The Fault that Caused the Athens September 1999 Ms = 5.9 Earthquake: Field Observations

On 7 September 1999 the Athens Metropolitan area (Greece) was hit by a moderate size (Ms = 5.9) earthquake. The severely damaged area is localized in the northwestern suburbs of the city, at the foothills of Mt. Parnitha (38.1°N, 23.6°E), about 18 km from the historic centre of Athens. In this paper, we present our results on the surface expression of the seismogenic structure. Methods applied were: field observations, geological mapping, fault geometry and kinematics, evaluation of macroseismic data, interpretation of LANDSAT images, construction of a DEM and application of shading techniques. Aftershock distribution and fault plane solutions were also considered. Our results suggest that the earthquake source is located within the NW-SE trending valley bearing a few outcrops of Neogene-Quaternary sediments across the south foothills of Mt. Parnitha, never known in the past to have been activated by such strong earthquakes. The earthquake occurred along a 10 km long normal fault, striking N110°–133° and dipping 64°–85°SW, extending from the Fili Fort (4th century BC) in the NNW to the Fili town and then to Ano Liossia, to the SSE. Tensional stress field with ₃ axis almost horizontal striking NNE-NE prevails in the area. The fault strike and the extensional direction (₃) are compatible with the focal mechanism of the main shock.