Geophysical research: article

Аnnotation: The seismic situation in the area of Vorkuta city district, Komi Republic, is analyzed. Coal is mined here at the Pechora coal basin. IRIS, ISC, IDC, and NORSAR seismic centers reported about 11 earthquakes on the territory indicated within 1971-2016. We have interpreted waveforms of these events and relocated their epicenters using P and S phases from the ISC bulletins and local seismic stations. The wave pattern of seismic events and the mining activity in the region suggested the technogenic origin of seismic events near the mine fields. The research establishes that out of the 11 events analyzed only one event in 2012, the Polar Ural, could be an earthquake; the 1998, 2004, 2011, 2015, and 2016 events are rock bursts in coal mines; the 2005 event is a technogenic earthquake; the 1971 and 1974 events are peaceful nuclear explosions; and the nature of 1997 event is unclear. The results obtained are important for correct estimation of seismicity in this mining region to avoid overestimation of seismic level due to technogenic events in Vorkuta coal mines included in earthquake catalogs. Presently three seismic stations of the Institute of Geology of the Komi Science Center, the Ural Branch , RAS, operate on the territory of the Komi Republic. However, without data from other seismological centers, the accurate location of epicenters is impossible due to a high level of cultural noise near the stations. The seismological monitoring and reliable registration of local and regional seismic events require modernization and expansion of the network of seismic stations in the republic.