Author(s)

E. Lekkas & H. Kranis

Abstract

The earthquake in Kobe (M=7.2 R) killed more than 5,400 people and caused huge material damage. The recording of the damage showed that it was linearly distributed, along a NE-SW axis, both on Awaji island and in Kobe town. This layout coincides with the trace of the reactivated fault zone, that gave both the main shock and the ensuing seismic sequence. The elaboration of the damage data with the use of the E.M.S.-1992 showed that in Kobe the maximum intensity reached grade XI, while on Awaji the maximum intensity was VIII. The analysis of the seismic fracturing showed that the main shock can be broken down to three partial ruptures, along a 13-km long rupture plane. The total rupture time was 11 sec and the rupture propagated to the NE. The north-

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