Why Are New Approaches to Seismic Hazard Assessment Required?

For the first time, a numerical comparison of the General Seismic Zoning (GSZ) maps with the effect of earthquakes that actually occurred after the publication of the maps was carried out. The area of zones of expected intensity on the GSZ map is compared with the area of isoseists from actual earthquakes. It turned out that the isoseist area is on average by an order less than expected according to the GSZ. This paper describes possible reasons for such an overestimation and proposes ways to improve seismic hazard assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]