Pattern recognition in problems of seismic hazard assessment

The paper is devoted to some aspects of application of pattern recognition algorithms in solving problems of strong earthquake-prone area determination that can be used for seismic hazard assessment. The main principles of the having a long-term history approach to recognition of strong earthquake-prone areas (EPA) in a region under consideration on the basis of its morphostructural zoning scheme applying the algorithms “CORA-3” and “HAMMING” are described. A review of the results obtained in this direction and work on the development of new algorithms based, in particular, on discrete mathematical analysis is given. The use of pattern recognition approaches to develop algorithms for medium-term earthquake prediction that can help to obtain an operative seismic hazard assessment is shown. The application of the Unified Scaling Law for Earthquakes for the earthquake hazard and risk assessment taking into account the EPA results is considered. A review of the EPA and earthquake hazard and risk assessment results for the Caucasus region is presented.