Abstract Three magnetotelluric stations located on the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia and belonging to the Geophysical Network of the National University of Colombia (TUNJ, USME, and VCIO) have been used to detect spatial and temporal anomalies in apparent resistivity to depths exceeding 200 km, in the period from April 2018 to June 2021. From this monitoring, it was observed that transient anomalies took place hours before the seismic crisis of April 23, 2018, in the Bucaramanga Seismic Nest (BSN). Among the main findings of this work, it was possible to identify a potential association between apparent resistivity anomalies prior to or during four seismic events with 3,3 ≤ Mw < 4,3 at a depth of 115 ≤ H < 154 km on April 23, 2018. The association between resistivity anomalies and seismic events is explained by other authors as a fluid migration process, which generates pore pressure that exceeds effective stress and causes fracturing within the BSN.

Resumen Tres estaciones magnetotelúricas, ubicadas sobre la Cordillera Oriental de Colombia y pertenecientes a la Red Geofísica de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia (TUNJ, USME y VCIO), han sido utilizadas para detectar anomalías espaciales y temporales de la resistividad aparente a una profundidad superior a 200 km, en el período abril de 2018 hasta junio de 2021. A partir de este monitoreo se observó que existen anomalías transitorias horas antes de la crisis sísmica del 23 de abril de 2018 en el Nido Sísmico de Bucaramanga (NSB). Dentro de los principales hallazgos de este trabajo, se pudo identificar una posible asociación entre anomalías de resistividad aparente previas o durante cuatro eventos sísmicos con 3,3 ≤ Mw < 4,3 a una profundidad de 115 ≤ H < 154 km el 23 de abril de 2018. La asociación entre anomalías de resistividad y eventos sísmicos se explica por otros autores como un proceso de migración de fluidos, el cual genera presión de poro que supera el esfuerzo efectivo y provoca el fracturamiento dentro del NSB.

Resumo Nesta pesquisa, são analisadas 13 narrativas sobre manifestações sônicas, luminosas e de natureza mista em setores geográficos específicos da Costa Rica, com o objetivo de destacar a importância dos relatos, histórias e lendas como formas alternativas ou indiretas de registro de possível atividade sísmica/tectônica. A pesquisa identifica, compila e classifica as narrativas, considerando o contexto geográfico, geológico e sísmico/tectônico associado a cada narrativa. Em seguida, compara os aspectos mais importantes descritos na literatura científica internacional sobre manifestações sônicas e EQLs (luzes de terremoto). Em conclusão, infere-se uma evidente correlação entre as narrativas, bem como com casos registrados e investigados em todo o mundo. Além disso, observa-se uma vinculação geoespacial entre seus contextos geográficos, geológicos e sísmico/tectônicos, sugerindo a possibilidade de que essas narrativas constituam evidências alternativas ou indiretas sobre a atividade tectônica histórica na Costa Rica.

Abstract In this study, 13 narratives depicting manifestations, specifically sonic, light, and mixed occurrences, in specific geographic sectors of Costa Rica are analyzed. The purpose is to highlight the importance of reports, stories, and legends as alternative or indirect means of documenting potential seismic/tectonic activity. The analysis commences with the identification, compilation, and classification of these narratives. Additionally, consideration is given to the contextual factors, including geographic, geological, and seismic/tectonic elements associated with each narrative. This process is followed by a comparison with the most important aspects described in the international scientific literature concerning sonic and earthquake lights or EQLs. In conclusion, an evident correlation of the narratives among themselves is inferred, and with cases documented and investigated worldwide, besides a geospatial connection of their geographic, geological, and seismic/tectonic contexts, suggesting the possibility of being part of alternative or indirect evidence of historical tectonic activity in Costa Rica.

