ANNALS OF GEOPHYSICS, 53, 4, 2010; doi: 10.

4401/ag-4683

Preliminary outline of the seismologically active zones in Syria

Mohamad Khir Abdul-Wahed1,* and Ibrahim Al-Tahhan2

1 Atomic Energy Commission of Syria (AECS), Department of Geology, Damascus, Syria

2 General Establishment of Geology and Mineral Resources, Damascus, Syria

Article history
Received April 7, 2010; accepted July 16, 2010.
Subject classification:
Seismotectonics, Faulting, Fault-plane solutions, Focal mechanism, Syria, Dead Sea fault system.

ABSTRACT They found anomalous solutions that attest to the

complexity of the deformation processes along the DSFS.
The aim of this study was to outline the seismologically active zones in The Syrian National Seismological Network (SNSN)
Syria using the focal mechanisms of the largest events recorded by the was installed and has been operated since January 14, 1995
Syrian National Seismological Network over the last decade. A dataset of [Dakkak et al. 2005]. This network consists of 27 short-period
fault-plane solutions was obtained for 49 events with magnitude ≥3.5 using (1 Hz) stations, and it has provided 10 years of local
the first P-wave motions. Most of these events had strike–slip mechanisms instrumental data for the first time in Syria. The design
in agreement with the configuration of the seismogenic belts in Syria. objective of the SNSN was to monitor all of the discernible
Normal mechanisms were more scarce and were restricted to certain areas, earthquake activity along the DSFS and its related branches
such as the coastal ranges. These data show that despite the relatively small in Syria and in nearby Lebanon (Figure 2).
magnitudes of the events studied, they provide a coherent picture of the The seismicity of Syria and the adjacent areas over the
deformation that has currently been taking place along the active faults. last century can be classified as moderate. The main
However, some other faults were inactive during the period of this study. instrumental seismicity with many moderate earthquakes
(5 < MS < 6) is located along the EAFS and the DSFS [Sbeinati
Introduction 1993]. The purpose of this study was to outline the focal
Syria is located in the northern part of the Arabian plate mechanisms of the largest events (ML > 3.5) recorded by the
(Figure 1). It is bound in the West by the northern section of SNSN over the last ten years. These data are described as
the Dead Sea Fault System (DSFS). North-East of Antioch, preliminary because the return periods of large earthquakes
the DSFS intersects the Eastern Anatolian Fault System (M ≥ 5) in Syria are long. These were estimated by Ambraseys
(EAFS) and the Bitlis Suture zone, both of which comprise and Barazangi [1989] at about 200-350 years. Therefore,
the northern border of the Arabian plate. Between some of the faults, such as the Damascus Fault (South-West
Damascus and the Euphrates River, the NE trending of the Palmyra region), appeared to be seismological inactive
Palmyra fold–thrust belt is located within the northern during the period of this study. A longer study will further
Arabian plate [Dubertret 1966, Ponikarov 1966]. It has been define the seismicity in Syria. Thus, we have focused in the
shown that the tectonic deformation within Syria [e.g. present study on the mechanisms of the only 49 selected
Barazangi et al. 1993] has been controlled by repeated events that were recorded by the SNSN; these are relatively
collisions, openings and movements at the plate boundaries suitable for computing and can be compared with the main
that almost completely surround Syria (Figure 1). The faults in Syria.
neotectonic map of Syria recently published by Rukieh et al.
[2005] illustrated the evolution of the north-western Methods
boundary zone of the Arabian plate. Previous studies on the A probabilistic method was used, as proposed by Zollo
focal mechanisms of the past events in Syria have illustrated and Bernard [1991]. This is a non-linear inversion method
the left-lateral pattern of active deformation, with minor for studying earthquake mechanisms. Assuming a double-
components of normal faulting associated with pull-apart couple, point-source model and a well-determined
basins along the DSFS [Garfunkel et al. 1981, Chaimov et al. earthquake location, the model parameters are the fault
1990, Barazangi et al. 1993]. Salamon et al. [2003] calculated angle orientations [strike, dip and slip (or rake)] [Aki and
the fault-plane mechanisms of all ML ≥ 4 seismicity recorded Richards 1980]. The probability of parameters (strike, dip
in the eastern Mediterranean region during the 20th century. and slip fault angles) for the given observational dataset, the

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 SEISMOLOGICALLY ACTIVE ZONES IN SYRIA

Figure 1. Regional tectonic map of the northern Arabian Plate and the surrounding regions, showing the proximity of Syria to many active plate
boundaries. Dam, Damascus; NAF, North Anatolian Fault (modified from Brew et al. 2001). The yellow square shows the area in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Figure 2. Map of the geographical distribution of the Syrian National Seismological Network (▲) and the principal faults in this area.

