Eastern Macedonia and Thrace are characterized by moderate seismicity compared to the adjacent North Aegean area, as it is derived from both historical information and instrumental records. The known strong (M>6.5) historical earthquakes that occurred during the past three centuries, however, have caused appreciable casualties and for this reason the seismic hazard assessment in the study area is of considerable social importance. These events (Didimoteiho earthquake (M=7.4) in 1752, Komotini

more »

... rthquake (M=6.7) in 1784 and Drama earthquake (M=7.3) in 1829) are associated with a fault zone that runs the area of interest from west to east, in neighboring faults or fault segments. Their consequential occurrence is examined in the framework of the evolution of the stress field by the calculation of Coulomb stress that is due to their coseismic slips as well as the long term tectonic loading on the regional major faults. Geometry and kinematics of the faults are derived from macroseismic information and the field geologic examination of the active neotectonic structures that dominate in the region. The current pattern of stress changes provide indications of the areas where stress is increased and consequently possible sites for an impeding earthquake due to Coulomb stress transfer.