Abstract
We have been studying some seismicity characteristics in the region of Northern Caucasus since 1964. It was established that ring-shaped seismicity structure have been formed within depth range of 0–33 km prior to large Racha earthquake of 29.05.1991 (Mw=7,0). Seismicity rings are characterized by threshold magnitude value (Mt) and big axis length (L). Earlier we have obtained correlation dependences of Mt and lgL values on magnitudes of main events Mw for intracontinental earthquakes with mechanisms of reverse and oblique-reverse faulting, prevailing in the region of Northern Caucasus. Using these dependences we estimated magnitudes of large event which could be prepared in the area of ring structure: Mw=7,1±0,2 for the zone of the Racha earthquake. This value is close enough to real magnitude of the event mentioned. New big ring structures were identified at the western outskirt of the Great Caucasus and in the region of the Eastern Caucasus, where large earthquakes are not known according to instrumental and historical data. We estimated magnitudes of possible large earthquakes by characteristics of these structures: Mw=7,0±0,2 and Mw=6,9±0,2 in the regions mentioned respectively. Large seismic event, which probably is prepared at the westernmost part of the Great Caucasus, can represent a special danger due to great density of population and nearness of a few big cities: Krasnodar, Novorossiysk, Sochi etc. It is supposed that ring structures formation is a consequence of geologic systems self-organization, connected with deep-seated fluids migration.
Published Version
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