The study of deformations of the earth's surface on the Kamchatka Peninsula: repeated geodetic measurements

Abstract

The Kamchatka Peninsula, located at the joint of continental and oceanic plates, is a most interesting object for geodynamic studies. In view of this, during the last two decades eight geodynamic polygons have been organized in the most seismo- and volcanoactive sites of the peninsula as linear-angular networks covering an average some 4–5 thousand square kilometres of the territory. Two to four repeated cycles have been accomplished on the polygons. The results obtained show agreement with seismic events: earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In addition, in the eastern part of the peninsula, about 2 thousand kilometres of repeated high-accuracy levelling lines have been accomplished, which provide for an analysis of recent vertical movements of the earth's surface in the territory. The work presents schemes of the distribution of horizontal deformations of the earth's surface in four of the most characteristic Kamchatka polygons, as well as maps of rates and gradients of vertical surface movements on the eastern shore of the Kamchatka Peninsula.