Resumen En esta investigación se analizan 13 narrativas sobre manifestaciones: sónicas, lumínicas y de naturaleza mixta en sectores geográficos específicos de Costa Rica, con la finalidad de resaltar la importancia de los reportes, relatos y leyendas, como formas alternativas o indirectas del registro de posible actividad sismo/tectónica. Iniciando con una identificación, compilación y clasificación de las narrativas, considerando además el contexto: geográfico, geológico y sismo/tectónico asociado con cada una, seguido de una comparación con los aspectos más importantes descritos en la literatura científica internacional sobre las manifestaciones sónicas y de luces de terremoto o “EQLs” (del inglés “Earthquake Lights”). En conclusión, se infiere una evidente correlación de las narrativas entre sí, y con casos registrados e investigados mundialmente; además de una vinculación geoespacial de sus contextos geográficos, geológicos y sísmico/tectónicos, sugiriendo la posibilidad de ser parte de evidencias alternas o indirectas sobre la actividad tectónica histórica en Costa Rica.

RESUMEN El objetivo de este artículo es revisar la contribución de los miembros del Real Cuerpo de Ingenieros en el accidentado proceso de construcción de la “Nueva Iglesia Parroquial” de Cumaná. Esta se había iniciado en 1765 en reemplazo de la primigenia, dedicada a Santa Inés, ubicada cerca de las fortificaciones. Un sismo acaecido en 1766, trastocó los planes y desencadenó un largo expediente que recogió las propuestas de nueve ingenieros durante el siglo XVIII. Es un caso relevante, en tanto Cumaná, se considera la fundación “primogénita del continente” en tierra firme que a lo largo de su historia, ha estado sometida a los embates sísmicos, debido a la Falla de El Pilar. Esta investigación, de tipo explicativo sobre fuentes primarias, devela cómo la obra se fue complicando ante la diversidad de criterios técnicos y reformas, aunados a los intereses de las autoridades y de los vecinos, hasta su colapso definitivo en 1929.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to review the contribution of the members of the Royal Corps of Engineers in the eventful process of the construction of the “New Parish Church” of Cumaná. This had begun in 1765 to replace the original one, dedicated to Santa Inés, located near the fortifications. However, plans were disrupted by an earthquake in 1766, leading to a lengthy process that involved the input of nine engineers throughout the 18th century. This case is significant as Cumaná is considered the “first-born foundation of the continent” on the mainland and throughout its history it has been subjected to seismic shocks, due to the Pilar Fault. The research, based on primary sources, reveals how the work was complicated by the diversity of technical criteria and reforms, together with the interests of the authorities and the neighbors, until its definitive collapse in 1929.

A reliable method to locate microseismic evets is an important objective for routine mine seismic monitoring. We developed an algorithm that can automatically and reliably locate an event from a single uniaxial trace. Signals created by microseismic events are recorded as seismograms that consist of direct P- and S-waves as well as the waves reflected off the underground excavations. We take advantage of the extra complexity these reflections introduce as they make the signal more unique. In our investigation we cross-correlated unaltered synthetic seismograms against trial waveforms created from a linear combination of appropriate waveforms from a library of numerically calculated strain Green's tensors. We use a single uniaxial synthetic seismogram to invert for the source location, six moment tensor components, and frequency. The resulting cost functions are constructed as maximal correlations at each node in the mine grid through the true source x-planes. This function is maximized by differential evolution to simultaneously yield the source parameters. Sensitivity tests such as shifting the mine plans and altering the background velocities of the media are investigated to test the robustness of the method. We contaminate the data with 40% white noise to test the resolution against simulated real recorded seismograms. The method is demonstrated using synthetic data calculated with a realistic underground 3D velocity model.

SYNOPSIS Back-analysis of two mining-induced tremors in 2011 was used to determine a modelling criterion for the entire Klerksdorp Goldfield (i.e., Vaal Reefs region). At that time, most mining operations in the region were owned by AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) and shared many geotechnical similarities. By 2018 AGA had sold off all its Klerksdorp operations to different mining companies, which continued applying the 2011 modelling criterion. As mining activities became more remote, scattered, and isolated, the extraction of isolated blocks of ground and remnants became increasingly necessary. However, the inherited criterion allowed only minimal or no mining activities at these areas. Keeping in mind that safety is the overriding consideration, an innovative numerical modelling approach, which includes the application of peak particle velocity designs, was developed to provide practitioners in the Klerksdorp Goldfield with a suitable criterion to justifiably and safely mine isolated blocks of ground and remnants. This would not always be possible if a conformist approach was used.