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 SEISMOLOGICALLY ACTIVE ZONES IN SYRIA

Figure 3. Earthquake activity in Syria and its nearby regions, as documented by the Syrian National Seismological Network from 1995 to 2004 (modified
from Alchalbi 2004).

P-wave polarities, were computed using a Bayesian approach. Data quality

The P-wave polarity information is taken into account in the The low seismicity in Syria and the insufficient cover
form of a prior probability density function, which was provided by the seismic stations of the SNSN until 2002
defined according to Brillinger et al. [1980]. The method was [Dakkak et al. 2005] limited the number of fault-plane
based on estimation through an exhaustive search of the solutions that can be obtained in Syria. We therefore
probability of the model parameters. The maximum- carefully examined the available data and the reliability of
likelihood solutions are only represented by their lower the solutions, to get the most information out of them. Since
hemisphere projection in this study. Finally, it should be the majority of the seismic events recorded in Syria were
noted that in this study we were more concerned about the weak events (ML < 4), all of the local events with magnitudes
applications of the methodology, rather than the >3.5 were considered as main events in this study.
development of the method itself. Accordingly, 49 events inside Syria and in nearby regions
were selected as the main events for the first motion analysis.
The seismicity of Syria over the last ten years The majority of these were recorded by 13 stations, on
The SNSN has recorded about 1,200 local events since average. The accuracy of the location was a critical factor for
January 1995. More information about the SNSN data, such the reliable identification of the faulting parameters. To
as acquisition, transmission, processing and recording can be improve the accuracy of the selected events, the records were
found in Dakkak et al. [2005]. The seismicity of Syria can be filtered using a Butterworth order 3 filter, to obtain the best
classified as small-to-moderate magnitude during this period, signal-to-noise ratio, and all of the P phases and S phases
as it had been over the previous century (Figure 3). The main were manually picked. As a result, the number of arrival-
instrumental seismicity with many moderate earthquakes time readings was increased. The locations were calculated
(5 < MS < 6) is located along the East Anatolian Fault and the again with the new arrival times using the same velocity
northern extension of the DSFS, and especially in Lebanon. model used by the SNSN. The Syrian velocity–depth model
The seismicity inside Syria was characterized by many sets of is based on data from seismic reflection and refraction
weak events (ML < 4) that were observed for the South surveys carried out in Syria [Preliminary Seismological
Palmyra region, the Serghaya Fault, the South and West Bulletin 1995]. This model is composed of a typical
Aleppo plateau, the Bassit region and the coastal ranges continental type of crust, with a thickness of about 38 km,
(Figure 3). The most important event was an earthquake in and a normal mantle with a P-velocity of 8.0 to 8.2 km/s.
the Palmyra region, which occurred on December 24, 1996, The locations provided the ray angle orientations (azimuth,
with magnitude of about 5.2. take-off according to Aki and Richards [1980]). Figure 4

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 SEISMOLOGICALLY ACTIVE ZONES IN SYRIA

Figure 4. The focal mechanisms of the main events recorded over the last ten years in Syria and its nearby regions. The adjacent numbers indicate the event
numbers in Appendix 1. The fault plane solutions are presented with lower-hemisphere, equal-area projections: white quadrants for dilatation, and black for
compression. The base map showing the surface geology was modified by Brew et al. [2001], from Dubertret [1955], Ponikarov [1966] and Devyatkin et al. [1997].

