SEISMIC ZONES AND SEISMICITY OF THE TERRITORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA

Abstract

<jats:p>According to all sources of data available to the Seismological Observatory the seismic activity in the Republic of North Macedonia is mainly tectonic, with the exception of weak collapse earthquakes. This seismic activity is caused by its affiliation to the Mediterranean area of the Alpine-Himalayan orogeny belt. Epicentral areas belong to the three main seismic zones, West-Macedonian seismic zone, Vardar seismic zone and East-Macedonian seismic zone. Three secondary seismic zones, transverse to the main seismic zones, are also defined. Each of these zones is characterized by а specific time and space distribution of earthquake locations, with frequent seismic microactivity, lot of minor to light earthquakes and very rare moderate to major earthquakes. Observed seismic activity on the territory of the Republic of North Macedonia has a main role for the evaluation of the seismic hazard of the specific territory.</jats:p>