Deflection amplification factor for estimating seismic lateral deformations of RC frames

Different values have been assigned to the ratio of the defl ection amplifi cation factor(Cd) to the response modifi cation factor(R) for a specifi ed force-resisting system in the seismic design provisions while the same application is defi ned for it. An analytical study of the seismic responses of several reinforced concrete frames subjected to a suite of earthquake records performed in this research indicate that the stories’ overstrength and stiffness distribution along the structural height can affect local defl ections more than global ones. Therefore, the Cd/R ratio is calculated based on the ratio of both maximum inelastic to maximum elastic displacements and interstory drifts. Due to damage concentration in some specifi c stories, the defl ection amplifi cation factor calculated based on inelastic interstory drifts was larger than that of the inelastic displacements. Consequently, a minimum value of 1.0 is recommended for the Cd/R ratio in order to estimate maximum inelastic drifts. The ratio of inelastic to elastic displacement was generally found to increase slightly along the structural height for the studied RC models. In addition, it was detected that the story damage indices of the studied RC frames decrease when the inverted value of inelastic interstory drift ratios are increased through a(negative) power form.     

Force reduction factors for steel buildings with welded and post-tensioned connections

The seismic responses of steel buildings with perimeter moment resisting frames (MRF) with welded connections (WC) are estimated and compared to those of similar buildings with semi-rigid post-tensioned connections (PC). The responses are estimated in terms of ductility reduction factors (R _µ,), ductility demands (µ _G ) and force reduction factors (R). Two steel model buildings, which were modeled as complex-3D-MDOF systems, were used in the study. Results indicate that the reduction magnitude of global response parameters is larger than that of local response parameters, contradicting the same reduction implicitly assumed in the static equivalent lateral force procedure, implying that non-conservative design may result. The value of 8 for R, suggested in many codes for ductile steel MRF, and the value of 1 suggested in the well known Newmark and Hall procedure for the ratio of R to µ _G , cannot be justified. The reason for this is that SDOF systems were used to model actual structures, where higher mode effects, energy dissipation and structural overstrength weren’t explicitly considered. The codes should be more transparent regarding the magnitude and the components involved in the force reduction factors. The seismic performance of steel buildings with PC may be superior to that of the buildings with WC, since their force reduction factors are larger and their ductility demands smaller, implying that PC buildings could be designed for smaller lateral seismic forces. The conclusions of this paper are for the particular structural systems and models considered. Much more research is needed to reach more general conclusions.     

Structure-specific selection of earthquake ground motions for the reliable design and assessment of structures

A decision support process is presented to accommodate selecting and scaling of earthquake motions as required for the time domain analysis of structures. Code-compatible suites of seismic motions are provided being, at the same time, prequalified through a multi-criterion approach to induce response parameters with reduced variability. The latter is imperative to increase the reliability of the average response values, normally required for the code-prescribed design verification of structures. Structural attributes like the dynamic characteristics as well as criteria related to variability of seismic motions and their compliance with a target spectrum are quantified through a newly introduced index, δ _sv–sc , which aims to prioritize motions suites for response history analysis. To demonstrate the applicability of the procedure presented, the structural model of a multi-story building was subjected to numerous suites of motions that were highly ranked according to both the proposed approach (δ _sv–sc ) and the conventional one (δ _conv ), that is commonly used for earthquake records selection and scaling. The findings from numerous linear response history analyses reveal the superiority of the proposed multi-criterion approach, as it extensively reduces the intra-suite structural response variability and consequently, increases the reliability of the design values. The relation between the target reliability in assessing structural response and the size of the suite of motions selected was also investigated, further demonstrating the efficiency of the proposed selection procedure to achieve higher response reliability levels with smaller samples of ground motion.     

