The 2014 Kefalonia Doublet (<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>W</Subscript>6.1 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>W</Subscript>6.0), Central Ionian Islands,Greece: Seismotectonic Implications along the Kefalonia Transform Fault Zone

The 2014 Kefalonia earthquake sequence started on 26 January with the first main shock (M_W6.1) and aftershock activity extending over 35 km, much longer than expected from the causative fault segment. The second main shock (M_W6.0) occurred on 3 February on an adjacent fault segment, where the aftershock distribution was remarkably sparse, evidently encouraged by stress transfer of the first main shock. The aftershocks from the regional catalog were relocated using a 7-layer velocity model and station residuals, and their distribution evidenced two adjacent fault segments striking almost N-S and dipping to the east, in full agreement with the centroid moment tensor solutions, constituting segments of the Kefalonia Transform Fault (KTF). The KTF is bounded to the north by oblique parallel smaller fault segments, linking KTF with its northward continuation, the Lefkada Fault.     

Application of Fisher method to discriminating earthquakes and explosions using criterion <Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis><Subscript>b</Subscript>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>S</Subscript>

We try to give a quantitative and global discrimination function by studying m _b/M _S data using Fisher method that is a kind of pattern recognition methods. The reliability of the function is also analyzed. The results show that this criterion works well and has a global feature, which can be used as first-level filtering criterions in event identification. The quantitative and linear discrimination function makes it possible to identify events automatically and achieve the goal to react the events quickly and effectively.     

The moment magnitude <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>w</Subscript> and the energy magnitude <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>e</Subscript>: common roots and differences

Starting from the classical empirical magnitude-energy relationships, in this article, the derivation of the modern scales for moment magnitude M _w and energy magnitude M _e is outlined and critically discussed. The formulas for M _w and M _e calculation are presented in a way that reveals, besides the contributions of the physically defined measurement parameters seismic moment M ₀ and radiated seismic energy E _S, the role of the constants in the classical Gutenberg–Richter magnitude–energy relationship. Further, it is shown that M _w and M _e are linked via the parameter Θ = log(E _S/M ₀), and the formula for M _e can be written as M _e = M _w + (Θ + 4.7)/1.5. This relationship directly links M _e with M _w via their common scaling to classical magnitudes and, at the same time, highlights the reason why M _w and M _e can significantly differ. In fact, Θ is assumed to be constant when calculating M _w. However, variations over three to four orders of magnitude in stress drop Δσ (as well as related variations in rupture velocity V _R and seismic wave radiation efficiency η _R) are responsible for the large variability of actual Θ values of earthquakes. As a result, for the same earthquake, M _e may sometimes differ by more than one magnitude unit from M _w. Such a difference is highly relevant when assessing the actual damage potential associated with a given earthquake, because it expresses rather different static and dynamic source properties. While M _w is most appropriate for estimating the earthquake size (i.e., the product of rupture area times average displacement) and thus the potential tsunami hazard posed by strong and great earthquakes in marine environs, M _e is more suitable than M _w for assessing the potential hazard of damage due to strong ground shaking, i.e., the earthquake strength. Therefore, whenever possible, these two magnitudes should be both independently determined and jointly considered. Usually, only M _w is taken as a unified magnitude in many seismological applications (ShakeMap, seismic hazard studies, etc.) since procedures to calculate it are well developed and accepted to be stable with small uncertainty. For many reasons, procedures for E _S and M _e calculation are affected by a larger uncertainty and are currently not yet available for all global earthquakes. Thus, despite the physical importance of E _S in characterizing the seismic source, the use of M _e has been limited so far to the detriment of quicker and more complete rough estimates of both earthquake size and strength and their causal relationships. Further studies are needed to improve E _S estimations in order to allow M _e to be extensively used as an important complement to M _w in common seismological practice and its applications.     

