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The Flinn-Engdahl Regionalisation Scheme: The 1995 Revision
The Flinn-Engdahl Regionalisation Scheme: The 1995 Revision
OFTHE EARTH
AYDPLAKETARY
IYTERIORS
Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors 96 (1996) 223-297
Abstract
The Flinn-Engdahl Regionalisation Scheme, also known as the F-E Code, has been used by seismologists for many
years to identify and specify regions of the Earth. The Working Group on Regionalisation of the International Association of
Seismology and Physics of the Earth’s Interior (IASPEI) Commission on Practice has the task of defining a new standard for
the regionalisation of the Earth. In the meantime, it was agreed that a revision of the F-E Code would be appropriate. This
paper presents the 1995 revision and supersedes the F-E Code standard published in 1974.
003 I-9201 /96/S15.00 Copyright 0 1996 Elsrvter Science B.V. All rights reserved.
P/I SOO~1-9~Ol(96~O~l~l-X
224 J.B. Youn,q et ul./PItyi~~.~ oft/w Eurth und Planetury Interiors 96 (1996) 223-297
be made. Flinn and Engdahl called the large regions and is the current standard definition of the F-E
“seismic regions” and the subdivisions forming the Code.
mosaic “geographical regions”.
When the F-E Code was published by Flinn et al.
2. The revised F-E Code
(1974) most seismological agencies such as the In-
ternational Seismological Centre (ISC) and the US The region boundaries in the F-E Code follow
Coast and Geodetic Survey (USCGS) had adopted integer values of latitude and longitude. The smallest
the regionalisation and were using it routinely in region is one degree square, for example, Region
their publications. The F-E Code contained 728 271, Buru, Indonesia, and the largest is Region 611,
geographical regions (numbered l-729, region 172 North Pacific Ocean, covering thousands of square
no longer in use> with names, and 50 seismic regions degrees. There are 754 geographical regions (num-
(numbered l-50) also with names. With the increas- bered l-757, regions 172, 299, and 550 no longer in
ing accuracy of hypocentres it became apparent that use) which form a mosaic within the seismic regions
in some areas of the Earth the F-E Code was (numbered l-50). The seismic regions have re-
inadequate for regionalising epicentres. For example, mained unchanged since Flinn and Engdahl (1965)
Chandra (19751, Aichele and Peterschmitt (1977), proposed the regionalisation and for completeness
and Young and Pooley (1986) published criticisms are illustrated in Fig. 1. (Note that this map has been
of the F-E Code. So in 1985, the Commission on adapted from Flinn et al., 1974; Young and Pooley,
Practice (COP> of the International Association of 1986 and the ISC Regional Catalogue of Earth-
Seismology and Physics of the Earth’s Interior quakes, e.g. International Seismological Centre,
(IASPEI) established a Working Group on Regional- 1995.) The seismic regions are called the first level
isation at the IASPEI Assembly in Tokyo. The COP regions. or Level 1; being a coarse regionalisation of
asked Dr E.A. Flinn to be the Group’s Chairman the Earth. For this revision, 28 new geographical
with the task of defining the new standard for the regions have been added; with two, Region 299,
regionalisation of the Earth. In 2 years Dr Flinn Southeast Asia, and Region 550, Northwest Affica,
appointed members of the Group and the first meet- being completely replaced by new regions. All other
ings were held at the International Union for Geodesy new geographical regions reduce the size of existing
and Geophysics (IUGG) Assembly in Vancouver in regions. Geographical regions are called second level
1987. At its meetings in 1987 and 1988 the Working regions, or Level 2; being a finer regionalisation of
Group decided that the new standard would be a the Earth. (The third level regions, or Level 3, are
seismo-geographical regionalisation based on poly- for ‘local’ regionalisation but the description of this
gons defining ‘local’ regions of seismic, tectonic, system is beyond the scope of this paper.) Note that
geographic, and other features. It was also agreed at the boundary definitions of the regions in the F-E
that time that the new standard would include some Code remain fixed.