shows the epicenter distribution of the earthquakes that sphere is represented (0, concentrated; 1, poor spread; 2, fair
were selected for the source mechanisms study. spread; 3, good spread);
d) The total number of polarities used for construction
Reliability of solutions of the focal plane solutions (0, <10; 1, 10-15 (poor); 2, 15-20
Using a Quality Factor (QF) is important for the (fair); 3, >20 (good)).
evaluation of the data and their solutions, particularly e) the number of reversed polarities. As the number
because we mainly dealt with solutions that are based on few increases, the reliability decreases (0, >30%; 1, 20%-30%; 2,
data. This QF is established in this study by the sum of many 10%-20%; 3, <10%).
criteria known in the literature, with the criteria used to The sum of these points then defines the QF as the
define QF as follows: reliability of a solution. The higher the QF, the better the
a) the degree to which the solutions fit the data (0, reliability of a solution. The maximum QF can reach is 15.
complete misfit; 1, poor fit; 2, fair fit; 3, good fit); Appendix 1 shows the reliability (QF) of the calculated fault
b) the azimuthal distribution of the data on the focal plane solutions using the above criteria.
sphere or on the lower-hemisphere, equal-area projection (0,
in one quadrant; 1, in two quadrants; 2, in three quadrants; Results
3, in four quadrants); The probabilistic method proposed by Zollo and
c) the homogeneity of distribution of the data on the Bernard [1991] was applied to the selected events. Most of
focal sphere or on the lower-hemisphere, equal-area projection. these had strike–slip mechanisms in agreement with the
The more widely the data are spread, the better the focal nearby local fault structures. Normal mechanisms were

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 SEISMOLOGICALLY ACTIVE ZONES IN SYRIA

scarce (seen for only 6 events), and they were restricted to dextral motion on the NS striking nodal plane. It might have
certain areas, such as the coastal ranges. No reverse been related to a probable mislocation, and it might also have
mechanisms were observed. The patterns of seismicity for been generated on the Yammouneh Fault itself. This might
the largest events recorded in Syria over the last decade reflect distributed complex deformation near to the
are presented in Figure 4. This is consistent with the transform, such as was described by Salamon et al. [2003] and
configurations of the main seismogenic belts in Syria. The Ron and Eyal [1985]. This anomaly attests to the complexity
mechanisms calculated will be described in the following of the deformation processes along the transform fault. The
sections. Appendix 2 shows some examples of the P first mechanism of event 36 can be related to a right-lateral EW
motion plots, from which the focal mechanisms of Figure 4 striking fault in the North of Beirut. Two events, 32 and 26,
were derived, and the data used in the probabilistic method had sinistral mechanisms trending NW and these can be
(ray angle orientations, P polarity). related to the transform fault. One event (event 20) was
located in the middle of the Al-Ghab Valley (a large pull-
Discussion apart basin). This event had a normal mechanism, in
The study area covered two major tectonic domains: the agreement with the existing NW normal fault associated
DSFS and the intersection of the DSFS with the EAFS, to the with local trans-tensional features [Trifonov 1991, Brew at al.
North-East of Antioch. Some events were located inside 2001]. Normal mechanisms were also observed in the coastal
Syria on other fault systems. range events, and these might be associated with local trans-
tensional features.
The Dead Sea Fault System
The DSFS and its related branches, including the Intersection of the DSFS with the EAFS
Serghaya Fault in Syria and the Yammuneh and Roum Faults The second domain is the intersection of the DSFS with
in Lebanon, have been characterized by sinistral strike–slip the EAFS (Figures 1, 3). The EAFS in Antioch is a NE sinistral
motions. The principal left lateral sense motion of the DSFS strike–slip transform. The greatest magnitude occurred in
has been recognized by minor pull-apart in young sediments this domain, and this was the earthquake of Antioch on
[Garfunkel et al. 1981, Trifonov 1991, Brew et al. 2001], the January 22, 1997. This event, as event 21 in Figure 4, had a
cut and offset of drainage lines, and man-made structures sinistral strike–slip mechanism trending NE, in agreement
[Brew et al. 2001, Gomez et al. 2001, Gomez et al. 2003, with the Antioch Fault (Figure 2, Antakia F). The three
Meghraoui et al. 2003, Gomez et al. 2006]. The current events 15, 17 and 38 showed the same focal mechanisms and
seismicity associated with the DSFS supports these findings, were also observed along the Latakia-Kelles Faults in the
and is concentrated along the southern part of the DSFS Bassit region. In addition, one event that was noticed in the
[Salamon et al. 2003]. Albeit that most of the mechanisms North of Jesser-Elshgour had a normal fault mechanism with
that it was possible to compute were from small events, their a sinistral strike–slip component, trending NS. This event was
variety provided valuable insights into the complexity of the probably related to the extensions in the DSFS margins. The
DSFS and the structures along it. Good agreement was seen DSFS also branched toward the North-East in the Al-Rouge
between the fault-plane solutions of events 7 and 8 in Figure Plain. Event 46 was located in this region, and it had a
4, which occurred on November 22, 1995, and the NE sinistral mechanism, trending NE, in agreement with the
Serghaya Fault. Also, this was similar to the fault-plane existing faults.
solutions of events 22 and 23, which occurred on March 26,
1997, and the NW Roum Fault. These two faults branch out Inside Syria
of the DSFS at the southern deflection point of the Some events were observed for the Aleppo Plateau
Yammouneh Bend. Thus, events 7, 8, 22 and 23 recorded left- (Figure 3), such as the two events 31 and 34 in the South-
lateral motion on NS-striking faults. West. Event 31 had a normal fault mechanism, in agreement
According to our observations, three events in the with the NW existing fault. Another two events, as 41 and
South-West of Syria (events 4, 5, 28) had a normal fault 42, that were located in the South-East of the Khanaser
mechanism. They were probably related to the local region, had a sinistral mechanism, trending NE. These might
structure and to the lateral motion along the DSFS. Event 5 have been related to one of the existing N15E faults. Between
can be related to local trans-tensional faults, and might be the Aleppo Plateau and the Palmyra fold-thrust belt, the two
related to the Al-Sirhan Fault System. Salamon et al. [2003] events 9 and 33 had dextral mechanisms. The first of these
found that the normal mechanisms of some events near the was located on the Al-Sa'an Fault, while the second, event 33,
Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba record the activities of was located in the South-East of Issyria, where the Bishri
normal faults that extend along the margins of the Dead Sea dextral fault separates the Bilas-Bishri blocs. Two events (35
depression and other parts of the DSFS. and 40) were located inside the Bilas bloc and had a sinistral
Event 3, which occurred North of Zahleh, showed mechanism. The earthquake of Palmyra in 1996 had a

