On the origins of seismic phenomena in platform areas: A case study of Belorussia

R.E. Tatevossian, N.G. Mokrushina

Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

Abstract. When compiling historical earthquake catalogues the main issue is to justify reliability of the information to exclude false reports. Detailed descriptions from reliable sources contribute to more precise intensity assessment. Additionally, in low-active territories very important task of identification of the event nature has to be solved. Similar descriptions may have earthquakes generated by tectonic or by other activities (such as landslides or karst holes). Recently, cryoseisms are considered as source of shaking on the ground surface. Seismic events based on non-instrumental data on the territory of Belorussia are studied. They have principally different interpretations in different publications. Analysis is based on the original information from primary sources. It is shown that two out of four seismic events are cryoseisms, two others are not related to the territory of Belorussia.

Key words: non-tectonic earthquakes, cryoseisms, macroseismic effect

About the authors

TATEVOSSIAN Ruben E., principal researcher at the Institute of Physics of the Earth, RAS, Doctor (Physics and Mathematics), Moscow. E-mail: ruben@ifz.ru

MOKRUSHINA Nina G., senior researcher at the Institute of Physics of the Earth, RAS, Doctor (Physics and Mathematics), Moscow. E-mail: nina.mokrushina@ifz.ru

Cite this article as: Tatevossian R.E., Mokrushina N.G.. On the origins of seismic phenomena in platform areas: A case study of Belarus, Voprosy Inzhenernoi Seismologii (Problems of Engineering Seismology), 2018, Vol. 45, No. 3, pp. 27–44. [in Russian]. DOI: 10.21455/VIS2018.3-3

English translation of the article will be published in Seismic Instruments, ISSN: 0747-9239 (Print) 1934-7871 (Online), https://link.springer.com/journal/11990), 2019, Volume 55, Issue 3.