Updated data on the current seismicity of the White Sea and the Karelian region during the period 2005–2016

Abstract

This article is the result of previous studies to clarify the seismicity of the White sea, supplemented by similar studies on the continental part of the Republic of Karelia. The relocated catalog of earthquakes was created for the period from 2005 to 2016 for White Sea and the Karelian region. With the help of proven methods, the parameters of the epicenters of identified earthquakes were relocated and a map of current seismicity was obtained. The parameters of the epicenters were specified using BARENTS travel-time model, a single methodological approach (using Generalized beamforming) and all currently available source data and bulletins of Russian and foreign seismic stations. The obtained seismic catalog allowed us to identify the main patterns of the distribution of current seismicity in the White Sea region. Seismicity of the White sea and the Karelian region is characterized as low-magnitude (generally of low magnitude with ML<2.0). Most earthquakes in the White Sea are characterized by a focal depths up to 20 km. Analysis of catalog shows that the majority of earthquakes are concentrated in the north-western part of the defined area, in the continental part of Karelia and Kandalaksha graben. Some earthquakes were recorded in the eastern and central part of the White sea.