Indonesia situated within the volatile Ring of Fire, faces recurring and devastating earthquakes that pose significant economic threats. The Government of Indonesia (GoI) has initiated a disaster risk financing strategy to address these challenges. However, the implementation of disaster insurance within this strategy remains limited. This study examined the GoI's disaster risk financing methods, assessed the effectiveness of existing disaster insurance practices, and proposed strategies for improving disaster risk reduction (DRR). Literature review was used to analyse disaster fund and insurance implementation. A building vulnerability simulation, based on Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) P-154 rapid visual screening, determined the appropriate financing strategy. State buildings were assessed using nine vulnerability factors and categorised by seismicity. The research found that disaster financing mostly relied on national funds to cover all disaster damages. Existing disaster insurance lacked clarity in defining insurable buildings, resulting in broad inclusion. Vulnerability assessments showed that each building type exhibited different potential earthquake damage levels. Consequently, insurance coverage is recommended for high-damage categories but discouraged for low to moderately vulnerable buildings. CONTRIBUTION: This study offered insights into Indonesia's current disaster risk financing and insurance landscape, and provides a strategic framework for optimising these mechanisms to better protect state buildings from earthquake-related risks.

ABSTRACT An evaluation of the areas susceptible to the occurrence of landslides in the coastal zone and representative hydrographic basins of the Guamá municipality was carried out. The Mora-Vahrson method was used through a Geographic Information System, with modifications to the original proposal according to the characteristics of the area. The susceptibility map was obtained, categorized into four levels: Low, Moderate, High and Very High. As a result of the zoning, it was obtained that high susceptibility is the most representative (52%); Towns such as El Macho, La Plata, Uvero, Montompolo and El Francés are located there. The result constitutes an update of the danger for the Guamá municipality and creates the bases for the development of local strategies for management and mitigation of impacts.

RESUMEN Se realizó una evaluación de las áreas susceptibles a la ocurrencia de deslizamientos en la zona costera y cuencas hidrográficas representativas del municipio Guamá. Se empleó, a través de un Sistema de Información Geográfica, el método Mora-Vahrson, con modificaciones de la propuesta original de acuerdo con las características del área. Se obtuvo el mapa de susceptibilidad, categorizado en: Baja, Moderada, Alta y Muy Alta. Como resultado de la zonificación se obtuvo que la susceptibilidad alta es la de mayor representatividad (52%); en ella se ubican localidades como El Macho, La Plata, Uvero, Montompolo y El Francés. El resultado constituye una actualización del peligro para el municipio Guamá y crea las bases para el desarrollo de estrategias locales de gestión y mitigación de los impactos.

Resumen La divergencia Kullback-Leibler, κ, es una medida ampliamente usada de la diferencia entre una distribución de probabilidad observada y otra distribución de referencia; κ=0 cuando ambas distribuciones son iguales, pero no tiene un valor tope que permita interpretar la significatividad de cualquier otro valor de κ. Usando como ejemplo el problema de distinguir cúmulos o vacancias en la ocurrencia temporal de sismos de sismicidad distribuida con probabilidad uniforme en el tiempo, se presenta un método de Monte Carlo para evaluar la significatividad de algún valor de κ, método que toma en cuenta el largo de la muestra. Este método y dos posibles valores de referencia son presentados usando la distribución de Poisson como ejemplo, pero pueden ser utilizados con cualquier otra distribución de referencia.

Abstract The Kullback-Leibler divergence, κ, is a widely used measure of the difference between an observed probability distribution and a reference one; κ=0 when the two distributions are equal, but it has no upper limit to help interpret the significance of any other κ value. Using as an example the problem of distinguishing clustering or gaps in the time occurrence of earthquakes from seismicity uniformly distributed in time, a Monte Carlo method for evaluating the significance of a particular κ value is presented, a method that takes into account the number of classes in the distributions and the length of the sample. Application of this method yields a probability according to which the hypothesis of the observed distribution being a realization of the reference one can be discarded or accepted with a quantitative degree of confidence. This method, and two possible reference values, are presented using the Poisson distribution as an example, but they can be used for other reference distributions.