minor corrections to the F-E Code. All the region names in the F-E Code have been
This work was started but by the time of the reviewed, see Young et al. (1993), and the list of
meeting of the Working Group at the IASPEI As- both seismic and geographical region names pre-
sembly in Istanbul in 1989 Ted Flinn had died. The sented in Appendix A is the best current description.
first author (Young) was appointed as Chairman by However, use of the names is not mandatory and the
the COP in succession to Dr Flinn. Three short list is only our recommendation. For example, both
papers by Young (19881, Young and Wiens (19901, the ISC and the NEIC (National Earthquake Informa-
and Young and Presgrave (1995) have been pub- tion Centre, successor to the USCGS) tend to use
lished describing the changes made to the F-E Code. names that are shorter than those in Appendix A.
The purpose of this paper is to bring together all this
work and present a revised F-E Code. This paper
3. The 28 new geographical regions
supersedes the special issue of the Bulletin of the
Seismological Society of America (BSSA) describ- The 28 new geographical regions have been in-
ing the F-E Code published by Flinn et al. (19741 cluded after consultation with users of the F-E
225
1 I I
226 J.B. Young er ul. /Physics oj’the Earth und Plonerory Interrors 96 (19961223-297
h I 464 468
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Fig. 2. Regions centred on 20”N 94”W illustrating new regions 730, 731 and 757.
J.B. Youq et (11. /Physic\ ofthe Eurth cod Plunctury Interiors 96 (19961 223-297 227
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FIX. 6. Regions centred on 20”N 4’W illustrating new regions 739, 743-755.
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Fig. IO. Regions centred on 203 99”W illustratmg new rqyons 756, part 757.
J.B. Youn~q et ul. / Ptry.sic\ of r/w Earth trnd Plummry Inrrrror.\ 96 1/9Y6) 223-297 235
Code. The accepted regions are necessarily a com- promise as the proposed region involved changing
promise between conflicting interests and is probably existing boundaries.The region enclosesthe seismic-
the minimum amount of change required to produce ity in the northwest comer of Region 94. Caribbean
an acceptable new standard. The new regions have Sea, between Region 85, Cuba region, and Region
been defined in three separate published papers 72, Honduras, and west of Region 86, Jamaica
(Young, 1988; Young and Wiens, 1990; Young and region. The reduced region 94 is now classed as
Presgrave, 1995) on the assumption that the number- aseismic.Note that adjacent Region 93, Belize, now
ing of the regions would be consecutive. However, at appears to be wrongly placed but both regions 731
the IUGG Assembly in Vienna in 1991 the Working and 93 remain as part of seismicregion 7. The area
Group decided that the regions should be put into is illustrated in Fig. 2.
seismic region number order so the numbering of the
regions has been changed from that in the first two Region 732 East of South Sandwich Islands
papers. (Note the region boundary definitions are
unchanged so are not being repeated here.) The This region enclosesthe area of seismicity from
region numbers allocated are 730-757 following on the South Sandwich Islands Trench eastwards to-
from the l-729 in the 1974 F-E Code standard. The wards the triple junction of the Atlantic-Antarctic
regions are shown by shading in Figs. 2-10 with the Ridge and Region 410, Southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
seismicity included to demonstrate the reasons for Region 156, SouthwesternAtluntic Ocean, is split in
defining the region. The 28 new geographical re- two with the larger portion stretching west to Region
gions are described below and shown on one or more 155, Antarctic Peninsula, and the smaller part to the
of Figs. 2-10. northwest of Region 153, South Sandwich Islands
region; the revised region being classedas aseismic.