The partitioning of radiated energy and the largest aftershock of seismic sequences occurred in the northeastern Italy and western Slovenia

We analyzed the most relevant seismic sequences that occurred from 1977 to 2007 in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region (northeastern Italy) and western Slovenia. The eight aftershock sequences were triggered by low- to moderate-magnitude earthquakes with mainshock duration magnitude ranging from 3.7 to 5.6. The b-value of the Gutenberg–Richter law varies from 0.8 to 1.1. The modified Omori’s modeling of the sequences evidences values of the p exponent ranging from 0.8 to 1.0. Using the Reasenberg and Jones (Science 243:1173–1176, 1989; Science 265:1251–1252, 1994) approach, we computed the probabilistic estimate of the aftershock rates and the largest aftershock in given time intervals. The difference in magnitude between the mainshock and the largest aftershock is calculated according to the modified Båth law and using an approach that considers the partitioning of the radiated seismic energy between mainshock and aftershocks. The partitioning of the radiated seismic energy appears to play a significant role in the evolution of the sequences. We define the parameter R _ES as the ratio between the radiated seismic energy of the mainshock and the summation of the seismic energy radiated by the aftershocks. The difference in magnitude between the mainshock and the largest aftershock, calculated with the parameter R _ES, agrees well with the observed difference. In most sequences, the parameter R _ES decreases very quickly until the occurrence of the largest aftershock and then becomes constant. By analyzing the values of R _ES during the early hours following the mainshock, we found that the R _ES values after 24 h are well related to the final ones, calculated on the whole sequence, and to the differences in magnitude between the mainshock and the largest aftershock.     

Earthquake hazard and risk assessment based on Unified Scaling Law for Earthquakes: Greater Caucasus and Crimea

We continue applying the general concept of seismic risk analysis in a number of seismic regions worldwide by constructing regional seismic hazard maps based on morphostructural analysis, pattern recognition, and the Unified Scaling Law for Earthquakes (USLE), which generalizes the Gutenberg-Richter relationship making use of naturally fractal distribution of earthquake sources of different size in a seismic region. The USLE stands for an empirical relationship log₁₀N(M, L)?=?A?+?B·(5 – M)?+?C·log₁₀L, where N(M, L) is the expected annual number of earthquakes of a certain magnitude M within a seismically prone area of linear dimension L. We use parameters A, B, and C of USLE to estimate, first, the expected maximum magnitude in a time interval at seismically prone nodes of the morphostructural scheme of the region under study, then map the corresponding expected ground shaking parameters (e.g., peak ground acceleration, PGA, or macro-seismic intensity). After a rigorous verification against the available seismic evidences in the past (usually, the observed instrumental PGA or the historically reported macro-seismic intensity), such a seismic hazard map is used to generate maps of specific earthquake risks for population, cities, and infrastructures (e.g., those based on census of population, buildings inventory). The methodology of seismic hazard and risk assessment is illustrated by application to the territory of Greater Caucasus and Crimea.     

Correlation between foam-bubble size and drag coefficient in hurricane conditions

A recently proposed model of foam impact on the air–sea drag coefficient C _d has been employed for the estimation of the effective foam-bubble radius R _b variation with wind speed U₁₀ in hurricane conditions. The model relates C _d (U₁₀) with the effective roughness length Z _eff (U₁₀) represented as a sum of aerodynamic roughness lengths of the foam-free and foam-covered sea surfaces Z _w (U₁₀) and Z _f (U₁₀) weighted with the foam coverage coefficient α _f (U₁₀). This relation is treated for known phenomenological distributions C _d (U₁₀), Z _w (U₁₀), and α _f (U₁₀) at strong wind speeds as an inverse problem for the effective roughness parameter of foam-covered sea surface Z _f (U₁₀). The present study is aimed at the estimation of the effective roughness of the sea surface assuming that the measurement data for the effective drag coefficient are known. The effective foam-bubble size is found as a function of the wind speed.     

A way of estimating the characteristic slip displacement

During the ruptures of an earthquake,the strain energy.△E,.will be transferred into,at least,three parts,i.e..the seismic radiation energy(E_s),fracture energy(E_g),and frictional energy(E_f),that is,△E = E_s + E_g + E_f.Friction,which is represented by a velocity- and state-dependent friction law by some researchers,controls the three parts.One of the main parameters of the law is the characteristic slip displacement.D_c.It is significant and necessary to evaluate the reliable value of D_c from observed and inverted seismic data.Since D_c controls the radiation efficiency.η_R = E_s/(E_s+ E_g),the value of η_r is a good constraint of estimating D_c.Integrating observed data and inverted results of source parameters from recorded seismograms.the values of E_s and E_g of an earthquake can be measured,thus leading to the value of η_R.The constraint used to estimate the reliable value of D_c will be described in this work.An example of estimates of D_c.based on the observed and inverted values of source parameters of the September 20,1999 M_S 7.6 Chi-Chi(Ji-Ji).Taiwan region,earthquake will be presented.     