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 SEISMOLOGICALLY ACTIVE ZONES IN SYRIA

the Ma'alola Fault, the Serghaya Fault and the Bishri Faults.
This appears to confirm what has been known about these
faults for a long time. From the data obtained in the present
study, it can be noted that many other faults did not appear
to be seismologically active, even though they were
previously classified as known active faults, such as the
Damascus Fault, the Jhar Fault, and others.

Conclusion
In the present study, 49 events of M ≥ 3.5 were selected
as the largest events in Syria over last decade. According to
the data obtained, it can be concluded that most of the events
studied had strike–slip mechanisms that are in agreement
with the configuration of the major seismogenic belts in
Syria. The data also reveal that normal mechanisms were
restricted to certain areas, such as the coastal ranges. The
normal mechanisms observed in the South-West of Syria and
Figure 5. Simplified interpretation of the focal mechanisms over the last in the coastal ranges might be related to the trans-tensional
decade for the largest events in Syria. The active faults proposed to be
generating these events were: 1, East Anatolian Fault System; 2, Northern
features along the margins of the Dead Sea Transform
section of the Dead Sea Transform System; 3, Rouge Faults; 4, Normal System. In addition, many faults in the region were active
faults in the Al-Ghab pull-apart basin; 5, Normal faults in the coastal ranges; during the period of this study, including the Palmyra Faults,
6, Manbeg Fault; 7, Al-Sa'an Fault; 8, Dextral fault separating the Bilas-Bishri the Yammouneh Fault, the Ma'alola Fault, the Serghaya
Blocs; 9, Bilas Bloc Faults; 10, Abdel-Aziz uplift Faults; 11, Palmyra Faults;
12, Yammouneh Fault; 13, Ma'alola Fault; 14, Serghaya Fault; 15, Dextral
Fault, and the Bishri Faults.
fault in the north of Beirut; 16, Roum Fault; 17, Normal faults on the These data are still preliminary, because the return
margins of the DSFS; 18, The DSFS; 19, Bishri Faults; 20, Khanaser Fault. periods of large earthquakes (M ≥ 5) in Syria are quite long.
Indeed, although some faults, such as the Damascus Fault,
sinistral mechanism trending NE. Event 1, which was located were seismologically inactive during this study period, they
in the North-East of Al-Bishri Mountain, showed sinistral might be active over longer time periods. As the events
motion on the NW striking nodal plane; this event can be studied have relatively small magnitudes, they provide a
related to the subsurface faults mapped by Brew et al. [2001]. coherent picture of the deformation that has been taking
In the South-West of the Palmyra fold-thrust belt, event place along the active faults throughout Syria over the last
29, which was located in the South-West of Ma'alola, had a decade.
sinistral mechanism, trending NW. Considering the probable Acknowledgements. The authors wish to express their thanks to
mislocation, this event might be related to the left-lateral Prof. Ibrahim Othman, Director General of the Atomic Energy
NW-striking fault. This fault separated the AboulAta and Commission of Syria, for his constant support. They also wish to thank the
Soueika Mountains. It was seen that the NW-striking nodal General Establishment of Geology and Mineral Resources for providing
some important information and data.
plane is in agreement with this fault, but that the event was
located away from this fault. In an examination of the References
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(1900-1991), Sbeinati [1993] reported some historical sessment in Syria and Lebanon. Progress results and fu-
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Appendix 1

Parameters of the fault-plane solutions of the first P-wave arrivals calculated in this study and their quality factors (QF). Each
event number corresponds to the map of Figure 4.