Region 730 Northern East Paci$c Rise Flinn and Engdahl (1965) thought the seismicity of
Region 757 Galapagos Triple Junction region the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and South Sandwich Islands
followed Region 152, South Georgia Rise; this geo-
These two regions enclose the area of seismicity graphical region is in fact aseismic. Region 732 is
stretching from the Galapagos Triple Junction west illustrated in Fig. 3 and shown as part of seismic
of the Galapagos Islands, northwards towards the region 10.
southwest coast of Mexico. The reason for the two
regions is that the two existing geographical regions Region 733 Thailund
which are split, are in different seismic regions. Region 734 Laos
Region 730 is in seismic region 5 and divides Re- Region 735 Kampuchea
gion 63. Off coast of Mexico, into two parts. Region Region 736 Vietnam
757 is in seismic region 44 and divides Region 693, Region 737 Gulf of Tongking
Eastcentral Pacific Ocean, with the smaller part in
the east, lying north of Region 696, Galapagos Regions 733-736 are from one of two groups of
islands region and Region 695, West of Galapagos political subdivisionsof geographical regions; region
Islands, and the larger part to the west. The geo- 737 being an oceanic region. These five regions
graphical regions 63 and 693 are now classed as subdivide Region 299, SoutheastAsia, which is no
aseismic.Both regions 730 and 757 are illustrated in longer in use. Because region 299 is in seismic
Fig. 2 and the southern part of 757 is also shown in region 25, regions 733-737 remain the same and
Fig. 10. constitute about a third of the area of the seismic
region. This is illustrated in Fig. 4.
Region 73 1 North qf Hondurus
Region 738 ReykjanesRidge
The region is based on a proposal for a new
geographical region for the Cayman Islands (M. Flinn and Engdahl (1965) ‘forgot’ about the area
Isaacs,personalcommunication. 1986) but is a com- of seismicity joining the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to Ice-
land. Region 738 links Region 403, Northern Mid- Region 742 Western Indian-Antarctic Ridge
Atlantic Ridge, to Region 637, Iceland region, which
includes the northern end of the Reykjanes Ridge. The seismicity of the ridges south of Australia is
Region 402, North Atlantic Ocean, then has only sparse with the geographical regions coarsely de-
sparse intraplate seismicity and is classed correctly fined. Region 437, Sourh of Australia, is split into
as aseismic in seismic region 32. Fig. 5 shows the two roughly equal parts by this region to enclose the
necessity for region 738. seismicity along the Indian Rise as far as the Antarc-
tic Ridge. Neighbouring Region 435, Southeast Kn-
Region 739 Azores-Cape St. Vincent Ridge dian Ridge, and Region 701, West of Macquarie
Island, were considered for new regions but are not
so large as to warrant subdivision. Therefore only
The seismicity in this region between the Western
region 437 has been changed becoming classed as
Mediterranean area and Region 404, Azores Islands
aseismic and the seismic region number stays as 33.
and north of Region 393, Madeira Islands, Portu-
Fig. 9 shows the extent of the region but has little
gal, region is relatively low with the earthquakes
detail as to global position.
only being located with any accuracy since Flinn and
Engdahl’s proposal (Flinn and Engdahl, 1965). This Region 743 Western Sahara
region was the easiest to define requiring only one Region 744 Mauritania
east-west line to create it from Region 402, North Region 745 Mali
Atlantic Ocean. As with region 738. region 402 is Region 746 Senegal-Gambiu region
slightly reduced in size with region 739 remaining in Region 747 Guinea region
seismic region 32. The region is shown in the north- Region 748 Sierra Leone
west comer in Fig. 6. Region 749 Liberia region
Region 750 Cote d’lvoire
Region 740 O\rsen Fracture Zone region Region 751 Burkina Faso
Region 752 Ghana
Even though Region 417, Arabian Sea, is a rela- Region 753 Benin-Togo region
tively small oceanic region the tectonic features are Region 754 Niger
well known. Region 740 encloses practically all the Region 755 Nigeria
seismicity in region 417 to the northeast of Region
416. Socotra region, leaving the remainder of the Regions 743-755 are the second group of wholly
region aseismic. The seismic region is unchanged as political subdivision of geographical regions. These
33 and the whole area is illustrated in Fig. 7. 13 regions subdivide Region 550, Northwest Africa,
leaving this region no longer in use. As region 550 is
Region 741 Indian Ocean Triple Junction in seismic region 37 all the new regions lie in this
seismic region. Fig. 6 shows the regions.