Earthquake grouping criteria for spatially heterogeneous seismicity

An advanced method for estimating the earthquake grouping parameters R_cr and T_cr is proposed in order to identify interrelated seismic events. The method pursues continuity with the previous algorithm suggested in (Mirzoev, 1980; 1988a; 1988b; 1992; Mirzoev and Azizova, 1983; 1984) but uses a more realistic spatial model of the background seismicity. All the calculations in the method can be fully formalized and a preliminary expert estimation of the parameters is not required. The method provides stable estimates of the critical radius R_cr and time T_cr of grouping. Group earthquakes make up 50 to 75% of their total number.     

Preliminary study on the origin identification of natural gas by the parameters of light hydrocarbon

The light hydrocarbon composition of 209 natural gas samples and individual light hydrocarbon carbon isotopes of 53 natural gas samples from typical humic-sourced gas and sapropelic-sourced gas in the four basins of China have been determined and analyzed. Some identification parameters for humic-sourced gas and sapropelic-sourced gas are proposed or corrected. The differences of compound-specific δ ¹³C value of individual light hydrocarbon between humic-sourced gas and sapropelic-sourced gas have been founded. The humic-sourced gas has the distribution of δ ¹³C_benzene> ?24‰, δ ¹³C_toluene >?23‰, δ ¹³C_cyclohexane > ?24‰ and δ ¹³C_{methyl cyclohexane}> ?24‰, while the sapropelic-sourced gas has the distribution of δ ¹³C_benzene <?24‰, δ ¹³C_toluene< ?24‰, δ ¹³C_cyclohexane< ?24‰ and δ ¹³C_{methyl cyclohexane}< ?24‰. Among the components of C₇ light hydrocarbon compound, such as normal heptane (nC₇), methyl cyclohexane (MCH) and dimethyl cyclopentane (ΣDMCP), etc, relative contents of nC₇ and MCH are influenced mainly by the source organic matter type of natural gas. Therefore, it is suggested that the gas with relative content of nC₇ of more than 30% and relative content of MCH of less than 70% is sapropelic-sourced gas, while gas with relative content of nC₇ of less than 35% and relative content of MCH of more than 50% is humic-sourced gas. Among components of C_5–7 aliphatics, the gas with relative content of C_5–7 normal alkane of more than 30% is sapropelic-sourced gas, while the gas with relative content of C_5–7 normal alkane of less than 30% is humic-sourced gas. These paremeters have been suggested to identify humic-sourced gas and sapropelic-sourced gas.     

On the possible correlation between the Gutenberg-Richter parameters of the frequency-magnitude relationship

The study of the Gutenberg-Richter (GR) parameters a and b has been very important to describe and characterize the seismicity over the different seismic provinces around the world. As far as we know, the possible correlation between the GR parameters a and b has not received enough attention. Bayrak et al. reported the a and b values for 27 active seismic regions around the boundaries of the main tectonic plates of the world. From these data, we found that there exists a positive correlation between the a and b parameters (R =?0.85, R² =?0.72). On the other hand, we made around 150 computer runs of a spring-block model proposed by Olami et al. (Phys Rev Lett 68(8):1244–1247, 1992). This model roughly emulates the interaction between two fault planes and it reaches a self-organized critical state. With these simulations, we also found that the a and b parameters are positively correlated. Motivated by these results, we propose an analytical demonstration that indeed a and b are positively correlated. In addition, we discuss on other possible applications of the spring-block model to actual seismicity and to frictional experiments made with sandpapers.     

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.     