The instability of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>max</Subscript> parameter and an alternative to its using

The work presents statistical methods for estimating the distribution parameters of rare, strong earthquakes. Using the two main theorems of extreme value theory (EVT), the distribution of T-maximum (the maximum magnitude over the time period T). Two methods for estimating the parameters of this distribution are proposed using the Generalized Pareto Distribution (GPD) and the General Extreme Value Distribution (GEV). In addition, the that allow the determination of the distribution of the T-maximum for an arbitrary value of T are proposed. The approach being used clarifies the nature of the instability of the widely accepted M max parameter. In the work, instead of unstable values of the M max parameter, the robust parameter Q _T (q), the q level quantile for the distribution of the T-maximum, is proposed to be used. The described method has been applied to the Harvard Catalogue of Seismic Moments of 1977–2006 and to the Magnitude Catalogue for Fennoscandia in 1900–2005. Moreover, the estimates of parameters of the corresponding GPD and GEV distributions, in particular, the most interesting shape parameter and the values of the M _max and Q _T (q) parameters are given.     

Estimating the source parameters for the M<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">W</Emphasis></Subscript> 7.6 April 20, 2006 Olyutorskii earthquake from long period <Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis>-wave records made by the worldwide network

The source parameters of the M _W = 7.6 Olyutorskii earthquake were estimated using the moments of the slip rate function with degrees 1 and 2. The moments were estimated from broadband P-wave records at 52 stations of the worldwide network. The first step was to find a function S(t) for each station; this function is an apparent source time function, i.e., the P-wave slip as radiated by the source toward a station under consideration. The method of empirical Green’s functions was used to estimate S(t). The next step was to calculate the moments of S(t) of degrees 1 and 2 over time and to set up relevant equations to be solved by least squares for the unknown source moments. The horizontal linear source was used as a nonparametric model for calculating the source moments. Haskell’s parametric model was used for further interpretation of the source moments. The resulting estimates are as follows: the source centroid was 13–25 km southwest of the epicenter, the source was 105–120 km long, the source strike was 222°–228°, the rupture velocity was 2.7–3.0 km/s, and the total radiation duration was 24–27 s. These estimates indicate a bilateral rupture dominated by a southwestward sense of rupture propagation. The source characteristics are consistent with the aftershock area geometry and with the focal mechanism, as well as with surface breakage as observed by geologists in the field.     

A new <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">w</Emphasis></Subscript> estimation parameter for use in earthquake early warning systems

We propose a method that employs the squared displacement integral (ID2) to estimate earthquake magnitudes in real time for use in earthquake early warning (EEW) systems. Moreover, using τ _c and P _d for comparison, we establish formulas for estimating the moment magnitudes of these three parameters based on the selected aftershocks (4.0 ≤ M _s  ≤ 6.5) of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. In this comparison, the proposed ID2 method displays the highest accuracy. Furthermore, we investigate the applicability of the initial parameters to large earthquakes by estimating the magnitude of the Wenchuan M _s 8.0 mainshock using a 3-s time window. Although these three parameters all display problems with saturation, the proposed ID2 parameter is relatively accurate. The evolutionary estimation of ID2 as a function of the time window shows that the estimation equation established with ID2 ^Ref determined from the first 8-s of P wave data can be directly applicable to predicate the magnitudes of 8.0. Therefore, the proposed ID2 parameter provides a robust estimator of earthquake moment magnitudes and can be used for EEW purposes.     

Magnitude <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>w</Subscript> in metropolitan France

The recent seismicity catalogue of metropolitan France Sismicité Instrumentale de l’Hexagone (SI-Hex) covers the period 1962–2009. It is the outcome of a multipartner project conducted between 2010 and 2013. In this catalogue, moment magnitudes (M _w) are mainly determined from short-period velocimetric records, the same records as those used by the Laboratoire de Détection Géophysique (LDG) for issuing local magnitudes (M _L) since 1962. Two distinct procedures are used, whether M _L-LDG is larger or smaller than 4. For M _L-LDG >4, M _w is computed by fitting the coda-wave amplitude on the raw records. Station corrections and regional properties of coda-wave attenuation are taken into account in the computations. For M _L-LDG ≤4, M _w is converted from M _L-LDG through linear regression rules. In the smallest magnitude range M _L-LDG <3.1, special attention is paid to the non-unity slope of the relation between the local magnitudes and M _w. All M _w determined during the SI-Hex project is calibrated according to reference M _w of recent events. As for some small events, no M _L-LDG has been determined; local magnitudes issued by other French networks or LDG duration magnitude (M _D) are first converted into M _L-LDG before applying the conversion rules. This paper shows how the different sources of information and the different magnitude ranges are combined in order to determine an unbiased set of M _w for the whole 38,027 events of the catalogue.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Q</Emphasis><Subscript>c</Subscript> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Q</Emphasis><Subscript>S</Subscript> wave attenuation of South African earthquakes

