Which one of the three latest large earthquakes in Zagreb was the strongest – the 1905, 1906 or the 2020 one?

Following the damaging earthquake of 22 March 2020 (ML = 5.5, Mw = 5.3, Imax = VII EMS) in Zagreb, a question was raised whether this was the largest event after the Great Zagreb earthquake of 1880 (Imax = VIII MSK). The countercandidates are the events of 17 December 1905 and 2 January 1906, for which relevant earthquake catalogues mostly report larger or comparable magnitudes as for the earthquake of 2020, with their maximum intensities mostly within a narrow margin between VII and VII–VIII in various intensity scales. In order to resolve the question, we have (re)analysed all available macroseismic data for the two historical events, collected readings from station bulletins, and analysed available historical seismograms. Macroseismic proxy for the local magnitude (MmR) was estimated on the basis of modelled radii of isoseismals V EMS and VI EMS using the regressions derived for a set of 12 earthquakes in NW Croatia and the neighbouring areas. Macroseismic magnitude was found to be the largest for the 1906 event (MmR = 5.3), followed by MmR = 5.1 for the 2020 quake. Considering the magnitudes computed after Wiechert seismograms from the Göttingen (GTT) station, and from the amplitude/period readings reported from the German stations JEN and HOH for the earthquake of 1906, as well as the magnitudes calculated from broad-band records of the GTTG station and the stations of the Croatian network for the event of 2020, a unified local magnitude of ML = 5.3 is found for both events. The magnitudes of the 1905 earthquake were consistently the lowest of the three. Taking the uncertainties into account, the events of 1906 and 2020 should be considered approximately equal in size. However, the strongest shaking in the centre of Zagreb was caused by the 2020 event. It occurred on the reverse North Medvednica boundary fault, while the macroseismic epicentres of earthquakes of 1905 and 1906 lie practically on the trace of the nearby strike-slip Kašina fault. That Kašina fault could have been the source of the 1906 earthquake is also hinted at by the elongated region of the strongest shaking along its strike

Macroseismic investigations of the geological site effects on intensities of selected earthquakes in greater Ljubljana area

Ljubljana is one of three regions with the highest seismic hazard in Slovenia. In addition soft sediments in the Ljubljana basin have a strong influence on seismic ground motion. We used macroseismic data to investigate the influence of local geological structure on earthquake intensities in greater Ljubljana area. We determined intensities for eleven earthquakes according to ground classification based on Eurocode 8 standard (EC8). The results showed a systematic increase in observed seismic intensities, determined according to European Macroseismic Scale (EMS-98), as the seismogeological characteristics of the ground deteriorated. Only one ground type (D) showed slightly lower intensities than expected. This may be due to some unrevealed geological and other factors, or because of very limited macroseismic data available for this particular ground type

