Comparison of Three Major Historical Earthquakes with Three Recent Earthquakes

The macroseismic effects of three major events recorded in historical time (1738, 1802, 1838) are re-evaluated and compared with three major events recorded in the 20th century in the Vrancea subcrustal source (1940, 1977, 1986). The purpose of the paper is to detect characteristic resemblances and differences in the macroseismic distributions among the study earthquakes. They provide important clues in assessing focal depth interval and specific directivity effects of the sources produced in historical times. Certainly, extension of such information to historical earthquakes will contribute essentially to improve the reliability of seismic hazard evaluation.