CHINGIZ EARTHQUAKE on January 20, 2015, KR=12.2, mb=5.6, I_0^P=5–6 NEAR the SEMIPALATINSK POLYGON (Eastern Kazakhstan)

Abstract

The work presents the results of data analysis of the earthquake on January 20, 2015, mb=5.6 occurred at the low-active region of Eastern Kazakhstan near the border of the former Semipalatinsk Test Site. The work briefly describes the seismicity of the Semipalatinsk Test Site related to aseismic regions according to the acting map of general seismic zoning. The earthquake was recorded by permanent seismic stations of the Institute of Geophysical Research of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and by two strong-motion accelerometers. The earthquake was felt at distances up to 300 km from the epicentre, its maximum intensity was noted at Medeu settlement where the shaking intensity was 56 by the MSK-64 scale. The earthquake focal mechanism is shown, the parameters of seismic effects and response spectra are calculated.