Quality factor Q, which describes the attenuation of seismic waves with distance, was determined for South Africa using data recorded by the South African National Seismograph Network. Because of an objective paucity of seismicity in South Africa and modernisation of the seismograph network only in 2007, I carried out a coda wave decay analysis on only 13 tectonic earthquakes and 7 mine-related events for the magnitude range 3.6?≤?M _L ?≤?4.4. Up to five seismograph stations were utilised to determine Q _c for frequencies at 2, 4, 8 and 16 Hz resulting in 84 individual measurements. The constants Q ₀ and α were determined for the attenuation relation Q _c(f)?=?Q ₀ f ^α . The result was Q ₀?=?396?±?29 and α?=?0.72?±?0.04 for a lapse time of 1.9*(t _s???t ₀) (time from origin time t ₀ to the start of coda analysis window is 1.9 times the S-travel time, t _s) and a coda window length of 80 s. This lapse time and coda window length were found to fit the most individual frequencies for a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 3 and a minimum absolute correlation coefficient for the envelope of 0.5. For a positive correlation coefficient, the envelope amplitude increases with time and Q _c was not calculated. The derived Q _c was verified using the spectral ratio method on a smaller data set consisting of nine earthquakes and one mine-related event recorded by up to four seismograph stations. Since the spectral ratio method requires absolute amplitudes in its calculations, site response tests were performed to select four appropriate stations without soil amplification and/or signal distortion. The result obtained for Q _S was Q ₀?=?391?±?130 and α?=?0.60?±?0.16, which agrees well with the coda Q _c result.     

Seasonal variation of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript> tide

The seasonal cycle of the main lunar tidal constituent M ₂ is studied globally by an analysis of a high-resolution ocean circulation and tide model (STORMTIDE) simulation, of 19 years of satellite altimeter data, and of multiyear tide-gauge records. The barotropic seasonal tidal variability is dominant in coastal and polar regions with relative changes of the tidal amplitude of 5–10 %. A comparison with the observations shows that the ocean circulation and tide model captures the seasonal pattern of the M ₂ tide reasonably well. There are two main processes leading to the seasonal variability in the barotropic tide: First, seasonal changes in stratification on the continental shelf affect the vertical profile of eddy viscosity and, in turn, the vertical current profile. Second, the frictional effect between sea-ice and the surface ocean layer leads to seasonally varying tidal transport. We estimate from the model simulation that the M ₂ tidal energy dissipation at the sea surface varies seasonally in the Arctic (ocean regions north of 60°N) between 2 and 34 GW, whereas in the Southern Ocean, it varies between 0.5 and 2 GW. The M ₂ internal tide is mainly affected by stratification, and the induced modified phase speed of the internal waves leads to amplitude differences in the surface tide signal of 0.005–0.0150 m. The seasonal signals of the M ₂ surface tide are large compared to the accuracy demands of satellite altimetry and gravity observations and emphasize the importance to consider seasonal tidal variability in the correction processes of satellite data.     

The 20-second regional magnitude <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis></Subscript>(20R) for the Russian Far East

A new modified magnitude scale M _S (20R) is elaborated. It permits us to extend the teleseismic magnitude scale M _S (20) to the regional epicenter distances. The data set used in this study contains digital records at 12 seismic stations of 392 earthquakes that occured in the northwest Pacific Ocean in the period of 1993–2008. The new scale is based on amplitudes of surface waves of a narrow range of the periods (16–25 s) close to the period of 20 s, for distances of 80–3000 km. The digital Butterworth filter is used for processing. On the basis of the found regional features concerning distance dependence for seismic wave attenuation, all the stations of the region have been subdivided into two groups, namely, “continental” and “island-arc.” For each group of stations, its own calibration function is proposed. Individual station corrections are used to compensate for the local features.     

