Seismic Activations in Italy, Greece, and Turkey during the 17th–19th Centuries

Abstract

The data on seismic activations (SAs) in Italy, Greece, and Turkey for the 17th–19th centuries are analyzed to clarify the common patterns of SA occurrence in the different seismically active regions associated with similar geodynamic conditions. The time clustering of strong earthquakes (М ≥ 5.6, I ≥ IX) in Italy, Greece, and Turkey in the 17th–19th centuries has made it possible to identify a number of SAs of various durations both in each country and in the whole region. However, the revealed recurrences are extremely uneven in the time range, the number of earthquakes, and the intervals between the individual SAs. Italy is recorded to have had 12 SAs; the 17th and 18th centuries are characterized by the maximum seismic activity, declining gradually by the 19th century. Nine and eight SAs were detected in Greece and Turkey, respectively, with seismic activity increasing strongly in these countries in the 19th century. The periods of common seismic activation for the entire region are also defined: 1658–1680, 1694–1743, 1766–1791, and 1846–1867.