DHI evaluation by combining rock physics simulation and statistical techniques for fluid identification of Cambrian-to-Cretaceous clastic reservoirs in Pakistan

The use of seismic direct hydrocarbon indicators is very common in exploration and reservoir development to minimise exploration risk and to optimise the location of production wells. DHIs can be enhanced using AVO methods to calculate seismic attributes that approximate relative elastic properties. In this study, we analyse the sensitivity to pore fluid changes of a range of elastic properties by combining rock physics studies and statistical techniques and determine which provide the best basis for DHIs. Gassmann fluid substitution is applied to the well log data and various elastic properties are evaluated by measuring the degree of separation that they achieve between gas sands and wet sands. The method has been applied successfully to well log data from proven reservoirs in three different siliciclastic environments of Cambrian, Jurassic, and Cretaceous ages. We have quantified the sensitivity of various elastic properties such as acoustic and extended elastic (EEI) impedances, elastic moduli (K _sat and K _sat–μ), lambda–mu–rho method (λρ and μρ), P-to-S-wave velocity ratio (V _P/V _S), and Poisson’s ratio (σ) at fully gas/water saturation scenarios. The results are strongly dependent on the local geological settings and our modeling demonstrates that for Cambrian and Cretaceous reservoirs, K _sat–μ, EEI, V _P/V _S, and σ are more sensitive to pore fluids (gas/water). For the Jurassic reservoir, the sensitivity of all elastic and seismic properties to pore fluid reduces due to high overburden pressure and the resultant low porosity. Fluid indicators are evaluated using two metrics: a fluid indicator coefficient based on a Gaussian model and an overlap coefficient which makes no assumptions about a distribution model. This study will provide a potential way to identify gas sand zones in future exploration.     

A novel approach for classification of earthquake ground-motion records

This paper presents a new clustering procedure based on K-means and self-organizing map (SOM) network algorithms for classification of earthquake ground-motion records. Six scalar indicators are used in data analysis for describing the frequency content features of earthquake ground motions, named as the average spectral period (T _avg ), the mean period (T _m ), the smoothed spectral predominant period (T ₀), the characteristic period (T _4.3), the predominant period based on velocity spectrum (T _gSv ), and the shape factor (Ω). Different clustering validity indexes were applied to determine the best estimates of the number of clusters on real and synthetic data. Results showed the high performance of proposed procedure to reveal salient features of complex seismic data. The comparison between the results of clustering analyses recommend the smoothed spectral predominant period as an effective indicator to describe ground-motion classes. The results also showed that K-means algorithm has better performance than SOM algorithm in identification and classification procedure of ground-motion records.     

The seismic wave absorption in the crust and upper mantle in the vicinity of the Kislovodsk seismic station

The Q-factor estimates of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle as the functions of frequency (Q(f)) are obtained for the seismic S-waves at frequencies up to ~35 Hz. The estimates are based on the data for ~40 earthquakes recorded by the Kislovodsk seismic station since 2000. The magnitudes of these events are M_W > 3.8, the sources are located in the depth interval from 1 to 165 km, and the epicentral distances range from ~100 to 300 km. The Q-factor estimates are obtained by the methods developed by Aki and Rautian et al., which employ the suppression of the effects of the source radiation spectrum and local site responses in the S-wave spectra by the coda waves measured at a fixed lapse time (time from the first arrival). The radiation pattern effects are cancelled by averaging over many events whose sources are distributed in a wide azimuthal sector centered at the receiving site. The geometrical spreading was specified in the form of a piecewise-continuous function of distance which behaves as 1/R at the distances from 1 to 50 km from the source, has a plateau at 1/50 in the interval from 50–70 km to 130–150 km, and decays as \({\raise0.7ex\hbox{$1$} \!\mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {1 {\sqrt R }}}\right.\kern-\nulldelimiterspace} \!\lower0.7ex\hbox{${\sqrt R }$}}\) beyond 130–150 km. For this geometrical spreading model and some of its modifications, the following Q-factor estimates are obtained: Q(f) ~ 85f^0.9 at the frequencies ranging from ~1 to 20 Hz and Q(f) ~ 75f^1.0 at the frequencies ranging from ~1 to 35 Hz.     