The earthquake history of the Koryak Upland and the aftershock process of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">W</Emphasis></Subscript> 7.6 April 20(21), 2006 Olyutorskii earthquake

We investigated the seismicity in the aftershock area of a great earthquake occurring on April 20, 2006 (21:04 LT) in the area of the Koryak Autonomous Okrug. This analysis of the aftershock process was based on a complete catalog of the earthquakes that were recorded during April–May 2006 by the regional network of seismic stations operated by the Kamchatka Branch of the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences. We also made use of a catalog of low magnitude events for May 2–17 as recorded by a mobile seismic network deployed in the rupture zone. We provide a review of seismicity for the Koryak Upland for the period of instrumental observations in the 20th and early 21st centuries.     

Dispersion Measurements of <Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis> Waves and their Implications for Mantle <Emphasis Type="Italic">Q</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis></Subscript>

We analyze the anelasticity of the earth using group delays of P-body waves of deep (>200 km) events in the period range 4–32 s for epicentral distances of 5–85 degrees. We show that Time Frequency Analysis (TFA), which is usually applied to very dispersive surface waves, can be applied to the much less dispersive P-body waves to measure frequency-dependent group delays with respect to arrival times predicted from the CMT centroid location and PREM reference model. We find that the measured dispersion is due to: (1) anelasticity (described by the P-wave quality factor Q _p ), (2) ambient noise, which results in randomly distributed noise in the dispersion measurements, (3) interference with other phases (triplications, crustal reverberations, conversions at deep mantle boundaries), for which the total dispersion depends on the amplitude and time separation between the different phases, and (4) the source time function, which is dispersive when the wavelet is asymmetrical or contains subevents. These mechanisms yield dispersion ranging in the order of one to 10 seconds with anelasticity responsible for the more modest dispersion. We select 150 seismograms which all have small coda amplitudes extending to ten percent of the main arrival, minimizing the effect of interference. The main P waves have short durations, minimizing effects of the source. We construct a two-layer model of Q _p with an interface at 660 km depth and take Q _p constant with period. Our data set is too small to solve for a possible frequency dependence of Q _p . The upper mantle Q ₁ is 476 [299–1176] and the lower mantle Q ₂ is 794 [633–1064] (the bracketed numbers indicate the 68 percent confidence range of Q _p ^–1). These values are in-between the AK135 model (Kennett et al., 1995) and the PREM model (Dziewonski and Anderson, 1981) for the lower mantle and confirm results of Warren and Shearer (2000) that the upper mantle is less attenuating than PREM and AK135.     

Distribution of<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis><Subscript>g</Subscript> coda<Emphasis Type="Italic">Q</Emphasis> in the Chinese continent and its adjacent regions

785 traces of vertical components from shallow earthquakes recorded by 10 CDSN (Chinese Digital Seismographic Network) stations and 5 GSN (Global Seismographic Network) stations were collected to study the attenuation characteristics ofL _g coda in the Chinese continent and its adjacent regions. The records were processed first using the stack spectral ratio method to obtain the average values ofQ ₀ (Q at 1Hz) and η, the frequency dependence, ofL _g coda in the ellipses corresponding to the paths. The back-projection technique was then employed to obtain the tomographic maps ofQ ₀ and η values, and the distribution of their errors. Results indicate that in the studied areaQ ₀ varies between 200 and 500. The lowest value ofQ ₀ exists in the Yun-nan-Tibetan region, while the highest value ofQ ₀ occurs in the southern edge of Siberian platform. η varies between 0.3 and 0.8. For most part of the studied area η varies inversely withQ ₀.     

Seismotectonic studies of the pleistoseist area of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis> <Subscript> <Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis> </Subscript> = 6.9 Ilin-Tass earthquake in northeast Yakutia

The complex seismotectonic studies of the pleistoseist area of the Ilin-Tas earthquake (M_s = 6.9), one of the strongest seismic events ever recorded by the regional seismic network in northeastern Russia, are carried out. The structural tectonic position, morphotectonic features of present-day topography, active faults, and types of Cenozoic deformations of the epicentral zone are analyzed. The data of the instrumental observations are summarized, and the manifestations of the strong seismic events in the Yana–Indigirka segment of the Cherskii seismotectonic zone are considered. The explanation is suggested for the dynamical tectonic setting responsible for the Andrei-Tas seismic maximum. This setting is created by the influence of the Kolyma–Omolon indenter, which intrudes into the Cherskii seismotectonic zone from the region of the North American lithospheric plate and forms the main seismogenic structures of the Yana–Indigirka segment in the frontal zone (the Ilin-Tas anticlinorium). The highest seismic potential is noted in the Andrei- Tas block—the focus of the main tectonic impacts from the Kolyma–Omolon superterrane. The general trend of this block coincides with the orientation of the major axis of isoseismal ellipses (azimuth 50°–85°), which were determined from the observations of macroseismic effects on the ground after the Uyandina (M_s = 5.6), Andrei-Tas (M_s = 6.1), and Ilin-Tas (M_s = 6.9) earthquakes.     