Resumen Durante el año 2022, la Red Sismológica Nacional (RSN) localizó 4763 sismos locales, lo cual equivale a la energía sísmica liberada por un terremoto de magnitud momento (Mw) 7,0. Los epicentros se concentraron principalmente en nueve zonas con 25-400 temblores. Se documentaron 184 sismos (~4 % del total) sentidos por la población, incluyendo 19 con Mw entre 5,0 y 6,7. La mayoría de estos eventos fueron superficiales (~87 % < 30 km), de magnitud baja (~52 % Mw < 3,9) y fueron originados en fallas de las placas Caribe y Panamá (~52 %). El sismo de mayor tamaño del año, de Mw 6,7, se originó por la subducción de la placa Nazca y generó la intensidad más alta reportada, de V en Burica. Todos los sismos de Mw ≥ 5,5 tuvieron sus epicentros mar adentro y alejados de centros poblados, por lo que no se reportaron intensidades altas.

Abstract During 2022, the National Seismological Network (RSN) located 4763 local earthquakes, which is equivalent to the seismic energy released by an earthquake of moment magnitude (Mw) 7.0. The epicenters were mainly concentrated in nine areas with 25-400 events. A total of 184 earthquakes (~4 % of the total) were felt by the population, including 19 with Mw between 5.0 and 6.7. Most of these events were shallow (~87 % < 30 km), of low magnitude (~52 % Mw < 3.9), and originated by faults in the Caribbean and Panama plates (~52 %). The largest earthquake of the year, Mw 6.7, was related to the subduction of the Nazca plate and generated the highest reported intensity of V in Burica. High intensities were not reported because all of the Mw ≥ 5.5 earthquakes were located offshore and far from populated centers.

Resumen Se llevó a cabo un estudio de la variación espacio-temporal del valor b de la relación frecuencia-magnitud de sismos ocurridos en el Volcán Cerro Machín (VCM), Colombia, para el período 20072020. Se pudo establecer que el valor b presenta variaciones espaciales caracterizadas por valores altos (1,1-1,3) en la parte superficial del volcán, debajo del domo principal y hasta una profundidad de 1 km. Entre 1 y 6 km de profundidad, se observaron valores normales a bajos (0,8-0,6). Bajo el domo Tapias, entre 8 y 13 km de profundidad, se observaron valores altos de b (1,1-1,3). Estos valores anómalos indicarían zonas de circulación de fluidos hidrotermales en la parte superficial y posibles reservorios de magma en la parte más profunda del VCM. Adicionalmente, se observaron variaciones temporales del valor b; se destacan tres cambios importantes, relacionados con variaciones en la actividad del VCM: el primero, ocurrido en noviembre 2008, se asoció con un enjambre al NE y E del domo principal (3-5 km de profundidad); el segundo, ocurrido en agosto-diciembre 2010, se asoció con la presencia de sismicidad profunda (12-18 km) a unos 8 km al SE del domo principal, y el tercero, ocurrido en febrero de 2018, se asoció con un enjambre sísmico (3-5 km de profundidad) al SW del domo principal. Estos tres cambios se interpretan como posibles intrusiones de pulsos de magma, asociadas a un dique o silo superficial (<4 km de profundidad) y a una entrada de magma a mayores profundidades (>15 km). Algunos de estos cambios en el valor b estuvieron asociados con cambios geoquímicos o de deformación de la superficie. Los resultados de este estudio muestran que el cálculo rutinario del valor b sirve como herramienta de monitoreo volcánico para el VCM.