Ev. Date Time Lat. Long. Depth ML MISC Fault plane solutions Q Probable fault
N˚ (h) (˚N) (˚E) (km) First plane Second plane (≤15)
Az. Dip Slip Az. Dip Slip
01 1994/12/18 16:38:17.4 35.56 39.33 03.8 5.0 5.0 031 90 −150 301 60 000 6 Al-Bishri
02 1995/04/22 14:35:46.8 36.33 39.80 03.8 4.3 3.2 141 45 −175 046 85 −050 8 Abdel-aziz
03 1995/04/26 10:00:33.7 33.91 35.90 03.8 4.4 – 211 80 −175 121 85 −010 10 Yammouneh
04 1995/05/08 19:08:07.3 32.86 35.67 03.8 3.4 – 256 55 −110 106 40 −065 8 margins of DSFS
05 1995/08/08 00:15:39.6 32.50 35.65 03.8 3.8 – 291 45 −110 141 50 −065 8 margins of DSFS
06 1995/08/23 08:09:51.8 35.64 35.17 53.8 4.3 – 116 90 −110 031 20 000 9 Latakia-Kelles
07 1995/11/22 09:15:03.4 33.44 36.06 16.6 3.5 – 011 55 000 101 90 −145 13 Serghaya (DSFS)
08 1995/11/22 09:15:33.9 33.44 36.10 03.6 3.3 – 001 45 −015 101 80 −135 12 Serghaya (DSFS)
09 1995/11/24 23:42:45.4 35.18 37.99 13.8 3.2 – 181 60 −030 286 65 −145 9 Al-Sa'an
10 1996/01/04 15:28:07.3 36.64 40.79 02.5 4.7 4.5 161 50 −175 066 85 −050 7 Abdel-aziz
11 1996/01/11 23:03:36.2 36.55 40.62 03.8 4.6 3.5 161 45 −180 071 90 −045 7 Abdel-aziz
12 1996/05/23 20:44:52.8 34.30 34.28 30.4 4.6 – 041 85 −150 306 55 −010 8
13 1996/06/05 13:12:58.0 35.79 35.70 03.7 4.5 4.5 076 55 −005 176 80 −130 7 Latakia-Kelles
14 1996/06/18 23:43:50.2 35.89 36.22 03.8 4.5 4.4 186 85 −080 296 10 −160 11 DSFS
15 1996/06/19 00:17:07.9 36.02 36.13 61.7 4.8 4.7 136 40 −180 046 90 −500 11 Latakia-Kelles
16 1996/07/09 21:49:22.1 36.56 39.34 03.8 4.8 3.9 146 45 −170 051 85 −045 9 Abdel-aziz
17 1996/07/19 17:54:04.3 35.93 36.26 03.6 3.9 – 296 90 −135 206 45 000 11 Latakia-Kelles
18 1996/12/03 22:13:00.0 33.27 35.34 03.8 3.3 – 196 90 −025 286 65 −180 9 Yammouneh
19 1996/12/24 22:16:19.7 34.78 38.82 03.2 5.7 5.2 046 80 −005 136 85 −170 9 Palmyra
20 1997/01/03 22:45:11.1 35.52 36.31 15.5 3.7 – 156 90 −075 246 15 −180 10 Al-Ghab
21 1997/01/22 17:57:06.5 36.17 36.27 08.3 5.7 5.6 041 70 −015 136 75 −165 12 Antioch
22 1997/03/26 04:22:35.3 33.41 35.40 04.4 5.4 5.6 076 85 −155 341 55 −010 8 Roum (DSFS)
23 1997/03/26 13:20:02.6 33.46 35.61 03.8 5.3 5.2 066 90 −175 336 85 000 9 Roum (DSFS)
