During the year 2022, Albania experienced typical levels of seismic activity in certain seismo-genic zones. A total of 3573 earthquakes with magnitudes M ≥ 1.0 were recorded, with an av-erage depth of 14 km and a maximum depth of 90 km. Among these earthquakes, approximately 2912 (92%) occurred at depths between 0 and 25 km, while 8% occurred at depths between 25 and 45 km. Only 34 earthquakes, accounting for 1.1% of the total, occurred at depths exceeding 45 km (fig2). By analyzing the distribution of earthquake depths, it can be concluded that the seismoactive zones in Albania are predominantly located within the upper and middle crust. The depth of these earthquakes is particularly relevant for geodynamic studies, especially in terms of their effects on the Earth’s surface and their potential to cause damage to buildings and infras-tructure. The minimum magnitude of earthquakes recorded each month was 1.0 on the Richter scale, while the maximum magnitude ranged from 3.1 to 5.5 Richter throughout the year. In 2022, the earthquake activity in Albania and its surrounding regions was notable, with a total of 817 earthquakes recorded with magnitudes ML > 2.0 Richter. Among these, 88 earth-quakes had magnitudes greater than 3.0 Richter, while 9 earthquakes had magnitudes greater than 4.0 Richter, and 1 earthquake exceeded 5.0 Richter. The majority of earthquakes were located within the magnitude range of 1.0 to 2.3 Richter (fig. 3 (a)). Nine earthquakes, with magnitudes ranging from 3.8 to 5.5, were felt by the population of Albania. The earthquake foci during 2022 were primarily concentrated along five seismogenic zones. Overall, seismic activity in 2022 remained within the range of normal levels when compared to seismic activity throughout the century.

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(a) Distribution of the num- (b) The diagram of earth-ber of earthquakes accord- quake occurrences per ing to magnitude month during 2022

The information about earthquake occurrences in Albania throughout the months of 2022 (fig. 3 (b)) shows that the number of earthquakes recorded per month were: 586 in January, 210 in February, 265-277 per month from March to June, 209 in July, and from November to December, between 145 and 182 earthquakes per month. This data illustrates fluctuations in earthquake activity throughout the year, with peaks in activity observed in January and from March to June, and a decrease in activity during July and towards the end of the year.

This fault zone, trending northeastward for approximately 200 km within Albanian territory, comprises fragmented normal faults intersecting with the Krasta tectonic zone and dividing the Mirdita ophiolites zone into two main segments. This seismogenic zone has been the source of 321 earthquakes, ranging in magnitude from 1.0 to 3.6 Richter, with an average depth of 13 km (fig. 1, zone 1). Among these, 24 earthquakes had magnitudes greater than 3.0, with 3 of them exceeding 4.0 Richter, and an average depth of 12 km. Roughly 44% of the earthquakes occurred in the seismically active upper earth crust, while approximately 54% were situated in the middle crust. Only 2% were registered in the lower earth crust and uppermost mantle beneath the VED zone, which has a thickness of 50 km. The moderate earthquake, with a magnitude of 4.3 Richter, was recorded 8 km northwest of the Shupenza village on October 9. The Vlora– Elbasani–Diber fault zone is renowned for its high seismic activity in Albania, operating under an expanding tectonic regime and influenced by low-velocity layers (Ormeni et al., 2017).

In the Borsh-Kardhiq seismogenic zone (fig. 1, zone 3), a total of 216 earthquakes were recorded, with magnitudes ranging from 1.0 to 3.9 on the Richter scale, an average depth of 12 km, and a maximum depth of 74 km. Among these, five earthquakes had magnitudes equal to or greater than 3.0. The Ionian zone, which extends northwest-southeast, is characterized by transversal motion with a left compressive and normal component. The left compressive aspect is evident from the displacement of mountain ranges. During the year 2022, there was a slight increase in seismic activity in the Borsh-Kardhiq segment of the Ionian seismogenic zone, as well as in the southern part extending into Greek territory. A moderate earthquake with a moment magnitude (Mw) of 3.9 occurred on August 23 at a depth of 15 km, approximately 4 km southeast of Borshi village. This earthquake was felt at intensity levels IV-V in Borsh and Lukova villages.

This seismogenic zone (fig. 1, zone 4) has produced a total of 206 earthquakes during 2022, ranging in magnitude from 1.0 to 3.8 Richter, with an average depth of 11 km and a maximum depth of 45 km. Among these, four earthquakes had magnitudes greater than 3.0, with an average depth of 9 km. Approximately 46% of the earthquakes occurred in the seismically active upper earth crust, while about 53.5% were situated in the middle earth crust. Only two earthquakes were registered in the lower crust and uppermost mantle beneath the K-O zone, which has a thickness of 45 km. The moderate earthquake, with a moment magnitude (Mw) of 3.8, occurred on March 3 at a depth of 5 km, approximately 7 km northwest of Maliqi town. This earthquake was felt at intensity levels IV-V in Maliqi town.