Abstract A study of the spatiotemporal variation of b-value for earthquakes that occurred at Cerro Machin Volcano (CMV), Colombia was carried out for the period 2007-2020. b-value showed spatial variations, with high values (1.1-1.3) at the shallow portion of the volcano, beneath the main dome up to 1 km depth from the top of the volcano. Normal to low b-values (0.8-0.6) were observed between 1 and 6 km depth all around the volcano, while high b-values (1.1-1.3) were observed beneath the Tapias dome between 8 and 13 km depth. These b-values could indicate circulation of hydrothermal fluids at shallow depths, and a possible magma reservoir at deeper portions beneath the CMV. In addition, temporal variations of the b-value were observed during the study period. Three remarkable episodes of increase in b-value were detected related to changes in CMV activity. The first, which occurred in November 2008, related to a strong earthquake swarm (3-5 km depth) located to the NE and E of the main dome. The second, occurred between August and December 2010 related to deep seismicity (12-18 km depth), 8 km southeast of the main dome. The third occurred in February 2018 related to a strong earthquake swarm (3-5 km depth) located to the SW of the main dome. These three episodes are interpreted as pulses of magma at the volcanic system of CMV, associated with a dike or sill intrusion (<4 km depth) and input of magma to a deeper reservoir of CMV (>15 km depth). Some of these changes in the b-value were correlated to changes in geochemistry and ground deformation. The results of the study confirm the idea of the routine task of b-value calculation as a volcano monitoring tool for CMV activity.

Resumen La Red Sismológica Nacional (RSN) localizó 3745 sismos locales durante el año 2021, lo cual es equivalente a la energía sísmica liberada por un evento de magnitud (Mw) 6,9. La sismicidad se localizó principalmente en siete zonas con 50-350 temblores. Hubo 209 sismos (~6% del total) sentidos por la población, incluyendo 31 con Mw entre 5,0 y 6,7. La mayoría de estos sismos fueron superficiales (~88% < 30 km), de magnitud baja (~52% Mw < 3,9) y fueron originados en fallas de las placas Caribe y Panamá (~69%). El sismo mayor del año, de Mw 6,7, se originó en la Zona de Fractura de Panamá, sin generar daños ni víctimas. Todos los sismos de Mw ≥ 5,5 tuvieron sus epicentros mar adentro y alejados de centros de población por lo que no se reportaron intensidades altas.

Abstract The National Seismological Network (RSN) located 3745 local earthquakes during 2021, which is equivalent to the seismic energy released by an event of magnitude (Mw) 6.9. The seismicity was mainly located in seven zones with 50-350 earthquakes. There were 209 felt events (~6% of the totality), including 31 with Mw between 5.0 and 6.7. Most of these earthquakes were shallow (~88% < 30 km), had a low magnitude (~52% Mw < 3.9), and were originated in faults within the Caribbean and Panama plates (~69%). The largest earthquake of the year of Mw 6.7 originated in the Panama Fracture Zone, without causing damage or casualties. Because all the earthquakes with Mw ≥ 5.5 were centered offshore and far from the population high intensities were not reported.

Resumen Al Sistema de Fallas de Algeciras (SFA), se le han asignado cuatro sismos históricos desde finales del siglo XVIII, que en términos de magnitud recalculada desde análisis macrosísmicos tuvieron una magnitud M>6.5. Uno de estos, el del 9 de febrero de 1967, fue registrado instrumentalmente con Mw 7.2. En este trabajo se realizó un estudio del sector norte de este sistema de fallas entre los 3° y 4°N. Entre el 31 de octubre de 2016 y el 18 de julio de 2018, se presentaron cuatro sismos con Mw>4.8, que la Red Sismológica Nacional de Colombia (RSNC) localizó en el municipio de Colombia, departamento del Huila, asignándolos a fallas del SFA. Luego, en diciembre 24 de 2019, se presentó un sismo con Mw 6.0, que se asignó a la Falla Algeciras perteneciente al SFA en el departamento del Meta. En esta investigación se encontró que los sismos de la región de Colombia se produjeron en las fallas Altamira y Nazareth, las cuales son fallas inversas en un contexto tectono - estratigráfico diferente al SFA. El SFA al norte de los 3°N define en esta región el piedemonte llanero. Para las fallas Altamira y Nazareth, los mecanismos focales indicaron fallas inversas, mientras que en la región de Mesetas estos mecanismos obedecieron a fallas transcurrentes concordantes con el SFA. Dada la alta generación de sismos con Mw>5.0 en estas fallas en un lapso inferior a 10 años, se establece que su potencial sismogénico contribuye de manera importante a la amenaza sísmica del centro y el suroccidente de Colombia, sin embargo, en este trabajo se encontró además que la denominada Falla Algeciras, principal componente del SFA por la literatura, está segmentada y no es continua, por lo que se debe revaluar su potencial sismogénico.

