According to scientists, karst sinkholes may develop in the area, including settlements
Experts of the Laverov Federal Research Center for the Comprehensive Study of the Arctic at the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences called the zone from Arkhangelsk to Kotlas the most likely territory where the number of low-amplitude earthquakes and karst sinkholes will increase. The reason may be a higher anthropogenic load, Yury Kutinov, chief researcher at the center, told TASS on Tuesday.
The scientists studied the geological characteristics of the Arkhangelsk Province and identified a zone along the border of the White Sea megablock. There are the largest industrial centers of the region - Arkhangelsk and Kotlas. The density of faults in the earth's crust, the curvature of its bending, as well as such a parameter of the modern relief as the dissection index, turned out to be so high that an increase in external load could lead to an increase in the frequency of earthquakes and activation of karst and erosion processes, they say.
“In order to activate exogenous and endogenous processes, a minimum application of external forces is required here, which is confirmed by seismic events recorded in this area and the activation of karst processes that has begun. This zone contains the main areas of anthropogenic activity in the region, including the Arkhangelsk and Kotlas urban agglomerations. Therefore, any additional anthropogenic load here is fraught with the development of dangerous natural processes, including an increase in the frequency of earthquakes and the intensification of the occurrence of karst failures, including in settlements,” the scientist specified.
They have identified specific areas prone to flooding and swamping. These conclusions were used to form maps of the geoecological zoning of the Arkhangelsk Province. These maps will ensure the sustainable development of the region, taking into account the geological features of different areas, Kutinov believes.
“This information will not only allow taking into account the influence of natural factors on the state of the environment but will also help to correctly organize the ground monitoring system. Accounting for geoecological data is necessary when planning the placement of infrastructure to reduce the risks of hazardous natural processes due to additional load,” the researcher explained.
