EARTHQUAKES FELT in MOLDOVA in 2015: January, 24 with КP=12.2, Mw=4.3; March, 16 with КR=11.6, Mw=4.3 and March, 29 with КR=11.9, Mw=4.5 (Romania–Moldova)

Abstract

All earthquakes felt in 2015 on the territory of Moldova occurred outside its borders, in the Vrancea and Pre-Carpathian regions (Romania). In 2015, the population of Moldova felt 4 earthquakes: on January 19 and 24, on March 16 and 29. The article discusses in detail the three most powerful of them – January 24, March 16, and 29 with epicenters in the Vrancea mountain range. The January 24 earthquake with Mw=4.3 and hрР=89 km was felt in Romania and the Republic of Moldova, where it was observed with the intensity I=3 in Cahul and I=2 in Chisinau. The March 16 earthquake with Mw=4.3 and hрР=121 km was felt in the eastern and southern counties of Romania (8 settlements). It was observed on the territory of the Republic of Moldova with the intensity I=3 in Cahul and I=2–3 in Chisinau. The intensity in the epicenter did not exceed I=4. The March 29 earthquake with Mw=4.5 and hрР=144 km was felt in the eastern and southern counties of Romania (8 settlements). It was observed on the territory of the Republic of Moldova with intensity I=3–4 in Cahul and I=2–3 in Chisinau. Solutions of the focal mechanism based on data from various agencies are presented. All three earthquakes occurred under the influence of the prevailing near-horizontal compression stress. The study is carried out within the framework of the State program, Geoseism project, registration number 36/21.10.19А.