Active tectonics of the area of the two Kaliningrad earthquakes on September 21, 2004

Resulting from the seismotectonic study of the Sambian Peninsula based on the interpretation of remote sensing data (satellite images and digital elevation maps), lineaments have been identified. They may be interpreted as active faults and flexure-fracture zones. These active faults, which are expressed in the form of gentle linear swells or steps in the relief, have been found and studied during the carried out field works. There are many discovered paleoseismic dislocations in the studied areas of active faults: fracture displacements, marks of liquefaction (sand dykes), near-fault folds. These seismic dislocations may indicate seismic shocks of 7–8 intensity points occurring in the neighborhood of a modern Kaliningrad city in recent geological history. The identified active structures (Yantarny Fault Zone and Bakalino flexure-fracture zone) could control sources of the 2004 Kaliningrad earthquakes.     

Search for Traces of Strong Ancient Earthquakes in the Western Caucasus: Archeoseismological Studies in Ancient Gorgippia

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - The ancient city of Gorgippia is surrounded by well-known (North Black Sea, Kerch, and South Azov) seismogenic zones, all of which are submarine, and...     

Probable Paleoseismic Deformations at the Rubas Archeological Site,Mid-6th Century AD,South Dagestan

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - The discovery of a unique archeological monument of the 6th century AD in the south of Dagestan (the Rubas Fortification) and archeoseismological...     

Evidences of Seismogenic Destruction of Tile Kiln at the Medieval Pottery Production Center in Arroyo of the Suatkan Spring in Bakhchisarai district,Crimea

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - The Suatkan pottery center was located in the mountainous region of Crimea in the proximity of one of the medieval centers of economic and political...     

Paleoseismogeological Investigations in a “Seismic Gap” in the Northwest Caucasus Compared to the West Himalayan Region

In this article we have compared the results of seismotectonic and paleoseismogeologic investigations for representative segments of the two fold systems of the Alpine-Himalayan mobile belt (in the North- west Caucasus and West Himalayas). It has been found that during the previously identified “seismic gaps,” in both cases, we are dealing with primary dislocations (seismic ruptures) of ancient historical and prehistoric strong earthquakes. According to estimations, the magnitude of one-act seismogenic displacements in the first region was about 6.5-7.0 m, and the recurrence period ranges from 500 to 1500 years on average. In the West Himalayas, the overthrust displacements along the ruptures were 6-7 m, which corresponds to an 8.0-magnitude earthquake. At the same time, the recurrence period of strong earthquakes during a seismic gap in the Himalayas was 500-1000 years, which is similar to that in the Caucasus. The data collected also demonstrate the correct preliminary estimation of the seismic potential of zones of seismic quiescence in both the studied fold systems.     

Tectonic position and geological manifestations of the 2006 olyutor earthquake in Koryakia

The results of seismotectonic study of the epicentral zone of the major earthquake in northern Kamchatka oblast are presented. Primary and secondary surface seismic dislocations were revealed. The exposed seismic source as a complex system of seismic faults up to 140 km in total length was found and mapped in detail. The system consists of three en echelon arranged NE-oriented segments about 16, 45, and 75 km long. The general strike of the fault system coincides with the orientation of the ridges in the Koryak Highland. The kinematics of the longest northeastern segment is reverse faulting of the southeastern wall combined with right-lateral strike-slip faulting. The maximum vertical and horizontal separations are 3 and 1.5 m, respectively. Vibration fractures, griffons, landslides, and rockfalls were revealed and documented as secondary seismic dislocations. The indications of paleoseismic dislocations were studied and documented as well. The age of paleoseismic events was determined with radiocarbon method from soil samples. The seismic source is confined to the boundary of the North American and Bering Sea lithospheric plates and exhibits its internal structure for a long distance. Seismic events testify to recent geological activity of the zone of interaction between the lithospheric plates. The collected data provide insights into the structure of the seismic source and its tectonic setting at the active continental margin of Asia.     

New Evidence on Strong Earthquakes in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation Derived from Geological and Geophysical Studies on Belukha Island

Doklady Earth Sciences - Comprehensive geological and geophysical studies of the traces of strong earthquakes on Taimyr have been carried out, and seismic sources that were previously unknown have...     

Source zones of strong earthquakes in southern Yakutia as inferred from paleoseismogeological data

Investigations aimed at revealing traces of recent tectonic activity in geological fault zones were carried out in 2006 in the territory of southern Yakutia and the Amur region in connection with works on detailed seismic zoning of the route of the East Siberia-Pacific Ocean oil pipeline. In addition to geological-geomorphological and geophysical studies, the complex investigations included paleoseismogeological studies and were accompanied by the driving of mine workings through topographic forms that could be associated with zones of active tectonic disturbances. This approach made it possible to substantially refine the available information on seismotectonics and the potential seismic hazard of the region.     

Microseismic Sounding and Active Faults of the Kerch-Taman Region

Izvestiya, Physics of the Solid Earth - Abstract—The results of integrated geological and geophysical studies of active faults and deep structure of the Kerch-Taman region are presented. Data...