24 1997/10/30 17:33:45.0 34.73 35.02 08.2 4.7 4.2 136 90 −150 046 60 000 8 Banyas
25 1997/12/14 03:11:02.2 34.97 34.87 34.0 4.1 – 116 85 −155 026 70 −010 8 Banyas
26 1998/02/05 22:49:53.0 34.26 36.21 06.8 3.9 – 241 50 −170 141 80 −045 12 Yammouneh
27 1998/02/13 19:10:05.3 33.55 35.75 03.8 3.9 – 171 80 −010 266 85 −170 10 Yammouneh
28 1998/02/25 03:35:15.8 33.28 35.84 03.8 3.2 – 206 50 −135 081 55 −050 10 margins of DSFS
29 1998/09/01 04:31:20.8 33.85 36.47 03.8 3.7 – 256 65 −155 151 65 −025 9 Ma'alola
30 1999/02/08 09:13:58.0 33.50 35.14 17.6 4.0 – 341 45 000 296 90 −135 11
31 1999/04/07 07:44:35.2 35.38 36.65 03.8 4.1 – 306 40 −120 161 55 −070 10 Asharneh
32 1999/06/26 06:33:50.1 34.51 36.50 02.3 3.4 – 151 70 −010 241 80 −160 13 Yammouneh
33 2000/01/18 08:56:20.4 35.15 37.05 03.8 3.7 – 321 90 −050 051 40 −180 11 Al-Sa'an
34 2000/02/06 04:27:35.6 35.60 36.80 03.4 4.6 – 006 35 −005 101 85 −125 12
35 2000/07/10 23:35:44.0 34.82 37.58 03.8 3.7 – 266 90 −040 356 50 −180 13 Bilas
36 2000/08/27 06:47:11.7 33.90 35.60 07.7 4.1 – 086 60 −180 356 90 −030 12 Beirut
37 2001/01/17 12:09:01.3 37.59 37.14 01.3 5.3 4.8 196 70 −130 091 55 −025 7 Amanous
38 2001/04/11 08:26:30.2 36.02 36.19 02.6 4.1 – 206 45 000 296 90 −135 11 Latakia-Kelles
39 2001/07/05 17:48:32.3 36.49 37.89 03.8 4.3 – 276 85 −010 006 75 −175 12 Menbeg
40 2002/06/10 10:05:45.3 34.93 37.81 05.6 4.1 – 146 65 −175 056 90 −025 11 Bilas
41 2002/09/08 19:57:15.3 35.66 37.59 07.0 5.4 4.8 111 85 −175 021 85 −005 10 Khanaser
42 2002/09/09 12:14:04.5 35.76 37.78 10.6 3.9 – 021 90 −010 111 80 −180 10 Khanaser
43 2002/11/22 01:34:07.4 35.67 36.12 03.8 4.8 – 066 60 −175 336 90 −035 11 Kensaba
44 2003/02/26 03:07:31.0 35.61 36.02 03.8 5.0 – 121 40 −050 256 60 −115 11
45 2003/03/25 18:32:23.3 35.28 36.06 03.8 4.5 – 356 90 −125 266 35 000 9 Banyas
46 2003/05/20 03:27:34.6 36.04 36.59 08.5 4.0 – 336 90 −135 246 45 000 10 Al-Rouge
47 2003/07/13 17:02:10.0 35.65 36.11 03.8 3.8 – 071 50 −080 236 40 −100 11 Kensaba
48 2003/07/22 17:32:47.2 35.72 36.22 03.8 3.8 – 271 45 −105 111 50 −075 11
49 2003/08/31 11:59:54.9 35.46 36.01 04.1 3.5 – 131 90 −120 041 30 000 12
8
 SEISMOLOGICALLY ACTIVE ZONES IN SYRIA

