Connection of Kryvbas tectonics with natural and technogenic seismicity

Abstract

Purpose. Studying the tectonic features of the structure of the earth’s crust of Kryvyi Rih-Kremenchuk suture zone to clarify the nature of the origin of seismic events in the Kryvbas. Methodology. To analyze and generalize the data on the Kryvbas seismicity with reference to large-scale geological and tectonic maps of exploration work. To study its tectonic structure based on geological, geophysical studies and drilling of Kryvyi Rih superdeep well. Findings. In the period 2011–2021, about 1,200 seismic events were recorded on the territory of Kryvbas, the majority of which had a minor magnitude  2.0. Among them there were identified 13 powerful industrial explosions from mb = 2.7–3.5 and 20 earthquakes of tectonic origin with mb = 2.1–4.5. Powerful explosions in mines predominantly induce earthquakes. In recent years, local earthquakes began to occur in tectonic fault zones outside the ore mining area, which indicates a change in the elastic-deformation state of the geological environment. The analysis of the attributes of local earthquakes and their locations suggests that Kryvyi Rih tectonic system and the entire eastern flank of the earth’s crust of the West Inhulets-Kryvyi Rih-Kremenchuk suture zone are geodynamically active structures, where the processes of thrust and shear tectonics are also observed on a recent geological time scale. Originality. A detailed analysis of the earthquakes shows that some of them occur at significant depths in the zones of tectonic faults outside of Kryvbas. At the same time, faults in separate directions are activated, where brittle deformations and viscous-plastic formations are manifested in the past geological time. The location of local earthquakes made it possible to single out two sections and five linear zones of seismic activity in the region. Practical value. Based on the results from this research it is possible to create an applied model of the tectonic section of the earth’s crust to solve the problems of evolution and geodynamics of the lithosphere of the Ukrainian shield, mountain geology and to optimize mining. The identified faults of active inherited development are important in determining the development paths for quarries and mines in Kryvbas.