Improving the Mediterranean seismicity picture thanks to international collaborations

Abstract The seismicity of the Mediterranean, compiled by the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), is presented for the period 1998–2010. The data set contains earthquakes recorded by more than 3000 stations operated by 78 networks. The Euro-Med Bulletin (EMB) provides parametric information for 273,000 tectonic events. The location resolution is characterised by a constant improvement over the years made possible by gathering steadily increasing data contribution. Dedicated collaboration with the network operators through regular discussion and interaction allow proper review of input and output information. In addition to natural events, seismic networks report data related to nontectonic activity. Discrimination is a crucial step in the production of seismicity catalogues to provide accurate information used for seismic hazard assessment. Over 13 years, 62,000 artificial events are characterised, mostly located in the vicinity of the largest mine and quarry areas of the region. While a large amount of man-related seismic activity is properly described, we show that through statistical analysis, discrimination in the EMB can still be improved. This is especially useful to scan past data, when routine discrimination was usually not performed by local networks. Seismicity catalogues are also useful for integrated access data portal to diverse and distributed seismological products as multi-disciplinary approaches of seismology is necessary. It leads us to propose and develop an e-Bulletin where the scientists could access all type of seismological and engineering products (from strong motion or broad band waveforms to macroseismic analysis) by simply connecting to a single event dedicated web page.