Optimal Configuration of the Karelian Seismological Network

Abstract

The modern seismological network of Karelia consists of four seismic stations. The number of network stations is small, and they are unevenly distributed over the territory of Karelia. Therefore, this seismological network is not efficient enough, and seismic events (earthquakes and quarry blasts) with different minimum magnitudes and different accuracies are recorded at different points in the territory. In order for events occurring at different points of Karelia to be recorded with the same accuracy and the same minimum magnitude, it is necessary to arrange the system’s seismic stations more evenly throughout the territory; i.e., the observing system must have the optimal configuration. Calculation of the minimum magnitudes of recorded seismic events for the optimal seismological network from 65 new and 4 currently functioning seismic stations shows that with an amplification in recording channels of 50 000, the network will reliably record earthquakes with a magnitude of 1.0 or more throughout Karelia. At the same time, the position of the seismic stations of such a network in Karelia is determined up to a parallel shift and arbitrary rotation of the entire observation system. Errors in determining the epicentral coordinates in latitude and longitude within the network will not exceed 0.5 km. The errors in determining the depths of earthquake sources recorded by the system throughout Karelia do not exceed 1.0 km at the center of the network and can reach 2.0 km only on its periphery.