In August 2016, residents of the Rostov region were alarmed by an unusual phenomenon. People felt tremors underfoot. An earthquake in the Rostov region is a rare phenomenon. It is believed that this territory is located on a monolithic basis and does not belong to earthquake-prone zones. So can there be an earthquake in the Rostov region or citizens excited another phenomenon? Let's get it right.
Unusual event
Residents of Rostov and other settlements suddenly saw furniture swinging, windows and window panes spontaneously closing. It was August 7, Sunday. Many had a rest at home, because in their stepfather they encountered oddities in the behavior of furniture and other objects. Some began to swing chandeliers, but most complained about window frames open at the height of a hot summer day. People could not expect an earthquake in the Rostov region. The fact is that the last such event was recorded not so long ago, but did not attract the attention of the general public. Naturally, the townsfolk did not know about this, and those who are interested in special literature have forgotten.
Public response
However, agitated residents reported an incomprehensible event to the rescue service and to the press. They wanted to understand what was happening. In the information space at that time, people often heard the word “war”, and the territory of the armed conflict (Donetsk) was not far. Residents began to worry. But fears were unfounded. Unusual events were caused not by the use of weapons, a rare phenomenon occurred - an earthquake in the Rostov region.
Seismograph explanation
This territory really rests on a "solid basis." But the fact is that there are two of them. Part of the region is located on the East European platform, the second on the Scythian plate. Each of the geostructural massifs, in turn, also consists of separate formations. We will not dive into the details, but consider this fact. It turns out that the base corresponding to the area on the physical map has faults. Scientists point out that theoretically earthquakes up to 7 points are possible here.
And the facts are fixed
So, in 2001, there was a serious earthquake in the Rostov region with a magnitude of six points. It is recorded 60 kilometers from the city of Salsk. The seismic wave spread to Stavropol, mines and Kropotkin. Earlier, in 1984 and 1996, there were earthquakes of magnitude four and five. And the first was officially recorded at the beginning of the century in the area of the village of the Grand Duchess. His strength was five points, nothing was reported about the duration of the exposure. That is, an earthquake in the Rostov region (the history we are studying) is possible. Even more so, scientists say that such an event has a high degree of probability.
Why did this earthquake happen
Let's now deal with the causes of the event. They may be different. Plates constantly interact with each other. Their tectonic shifts sometimes cause small waves on the surface, which we consider earthquakes. We found out that the region is built on several plates. This means that it is not worth considering the event unlikely or impossible. The earthquake that occurred in August 2016, became an echo of the phenomenon of the same order in the territory of a neighboring state. The epicenter was deep beneath the city of Mariupol (Ukraine). Scientists claim that the waves went from ten kilometers below sea level, that is, from the earth's crust. According to the readings of the instruments, the strength of the shocks at the epicenter reached 4.8 points. Seismic waves dispersed two hundred kilometers. That is, in all the settlements located in this zone, they felt the consequences of the phenomenon. The earthquake is caused by the relative displacement of the two plates, tentatively their border coincides with the line of separation of the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
What to expect in the future?
The event did not cause any damage, it only frightened the residents. Now no one doubts whether there was an earthquake in the Rostov region. They felt, so to speak, in their own skin. The unrest of citizens is now caused by the future. Is it possible to repeat this phenomenon in a more catastrophic form? Should you be wary of slabs? When will they again rub against each other, causing excitement of the bark? The answers to all these questions are given by scientists. But, as always, their words do not add specificity to forecasts. According to seismologists, it shakes infrequently, and not particularly strongly. However, it is not necessary to expect that the plates will die for millennia. If we take into account when the last earthquake occurred in the Rostov region, in which year the previous ones were, then we get the periodical of the phenomenon. Naturally, it is inaccurate, since the schedule of movement of the plates has not yet been learned. We cited the facts that earthquakes were recorded in 1907, 1984, 1996, 2001, and the last - in 2016. It is easy to see that at least once every ten years you can expect such an unpleasant event for residents.
