Seismic risk assessment of the Dead Sea Fault
The Dead Sea Fault (DSF) is an important strike-slip fault that cuts across several countries in the eastern Mediterranean. It was the subject of intense research during the APAME project, which brought together experts from the region as well as from several EU Member States. Turkish geologists with Eskisehir Osmangazi University (OGU) used a variety of techniques to study the DSF during APAME. For example, field observations in their native country as well as in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan helped establish distinct fault segments. Palaeoseismic and archaeoseismic analyses were performed at specific sites, leading to the production of detailed topographic profiles and digital elevation models (DEMs). In addition, OGU populated the APAME seismicity catalogue with information for significant events stretching several seismic cycles into the past. For instance, core samples revealed that three major earthquakes have struck the region where the Al Harif Roman Aqueduct is located over the past 2000 years. Advanced remote sensing techniques, such as ground penetrating radar and magnetic prospecting, were used to profile various sections of the DSF, shedding light on displacement from significant events. Finally, in a cooperative effort with other research institutes, a dense global positioning system network was installed. The data collected have enabled more accurate measurements of the slip rate at different points along the DSF. The knowledge acquired during APAME will be exploited to produce improved seismic risk assessments for cultural heritage sites in the region.