Seismic damage to structures in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>s</Subscript>6.5 Ludian earthquake

On 3 August 2014, the Ludian earthquake struck northwest Yunnan Province with a surface wave magnitude of 6.5. This moderate earthquake unexpectedly caused high fatalities and great economic loss. Four strong motion stations were located in the areas with intensity V, VI, VII and IX, near the epicentre. The characteristics of the ground motion are discussed herein, including 1) ground motion was strong at a period of less than 1.4 s, which covered the natural vibration period of a large number of structures; and 2) the release energy was concentrated geographically. Based on materials collected during emergency building inspections, the damage patterns of adobe, masonry, timber frame and reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures in areas with different intensities are summarised. Earthquake damage matrices of local buildings are also given for fragility evaluation and earthquake damage prediction. It is found that the collapse ratios of RC frame and confined masonry structures based on the new design code are significantly lower than non-seismic buildings. However, the RC frame structures still failed to achieve the ‘strong column, weak beam’ design target. Traditional timber frame structures with a light infill wall showed good aseismic performance.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>W</Subscript>9 Tohoku earthquake in 2011 in Japan: precursors uncovered by natural time analysis

This paper reviews the precursory phenomena of the 2011 M _W9 Tohoku earthquake in Japan that emerge solely when we analyze the seismicity data in a new time domain termed natural time. If we do not consider this analysis, important precursory changes cannot be identified and hence are missed. Natural time analysis has the privilege that enables the introduction of an order parameter of seismicity. In this frame, we find that the fluctuations of this parameter exhibit an unprecedented characteristic change, i.e., an evident minimum, approximately two months before Tohoku earthquake, which strikingly is almost simultaneous with unique anomalous geomagnetic field variations recorded mainly on the z component. This is consistent with our finding that such a characteristic change in seismicity appears when a seismic electric signal (SES) activity of the VAN method (from the initials of Varotsos, Alexopoulos, Nomicos) initiates, and provides a direct confirmation of the physical interconnection between SES and seismicity.     

Rupture behavior and deformation localization of the Kunlunshan earthquake (<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">w</Emphasis></Subscript>7.8) and their tectonic implications

Earthquake surface rupture is the result of transformation from crustal elastic strain accumulation to permanent tectonic deformation. The surface rupture zone produced by the 2001 Kunlunshan earthquake (M _w 7.8) on the Kusaihu segment of the Kunlun fault extends over 426 km. It consists of three relatively independent surface rupture sections: the western strike-slip section, the middle transtensional section and the eastern strike-slip section. Hence this implies that the Kunlunshan earthquake is composed of three earthquake rupturing events, i.e. the M _w =6.8, M _w =6.2 and M _w ⩽=7.8 events, respectively. The M _w =7.8 earthquake, along the eastern section, is the main shock of the Kunlunshan earthquake, further decomposed into four rupturing subevents. Field measurements indicate that the width of a single surface break on different sections ranges from several meters to 15 m, with a maximum value of less than 30 m. The width of the surface rupture zone that consists of en echelon breaks depends on its geometric structures, especially the stepover width of the secondary surface rupture zones in en echelon, displaying a basic feature of deformation localization. Consistency between the Quaternary geologic slip rate, the GPS-monitored strain rate and the localization of the surface ruptures of the 2001 Kunlunshan earthquake may indicate that the tectonic deformation between the Bayan Har block and Qilian-Qaidam block in the northern Tibetan Plateau is characterized by strike-slip faulting along the limited width of the Kunlun fault, while the blocks themselves on both sides of the Kunlun fault are characterized by block motion. The localization of earthquake surface rupture zone is of great significance to determine the width of the fault-surface-rupture hazard zone, along which direct destruction will be caused by co-seismic surface rupturing along a strike-slip fault, that should be considered before the major engineering project, residental buildings and life line construction. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40474037) and the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2004CB418401)     

