The 1994 Shikotan Earthquake and its effects on the development of Russian seismology


A.Ya. Sidorin


Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

E-mail: al_sidorin@hotmail.com


Abstract. In connection with the 25th anniversary of the Shikotan Earthquake of October 4 (5), 1994, brief information is provided on the source parameters and macroseismic effects of this seismic event, as well as the successful results of its mid-term forecast. The main attention is paid to the organizational aspects of research in the epicentral zone and to the analysis of the effects of these studies on the development of Russian seismology. Experience was gained in operational deployment of a radiotelemetric system for seismic observations and ensuring its continuous operation in the conditions of the archipelago, and detailed data on the development of the aftershock process of this earthquake were obtained. A month after the earthquake, an emergency issue of the journal was issued, in which a comprehensive analysis of scientific and scientific-organizational problems and results related to the Shikotan earthquake was given, and in 1995 a monograph devoted to this earthquake was published. The 1994 Shikotan earthquake clearly demonstrated the plight of the seismic observation network and tsunami warning services on the country's Pacific coast. Active joint actions of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia, publications and speeches of specialists in the media, direct appeals of the President of the Russian Academy of Sciences to the highest authorities of the country contributed to the fact that, less than a month after the Shikotan earthquake, the Government of the Russian Federation adopted Resolution No. 1207 “Development of the Federal systems of seismological observations and earthquake prediction”, which played an important role in the revival, expansion and development of the seismic observation network in the country. The resonance that this seismic event caused in society and the media increased public interest in seismology, information about earthquakes around the world began to constantly appear in the media, which increased the responsibility of seismologists and contributed to the development of seismology in the country.


Keywords: 1994 Shikotan earthquake, earthquake parameters, macroseismic effects, epicentral expedition, development of seismology


About the author


SIDORIN Alexander Yakovlevich – Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Russia, 123242, Moscow, ul. Bolshaya Gruzinskaya 10, str. 1. E-mail: al_sidorin@hotmail.com


Cite this article as: Sidorin A.Ya. The 1994 Shikotan Earthquake and its effects on the development of Russian seismology, Seismicheskie Pribory, 2020, vol. 56, no. 1, pp. 76–84. (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.21455/si2020.1-7


English translation of the article will be published in Seismic Instruments, ISSN: 0747-9239 (Print) 1934-7871 (Online), https://link.springer.com/journal/11990), 2021, Volume 57.



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