Seismic intensity assignments for the 2008 Andravida (NW Peloponnese, Greece) strike-slip event (June 8, Mw=6.4) based on the application of the Environmental Seismic Intensity scale (ESI 2007) and the European Macroseismic scale (EMS-98)

On June 8, 2008, a strike-slip earthquake (Mw=6.4) was generated NE of the Andravida town (NW Peloponnese, western Greece) due to the activation of the previously unknown western Achaia strike-slip fault zone (WAFZ). Extensive structural damage and earthquake environmental effects (EEE) were induced in the NW Peloponnese, offering the opportunity to test and compare the ESI 2007 and the EMS-98 intensity scales in a moderate strike-slip event. No primary EEE were induced, while secondary EEE including seismic fractures, liquefaction phenomena, slope movements and hydrological anomalies were widely observed covering an area of about 800 km2. The lack of primary effects and the relatively small surface deformation with respect to the earthquake magnitude is due to the thick Gavrovo flysch layer in the affected area that isolated and absorbed the subsurface deformation from the surface. According to the application of the EMS-98 scale, damage to masonry buildings ranged from grade 3 to 5, while damage in most of R/C buildings ranged from grade 1 to 3. A maximum ESI 2007 intensity VIII-IX is recorded, while the maximum EMS-98 intensity is IX. For all the sites where intensity VIII has been recorded the ESI 2007 and the EMS-98 agree, but for others the ESI 2007 intensities values are lower by one or two degrees than the corresponding EMS-98 ones, as it is clearly concluded from the comparison of the produced isoseismals. An exception to this rule is the Valmi village, where considerable structural damage occurs (IXEMS-98) along with the lack of significant EEE (VESI 2007). This variability between the ESI 2007 and the EMS-98 intensity values is predominantly attributed to the vulnerability of old masonry buildings constructed with no seismic resistance design. Correlation of all existing data shows that the geological structure, the active tectonics, and the geotechnical characteristics of the alpine and post-alpine formations along with the construction type of buildings were of decisive importance in the damage and the EEE distribution.