Kamchatka earthquake of 17 August 1983: A large intermediate event at the junction of the Aleutian and Kuril-Kamchatka arcs

Abstract

This paper gives macroseismic and instrumental data on the 17 August 1983 Kamchatka earthquake which occurred in the center of the Kamchatka Gulf bend at a depth of 98 km with an epicentral intensity of VI–VII (MSK-64 scale), energy class 15, and magnitude MLH = 6.9. The focal mechanism represents a thrust along the inclined surface across the strike of the Kamchatka Gulf coastal line. The Primary-wave seismic moment M0 is 6.3 × 1019 Nm, the Rayleigh wave M0 is 1.6 × 1019 Nm, and the stress drop is 2.5 MPa. Copies of displacement and acceleration records are presented and the temporal and spatial distribution of the aftershocks is analyzed.