The first results of the seismic monitoring system of the Solntsevsky open pit coal mine area (on Sakhalin Island)

Abstract

In 2021, work began as a part of the implementation of the decision of the protocol of the Sakhalin branch of the Russian Expert Council on earthquake prediction, seismic hazard and risk assessment dated October 6, 2020 on detailed monitoring in the area of active coal mining at the Solntsevsky open pit coal mine (Sakhalin Island). New points of seismic monitoring were installed directly in the area of the open pit coal mine. Integration of real-time data received from the points in real time into a unified seismic monitoring system in the Sakhalin Region was ensured. The results of registration of seismic events of various origins since the commissioning of the stations are presented. A significant increase in the accuracy of the determined epicenters and the possibilities of determining earthquakes and industrial explosions has been noted. The results of the monitoring system for studying the landslide process in the area of the open pit coal mine, as well as the probable factors that caused the landslide, are shown. The developed monitoring system allows for representative registration of seismic events with ML ≥ 0.8 in the immediate vicinity of open pit coal mine, which makes it possible to control blasting operations with increased accuracy, as well as weak and possible induced seismicity formed as a result of a constant technogenic impact on the subsoil.