Potresi 1838. i 1839. godine u području Slovenskih gorica i Međimurja

Analyses of available data (newspaper reports, historical and church chronicles, chronical earthquake overviews, travel books, monographies, research papers, etc.) on effects of the earthquakes that shook the greater Ormož area at the Slovenian-Croatian border in the 1838 and 1839 revealed that one of them, recorded in a number of regional and global catalogues, is in fact a fake - the earthquake of 26 August 1838 never happened. This error creeped into various reports and studies, and then into many relevant catalogues, so this event should by systematically erased from the catalogues used to estimate seismicity rates in the neighbourhoods of north-western Croatia, north-eastern Slovenia, and south-western Hungary. Regarding the earthquake of 31 July 1838, we used important new sources of information that have not been consulted in any previous study. This made inversion of macroseismic parameters more robust. Our estimates of the macroseismic moment magnitude (Mwm = 4.8) is mostly higher than the values reported in the available catalogues. Reliable information on the effects of the smaller event of 22 March 1839 were found for two localities only, so its epicentre was placed into the town of Ormož where the maximum intensity was observed. Its estimated moment magnitude (Mwm) is close to the median of values found in the six consulted catalogues that listed this event. The macroseismic epicentre of the 1838 earthquake lies close to the junction of surface traces of the Donat strike-slip fault and the reverse Čakovec fault. Based on their assumed geometry and the location of the macroseismic hypocentre, we give slight preference to the Donat fault as the seismogenic source.Analizom dostupnih podataka iz novinskih izvješća, povijesnih i crkvenih kronika, raznih kronika potresa, putopisnih knjiga, monografija i znastvenih radova o učincima potresa koji su se dogodili u širem području Ormoža na slovensko-hrvatskoj granici 1838. i 1839. godine, ustanovljeno je da je jedan od njih, zabilježen u brojnim regionalnim i globalnim katalozima, zapravo lažnjak. Radi se o navodnom potresu od 26. kolovoza 1838. koji se nikada nije dogodio. Ova se pogreška uvukla u različite biltene i studije, a zatim i u mnoge relevantne kataloge, pa bi taj potres trebalo sustavno brisati iz kataloga koji se koriste za procjenu razine seizmičnosti u područjima sjeverozapadne Hrvatske, sjeveroistočne Slovenije i jugozapadne Mađarske. Što se tiče potresa 31. srpnja 1838., koristili smo važne nove izvore informacija koji nisu bili korišteni niti u jednoj prethodnoj studiji. To je inverziju makroseizmičkih parametara učinilo robusnijom. Naša procjena makroseizmičke momentne magnitude (Mwm =4,8) uglavnom je veća od vrijednosti zabilježenih u dostupnim katalozima. Pouz-dane informacije o učincima slabijeg potresa od 22. ožujka 1839. pronađene su samo za dvije lokacije, pa je njegov epicentar smješten u grad Ormož gdje je zabilježen maksimalni intenzitet. Njegova procijenjena momentna magnituda (Mwm =4,4) bliska je medijanu vrijednosti pronađenih u šest pregledanih kataloga koji navode ovaj potres. Makroseizmički epicentar potresa iz 1838. godine leži u blizini spoja površinskih tragova Donatskog rasjeda s pomakom po pružanju i reversnog Čakovečkog rasjeda. Na temelju njihove pretpostavljene geometrije i položaja makroseizmičkog hipocentra, dajemo blagu prednost Donatskom rasjedu kao seizmogenom izvoru

Development of the Croatian model of organ donation and transplantation

Abstract During the past ten years, the efforts to improve and organize the national transplantation system in Croatia have resulted in a steadily growing donor rate, which reached its highest level in 2011, with 33.6 utilized donors per million population (p.m.p.). Nowadays, Croatia is one of the leading countries in the world according to deceased donation and transplantation rates. Between 2008 and 2011, the waiting list for kidney transplantation decreased by 37.2% (from 430 to 270 persons waiting for a transplant) and the median waiting time decreased from 46 to 24 months. The Croatian model has been internationally recognized as successful and there are plans for its implementation in other countries. We analyzed the key factors that contributed to the development of this successful model for organ donation and transplantation. These are primarily the appointment of hospital and national transplant coordinators, implementation of a new financial model with donor hospital reimbursement, public awareness campaign, international cooperation, adoption of new legislation, and implementation of a donor quality assurance program. The selection of key factors is based on the authors’ opinions; we are open for further discussion and propose systematic research into the issue

The Interreg IV Italia-Austria "SeismoSAT" project: connecting seismic data centers via satellite

Since 2002 OGS in Italy, ZAMG in Austria, and ARSO in Slovenia are exchanging seismic data in real time. At the moment the data exchange between the seismic data centres relies on internet: this however is not optimal for civil protection purposes, since internet reliability is poor. For this reason in 2012 the Protezione Civile di Bolzano in Italy joined OGS, ZAMG and ARSO in the Interreg IV Italia-Austria “SeismoSAT” Project aimed in connecting the seismic data centres in real time via satellite. The general schema of the project, including data bandwidth estimates and the data links architecture will be illustrated

Testing the "PRESTo" Early Warning Algorithm in North-Eastern Italy, Austria and Slovenia: update analysis

