Natural Geohazards in the Taman Peninsula

This paper is devoted to study of the issues of the seismic hazard and danger of mud volcanism in the Taman Peninsula in Krasnodar krai. The tectonic structure and the active tectonics directly responsible for strong earthquakes in the region are considered. Ruins of the ancient Greek city of Hermonassa and the city of Tmutarakan located above—the Saltovo–Mayak (Khazar) archaeological section have been studied. Traces of strong seismic events have been found in the ruins of both cities; some of them led to the abandonment of settlements by ancient inhabitants. The study results obtained for some volcanoes of the Taman Peninsula and their relation to certain active tectonic structures are reported.