The region encloses the seismicity associated with Region 756 Southeast of Easter Island
the Indian Ocean Triple Junction and separates it
from Region 425, South Indian Ocean. Region 429. This region is another example of how Flinn and
Mid-Indian Ridge, is reasonably well defined except Engdahl (1965) failed to accurately define a known
for part being in Region 427, Mauritius-Reunion tectonic feature. The feature is the West Chile Rise
region, which was also considered for subdivision partly defined by Region 686, West Chile Rise, but
but it was felt that it is not large enough to justify some of the seismicity occurs to the south in Region
defining a new geographical region. Region 428, 692, Southern Pacific Ocean. The region is in two
Southbrlest Indian Ridge, is extended by this region to parts and removes the earthquakes associated with
join up with region 429. The seismic region stays as the tectonic activity from region 692 which remains
33. The Southern Indian Ocean seismicity is well classed as aseismic. The seismic region remains as
illustrated in Fig. 8. 43. Fig. 10 illustrates the reason for this region.
J.B. Youn,~ et d./Phy.ws ofrhr Earth und Plunrtury Inrrriors 96 (1996) 223-297 237
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J.B. Your~g rr u/./ Pt~y.w:~ o/ r/w Eorrh und Plunrwy Inrenm 96 (19961 223-297 239
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242 J.H. Young rr d.,‘Phjw.\ ofrhe Eorrh unrl Planrrury 1nrrnor.s 96 (1996) 223-297
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Fig. 33. Regions centred on 20”N 135”E.
260 J.B. Young et crl./Phy.sic.\ oj’rhe Eurrh md Plorwtury Inrrriors 96 (19961223-297
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J.B. Young et d. /Phy.si~.s oj‘the Earth crd Plmrtory Interiors 96 (1996) 223-297 283
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Region 757 Galapagos Triple Junction Region Note that there are many exceptions to the above as
readability is the overriding criterion.
See description of region 730 and Fig. 2. Each map has a large banner indicating its num-
ber usually in the centre near the top, but on a
number of maps the banner is placed in a suitable
4. Pictorial presentation of the F-E Code clear space. They also all have an outside grid
marked in degrees with each 10 degrees marked N
The whole of the F-E Code including the 28 new (north) or S (south), E (east) or W (west). Hence
regions is presented in a series of 48 maps. These each region is displayed as a rectilinear box unless it
maps are upgrades of those presented by Young et is large when it will spread over several maps. The
al. (1988) but without the seismicity and with an North and South Polar regions spread right across 24
improved database of coastlines. Every effort has maps!
been made to identify clearly each geographical re- All maps include coastlines to show the area of
gion with its number, taking into account its posi- the Earth covered. Every attempt has been made to
tion, size, and coastlines. Each map covers an area of print the region number away from coastlines but in
45” of latitude and 30” of longitude, with a few some areas like the Philippine Islands the numbers
degrees of overlap except at the Poles and the Inter- have had to be over-printed.
national Dateline. The 48 maps are split into four On each map the numbers have usually been
sets of 12 with each set being in a band of latitude positioned so that the they do not result in ‘over-
from 18O”W to 180”E at 65”N, 20”N, 20%. and 65”s. crowdin g’, yet provide the required information. The
One further map is included showing the position of symbols used by Flinn and Engdahl (1965) and
the 48 maps on the same world projection as Fig. 1. Young and Pooley (1986) to identify small regions
The first band of mdpS is numbered 1 l-22 (Figs. have thus been avoided.
1l-22) the second 23-34 (Figs. 23-34), the third
35-46 (Figs. 35-46), and the fourth 47-58 (Figs.
