Features of the earthquakes’ manifestation intensity formation in mountainous areas

Abstract

Analysis of the destructive earthquakes‘ consequences engineering macro-seismic survey data shows that the earthquakes manifestation degree is in close correlation with the peculiarities of geomorphological conditions. Moreover, this dependence is not of a simple character: there is a clearly expressed multifactorial nature of correlations. The work shows that the earthquakes intensity is determined not only by the relief slope magnitude, but also by the specific location of the site in the mountain range hierarchy. The results of the experimental studies analysis (field and laboratory experiments) are presented. It is noted that from a physical point of view, the relief has a certain potential energy. To estimate the indicated energy, a phenomenological indicator was introduced in the form of the so-called “relief factor”, which is the product of the relief inclination angle by the corresponding height. It is noted that upon reaching the value R=650 (degrees m) the intensity increment is one point. The use of a new relief parameter, which makes it possible to fully take into account the specific conditions of the location of the investigated area, increases the establishment validity of the mechanisms for the earthquake intensity formation in mountainous regions.