The noble gas isotope geochemical composition of chert at the bottom of Cambrian in Tarim Basin,China

In the Tarim Basin, black shale series at the bottom of Cambrian is one of the important marine facies hydrocarbon source rocks. This research focuses on the analysis of the isotope of noble gas of 11 cherts. The R/R _a ratio of chert in the Keping area is 0.032–0.319, and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar is 338–430. In Quruqtagh the R/R _a ratio is 0.44–10.21, and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar is 360–765. The R/R _a ratio of chert increases with ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar from the west to the east accordingly. They have evolved from the crust source area to the mantle source area in a direct proportion. Surplus argon ⁴⁰Ar_E in chert is in direct proportion to the R/R _a ratio, indicating that it has the same origin of excess argon as in fluid and mantle source helium. Comparison of the R/R _a ratios between the west and the east shows that the chert in the eastern part formed from the activity system of the bottom hydrothermal venting driven by the mantle source, where the material and energy of crust and mantle had a strong interaction in exchange; whereas in the western part, chert deposited from the floating of hydrothermal plume undersea bottom, which is far away from the centre of activities of the hydrothermal fluid of ocean bottom. In addition, from noble gas isotope composition of chert, it is suggested that the ocean anoxia incident happened at the black shale of the Cambrian bottom probably because of the large-scaled ocean volcanoes and the following hydrothermal activities.     

A numerical study on the seismic bearing capacity of shallow foundations

Based on a pseudo-static approach, finite difference (FDM) numerical analyses have been performed aimed at evaluating the seismic effects on the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow strip foundations. In the specialised literature, such seismic effects are usually divided in two components, namely, a structure inertia and a soil inertia, which can be either considered together, or separately addressed and then superposed. Both of these inertia effects are investigated in this work. The results of a comprehensive numerical study are presented in—and critically compared to—the wide framework of available analytical solutions proposed in the literature in the last 30 years. The good agreement found between the numerical and the analytical approaches is pointed out, thus providing further evidence of the reliability of some available and widespread solutions. The possibility of superposition of the two inertia effects is investigated. It is found that in some cases the soil inertia may play a significant role in the seismic capacity of the system, and that simple one-constant equations can be readily used in foundation design to estimate the reduction in bearing capacity (namely, factors e _i , e _k ) deriving from the two inertia effects.     

Experimental study on the shear behavior of the interface between cushion materials and the concrete raft

Cushion is a layer of granular materials between the raft and the ground. The shear behavior of the interface between the cushion and the raft may influence the seismic performance of the superstructure. In order to quantify such influences, horizontal shear tests on the interfaces between different cushion materials and concrete raft under monotonic and cyclic loading were carried out. The vertical pressure P_v, material type and cushion thickness h_c were taken as variables. Conclusions include: 1) under monotonic loading, P_v is the most significant factor; the shear resistance P_(hmax) increases as P_v increases, but the normalized factor of resistance μ_n has an opposite tendency; 2) for the materials used in this study, μ_n varies from 0.40 to 0.70, the interface friction angle δ_s varies from 20° to 35°, while u_(max) varies from 3 mm to 15 mm; 3) under cyclic loading, the interface behavior can be abstracted as a "three-segment" back-bone curve, the main parameters include μ_n, the displacement u_1 and stiffness K_1 of the elastic stage, the displacement u_2 and stiffness K_2 of the plastic stage; 4) by observation and statistical analysis, the significance of different factors, together with values of K_1, K_2 and μ_n have been obtained.     

