Seismic microzoning as a basis for "lowering" seismic risk analysis to the level of local self-government

Abstract

Analyzes of seismic hazard and seismic risk in the Republic of Serbia are mostly handled by national institutions, while seismic microzoning is neglected in most cases even though it is an important element in those analyses. The work will deal with problems in the division of responsibilities and tasks in this area, as well as the importance of the work itself, which results in the resilience of infrastructure and society in general when natural disasters are involved. The paper presents different types-levels of seismic microzoning and explains the benefits of their application when planning and designing construction facilities and infrastructure, and above all "lowering" the assessment of seismic and geological risk to the level of local self-government. The importance of carrying out field investigative geological and geophysical works was emphasized both for the needs of a more precise analysis of the seismic risk at a specific micro location, and from the aspect of geological risks that must be taken into account when conducting a detailed seismic microrezonization. Through concrete examples, all the effects that end users such as cities, municipalities and individual users can have from seismic microzoning are explained. Also, it was shown how new technologies can help to map hazards and risks, share data, and all in favor of a multi-hazard approach in defining and assessing risks, as well as in the further application of preventive measures.