GEOINFORMATION FOR RESEARCH OF ONGOING GEODYNAMIC PROCESSES IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

Abstract. Multidisciplinary research of surface geodynamic processes is important for understanding mechanisms that lead to sudden release of accumulated strain energy, i.e. earthquakes. It requires development of an original scientific approach which combines data from various geosciences such as geodesy, geology and seismology. This implies that each geoscience contributes to a better understanding by providing specific direct or indirect information on activity (spatial movements) and properties of seismogenic sources (faults). In recent years, new and accessible sources and types of geoinformation have greatly enhanced, enabling a more comprehensive investigation of ongoing geodynamic activity on faults and, therefore, improve our ability to develop approaches to assess and mitigate the seismic hazard and risk within the earthquake-prone areas.

In this paper, we seek to identify the geoinformation required to improve the current knowledge on regional and local geodynamic processes in the Republic of Croatia. Focusing on the complementarity of geodetic, geological and seismological data, we discuss possible sources of the diverse sets of site-specific geospatial data. Examples include: ground/surface movement observations with Global Navigational Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Satellite Radar Interferometry (InSAR); data about historical and instrumental seismicity (e.g. focal mechanism solutions, number of earthquakes, b-value, etc.); fault location, fault geometrical properties and information on their neotectonic activity, paleoseismological data, etc. Challenges regarding the integrated use of these data, such as heterogeneity of data sources, access protocols, metadata standards, data quality, up-to-dateness, and other limitations are also addressed.