Appendix 2

Examples of the P first motion plots and the data. (*Take off according to Aki and Richards 1980.)
Motion plots Data from plots
Station Ray angle orientation P polarity
Azimuth Take-off *
SLMH 20.2 148.4 +1
JHLN 45.9 148.4 +1
WHBV 17.1 148.4 +1
KFRA 7.8 137.0 +1
WRDH 343.2 137.0 −1
BIDA 339.4 134.2 −1
HWKV 24.3 125.8 +1
SALA 151.5 148.4 +1
BDRN 161.5 137.0 +1
QASN 163.3 137.0 +1
KOOC 141.1 137.0 +1
MARH 147.1 134.2 +1
RABV 90.9 137.0 −1
DRWC 346.3 148.4 −1
BTCH 343.3 148.4 −1
ARNV 330.3 148.4 −1
SLNF 336.3 137.0 −1
TCHB 170.0 148.4 +1
BARV 177.5 137.0 +1
SLMH 49.0 87.4 +1
JHLN 86.7 129.8 +1
WHBV 57.7 85.4 +1
KFRA 157.2 82.0 −1
WRDH 251.6 74.7 +1
BIDA 195.1 85.4 +1
HWKV 175.2 121.6 −1
ZLFV 151.9 129.8 −1
SALA 160.9 129.8 −1
BDRN 169.3 129.8 −1
QASN 170.9 129.8 −1
KOOC 160.3 129.8 −1
MARH 168.2 129.8 −1
RABV 146.1 129.8 −1
DRWC 335.2 121.6 +1
BTCH 316.4 85.5 −1
ARNV 288.5 86.8 −1
SLNF 270.0 82.8 +1
BARV 177.3 129.8 −1
SLMH 350.6 130.8 −1
WHBV 338.9 117.3 −1
KFRA 297.5 117.3 +1
WRDH 300.2 130.8 +1
BIDA 280.6 117.3 +1
HWKV 251.1 117.3 −1
ZLFV 165.4 136.9 +1
SALA 178.3 136.9 +1
BDRN 199.2 136.9 +1
QASN 205.4 130.8 +1
KOOC 192.0 117.3 +1
MARH 217.8 117.3 −1
RABV 202.8 111.0 −1
DRWC 322.1 136.9 −1
BTCH 312.2 136.9 −1
TCHB 194.8 136.9 +1
BARV 210.8 136.9 +1

SLMH 77.4 134.3 +1

WHBV 90.5 122.7 +1
KFRA 135.1 122.7 −1
WRDH 145.5 118.0 −1
BIDA 156.7 122.7 −1
BDRN 159.3 139.7 +1
QASN 159.8 139.7 +1
KOOC 151.3 139.7 +1
MARH 155.2 139.7 +1
RABV 138.3 139.7 +1
DRWC 6.4 122.7 −1
BTCH 49.9 108.8 −1
ARNV 246.2 108.8 +1
SLNF 162.9 118.0 −1
TCHB 164.2 139.7 +1
BARV 165.4 139.7 +1