INDUCED SEISMICITY IN THE KHIBINY MASSIF (KOLA-PENINSULA)

The topic of this paper is to review recent processes of increasing seismic activity in the Khibiny Massif in the Kola Peninsula. It is a typical example of induced seismicity caused by rock deformation due to the extraction of more than 2.10(9) tons of rock mass since the mid-1960s. The dependence of seismic activity on the amount of extracted ore is demonstrated. Some of the induced earthquakes coincide with large mining explosions, thus indicating a trigger mechanism. The largest earthquake, which occurred on 16 April 1989 (M(L) = 4.1) could be traced along the surface for 1200 m and observed to a depth of at least 220 m. The maximum measured displacement was 15-20 cm.