Structural Position and Parameters of the Paleoearthquakes in the Area of Vottovaara Mountain (Middle Karelia,Eastern Part of the Fennoscandian Shield)

The traces of strong earthquakes in the territory of Fennoscandia have been recorded by many scientists already for several decades. The seismogenerating paleostructures, such as postglacial discontinuities in the crystalline basement accompanied by a complex of deformations in the loose deposits are found in the territories of Sweden, Norway, and Finland that border Russia, in which case the spatial correlation of the postglacial faults and modern seismicity is established. Such structures have not yet been discovered in Russia, though the traces of strong earthquakes in the form of rock deformations and postglacial sediments are found by different groups of researchers over the whole territory of Eastern Fennoscandia. The obtained data make it possible to identify the linear zones of concentration of paleoearthquakes (seismic lineaments) that also occur in the modern relief and modern seismicity. However, the problem of postglacial seismicity remains a subject for discussions concerning the localization of the foci, their genesis, and regime. A remaining issue is also distinguishing between seismogenic, cryogenic, and glaciodislocations. The important questions that need to be solved include parametrization of paleoearthquakes and determination of their nature, structures, age, and magnitude. One of the key segments is the area of Vottovaara Mountain in Middle Karelia, which is a part of the Vottovaara–Girvas seismic lineament, where seismic dislocations were found earlier. For studying this probable paleo-focal zone in detail, remote sensing data, field geological and geomorphological observations, and computational methods for estimating the peak values of paleoearthquake mass velocities are used. The typical zones of development of different types of seismic deformations are revealed. A potential seismogenerating fault related to the northwest-striking Vottovaara–Girvas seismic lineament is found; its probable shear kinematics is determined from the ratio of pulse displacements of rock blocks on different wings of the fault. The sequence of a few strong events which occurred here in the interglacial and postglacial periods is identified. The effects of interaction between the seismic activity and the glacial exaration on the formation of the modern image of the focal zone are established. Using alternative approaches to estimating shaking intensity by the macroseismic INQUA scale, the scale by F.F. Aptikayev, and the nomogram by M.V. Rodkin, the intensity of the recent strong Early Holocene seismic event, which occurred here at 8.9 ka according to A.D. Lukashov, is determined. According to the agreed estimates, the intensity reached 9–10 points at a probable magnitude of 7.5–8. This work carried out using a number of new approaches developed by the authors makes it possible to characterize paleoseismicity in more detail.     

Detailed paleoseismological research on the flank of the Lake Imandra depression (Kola region): New approaches and results

We present results of detailed paleoseismological research at the key site on the flank of the Lake Imandra depression (Kola region, northeast of the Fennoscandian Shield). Study of various groups of paleoseismic deformations in the fault zone and application of new methods and approaches made it possible to recognize a segment of a large seismotectonic zone where violent earthquakes occurred repeatedly at the end of the Late Glacial and in the Holocene. The dates of earthquakes and the location of their foci are determined.     

Morphotectonics,Deformations of Loose Sediments,and Stages of Tectonic Activation of the Sambian (Kaliningrad) Peninsula in the Late Pleistocene and Holocene

Doklady Earth Sciences - The newest block-fault structure is revealed, and tectonic deformations exposed in coastal cliffs are studied and systematized as a result of morphotectonic studies on the...     

Holocene Paleoseismic Deformations on the Islands of the Kuzokotsky Archipelago (Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea,Eastern Fennoscandia)

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - Detailed paleoseismogeological, morphotectonic, and tectonophysical studies using remote and ground surveys have been carried out on the islands of the...     

Complex geological-geophysical study of active faults in the Sochi-Krasnaya Polyana region

The combined geological, geomorphologic, and geophysical study has significantly ascertained the spatial location of main seismogenerating structures in the region of Sochi. The research, which is aimed at identifying and thoroughly exploring all active faults in this area, was conducted in 2007–2009 in the territory between Adler and Krasnaya Polyana. It is found that the Monastyrskii and Krasnopolyanskii faults are the most important structures for seismic hazard assessment. Dramatic deformations of young deposits and prominent landforms are revealed, and seismogravitational features associated with these units are identified.     

Creation of a northern base segment of the Geocosmic system foundation of security and sustainable development management of Russia

Brief information about principles of creation and structure of nature-technology complex of the space monitoring system in the northern Russian regions for its sustainable and security development management is under consideration.     

Comprehensive paleoseismic geological studies in a key site in southwestern Kola Peninsula (Northeast of the Fennoscandian Shield)

This paper considers the results of detailed paleoseismic and geological investigations in a key site in the wall of the Imandra Lake depression (Kola Peninsula Region, Northeast of the Fennoscandian Shield). Study of different groups of paleoseismic deformations developed in the fault zone and the application of new methods and techniques made it possible to identify a large seismotectonic zone characterized by great earthquakes at the end of the Late Glacial and in the Holocene. The investigation data are indicative of the necessity to estimate the seismic potential in the Kola Atomic plant area in a different way.     

Paleoseismic Fault Trenches as Unique Archives of the White Sea Holocene History

Doklady Earth Sciences - We studied sedimentary archives on the Karelian coast of the White Sea (area of the White Sea Biological Station, Moscow State University) from various...