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MODERATE EARTHQUAKES OF THE DUMREA DIAPIRIC ZONE IN ALBANIA DURING THIS CENTURY
Abstract
The orogeny in Albania and its surrounding, in collision with Adria microplate is divided in two domains of a different present-day tectonic regimes: the external domain with a compressional regime and the internal domain with an extensional regime. Two main fault systems are distinguished: 1) the longitudinal fault system, trending NW-SE up to NNW-SSE, represented by thrust and reverse faults, and 2) the traversal fault system NE-SW trending represented by strike-slip. The Lushnje-Elbasan transversal fault, in the NNE direction, is delineated by the Dumrea diapir dome and the Elbasani Quaternary graben. Over a century-long period from 1923 to 2024 years, the activity of the Dumrea diapir dome fault zone and its surrounding manifested by 12 moderates to strong earthquakes recorded along it, with magnitudes ranging 4.5 - 6.2. Significant seismic events occurred in Dumrea diapir dome zone and its surrounding in 1923, a series of earthquakes in 1959, 1871, 1990, 2007, 2014, 2020, 2023, and 2024.The strong earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.2 (Ms), had occurred on September 1, 1959, near to Ura e Ku-it village about 18 km south-east of Lushnje town. Several strong foreshocks and a large number of aftershocks were located. We present results from an analysis of the focal mechanisms of the main shocks and their aftershocks. The focal mechanism solutions of these moderate earthquakes were obtained from the Institute of Seismology of Albania and EMSC. The analysis of the focal mechanisms indicates that the Dumrea diapir dome fault zone is currently operating as both a transtensional strike-slip and a transpressive one. The region affected by these moderate earthquakes over the last century, along with the strongest earthquake of May 1960 (M6.2), forms an active seismotectonic zone in central Albania, posing a threat to the nearby urban areas of Lushnja, Elbasani, and Berati districts in Albania.
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References8
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