Major earthquakes in Russia. Earthquake statistics in Russia

Earthquakes in Russia - a phenomenon quite common. Of course, for residents of megacities and the central strip this is rather an unfamiliar concept, but here in other areas, in cities, events are held annually that help people to react properly in the event of such a catastrophe. For example, in Tuva there was an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.2 points at the end of 2011, and to this day seismic activity in this region does not stop. Residents of the city are familiar with security techniques and know how to behave in similar situations, but this does not detract from the constant stress that the population feels, fearing for their lives and the safety of their loved ones.

What is an earthquake?

To put it in clear language, these are the vibrations of the Earth's surface, which are mainly caused by the natural forces of nature. We will not consider such artificial stimuli as large explosions and other technical processes.

Because of its destructiveness, earthquakes take a leading position. In the history of mankind there are many examples of the destroying force of nature. Billions of victims around the world and the consequences that completely violated the entire infrastructure of cities and even entire countries. Earthquakes in Russia usually occur in mountainous areas, at the junction of tectonic plates. Leaders in the rating affected by such disasters, of course, can be identified Kamchatka, Altai, the Caucasus and Eastern Siberia. Of course, this is not the entire list of settlements that are subject to earthquakes. In some cities, seismic activity is periodically observed, but for residents these phenomena remain invisible.

Earth's epicenter is considered to be the epicenter of the earthquake, which is closest to the center of the spontaneous phenomenon.

Types of earthquakes

To date, experts have identified three types of earthquakes:

1. Volcanic - volcanic eruptions.
2. Artificial earthquakes are strong explosions, causing the shifts of underground slabs.
3. Technogenic - the tremors that are caused by the processes of human life.

How an earthquake is measured

Underground shocks are measured by a special instrument-a seismograph that accurately not only measures the power of the tremors, but also predicts how strong the displacement of the tectonic plates will be.

There is a generally accepted world scale, which consists of 12 items:

- 1 point. An almost imperceptible earthquake, since the fluctuation of the soil is a minimum that can not be felt.

- 2 points. Quite a weak phenomenon, which can be felt only in a calm environment. Only a few people can feel it.

- 3 points. A weak earthquake, manifested by fluctuations that are more visible to others.

- 4 points. Moderate phenomenon, noticeable to all people.

- 5 points. Quite a strong earthquake, provoking the movement of objects in the room.

- 6 points (strong). From quite strong jolts, buildings can be damaged.

- 7 points. A very strong earthquake, causing more severe destruction of buildings.

- 8 points. A destructive phenomenon that can destroy even the most powerful structures.

- 9 points. Destructive earthquake. In the mountains there are strong landslides, and people in the cities can not stand on their feet.

- 10 points. Destructive earthquakes can lead to the complete destruction of the settlement, turning everything into ruins in its path, including roads and all kinds of communications.

- 11 points. Catastrophe.

- 12 points. A great catastrophe, it is impossible to survive. The relief is completely changing, the strongest splits are observed, huge hollows, craters, and much more appear.

Causes of earthquakes

Major earthquakes in Russia and in other countries of the world are due to the collision of lithospheric plates. For example, in the Caucasus, there is the Arabian plate, which gradually moves northward in the direction of the Eurasian plate, which, in turn, periodically collides with the Pacific plate, located on Kamchatka. By the way about the Kamchatka Krai, the earthquakes in this area are also affected by volcanic activity, during which there are quite strong tremors.

Signs of earthquakes

In the history of such phenomena, scientists have been able to identify the main signs of a beginning catastrophe. Earthquakes in Russia usually began after the following things:

1. Residents of cities affected by the disaster have repeatedly indicated that, for some time before the tremors, they felt a strong smell of gas, although earlier in this locality it was not observed.
2. It has also been repeatedly pointed out that domestic animals are beginning to behave restlessly, and the birds on the street are showing excessive animosity.
3. Some eyewitnesses and victims claim that a few hours before the earthquake they watched the sparking of electrical wires.

What earthquakes were in Russia

Russia has often suffered from natural disasters, including from the strongest earthquakes. The landscape of our country is great and diverse, as well as climatic zones. Seismoactive areas are located mainly on the territory of Sakhalin and the Kamchatka Territory.

Sakhalin

On May 28, 1995, the settlement of Neftegorsk was destroyed on Sakhalin. On the scale, the power of the elements was 7.5 points and 10 points in the epicenter of the earthquake. In a matter of hours, the Sakhalin Neftegorsk was simply erased from the surface of the earth, which at that time had 3,200 inhabitants. After the disaster, only 400 people survived, 150 of whom later died in hospitals from injuries sustained. This is the last earthquake in Russia of such power, which has become truly the most tragic event not only for Sakhalin, but for the whole country.

