VARIACIóN ESPACIO-TEMPORAL DE LOS PARáMETROS DE RECURRENCIA SíSMICA EN EL OCCIDENTE DE VENEZUELA

abstract in this paper, the space-temporary variations of a and b in the frequency-magnitude distribution of gutenberg-ritcher, and the minimum magnitude of complete reporting, mc, are reviewed. the analyzed area includes the western region of venezuela delimited by the coordinates: longitude -73w and -68w, latitude 7n and 12n, during the period of 1960-2000. the results indicate a high heterogeneity in the space distribution of mc, changing an order of magnitude over distance less than 60 km. a considerable decrease of mc caused by the absence of smaller earthquakes in the mérida state was detected, during last 10 years. the space variability of a and b shows higher values in the nido of bucaramanga and in one sector of the western piedemonte fault. the variation with the depth of b in the nido of bucaramanga and throughout the boconó fault, suggests the definition of several seismic sources. this reflects the fact that different areas and inclusive sectors from faults in the region, have different seismic potentials and different quality in the report from their data. it is expected that this work may to serve to the study of seismic hazard in the western region of venezuela