The September 21, 2020 (Mw = 5.6) Bystraya Earthquake at the South-Western Flank of the Baikal Rift Zone: a Milestone in Macroseismology of Eastern Siberia

Abstract

The article presents analysis of macroseismic data on the September 21, 2020 (M_w = 5.6) Bystraya earthquake, which occurred in the eastern part of the Tunka basins system on the southwestern flank of the Baikal rift zone. Macroseismic data were collected mainly through an Internet questionnaire posted on the website of the Baikal Branch of the Geophysical Survey, Russian Academy Sciences. A total of 3013 eyewitness responses were collected, which is currently an unprecedented number in the entire history of macroseismic observations in the Baikal region. In total, we collected data for 263 Intensity Data Points. The maximal shaking intensity (VI–VII MSK-64) was observed in the Bystraya village and the Kultuk settlement. The shaking intensity V MSK-64 was noted at a distance of up to ~180 km; intensity IV MSK-64 was recorded at a distance of up to ~550 km. Analysis of data on the Bystraya earthquake revealed significantly lower attenuation compared to that expected from the regional macroseismic equation. Due to the large volume of macroseismic data collected, as well as the high efficiency of the data collection method used, the Bystraya earthquake can be considered an important milestone in macroseismic research in East Siberia.