Seismological, structural and geotechnical aspects of the 2020 Samos (Aegean Sea) earthquake

Synopsis

The 30 October 2020 M7.0 Samos (Kuşadasi Gulf, Izmir) earthquake reportedly caused two fatalities and 19 minor injuries at Samos Island, while in Western Turkey, the effects of the event were more severe, with 115 fatalities, over 1,030 injuries and structural damage that included at least six collapses in Izmir, approximately 70 km away from the epicentre. This webinar will give an overview of this notable event based on recent analysis of seismological data, as well as field reconnaissance observations.

The earthquake ruptured a north dipping normal fault, projecting offshore, very close to the northern coast of Samos Island, which was previously inferred from the bathymetry and regional tectonics. Following the main event, a cascade of M6+ earthquakes that occurred in the Aegean Sea, highlighting the significant earthquake risk imposed on urban areas from unknown and unmapped offshore faults. The typology of buildings affected in the Samos region were mostly of plain masonry with few occurrences of reinforced concrete structures. Typical damage patterns, as identified in the surveyed buildings, will be discussed and qualitatively interpreted in the context of their typology, dimensions and the quality of their construction. The earthquake also led to some landslides, evidence of liquefaction, lateral spreading and damage to quay walls in ports on the northern side of Samos Island. Despite the proximity to the fault, and the significant amplitude / duration of shaking, the associated liquefaction phenomena were not pervasive, while no liquefaction was observed in and around Izmir. Both Samos and Izmir Bay yielded interesting observations regarding site and topography effects.

About the speakers

Anastasia Kiratzi is Professor of Seismology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), Greece, specializing in earthquake source mechanics and Engineering Seismology. Educated in Greece, UK and USA she has collaborated with research groups across the world, coordinating a variety of projects. She is acting vice-chair of ORFEUS, associate editor of Journal of Seismology, member of the editorial board of Tectonophysics, and Member of Expert Advisory Panels on seismic risk in Greece and abroad. She has supervised PhD and MSc students and holds a strong record of publication in high-impact journals.

Elizabeth Vintzileou is Professor of Reinforced Concrete and Masonry Structures at National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), specializing in seismic behaviour and design of RC and masonry structures, pre- and post-earthquake assessment and rehabilitation. She has coordinated/is coordinating more than forty research projects. She is member of the Central Archaeological Council and the Central Council for Contemporary and Modern Monuments at the Hellenic Ministry of Culture.

Katerina Ziotopoulou is an Assistant Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California at Davis since 2016. She received her PhD and MS degrees from UC Davis, and her undergraduate Diploma from NTUA, Greece. Her research focuses on numerically and experimentally studying ground failure due to earthquake-induced liquefaction and its mitigation. Her work is funded from NSF, PG&E, the Center for Biomediated and Bioinspired Geotechnics, Caltrans, and the California Strong Motion Instrumentation Program. She is the recipient of the 2021 Arthur Casagrande Professional Development Award of ASCE.

Further information

This evening meeting will be chaired by Stavroula Kontoe (Imperial College). Non-members of the society are welcome to attend. Attendance at the meeting is free. The meeting will take place online via Microsoft Teams*.

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