On the basis of new seismological data the map of maximum earthquake intensities for Azerbaijan and adjacent Caspian Sea territory has been plotted and analyzed. At the eastern part of collision zone of Great Caucasus at the junction of Main Caucasus Thrust (MCT) and Kizilagadj-Vandam (K-V) faults we observe high intensity of earthquakes. This is so called Shemakhy-Ismailly seismic zones, where several destructive earthquakes occurred repeatedly within historic periods. According to GPS measurements, there observes right-slip rate movement on the K-V fault. Other parts along MCT with high intensity of earthquakes are observed in Sheki region and within Caspian Sea basin, southern of Absheron peninsula.
Zones with high intensity also exist northward from Absheron peninsula, within Lesser Caucasus and Fore-Lesser Caucasus in Bilasuvar and Ganja regions. This seismic activity is related with horizontal compression of the regional faulting system of Azerbaijan.
According to GPS measurements, sharp decreases of rates of horizontal movements are observed at the intersection zone of MCT and K-V faults. Maximum shortening of earth crust within this part of collision zone is a reason for accumulation of high stresses, which results in earthquakes’ occurrences with high intensity.