Network of Multidisciplinary Borehole Measurements at the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Geodynamic Testing Area

Abstract

The article presents data on the main stages of creating a network of multidisciplinary borehole measurements at the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky geodynamic testing area, its current configuration, the composition of the measurements, and technical support. Matters related to the choice of measuring boreholes are discussed, as well as organizational and technical solutions that ensured the creation and successful operation of the network for more than 20 years. Currently, the network includes five radiotelemetric points created on the basis of boreholes, where geoacoustic measurements, electromagnetic measurements with underground electric antennas, and other types of measurements are carried out. The network makes it possible to conduct promising fundamental scientific research in the study of endogenic processes associated with preparation of strong earthquakes. In the course of long-term measurements, it was found that the developed methods for monitoring changes in the stress-strain state of the geomedium, which are based on data from borehole geoacoustic measurements and measurements with underground electric antennas, can be successfully used in regional systems for medium- and short-term earthquake forecasting. Most of the technical tools used in the borehole measurement network are the authors’ own developments. In fact, the network is an experimental base for studying the processes of preparation of strong earthquakes in one of the most seismically active regions of the world, as well as the information base of a system for medium- and short-term forecasting of strong Kamchatka earthquakes, operating in the area of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.