Region name conventions in the Flinn-Engdahl Regionalization Scheme

Abstract

S U M M A R YSeismologists use the names in the Flinn-Engdahl Regionalization Scheme to identify and specify regions of the Earth. Naming conventions have been reviewed and redefined by the Working Group on Regionalization not only for the current scheme but also for any future standard. The main recommendations of the Working Group are that:(1) the definition of the word 'region' used in the original scheme be retained;(2) both seismo-geographical and political names be given to land areas;(3) directional adjectives such as 'west' be given the suffix '-ern' where the adjective is not a political name; (4) where possible the words 'border region' should be used with local region names;( 5 ) an unspaced dash linking geographical names (e.g. Turkey-Georgia-Armenia) should be used to indicate a border area, whereas a spaced dash (e.g. Jordan -Syria) should cover the whole of the areas linked.The Working Group asks seismologists to adhere as closely as possible to the recommendations.