The seismicity of the Carpathians in 2023

According to the results of observations at the seismic stations of the Carpathian region of Ukraine in 2023, the main parameters of 81 earthquakes in the range of energy classes KR=5.8÷13.7 were obtained. The parameters of seismometric equipment at active seismic stations are given. A catalog of earthquakes, their distribution by regions and energy classes, a map of epicenters, graphs of seismic energy release and the number of earthquakes in the region by month are presented. A brief description of the seismicity of certain seismically active areas of the Carpathian region is given. The total energy observed in the region was ΣЕ=9.06·1013 J, which is slightly higher than the last year’s level of ΣЕ=5.06·1013 J. This year, increased seismic activity was observed in three seismically active areas. Thus, 19 earthquakes of energy class KR=5.7÷13.7 were recorded in the North-Western region. Their total seismic energy was ΣЕ=5.02∙1013 J. The two strongest in this area were the earthquake that occurred on October 9 at 18:23 on the territory of Slovakia, near the town of Humenne, with KR=13.7 at a depth of h=8.8 km and intensity at the epicenter of I0=8 points and the earthquake in Transcarpathia, near the village of Dovge, on January 3 at 01:28 with magnitude MSH=3.1, KR=10.7 at a depth of h=9.6 km and intensity at the epicenter of about 5 points. In the Southern Carpathians, 29 earthquakes with KR=8.8÷13.0 were registered at a depth of 2―35 km with a total seismic energy of ΣЕ=3.72∙1013 J. This year, in terms of seismic activity after a long seismic lull, the Krishan region was the third. There were 8 earthquakes with KR=7.6÷12.3 with total seismic energy ΣЕ=2.56∙1012 J. The foci of earthquakes are located in the earth’s crust at depths h=2.0÷15.1 km. This year, compared to last year, the Vrancea district was less active. For the whole year, 19 events with KR=8.4÷11.5 were recorded, the total seismic energy of which is ΣЕ=6.41∙1011 J. In the territory of Bukovyna this year, there is also a decrease in seismic activity compared to 2022. A total of 4 earthquakes with an energy class of KR= 5.8÷7.8 had total seismic energy ΣЕ=1.05∙108 J. The foci of earthquakes were located in the earth’s crust at depths h=1.1÷5 km. Only 2 weak earthquakes were recorded in the Bacau region in 2023, and none in the Banat and Transylvania regions. The regional Carpathian hodograph was used to determine the main parameters of earthquakes in Transcarpathia, and the Jeffreys-Bullen hodograph was used for earthquakes in the Vrancea zone and other six districts.