Enhanced concerns have caused scientists seismic vibrations marked in the Kamchatkaas they estimate that strong seismic activity can lead to a domino of developments and activate neighboring faults. As the AUTH Professor of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki points out in the Athens/Macedonian News Agency, Manolis Skordilis, a seismic It can give the necessary impetus to an already “mature” and unstable rift in the area, causing additional powerful earthquakes.

Risk of chain impacts on the “Ring of Fire”

*This is not absolute law*, Mr. Skordilis points out, but such a development is possible in areas with intense seismicity, such as the so -called “Ring of Fire” surrounding the Pacific Ocean. Scientists always remain cautious, as any major earthquake can trigger new powerful post -seismic vibrations, but also alter geodynamic balances into neighboring faults.

A typical example is the strong earthquake of Ismit In Turkey in 1999, 7.6 Richter. According to the professor, the risk of broader impact on the area had been highlighted at the time, which was confirmed: the following day two earthquakes over 5 Richter in the North Aegean occurred, followed by a great earthquake of Parnitha. This proves that a strong earthquake can affect larger geographical zones by activating “charged” faults.

Kamchatka and the history of great earthquakes

The geological history of the area records countless earthquakes above 8 Richter, with the top of November 4, 1952, when the vibration reached 9 on the Richter scale. According to Mr. Skordilis, such events -if they are not accompanied by a strong tsunamias in this year’s case- they leave behind an extensive post-seismic sequence. Accurate evolution cannot be predicted, as the seismic impulse diffuses into hundreds of kilometers long zones, thus not excluding the emergence of new large aftershocks in areas that have already increased seismic energy.

The professor also highlights the changes recorded in the underwater bottom after earthquakes of this size. In the case of Kamchatka, where the focal depth was estimated at 20 kilometers below the sea, it appears that changes in bottom morphology were not so intense, as *if there was significant movement, the tsunami would be very high *.

Scientists expect more findings to deform the sea bottom through the mapping to be completed in the coming months.

The geodynamic role of the Ring of Fire

The ‘Fire“, where Kamchatka is also included, has a petal shape and surrounds the Pacific Ocean. Along it, there are constant conflicts between lithospheric slabs, making it the most active seismic area of the planet. A small part of North America’s plate.

Natasha Karathanou