The tectonic setting of Lebanon is characterized by three important fault systems. Inland, the two left-lateral strike-slip Yammouneh Fault and Rachaiya - Serghaya Faults. The third is a large thrust fault system located offshore Lebanon. So far the knowledge of the fault systems inland is restricted to a few places along the Yammouneh fault and along the Serghaya Fault. The knowledge of the offshore thrust system is limited to one survey. The project aims at filling these gaps through work on hazard studies, an assessment of physical vulnerabilities and a first order probabilistic seismic hazard analysis for Lebanon.

Purpose and Objectives

To grasp the seismic risk in three main aspects, namely: Hazard, Physical Vulnerability and Social Vulnerability.

Key Activities

• Task 1: identification of active faults and past ruptures
• Task 2: Instantaneous fault kinematics and present-day fault monitoring
• Task 3: Crustal tomography and fault monitoring
• Task 4: Site effects and strong ground motion prediction
• Task 5: Issues related to probabilistic seismic hazard assessment in Beirut
• Task 6: Identify vulnerabilities (vulnerable elements of population, infrastructure, environment)

Methodology Used

• Assess timing and sequence of ruptures on the major faults
• Examine and assess the deformation field, present-day and quaternary slip-rates and space-slip rate variations
• Fault identification, crustal structure and fault interaction ad depth
• Fault monitoring and detection of potential transient deformation
• Assess subsidence as a proxy for site effects evaluation in Beirut
• Integrate side effects in probabilistic seismic hazard analysis
• Preliminary assessment of physical and societal vulnerabilities