Earthquake in the Rostov Region: Facts and Causes

In August 2016, residents of the Rostov region were alarmed by an unusual phenomenon. People felt tremors under their feet. The earthquake in the Rostov region is a rare phenomenon. It is believed that this territory is located on a monolithic base and does not belong to seismically dangerous zones. So whether there can be an earthquake in the Rostov region or citizens excited another phenomenon? Let's understand.

An unusual event

Residents of Rostov and other settlements suddenly saw the furniture swing, spontaneously closing windows and windows. It was on August 7, Sunday. Many vacationed at home, because the paternal encountered oddities in the behavior of furniture and other items. Some began to swing the chandeliers, but most complained about the window frames, open at the height of a hot summer day. To expect that there will be an earthquake in the Rostov region, people could not. The fact is that the last such event was recorded not so long ago, but did not attract the attention of the general public. Naturally, the townsfolk did not know about this, and those who are interested in special literature have forgotten.

Public response

Nevertheless, the agitated residents reported an incomprehensible event in the rescue service and the press. They wanted to understand what was happening. In the information space at that time, people often heard the word "war", and the territory of the armed conflict (Donetsk) is not far away. Residents began to worry. But the fears were unfounded. Unusual events were caused not by the use of weapons, there was a rare phenomenon - an earthquake in the Rostov region.

Explanation of seismographs

This territory and truth rests on a "solid foundation." But the fact is that there are two of them. Part of the region is located on the East European platform, the second - on the Scythian plate. Each of the geostructural arrays, in turn, also consists of separate entities. We will not dive into details, but we take this fact into account. It turns out that the base corresponding to the area on the physical map has faults. Scientists point out that, theoretically, earthquakes of up to 7 points are possible here.

And the facts are fixed

So, in 2001 there was a serious earthquake in the Rostov region by force of six points. It is recorded 60 kilometers from the city of Salsk. The seismic wave spread to Stavropol, mines and Kropotkin. Earlier, in 1984 and 1996, there were earthquakes of four and five points. And the first officially fixed at the beginning of the century in the area of the village Velikoknyazheskaya. His strength was five points, the duration of exposure is not reported. That is an earthquake in the Rostov region (history is being studied), it is possible. Even more, scientists argue that such an event has a high degree of probability.

Why did this earthquake

Now let's look at the causes of the event. They can be different. Plates constantly interact with each other. Their tectonic shifts sometimes cause small waves on the surface, which we consider to be earthquakes. We have found out that the region is based on several plates. Hence, it is not worth considering an event unlikely or impossible. The earthquake that occurred in August 2016 was an echo of a phenomenon of the same order in the territory of a neighboring state. Epicenter was deep under the city of Mariupol (Ukraine). Scientists say that the waves went from ten kilometers below sea level, that is, from the earth's crust. According to the readings of the instruments, the force of thrusts in the epicenter reached 4.8 points. Seismic waves dispersed for two hundred kilometers. That is, in all the settlements that are in this zone, they felt the consequences of the phenomenon. The earthquake is caused by the relative displacement of the two plates, roughly their border coincides with the division line of the RF and Ukraine.

What to expect in the future?

The event did not cause any damage, only frightened the inhabitants. Now no one doubts whether there was an earthquake in the Rostov region. They felt, so to speak, on their own skin. Civil unrest is now caused by the future. Is it possible to repeat this phenomenon in a more catastrophic way? Should the plates be wary? When will they rub against each other again, causing excitement in the bark? The answers to all these questions are given by scientists. But, as always, their words do not add specifics to forecasts. According to the data of seismologists, it shakes infrequently, and not very much. However, it is not necessary to expect that the slabs will be frozen for millennia. If we take into account when the last earthquake occurred in the Rostov region, in what year were the previous ones, then we will get the periodicity of the phenomenon. It is, of course, inaccurate, since the timetable for the motion of plates has not yet been learned. We quoted the facts that earthquakes were recorded in 1907, 1984, 1996, 2001, and the last in 2016. It is not difficult to see that at least once in ten years, one can expect such an unpleasant event for the residents.

What to do?

Of course, you need to know about safe behavior during an earthquake. No one can guarantee that the force of the shocks will be weak. If you feel them or hear a rumble, take documents with money and run up the stairs (not by the elevator) to the street. Be sure to bring your children and old people with you. Try to move to the open space, away from buildings. If you can not leave the room, you should hide in the door arch located in the bearing wall (it is the thickest). Do not light a fire in any way. After all, the tremors can break the gas pipeline, which will increase the likelihood of a fire. Do not be scared yourself and calm others. Stay away from heavy furniture so as not to fall under it, if it falls or moves. The earthquake quickly ends. And the main damage does not come from jerks, but because of panic.