This area constitutes a seismic zone with an approximate NNW-SSE orientation in western Al-bania (fig. 1, zone 4). It’s important to note that Durres-Rodon Cape lies in the front of Albania orogeny, converging with the Adria microplate, due to this the strongest compressional move-ments are registrated here [Aliaj2010, OzturkOrmeni2021]. A total of 87 earthquakes have been recorded in this area during this year with ranging in magnitude from 1.0 to 3.4 Richter, with an average depth of 16 km and a maximum depth of 50 km. Approximately 23 earthquakes, or 27%, occurred in the seismically active upper part of the earth crust, while about 59 earthquakes, or 69%, occurred in the middle part of the earth crust. Only 4% were registered in the lower part of the earth crust and uppermost mantle beneath this region, which has a thickness of 35 km. These seismic events were distributed along a NNW-SSE belt along the Adriatic coastline.

In this transversal zone, a total of 68 earthquakes were recorded, with magnitudes ranging from 1.0 to 3.9 Richter, and an average depth of 20 km, with a maximum depth of 34 km. One of these earthquakes, with a magnitude of 3.9, occurred in the Adriatic Sea (fig. 1, zone 5). Ap-proximately 99% of the seismic activity in this area originated in the seismically active upper and middle earth crust. It’s important to note that Lezha-Ulqini is situated near the forefront of Albania orogeny, converging with the Adria microplate, which results in the strongest com-pressional movements in this area [Ormeni2013]. This tectonic position, coupled with active tectonic faults, has been the source of powerful earthquakes that have impacted Ulqini and its surrounding areas throughout history.

This transversal seismogenic zone, oriented SW-NE, is situated within the inner part of Albania orogeny, characterized by high mountains (fig. 1 zone 6). This fault zone exhibits complex geomorphology and has experienced numerous earthquakes throughout the year 2022. During this period, a total of 92 earthquakes were recorded, with magnitudes ranging from 0.5 to 3.3 Richter, an average depth of 15 km, and a maximum depth of 29 km. Four of these earthquakes had magnitudes equal to or greater than 3.0 Richter. Approximately 92% of the seismic activity in this area originated in the seismically active upper and middle earth crust, with only 8% occurring in the lower earth crust and uppermost mantle of this zone. The Kurbnesh-Kukes-Prizren tectonic fault extends in a southwest-northeast direction, spanning approximately 90 km and dipping in the northwestern direction. This fault zone is classified as a normal fault type but is also accompanied by strike-slip elements.

In the Fusha e Qarrit-Iball seismogenic zone (fig. 1 zone 7), a total of 97 earthquakes were registrated, with magnitudes ranging from 1.0 to 4.3 Richter, with an average depth of 12 km, and a maximum depth of 29 km. Among these, three earthquakes had magnitudes equal to or greater than 3.0 Richter. This zone, with a northwest-southeast extension, is characterized as a transversal zone with reverse compressive faults. Approximately 32% of the earthquakes occurred in the seismically active upper part of the earth crust, while about 67% were situated in the middle part of the earth crust. Only one earthquake was registered in the lower crust beneath the Fusha e Qarrit-Iball zone. The moderate earthquake, with a moment magnitude (Mw) of 4.3, occurred on January 14 at a depth of 5 km, approximately 5 km east of the Fushe-Arrez tectonic zone. This earthquake is associated with an oblique fault such as the Bushal fault, occurring in ophiolites rocks. This fault extends from Qelaj in the west to Fushe-Arres, where it intersects with a fault originating from the south, near Rubiku, and then turns towards Dimal-Fushe - Arres, continuing northeastward to Qafa e Malit, Shire, Kalimash, Kukes, Gjegjan, and beneath the Koritnik Mountain. The earthquake was felt at intensity levels V-VI in Fushe - Arres town and at intensity level V in Puka town.

The strongest earthquake occurred on January 9 with a magnitude of M 5.5 and a depth of 4 km, near the town of Florina in Greece, approximately 38 km from the southeastern border of Albania. The intensity of the earthquake was measured at degree VII-VIII EMS-98. It was felt at a V degree in towns such as Pogradec, Bilisht, and Korca, and at an IV degree in towns like Gramsh, Çorovoda, and Erseka. This mainshock was followed by a series of 389 aftershocks throughout the year 2022. These aftershocks ranged in magnitude from M 1.0 to M 5.5, with 20 of them registering M≥3.0 and 2 with M>4.0. Most of the aftershocks, about 377, occurred in the seismically active upper and middle earth crust, while only 12 were located in the upper mantle beneath the Florina area. These aftershocks were distributed along a NE-SW belt on the Greece orogeny, as depicted in Figure 1. Additionally, significant microseismic activity was observed along the southern border of Albania with Greek territory, with 821 earthquakes recorded with magnitudes less than 3.0 Richter, along with 20 small earthquakes ranging from 3.0 to 4.1 Richter.