Search

Abstract—The paper presents the results of many years of research on the compilation of a consolidated, refined, unified earthquake catalog for the western sector of the Russian Arctic for the entire instrumental observation period, in particular for the period from 1908 to 2020. The catalog includes data on recent seismicity in areas previously unavailable for detailed seismic monitoring. Based on the results of the study, we were able to more accurately determine the spatial distribution of seismicity in the region and compare the instrumental data with parameters of lineament-domain-focal (LDF) models of the General Seismic Zoning maps (GSZ, from Russian term abbreviated as OSR)—OSR-97 and OSR-2016. In the western sector of the Russian Arctic, the highest seismicity is observed in the continent-ocean transition zone, in the Belyi (Kvitøya) Island, Novaya Zemlya and Severnaya Zemlya archipelagos. The very shelf of the Barents and Kara Seas is characterized by rare and scattered seismicity. The configuration, the maximum possible magnitudes, and the depths of the seismogenic layers in the LDF models of OSR-97 and OSR-2016 maps are not always consistent with the instrumental data and need a correction. The consolidated refined earthquake catalog can be used as a basis for the further research aimed at seismic hazard assessment of the territory, construction of geodynamic models, and study of the stress-strain state of the Earth's crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—The paper presents the results of a study showing that anomalies in the seismic regime parameters before earthquakes of various magnitudes occur in stages. The occurrence in stages means the correlation between the times of formation and development of anomalies in various seismic regime parameters. Earthquakes in regions with two general types of tectonics are selected for analysis: in the subduction zone (Kamchatka and Japan) and in the rift zone (Iceland). The selection of regions is primarily based on the availability and quality of regional seismic catalogs. GR b-value and the composite parameter known as the RTL are used as the seismic regime parameters. The detection of spatiotemporal anomalies before the selected earthquakes is based on the known "precursory patterns" of the seismic regime parameters. Comparing the durations of the detected anomalies shows that the anomalies of b-value generally occur earlier than the RTL anomalies. Possible reasons why the anomalies occur in stages are suggested. In the vicinity of the studied earthquakes, a change in the seismogenic rupture concentration parameter within the corresponding seismic cycles is also estimated. Comparing the times at which the detected seismic regime anomalies occur with the values of the seismogenic rupture concentration parameter corresponding to these times shows that the formation of seismic regime anomalies occurs at a stage when the system of seismogenic ruptures accumulated during the seismic cycle has almost reached its critical value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—To obtain realistic and correct estimates of seismic effects in the Baikal Rift Zone (BRZ), a ground motion prediction equation has been developed based on the records of local earthquakes (magnitudes mb ~ 3.4–5.5, hypocentral distances R ~ 15–220 km) obtained by Ulan-Ude and Severomuisk seismic stations. At the first step, in our previous works, using stochastic simulation of the accelerograms of the recorded local earthquakes we estimated the regional parameters of radiation and propagation of seismic waves (stress drop in an earthquake source, quality function of the medium, geometrical spreading, wave attenuation at high frequencies, local site amplification, etc). These parameters were then used to generate a set of earthquake accelerograms over a wide range of magnitudes (Mw ~ 4.0–8.0) and distances (R ~ 1–200 km) on a rock site, and a ground motion prediction equation (GMPE) describing the dependence of peak ground accelerations (PGA) and peak ground velocities (PGV) on magnitude and distance are constructed. The obtained PGA estimates are compared with those estimated from GMPE recommended for BRZ by the international Global Earthquake Model (GEM) project. The scatter of the estimates obtained based on GEM GMPE indicates the relevance of developing the own GMPEs for Russian regions based on the records of local earthquakes. The GMPE derived in this work can be used for seismic hazard assessment in the BRZ eastern part and will be updated as new data are acquired. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—Deep earthquakes occur in subduction zones—they play a key role in the global tectonic model. There are only a few places on the Earth where deep-focus seismicity is observed on the continents in small localized areas at a considerable distance from the present-day subduction zones, in particular in the Vrancea region of the Carpathians. The strongest deep Vrancea earthquakes are felt at a distance of over 1000 km. They essentially define the seismic hazard for the East European platform, where either there are no local focal zones or these zones have small magnitudes. Therefore, studying deep Carpathian earthquakes is very important for adequate assessment of seismic hazard for the East European platform. We assume that although the strongest deep Carpathian earthquakes have been studied quite fully and thoroughly, not all existing information has been exhausted. The search for previously unknown primary sources may reveal new information about the macroseismic effect and, consequently, lead to more reliable and accurate earthquake parameter evaluations. This article examines the 1838 deep Carpathian earthquake using the original descriptions from primary sources. The earthquake magnitude has been determined by means of a new approach based on minimizing the discrepancies between the calculated and observed shaking intensities at all localities. It is shown that the magnitude of the 1838 earthquake is underestimated in the published catalogs by about 0.5 unit. We believe that the main reason is that the previously used macroseismic data in the far-field zone are not sufficiently complete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]