Hidden earthquake faults mapped across Greece
Scientists from Greece’s National Observatory of Athens (NOA) and New Zealand have completed the first comprehensive mapping of active seismic faults across mainland Greece, identifying hundreds of fault lines that had never been documented before.
Using high-resolution digital elevation models provided by the Hellenic Cadastre, the research team conducted a systematic survey of the entire country. Their findings form the basis of the Active Faults Greece (AFG) database, published in the journal Scientific Data.
According to Kathimerini, the study catalogued 3,815 individual fault traces grouped into 892 faults—more than half of them mapped for the first time. The database also records 35 surface ruptures associated with historical earthquakes.
“Behind the dramatic contrasts of the Greek landscape lies an eternal geological engine,” the international research team observed.
Situated between two colliding continental plates, Greece is continuously reshaped by the northward movement of Africa and the southward motion of Eurasia. Faults were classified as active when they exhibited clear signs of recent deformation, possibly active when evidence was less definitive, and uncertain when further monitoring was required. More than 2,000 fault traces were deemed active, while roughly 1,600 were labelled possibly active.
Dr. Vasiliki Mouslopoulou, lead researcher at NOA’s Geodynamic Institute, highlighted the significance of the findings for public safety and infrastructure planning. “Roads, bridges, dams and energy facilities must be designed with a full understanding of where active seismic sources are located and how they may move the ground,” she said.
The AFG database is freely available online through an interactive map, enabling engineers, scientists and the general public to explore active faults and their characteristics.
Photo:Kathimerini