Rupture Directivity During the September 7, 1999 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">w</Emphasis></Subscript> 5.9) Athens (Greece) Earthquake Inferred from Forward Modeling of Strong Ground Motion

The empirical Green's functions technique is applied to simulate strong ground motion records from the September 7, 1999, Athens earthquake. Information on the fault parameters from previous independent studies has been used and several scenarios were examined, in regard to the location of the starting point of the rupture, by comparing the synthetic records with the corresponding observed ones, through a residual function and a correlation function. The results show that the rupture started at the deepest, 4–5 km, part of the fault from its western edge. This hypocenter was then used, in combination with the initial fault model, to stochastically simulate the strong ground motion during the Athens main shock, in terms of peak-ground acceleration at hard rock. The results show that directivity might have significantly contributed to the destructiveness of this earthquake at specific parts of the Athens Metropolitan area.     

Marine seismological observations in the Central Kurile segment before catastrophic earthquakes on November, 2006 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis> = 8.3) and January, 2007 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis> = 8.1)

The results of detailed seismological observations with bottom seismographs in the Central Kurile segment in August-September, 2006 are discussed. The system of six bottom seismographs was placed on the island slope of the Kurile deep-sea trench southeast of Urup Island and southwest of the Bussol Strait. Over 230 earthquakes with M _LH = 0.5–5.5 were registered in the area with a radius of 150 km around the center of the observation system at depths up to 300 km during 16 days. Records of 80 earthquakes with hypocenters in the earth crust (h = 0–30 km) beneath the island slope of the Kurile deep-sea trench were first obtained by bottom seismographs. These data are inconsistent with previous concepts of aseismicity of this zone. The discovery of the unique morphological structure of the Benioff zone beneath the central Kurile Arc represents the most important result of detailed seismological observations. The zone consists of an inner seismoactive subzone, which is located beneath the island slope of the arc at depths of 15–210 km, being characterized by an angle of incline of 50° under the latter and crosses the ocean bottom approximately 80 km away from the trench axis, and outer low-activity subzone. The latter is traceable beyond the trench almost parallel to the inner zone beginning from a depth of 50 km below the sea bottom up to a depth of approximately 300 km. Due to the slightly lower incline (∼45°) of the outer subzone, both subzones gradually converge downward. The integral thickness of the Benioff zone varies from 150 km in its upper part to 125 km at depths of 210–260 km. The medium sandwiched between these subzones is practically aseismic. The reality of this defined structure is confirmed by the distribution of aftershocks of the earthquake that occurred on November 15, 2006 (M = 8.3). These seismic events served as foreshocks for the subsequent strong earthquake of January 13, 2007 (M = 8.1) with the hypocenter located beyond the trench under the ocean bottom. Such a structure of this zone within the central Kurile Arc segment is unique, having no analogues either in the flanks of the Kurile-Kamchatka Arc or other arcs. The results of detailed seismological observations obtained two months before the first of the catastrophic Central Kurile earthquakes appeared to be typical for the period of foreshocks (the lower seismic activity of the Simushir block, which hosted the hypocenter of the earthquake that occurred on November 15, 2006, particularly at depths of 0–50 km, the gentler incline of the recurrence plot, and other features).     

The earthquake of July 22, 2011 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">w</Emphasis></Subscript> = 4.5) in a low-seismicity area of the Argun region

The paper considers the Argun earthquake of July 22, 2011 (M _w = 4.5), which occurred in the Argun River valley in a low-seismicity territory in China. The focal parameters of the earthquake (depth of the hypocenter, moment magnitude, scalar seismic moment, and focal mechanism) were determined by calculating the seismic moment tensor from the amplitude spectra of surface waves and the data on the signs of the first arrivals of body waves at regional stations. The solution of the focal mechanism makes it possible to assume a relationship between the earthquake focus and a fault with a northeastern strike bordering the southeastern side of the Argun Basin (in Chinese territory). The Argun earthquake was felt in Russia with an intensity of II–III to V at the epicentral distances up to 255 km. The intensity of shaking did not exceed values suggested by new GSZ-2012 and GSZ-2014 seismic zoning maps of Russian territory. Nevertheless, the question on the possible occurrence of stronger earthquakes in the studied region remains open.