of 63 area sources, 275 active faults, and two subduction systems represented by the Hellenic and Calabrian Arcs. The main features of this analysis are the inclusion of the extended catalog, implementation of subduction sources, and the data-driven approach on selecting the ground motion models (GMMs), which includes recent global models. The ground motion hazard maps are presented in terms of peak ground acceleration (PGA) and spectral acceleration (SA), for 10% and 2% probability of exceedance (PoE) in 50 years, corresponding to 475 and 2475 years return period. The results are carried out for rock conditions with average velocity in the upper 30 m of soil section Vs30≥800 m/s, the standard reference site conditions used by the European seismic code EC8 (Eurocode 8 (CEN, 2004)), and counting the ground motion amplification site classes based on Vs30 map (Wald & Allen, 2007). Hazard curves and uniform hazard spectra are estimated for eight cities in Albania, while the disaggregation analysis is conducted to determine the contribution of each seismic source, and magnitude-distance including the range of ground motion uncertainties (epsilon) to the hazard for those eight selected cities. The findings underscore high seismic hazard in cities situated along the western coast of Albania, including Durres, Fier, Vlora, and Saranda, as well as the capital city, Tirana. The hazard maps obtained are comparable with the results on a regional scale. The hazard maps can be a reference indicator to establish a new regulatory national seismic zonation, to be considered for urban planning and disaster preparedness, and be used as an input for future seismic risk studies. This implies that the competent authorities should take into consideration the obtained results to improve the existing design code on a more reliable and realistic basis in order to increase the safety level of construction in the country. | en_US |