Project Goals

Mapping, classification and characterization of tectonic structures active in Albania (with identification of potential seismic sources), through the completion of the existing databases on active faults (integration with Share, DISS, ITHACA, etc.) useful for seismic microzonation studies, evaluation of the tsunami risk (SIAM).

Understanding of the relationships between shortening tectonics of external Albanids and extensional tectonics of Internal Albanids.

Development of scientific collaborations between the two countries. Didactic offer and professional training within doctoral degree courses, with teaching of detection and analysis methods on the ground, structural geomorphology techniques, earthquake geology, use of GIS. Assignment of Degree and Doctoral Theses organized in the context of bilateral cooperation. Establishment of an active Tectonics and Seismotectonics Laboratory in Tirana at IGEWE of the Polytechnic University of Tirana.

FIRST YEAR WORK PLAN

A first part of the work, preparatory to the mission on site and on the ground, will be carried out in Italy through the analysis of the documents previously collected by the cooperating Foreign Body (geological cartography and seismic sections, satellite images and aerial photos, digital cartography data, geological and seismological data). The study of these data, integrated with the scientific bibliography and other sources of information, will allow to identify the most dangerous seismic areas and the main tectonic structures active in the entire Albanian territory and to prepare a first cartography of active tectonics. The study of seismology and historical seismicity will allow a first attribution of specific earthquakes to single seismic sources. On this basis, the areas on which to concentrate the field studies during the research stays by Italian researchers will be identified, to be carried out together with researchers from the Albanian institutes and students selected by them, for the in situ verification of the activity and the capacity of the tectonic structures. On this occasion, seminars will also be held on the subject in Albania, local researchers trained on specific tasks to be developed on site, planning of a dedicated tectonics laboratory, and informed the administrations of the inhabited centres present in the areas at greatest seismic risk .

Visits and field surveys will be carried out in the January to May and September to December period, 2021.

SECOND YEAR WORK PLAN

Based on the results of the first year, research will continue in order to improve the definition of the cartography on a national scale prepared, to produce specific cartography of the areas of greatest interest. The active faults identified will be catalogued in a special descriptive database of their main geological, structural, paleoseismological, kinematic characteristics, etc. The database will be public and usable through a WebGIS platform developed with Open Source technology. The training activity will continue through distance teaching modules and webinars, and the ongoing research on the ground by Albanian researchers and students will be coordinated. The subsequent stay on the ground will therefore be aimed at verifying the data collected on site and the study of particular aspects useful for understanding the kinematic and seismological characteristics of the structures studied. On that occasion, the laboratory will be set up and its activities planned, further scientific seminars and information conferences will be held, and the results obtained will be presented to local administrations. The data and results derived from the project will be presented in national and international conferences and in scientific journals; moreover, they will be accessible through consultation of a WebGIS and therefore usable for subsequent seismic microzonation studies, for territorial planning activities and for national and local civil protection plans.

Visits and field surveys will be carried out in the January to June and September to November period, 2022.