Seismic monitoring involves recording and analysing seismic events occurring within the territory of Estonia and surrounding areas, the causes of which may be natural (e.g. an earthquake) or anthropogenic (e.g. quarry blasts or elimination of seamines). These measurements are a part of the Estonian national environmental monitoring, but also provide material for research on seismic processes and internal structure of the Earth.
Objectives and duties of seismic monitoring
On the basis of the requirements and procedure for the completion of national environmental monitoring programme and sub-programmes, the duties of seismic monitoring are as follows:
- 1) to register and analyse regional seismic events occurring in Estonia and the surrounding areas;
- 2) to record and analyse local seismic events occurring in the territory of Estonia in order to plan or construct buildings or identify illegal blasting.
Estonian Seismic Network and seismic events during the year 2020
| Station code | Location | Geology | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARBE | Arbavere Research Centre | Quaternary sediments (sand, gravel), thickness 6 m, underlain by Ordovician carbonate rock | permanent |
| MTSE | Matsalu National Park Centre | Quaternary sediments (varved clay), thickness unknown, underlain by Silurian carbonate rock complex | permanent |
| VSU | Vasula drumlin | Quaternary sediments (60 m of till), underlain by terrigenous Devonian complex | permanent |
| EE01 | Peraküla, Nõva | Dune sand, underlain by Ordovician carbonate rock | temporary |
| EE02 | Kiisa, Saku | Ordovician carbonate rock | temporary |
| EE03 | Tooma Mire Station, Jõgeva | Soil, Quaternary sediments, underlain by Silurian carbonate rock | temporary |
| EE04 | Vaivara Sinimäed | Loamy sand, Ordovician carbonate blocks | temporary |
| EE06 | Soera, Hiiumaa | Sandy soil, underlain by Ordovician carbonate rock | temporary |
| EE07 | Piusa Caves, Orava | Devonian sandstone | temporary |
| EE08 | TalTech Särghaua Earth Science Centre, Vändra | Fluvioglacial sand, till, underlain by Silurian carbonate rock | temporary |
References
Analyst-reviewed bulletins of seismic events with detailed location and magnitude data are available on the website of the Institute of Seismology at University of Helsinki.
Global Seismic MonitorInformation about the locations of the latest earthquakes according to the GFZ Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GEOFON network. The VSU (Vasula) station is part of the GEOFON network.
Environment AgencyAnnual seismic monitoring reports and lists of seismic events are available in the KESE Environmental Monitoring Information System.
Contact
Heidi Elisabet Soosalu
Senior Geologist
