The Serie of Korca Earthquakes 2019 to 2020 (Mmax=5.3) and its Seismogenic Zone

Summary A series of earthquakes of maximal magnitude (Mmax=5.3) started on June 01, 2019, at 04:26 (UTC), in Flloq village about 15 km southwest of Korca town, epicenter coordinates 40.47°N dhe 20.71°E and the focal depth 14 km. This earthquake expresses the increased seismic activity of the Korca-Erseka seismogenic zone. We present results from an analysis of local and regional data concerning epicenter location, focal mechanism of main shock, and its aftershock activity. Composite focal mechanism of the main shock according to GFZ shows a normal fault: Strike=216°, Dip=52°, and Rake (Slip)= -90°. The larger aftershocks occurred southeastern of the main shock epicenter. In this fault zone were located 947 earthquakes with ranging magnitude 0.6 to 5.3 Richter with an average depth of 11km and maximum depth of 63 km. The main shock was generated by the activation of a NNEStriking normal fault. The region affected by this series of earthquakes together with the strongest earthquake of May 1960, forms a roughly NNE trending active seismotectonic zone in southeastern Albania presents a threat to nearby urban areas in Albania.