Seismotectonic database of Turkey

Turkey is located in one of the most seismically active regions in the world. Characterizing seismic source zones in this region requires evaluation and integration of geological, geophysical, seismological and geodetical data. This first seismotectonic database for Turkey presented herein was prepared, under the framework of the National Earthquake Strategy and Action Plan—2023. The geographic information system (GIS)-based database includes maps of active faults, catalogues of instrumental and historical earthquakes, moment tensor solutions and data on crustal thickness. On the basis of these data, 18 major seismotectonic zones were delineated for Turkey and the surrounding region. The compilation and storage of the seismotectonic data sets in a digital GIS will allow analyses and systematic updates as new data accrete over time. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.Mount Allison UniversityAcknowledgments This work was carried out as the ‘Seismotectonic Maps of Turkey’ project supported by the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA), Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institution (KRDAE) and General Command of Mapping (GCM). We gratefully acknowledge the MTA, AFAD, KRDAE and GCM for the support provided. Our thanks go to Jacob Chacko (FUGRO-SIAL) for editing the final versions of this manuscript. Additionally, the suggestions of two anonymous reviewers greatly improved this manuscript