47-58). A cylindrical projection is employed as in 5. Using the F-E Code
Flinn and Engdahl (1965) so that the first and fourth
band of maps are more distorted with the North and Flinn and Engdahl (1965) say of their regionalisa-
South Poles stretching across the top and bottom of tion that it is “intended to provide uniformity of
the maps respectively. The map of maps is numbered geographical description. speed up the regular publi-
59 (Fig. 59). Hence, all regions are illustrated as cation of epicentre information, and aid in seismicity
rectilinear; the geographical regions being enclosed studies.” When the F-E Code was published 9 years
by normal straight lines and the seismic regions by later by Flinn et al. (1974) little had changed from
thickened lines. Coastlines are included and are from the original proposal. Now this new standard, whilst
the World Data Bank II (WDBII) database but only appearing to make major changes to the F-E Code
the first level of detail has been used and any errors in fact changes less than 1% of the geographical
in the database have not been corrected. Every geo- region numbers in, say, a world earthquake database.
graphical region has its number printed at least once For example, about I in 200 earthquakes reported to
within it, with its position chosen largely to give the ISC has a region number change. Obviously,
legibility. Four sizes of printing for the numbers are there will be no change in seismic region numbers.
used; small, medium, large, and extra large with the The region name changes have improved the geo-
size usually being chosen on the following criteria: graphical description of a substantial number of
regions though some names have had to remain
small regions usually only one degree wide; political. The main effect of the new regions should
medium border and coastal regions, regions at be observed in seismicity studies with seismic areas
the edges of maps. ‘busy’ regions: being better defined.
large normal indicator for most regions: This paper. we hope. maintains the ethos of the
extra large ocean regions and the two polar regions. original F-E Code but obviously with modem com-
J.B. Young et uI./Physic.s ofthe Earth and Plunetury Interior.\ 96 (1996) 223-297
J.B. Young rr ul./Physic.s oflhc Eurrh urul Planerory lnreriors 96 (1996) 223-297 287
puters the way the F-E Code is used in seismologi- sation is also acknowledged. The contribution made
cal processing has greatly changed. However, it is by seismological agencies, in particular the ISC and
the authors’ intention to provide users with the the NEIC, and by companies, in particular Bradford
method of looking up a region number and name in University Software Services (BUSS) for SIMPLE-
the way in which they are accustomed. Maps like PLOT and Elsevier Science for publishing this re-
those published by Flinn and Engdahl (1965) are port, is also recognised.
provided but we hope with far greater clarity. In
keeping with modem publications a CD-ROM is
provided with original data, look-up tables similar to Appendix A. Seismic Region Names with Geo-
those published by Flinn et al. (19741, and computer graphical Region Identification
programs written in both Fortran and C. However,
the maps of Figs. 11-58 can easily be used to
quickly look up a region number using Fig. 59 to 1 ALASKA - ALEUTIAN ISLANDS
identify the individual map. ARC
The work on the revised F-E Code was largely I Central Alaska, United States
completed for the IUGG Assembly in Vienna in 2 Southern Alaska, United States
1991. The Working Group on Regionalisation was 3 Bering Sea
requested to consult seismological agencies and other 4 Komandorsky Islands, Russia, region
users to try out the revised code and report any 5 Near Islands, Aleutian Islands, United
problems. This task was completed for the IUGG States
Assembly in Boulder in 1995 when final approval of 6 Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, United
the revised standard of the F-E Code was given by States
IASPEI; hence the 1995 revision. It was hoped that 7 Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands,
the NEIC would be the first seismological agency to United States
formally adopt this revision of the F-E Code to be 8 Pribilof Islands, Alaska, United States
followed by other agencies that use its publications. 9 Fox Islands, Aleutian Islands, United
However, circumstances have delayed its implemen- States
tation. At the time of going to press, the ISC, which 10 Unimak Island. Alaska, United States,
has a 2-year lag in its publications, is also not able to region
commit to adopting the revised code immediately, 11 Bristol Bay, Alaska, United States
that is for the next Bulletin year (19951, but only to 12 Alaska Peninsula, United States
do so in the near future. When the ISC does adopt 13 Kodiak Island, Alaska, United States,
this revision of the F-E Code it is likely to continue region
to use it for some time. 14 Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
I5 Gulf of Alaska
16 South of Aleutian Islands
Acknowledgements 17 South of Alaska