Characterization of the negative carbon isotope shift in segment C2, its global implications as a harbinger of OAE1a

Lower Cretaceous C-isotope records show intermittent negative/positive spikes, and consistent patterns of coeval chemostratigraphic curves thus document shifts that signal simultaneous responses of temporal changes in the global carbon reservoir. The standard pattern registered by the δ ¹³C_org and δ ¹³C_carb in Lower Aptian sediments includes distinct isotope segments C1 to C8 (Menegatti et al., 1998). In the El Pui section, Organyà Basin, Spain, C-isotope segment C2 is the longest interval preceding segments C3–C6 associated with oceanic anoxic event 1a (OAE 1a), and reveals a distinct negative shift of ~1.8‰ to ~2.23‰ defining the C-isotope pattern within that interval. Total inorganic carbon (TIC), total organic carbon (TOC), δ ¹³C_org, microfacies, n-alkanes show no difference before, during, or after the negative inflection. The biomarkers indicate that organic matter (OM) mainly originates from algal/microbial sources because short-chain length homologues (≤nC₁₉) dominate. nC₂₀ through nC₂₅ indicate some contribution from aquatic vegetation, but little from higher plants (>nC₂₅), as also suggested by the terrestrial/aquatic ratio of n-alkanes or (TAR) = [(nC₂₇+nC₂₉+nC₃₁)/(nC₁₅+nC₁₇+nC₁₉)] (averages 0.085). We suggest that conjoint pulses of contemporaneous LIPs (Ontong Java) and massive explosive volcanism in northeast Asia, the Songliao Basin (SB-V), best conform to plausible causes of the negative intra-C2 carbon isotopic excursion (CIE) at that time. Because of its apparent common occurrence the intra-C2 inflection could be a useful marker harbinger to the more pronounced CIE C3, the hallmark of OAE1a.     

Diagnostics of Turbulent Dynamo from the Flux Emergence Rate in Solar Active Regions

Line-of-sight magnetograms acquired by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) onboard the Solar Dynamic Observatory (SDO) and by the Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) for 14 emerging ARs were used to study the derivative of the total unsigned flux–the flux emergence rate, R(t). We found that the emergence regime is not universal: each AR displays a unique emergence process. Nevertheless, two types of the emergence process can be identified. First type is a “regular” emergence with quasi-constant behavior of R(t) during a 1–3 day emergence interval with a rather low magnitude of the flux derivative, R_max = (0.57 ± 0.22) × 10²² Mx day^–1. The second type can be described as “accelerated” emergence with a long interval (>1 day) of the rapidly increasing flux derivative R(t) that result in a rather high magnitude of R_max= (0.92 ± 0.29) × 10²² Mx day^–1, which later changes to a very short (about a one third of day) interval of R(t) = const followed by a monotonous decrease of R(t). The first type events might be associated with emergence of a flux tube with a constant amount of flux that rises through the photosphere with a quasi-constant speed. Such events can be explained by the traditional largescale solar dynamo generating the toroidal flux deep in the convective zone. The second-type events can be interpreted as a signature of sub-surface turbulent dynamo action that generates additional magnetic flux (via turbulent motions) as the magnetic structure makes its way up to the solar surface.     

Features of Radiation and Propagation of Seismic Waves in the Northern Caucasus: Manifestations in Regional Coda

Based on the Anapa (ANN) seismic station records of ~40 earthquakes (M_W > 3.9) that occurred within ~300 km of the station since 2002 up to the present time, the source parameters and quality factor of the Earth’s crust (Q(f)) and upper mantle are estimated for the S-waves in the 1–8 Hz frequency band. The regional coda analysis techniques which allow separating the effects associated with seismic source (source effects) and with the propagation path of seismic waves (path effects) are employed. The Q-factor estimates are obtained in the form Q(f) = 90 × f 0.7 for the epicentral distances r < 120 km and in the form Q(f) = 90 × f1.0 for r > 120 km. The established Q(f) and source parameters are close to the estimates for Central Japan, which is probably due to the similar tectonic structure of the regions. The shapes of the source parameters are found to be independent of the magnitude of the earthquakes in the magnitude range 3.9–5.6; however, the radiation of the high-frequency components (f > 4–5 Hz) is enhanced with the depth of the source (down to h ~ 60 km). The estimates Q(f) of the quality factor determined from the records by the Sochi, Anapa, and Kislovodsk seismic stations allowed a more accurate determination of the seismic moments and magnitudes of the Caucasian earthquakes. The studies will be continued for obtaining the Q(f) estimates, geometrical spreading functions, and frequency-dependent amplification of seismic waves in the Earth’s crust in the other regions of the Northern Caucasus.