As eyewitnesses later recalled, the real horror was not during the earthquake, but after. Many victims were buried under the ruins of their homes and gradually choked in violent agony.

Residents of the village left for the mainland and tried to start life "after the earthquake." This disaster has become the strongest in the past 100 years. In the last century in 1952 on Sakhalin there was a tsunami, caused by the earthquake in the Pacific Ocean, which demolished the city of North Kurilsk.

May 25, 2013 on Sakhalin again there was an earthquake of 4 points.

Kamchatka

Earthquakes in Russia mostly fall to the Kamchatka Territory. In the center of the Klyuchevskaya group of volcanoes is the Nameless Hill with a height of 3,085 meters. It was always considered an extinct volcano, so the earthquake that began in the morning of 1955 was a complete surprise.

The volcanic station of Klyuchi, located 45 kilometers from the volcanoes, recorded huge clouds of white smoke. A few days later, the height of volcanic emissions was more than eight kilometers.

Throughout November, the inhabitants of the region observed severe lightning strikes, and the surface of the earth was completely covered with ashes. In less than 29 days, the crater of the volcano expanded by 550 meters. Unfortunately, this was only a preparation for the disaster that occurred on March 30, 1956. Such earthquakes in Russia were not a novelty, so no one was evacuated in the hope that the waking up volcano would subside, especially after its activity dropped in late November.

In 1956, the pressure in the volcano reached a critical point. Within 15 minutes, the giant erupted a huge fire pillar that bent to the east at an angle of 30 degrees. Reaching a height of 24 kilometers, this pillar of fire and black smoke literally covered the sky. At 20 kilometers from the volcano, the trees were either torn up with a root, or burned with lightning speed. The thickness of hot sand and lava that fell from the sky made the snow melt quickly. The most powerful mud streams rushed down, dragging behind them fragments of rocks and stones, demolishing everything in its path.

The base of volcanologists was literally erased from the face of the earth, fortunately, scientists at that time were not there. Professor Gorshkov said that if this stream rushed in another direction, the entire populated area would be destroyed and would enter the most sad examples of earthquakes in Russia.

Kamchatka is the most dangerous region, not even because there are a large number of volcanoes on its territory, but because in the event of a catastrophe, most residents will literally remain locked up in the mountains.

Tuva

In 2012, an earthquake measuring 3.2 points was recorded near Kyzyl. This phenomenon began at 7:30 in the morning. Since the elements were not so strong, there were no casualties.

The earthquake statistics in Russia include the phenomenon that occurred in the same region on December 27, 2011, then its capacity was 9.5 points in the epicenter and 6.7 in the remaining areas. Seismic activity persisted until the end of February 2012, when there was a push with magnitude 6.5. The epicenter was well over 100 kilometers from populated areas. Nevertheless, the tremors were felt in the territory of Buryatia, Irkutsk region, as well as in Khakassia and the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The map of earthquakes in Russia contains all the main regions most susceptible to seismic activity, including Kyzyl. In addition, the specialists update all the data on a monthly basis. Rock samples are taken on the sample and carefully studied. Based on these studies, volcanologists can roughly predict in which areas such phenomena are possible.

What needs to be done during the earthquake in Russia

At the first sign of an earthquake, you need to go out as quickly as possible. If the shocks occur every 15-20 seconds, try to move in the gaps when the shaking decreases.

If you live in a multi-storey building, then you should not use the elevator, since there is a risk that the communications have already been violated. Therefore, it is better to stay away from cabinets and windows and stand in the doorway until you have the opportunity to leave the apartment.

If at the time of the earthquake you are on the street, try to stay as far away from buildings, billboards and trees. Major earthquakes in Russia usually completely destroy buildings and distribute pieces of concrete slabs throughout the neighborhood. Moving on the car is not recommended, because asphalt breaks in the first place and unexpectedly, so you just do not physically have time to get out of the car if you get to the fault site.

Stay calm and do not panic, the more cold-blooded you will be, the more likely you will survive.

It is better to always keep all the necessary documents at hand, so that in case of any disaster or fire you can leave the house with a passport, this will avoid further red tape with documents.

Finally

Strong earthquakes in Russia occur much more often than we think. Residents of the most seismically active regions are constantly afraid that a tragedy is about to occur. Despite all the efforts of scientists and other specialists, it is still impossible to completely predict when and where an earthquake will occur. Nature is unpredictable and at times punishes humanity for its inattention.