Since 2002 OGS (Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale) in Udine (Italy), the Agencija Republike Slovenije za Okolje (ARSO) in Ljubljana (Slovenia) and the Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik (ZAMG) in Vienna (Austria), are collecting, analyzing, archiving and exchanging seismic data in real time. The data exchange has proved to be effective and very useful in case of seismic events at the borders between Italy, Austria and Slovenia, where the poor coverage of individual national seismic networks precluded a precise earthquake location, while the usage of common data from the integrated networks improves significantly the overall capability of real time event detection and rapid characterization in this area. In order to extend the seismic monitoring in North-eastern Italy, Slovenia and Southern Austria, towards earthquake early warning applications, at the end of 2013 OGS, ARSO and ZAMG teamed with the RISSCLab group (http://www.rissclab.unina.it) of the Department of Physics at the University of Naples Federico II in Italy. The collaboration focuses on massive testing on OGS, ARSO and ZAMG data of the EW platform PRESTo (Probabilistic and Evolutionary early warning SysTem) developed by RISSC-Lab (http://www.prestoews.org)

POSTAVLJANJE KATETERA ZA PERITONEJSKU DIJALIZU PRIMJENOM REGIONALNE ANESTEZIJE: ULTRAZVUČNO VOĐENI TAP BLOK

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an established method for renal replacement therapy in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a regional anesthesia technique, since recently used for PD catheter placement. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PD catheter placement using ultrasound-guided TAP block. We studied 43 ESRD patients from our center that underwent PD catheter placement under TAP block between June 2011 and December 2014. TAP block was successful in 38 (91.4%) of 43 patients. The remaining five (8.6%) patients required general anesthesia. All procedures were performed without complications. ESRD patients have a substantially greater number of comorbid conditions compared to general population, many of which are adversely influenced by general anesthesia. Opposite to general anesthesia, regional anesthesia has no systemic effect and using this technique may prove beneficial in this group of patients. In conclusion, TAP block is an effective method for PD catheter placement and should be especially considered in ESRD patients with major comorbidities.Peritonejska dijaliza (PD) je učinkovita metoda nadomjesne terapije bubrežne funkcije u bolesnika koji se nalaze u terminalnom stadiju bubrežnog zatajenja (ESRD). Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blok spada u regionalnu anesteziju i nedavno se počeo primjenjivati i i kod implantacija katetera za PD. Cilj ove studije bio je procijeniti učinkovitost postavljanja katetera za PD uz pomoć ultrazvučno vođenoga TAP bloka. Analizirali smo 43 bolesnika s ESRD iz našega centra u kojih je postavljen kateter za PD uz pomoć TAP bloka između lipnja 2011. i prosinca 2014. godine. TAP blok bio je uspješan u 38 (91,4%) od 43 bolesnika. U ostalih pet bolesnika bilo je potrebno primijeniti i opću anesteziju. Svi zahvati su prošli bez komplikacija. Bolesnici s ESRD imaju značajan i uvećan broj popratnih bolesti u odnosu na opću populaciju, od kojih se mnoge mogu pogoršati djelovanjem opće anestezije. Za razliku od opće anestezije, regionalna anestezija nema sistemskog učinka te uporaba ove tehnike može biti korisna u ove skupine bolesnika. Zaključno, TAP blok je učinkovita metoda kod postavljanja katetera za PD, pogotovo u bolesnika s ESRD koji imaju brojne popratne bolesti

PERITONEAL DIALYSIS CATHETER PLACEMENT USING A REGIONAL ANESTHESIA TECHNIQUE: ULTRASOUND-GUIDED TRANSVERSUS ABDOMINIS PLANE BLOCK

