SOURCE PARAMETERS of CRIMEAN-BLACK SEA EARTHQUAKES in 2015

Abstract

The spectral and dynamic source parameters (М0, r0, , , ησ, , u, Eu and Mw) of 16 Crimean earthquakes with КП=6.5–10.8, restored by amplitude spectra of compression and shear seismic waves recorded by digital regional seismic stations are analyzed. Approximation of the spectra and source parameters calculation is performed in the framework of the Brune dislocation model. The highest values of dynamic parameters (М0, r0, , , ησ, u, EU и Mw) are obtained for the earthquakes on June 13 and August 16 with h=11 km, h=7 km respectively and КП=10.8, which occurred in the Azov-Kuban and Kerch-Anapa areas. The radiation friction r for all earthquakes had a negative value, pointing to a complex slide of the rupture in the source. Within the whole energy range, the average value of the released stress did not exceed Δσ=8∙105 PA (8 bar) and apparent stress ησ <11∙105 PA (11 bar). For most 2015 earthquakes, the average M0 и r0 values were within the confidence intervals of long-term dependencies M0(КП), r0(КП). The values of r0 were evenly distributed concerning the regression r0(КП) and М0 is mostly located below the average according to М0 (КП). The maximum deviations of M0 from the long-term М0(КП) dependence were obtained for the most strong earthquakes on June 13 and August 16 with КП=10.8. These deviations can be associated with participation in average M0 of the "Sevastopol" station data which give low values of М0 and possible errors in determining the focal depths influencing the choice of environment velocity models to calculate М0. For the most strong earthquake of August 16 with Мw=3.8, which occurred in the Kerch-Anapa region, a solution of focal mechanism was obtained. The earthquake occurred under the action of horizontal latitudinal tensile forces. The type of movement in the source is an oblique normal fault. Both nodal planes have near-meridional (STKNP1=167°) and near-diagonal (STKNP2=336°) strike.