Recent 2017-2018 Seismicity and News Seismic Hazard Zoning of Iran

On November 12, 2017, at 18:18 UTC, a major earthquake with moment magnitude Mw7.3 struck the Kermanshah province of Iran, causing extended damage and casualties. Thus, we explore seismicity preceding this earthquake, with the aim to understand whether the information from past events could provide some insights about the occurrence of this and other future large earthquakes. Taking into account the seism tectonic framework and high seismicity with destructive earthquakes as well as the large population density settled in the earthquake-prone areas, the necessity for the development of a database with field investigations for the seismic hazard and risk assessment is critical. It showed be noted that reliable seismic hazard studies depend on having a robust earthquake catalog, good knowledge of tectonic conditions and relevant attenuation model applied for the hazard analysis. The better input for hazard analysis results in more reliable the parameters and the seismic hazard assessments. The uncertainties associated with the seismic hazard analysis and level of success of the methodology in the region is also treated. In this regard, subjects such as data acquisition in earthquake recognitions, analysis of recorded strong motions, determination of physical damages, near-field effects like directivity and fling-step, and the importance of these analysis in hazard zoning are presented.