Peritonejska dijaliza (PD) je učinkovita metoda nadomjesne terapije bubrežne funkcije u bolesnika koji se nalaze u terminalnom stadiju bubrežnog zatajenja (ESRD). Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blok spada u regionalnu anesteziju i nedavno se počeo primjenjivati i i kod implantacija katetera za PD. Cilj ove studije bio je procijeniti učinkovitost postavljanja katetera za PD uz pomoć ultrazvučno vođenoga TAP bloka. Analizirali smo 43 bolesnika s ESRD iz našega centra u kojih je postavljen kateter za PD uz pomoć TAP bloka između lipnja 2011. i prosinca 2014. godine. TAP blok bio je uspješan u 38 (91,4%) od 43 bolesnika. U ostalih pet bolesnika bilo je potrebno primijeniti i opću anesteziju. Svi zahvati su prošli bez komplikacija. Bolesnici s ESRD imaju značajan i uvećan broj popratnih bolesti u odnosu na opću populaciju, od kojih se mnoge mogu pogoršati djelovanjem opće anestezije. Za razliku od opće anestezije, regionalna anestezija nema sistemskog učinka te uporaba ove tehnike može biti korisna u ove skupine bolesnika. Zaključno, TAP blok je učinkovita metoda kod postavljanja katetera za PD, pogotovo u bolesnika s ESRD koji imaju brojne popratne bolesti.Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an established method for renal replacement therapy in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a regional anesthesia technique, since recently used for PD catheter placement. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PD catheter placement using ultrasound-guided TAP block. We studied 43 ESRD patients from our center that underwent PD catheter placement under TAP block between June 2011 and December 2014. TAP block was successful in 38 (91.4%) of 43 patients. The remaining five (8.6%) patients required general anesthesia. All procedures were performed without complications. ESRD patients have a substantially greater number of comorbid conditions compared to general population, many of which are adversely influenced by general anesthesia. Opposite to general anesthesia, regional anesthesia has no systemic effect and using this technique may prove beneficial in this group of patients. In conclusion, TAP block is an effective method for PD catheter placement and should be especially considered in ESRD patients with major comorbidities

Crustal Thinning From Orogen to Back-Arc Basin: The Structure of the Pannonian Basin Region Revealed by P-to-S Converted Seismic Waves

We present the results of P-to-S receiver function analysis to improve the 3D image of the sedimentary layer, the upper crust, and lower crust in the Pannonian Basin area. The Pannonian Basin hosts deep sedimentary depocentres superimposed on a complex basement structure and it is surrounded by mountain belts. We processed waveforms from 221 three-component broadband seismological stations. As a result of the dense station coverage, we were able to achieve so far unprecedented spatial resolution in determining the velocity structure of the crust. We applied a three-fold quality control process; the first two being applied to the observed waveforms and the third to the calculated radial receiver functions. This work is the first comprehensive receiver function study of the entire region. To prepare the inversions, we performed station-wise H-Vp/Vs grid search, as well as Common Conversion Point migration. Our main focus was then the S-wave velocity structure of the area, which we determined by the Neighborhood Algorithm inversion method at each station, where data were sub-divided into back-azimuthal bundles based on similar Ps delay times. The 1D, nonlinear inversions provided the depth of the discontinuities, shear-wave velocities and Vp/Vs ratios of each layer per bundle, and we calculated uncertainty values for each of these parameters. We then developed a 3D interpolation method based on natural neighbor interpolation to obtain the 3D crustal structure from the local inversion results. We present the sedimentary thickness map, the first Conrad depth map and an improved, detailed Moho map, as well as the first upper and lower crustal thickness maps obtained from receiver function analysis. The velocity jump across the Conrad discontinuity is estimated at less than 0.2 km/s over most of the investigated area. We also compare the new Moho map from our approach to simple grid search results and prior knowledge from other techniques. Our Moho depth map presents local variations in the investigated area: the crust-mantle boundary is at 20–26 km beneath the sedimentary basins, while it is situated deeper below the Apuseni Mountains, Transdanubian and North Hungarian Ranges (28–33 km), and it is the deepest beneath the Eastern Alps and the Southern Carpathians (40–45 km). These values reflect well the Neogene evolution of the region, such as crustal thinning of the Pannonian Basin and orogenic thickening in the neighboring mountain belts