AMUR AND PRIMORYE

The annual review of seismicity of Amur and Primorye based on the data of permanent seismic stations of Sakhalin branch GS RAS and the data of other Russian and foreign seismological agencies for 2014 is made. A detailed description of the seismic situation in different areas of the region is given. For the first time the Sikhote-Alin area (№5), where an earthquake of intensity I0=5 occurred, has dominated by terms of the released seismic energy level. Three tangible earthquakes were recorded in the region during the year. The most significant of them (Imax=5) earthquake occurred on April 12 at 21h22m east of Lake Khanka, in the ter-ritory of Primorye. Previously this territory was in the state of a seismic calm. A comparative analysis of the seismic situation in 2014 with the data of long-term observations is carried out. In 2014 the seismic energy of crustal earthquakes released in the region was one of the lowest for the past 15 years (2000–2014), except for 2006. The level of deep focus seismicity in 2014 also has low indicators. According to the methodology for assessing the level of seismic activity, the SOUS*09 scale, in 2014 the territory of Amur and Primorye is characterized by a lower background level of seismic activity.