Use of geospatial and in situ information for seismic hazard assessment in Vrancea area, Romania

Due to the subcrustal earthquakes located at the sharp bend of the Southeast Carpathians, Vrancea zone in Romania, placed at conjunction of four tectonic blocks is considered one of the most seismically active areas in Europe with a high potential of seismic hazard. Multispectral and multitemporal satellite images over a period 1989-2006 have been analyzed for recognizing the continuity and regional relationships of active faults as well as for geologic and seismic hazard mapping. GPS measurements can serve as a reference to these results. GPS Romanian network stations data revealed a displacement of about 5 or 6 millimeters per year in horizontal direction relative motion, and a few millimeters per year in vertical direction. The joint analysis of geodetic, seismological and geological information on the spatial distribution of crustal deformations as well as the analysis of some earthquake precursors is revealing new insights in the field of hazard and risk approach for Vrancea area.