ASSESSMENT OF SEISMICITY IN AZERBAIJAN AND ADJACENT REGIONS IN 2022 BASED ON DATA FROM "KINEMETRICS" SEISMIC STATIONS

Abstract

In 2022, seismicity analysis was conducted based on 62 digital seismic stations. Throughout the year, 12,284 earthquakes were recorded. Of these, 3,383 were local earthquakes (occurring in the territory of Azerbaijan), 3,314 were regional, and 4,011 were distant earthquakes. Additionally, 1,463 weak tremors (registered by a single station) and 1,575 industrial explosions were recorded. Compared to 2021, the number of earthquakes in 2022 and the amount of released seismic energy decreased. In 2021, there were 6,071 earthquakes: the amount of seismic energy released was ∑E = 6.02×10¹² J, with a maximum magnitude of ml
= 5.1. In 2022, the amount of released seismic energy was ∑E = 8.55×10¹¹ J, with a maximum magnitude of ml = 4.9. Throughout 2022, seismicity was observed in the Greater Caucasus, the Middle Kura Basin, and the Caspian Sea. Seismic activation was noted in the West Caspian, Palmira-Absheron, Aji-Chay-Alat, Ganja Chay-Alazan, Gazakh-Signakh, Talysh, Akhvai, Sangachal-Ogurjuq, Garabogaz-Safidrud, and Agrahan Kasnawod regions. Another mud volcano eruption occurred in Lokbatan, and based on the arrival time of waves from the stations, the period of mud volcano eruption activation, the depth of the focus, the duration of
the eruption, and the energy released during the eruption were determined. The mechanisms of 48 earthquake foci were identified. Analysis of compression and extension axes, based on data from earthquake focus mechanisms, showed that the central and western parts of the republic's territory are mainly characterized by compressive stress. Tensile stress is observed in the Gobustan-Absheron region, the central parts of the Caspian Sea, and the Guba-Gusar regions.