The ultimate purpose of this cooperative research is the assessment of the scismic risks in the North Anatolian fault zone and other active fault zones in Turkey from geological points of view. The geological study of active faults takes an important role in earthquake hazards reduction program as only historical sciences like geology can give solid bases for the forecast of future earthquake events. This research has recently been named as paleoseismology, that means a study of ancient earthquakes.

The first step towards the goal is recognition of active fault zones and evaluation of the activity of each fault using Quaternary geological and geomorphological methods. Then more intensive and precise research is to be conducted in significant active fault zones like the North Anatolian fault zone. This part comprises trenching survey, microtopographic survey, and high precision geologic survey.

Through these intensive studies, the most important parameters for the probabilistic assessments of seismic risk are acquired on each segment of the faults. These parameters are recurrence interval of earthquakes on the segment, elapsed time since the last event, and the slip rate. The trenching survey is a very effective method to find and date a number of past earthquakes.

The current cooperative research aims to transfer the techniques of paleoseismology starting from fundamental geological and geomorphological survey to trenching and the interpretation of the history of earthquakes. On the way of transfer, the experts and the counterpart share the results of the research as well as all works in field and in office.

Beside the acquisition of paleoseismological data, collection and arrangement of background information such as geological, geophysical, and geodetical data are also an important aim of this cooperative research. Databases concerning active tectonics and geological hazards are being prepared.