Abstract From the late seventeenth century, the Algeciras Fault System (AFS) has been attributed to four historical earthquakes whose magnitude recalculated from macroseismic scale analysis had a magnitude of M>6.5. One of these, that of February 9th, 1967, was instrumentally registered with a magnitude of Mw 7.2. In this work, a study was carried out in the Northern sector of this fault system between 3° and 4°N. Between October 31st, 2016, and July 18th, 2018, four earthquakes with Mw>4.8, were located by the National Seismological Network of Colombia (NSNC) in the municipality of Colombia, department of Huila, were attributed by them to the AFS. Then, on December 24th, 2019, an earthquake with Mw 6.0 was attributed by the NSCS to the Algeciras fault in the department of Meta. This fault is part of the AFS. In accordance with this research, the earthquakes in the region of Colombia occurred in the Altamira and Nazareth Faults, which are reverse faults in a tectono-stratigraphic framework different from the AFS. The AFS toward north of 3°N defines the Llanos Foothills in this region. For the Altamira and Nazareth Faults, the earthquake focal mechanisms indicated inverse faults, while in the Mesetas region its earthquake focal mechanisms indicated right lateral strike - slip faults consistent with the AFS. Because of the high generation of earthquakes with Mw>5.0 for these faults in a period of less than 10 years, here it is established that their seismogenic potential contributes in a very important way to the seismic hazard of central and southwestern Colombia. However, in this work it was also found that the so-called Algeciras Fault, the main component of the SFA in the literature, is segmented and not continuous, so its seismogenic potential should be reassessed.

Seismic risk in the deep gold mines of South Africa has been studied for many decades. A clear understanding of the effect of geotechnical conditions on the seismic hazard nevertheless remains elusive. Certain reef types seem to be associated with a higher risk of rockbursts. The stability and deformation behaviour of excavations on the different reef horizons are affected by the rock types and the varying strength properties. The seismic response to mining is therefore also expected to differ according to the geotechnical conditions. As a case study of this behaviour, the seismicity at Mponeng mine was investigated. On the VCR (Ventersdorp Contact Reef) horizon, two areas can be delineated. On the eastern side of the mine, the footwall is shale, and on the western side it is a strong brittle quartzite. More large-magnitude events occur in the area with the shale footwall than the area with the quartzite footwall. Moment tensor analyses indicated that the majority of the large-magnitude events are not related to geological structures, but are face-related, implying that shear failure of intact rock is occurring ahead of the mining front. Preliminary modelling indicated that the closure volume for the shale footwall may be higher than that for the quartzite footwall, providing a possible explanation for the observed difference in seismic response.

RESUMEN El análisis morfotectónico es un método útil, económico y ahorrador de tiempo para evaluar la actividad tectónica, especialmente en regiones grandes. En este artículo, el estudio morfotectónico se realizó en la ciudad de Kerman, en el sudeste de Irán, y que es parte de la zona estructural de Centro Irán. Si bien han ocurrido numerosos terremotos históricos o de detección instrumental en Kerman, hay una brecha en los registros de estos movimientos que oscurecen el estatus sísmico. El objetivo de este estudio es identificar las fallas activas y el riesgo sísmico asociado para la ciudad de Kerman. Para este propósito se examinaron siete índices geomórficos (índice del gradiente del perfil longitudinal, SL; asimetría de cuenca, Af; integral hipsométrica, Hi; relación de la parte baja del valle con la altura del valle, Vf; índice de la forma de cuenca, Bs; índice de sinuosidad de frentes montañosos, Smf, y factor de simetría topográfica transversal, T) en 51 cuencas en el área de estudio con Modelos de Elevación Digital (DEM) y mapas geológicos en un ambiente de Sistemas de Información Geográfica. Luego se calcularon dos clases de índices de actividad tectónica relativa para cada cuenca, por ejemplo Iat e Iat_T, desde la combinación de estos índices. El índice Iat_T fue elegido porque sus resultados muestran concordancia con la geología estructural y los registros sísmicos de la región. Finalmente, el área de estudio se dividió en tres regiones, de acuerdo con los valores Iat_T. Los análisis morfotectónicos indican que el sistema de fallas de Kuhbanan, especialmente en su extensión al sur, tiene el potencial de producir riesgos sísmicos serios a la ciudad de Kerman en el futuro; los pliegues relacionados con la falla Mahan-Jupar, la punta sur de la falla Jorjafk, la posible falla de Zangi-Abad, el sistema de fallas de Rafsanjan-Zarand, y la falla de Gowk se consideran como otras amenazas a Kerman. Además, este estudio muestra que el análisis morfotectónico es una herramienta confiable para evaluar la capacidad de las fallas y para determinar los tipos de falla y, además, para estimar el riesgo sismotectónico.

