Seismicity studies and tectonic settings of the Caucasus; The past and the Future

The Caucasus as a part of continent-continent collision of Arabian and Eurasian plates is tectonically complicated region, containing many structural formations: thrusts, tectonic nappes, buried folds, normal, reverse, and strike-slip faults and other seismically active structures. This complexity is most likely to be responsible for the widespread diffuse character of seismicity. The Caucasus suffered from several devastating earthquakes in the past: such as Shemakha earthquake of 1668, M=7.5, I0 =10 (MSK scale), Alaverdi earthquake of 1742, Ms=6.8, I0=9 and the Lechkhumi-Svaneti earthquake of 1350, Ms=7.0, I0 =9 …; during instrumental period the strongest earthquakes occurred in 1988 in Armenia - Spitak earthquake 1988, M=7.0, I0=9-10(MSK scale) and in Georgia-Racha earthquake 1991, Ms=7.0, I0 =9. The earthquakes have dramatically demonstrated that future earthquakes can cause tremendous loss of human life and property. Insufficient or inadequate awareness of the population and governments regarding the actual hazard and risk in their own and neighboring countries is one of the factors that complicate mutual understanding between the countries of the region. Protection of the environment, natural hazard assessment and reduction requires developing infrastructure, capability and regionally coordinated planning for response to disasters. The proper assessment of a natural hazard should be based on an optimally selected monitoring network. In the case of a strong earthquake that affects also neighboring countries. It is necessary to use similar sensors, systems, data collection and processing methodology as well as have an agreed upon strategy for response. To investigate the problem of seismicity; tectonics and seismic hazard analysis it is necessary to establish a modern regional monitoring network comprised of high-sensitivity digital seismographs. During the last years, after a decade of collapse in the field of seismic monitoring, all countries of the southern Caucasus created digital seismic networks that provide the opportunity for receiving more qualitative seismic information. Joint field investigations during last decades in the scope of International projects conducted in the Caucasus region established scientific groups able to collaborate and promote new scientific ideas. Field Studies of active faults by means of Geological and Geophysical investigations were carried out, by means of Geological mapping, Magnetic and Gravimetric Anomalies measurements and micro Seismicity studies; leading to improve seismotectonic model of the region.