SEISMICITY of the CRIMEAN-BLACK SEA REGION in 2018–2019

Abstract

The review of the Crimean-Black Sea region seismicity is made on the basis of seismic monitoring data from a regional network of 9 digital stations. The catalog includes information on 185 events with energy classes Kп=3.8–11.0. Maps of earthquake energy representativeness and epicenters of earthquakes are presented. A detailed description of the seismic situation in various districts of the region is given. The years 2018 and 2019 are characterized by moderate seismic activity in the region, which below than the long-term average one. The greatest activation of seismic processes was observed in 2018 in the Kerch-Anapa and Azov-Kuban districts. In the Kerch-Anapa district, three tangible earthquakes occurred. Their maximum observed intensity of I=4–5 is noted in seven settlements on the coast of the Caucasus. The released seismic energy in the Azov-Kuban district in 2018 significantly exceeded the 10-year (2010–2019) average value. The earthquake of the maximum class Kп=11.0, MW=4.2 was realized on October 15, 2018. Its source was in the central part of the Sea of Azov, at a depth h=6 km. On February 20, 2018 at 07 h00m a seismic event occurred on the eastern coast of the Sea of Azov. People felt it in the city of Primorsko-Akhtarsk with intensity of I=3–4. On the territory of the Crimean peninsula, two shocks were felt with the intensity of I=2 and I=3 in Sudak-Feodosiya and Yalta areas respectively. Solutions of focal mechanisms were obtained for the 7 strongest earthquakes from different districts of the region.