ABSTRACT The morphotectonic analysis is a useful time-saving and cost-effective method to assess tectonic activity, especially in large regions. In this paper, the morphotectonic study was carried out in Kerman city which is in the southeast of Iran and is a part of the Central Iran structural zone. Despite the occurrence of numerous historical and instrumental earthquakes around Kerman city, there is a gap in earthquake records of this city that has obscured its seismicity status. The aim of this study is to identify active faults and the associated seismic hazard to Kerman city. For this purpose, seven geomorphic indices namely stream length-gradient index (SL), drainage basin asymmetry (Af), hypsometric integral (Hi), ratio of valley-floor width to valley height (Vf), index of drainage basin shape (Bs), index of mountain front sinuosity (Smf) and Transverse Topographic Symmetry Factor (T) were examined for 51 basins of the study area, using digital elevation model (DEM) and geological maps in a GIS environment. Then, two kinds of relative tectonic activity indices were calculated for each basin, i.e., Iat and Iat_T, from the combination of these indices. The Iat_T was chosen because its results show better agreement with the structural geology and seismic records of this region. Finally, the study area was divided into three regions according to the Iat_T values. The morphotectonic analyses indicate that the Kuhbanan fault system, especially its southern splays, has the potential to produce serious seismic hazards to Kerman city in the future; the Mahan-Jupar fault-related folds, the southern tip of the Jorjafk fault, the probable fault of Zangi-Abad, the Rafsanjan-Zarand fault system, and Gowk fault are considered as other threats to Kerman city. Furthermore, this study reveals that morphotectonic analysis is a reliable tool to evaluate fault capability and to determine the fault types, and therefore to estimate seismotectonic hazard.

ABSTRACT During the last decade, in several localities of the Cuban provinces of Matanzas, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos and Sancti Spíritus, seismic movements have been perceived, causing great concern on their population and institutional managers. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the possible causes of the seismicity originating in the aforementioned provinces based on the analysis of the Cuban seismic catalogues and the available geological and geophysical articles and reports. It was possible to reveal that release of seismic energy accumulated in the rocks is the cause of reactivating regional and minor order faults, what justifies the seismicity in this zone. The different performance of seismic activity recorded in these territories is due to the unequal response to tensions accumulated mainly by the geological-tectonic complexity and its relationship or not with gravitational and isostatic blocks.

RESUMEN Durante el último decenio, en varias localidades de las provincias cubanas de Matanzas, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos y Sancti Spíritus han sido percibidos movimientos sísmicos causantes de gran preocupación por parte de su población y de los directivos institucionales. El propósito de esta investigación fue realizar una valoración de las posibles causas de la sismicidad originada en las provincias mencionadas con base en el análisis de los catálogos sísmicos cubanos y los artículos e informes geológicos y geofísicos realizados en estas provincias. Se pudo revelar que la reactivación de las fallas regionales y de órdenes menores debido a la liberación de la energía sísmica acumulada en las rocas justifica la sismicidad del territorio investigado, así como que el diferente comportamiento de la actividad sísmica registrada en estos territorios se debe a la respuesta desigual a las tensiones acumuladas, principalmente por la complejidad geológico-tectónica y su relación o no con bloques gravitacionales e isostáticos.