Induced Seismicity in the Khibiny Massif (Kola Peninsula)

Abstract

The topic of this paper is to review recent processes of increasing seismic activity in the Khibiny Massif in the Kola Peninsula. It is a typical example of induced seismicity caused by rock deformation due to the extraction of more than 2 • 109 tons of rock mass since the mid-1960s. The dependence of seismic activity on the amount of extracted ore is demonstrated. Some of the induced earthquakes coincide with large mining explosions, thus indicating a trigger mechanism. The largest earthquake, which occurred on 16 April 1989 (M L = 4.1) could be traced along the surface for 1200 m and observed to a depth of at least 220 m. The maximum measured displacement was 15–20 cm.