Characteristics of Spitak earthquake

Abstract

Parameters of Spitak earthquake (December 7th, 1988) obtained according to the universally recognized theory of seismic events are compared to the results of the analysis of earthquake dynamics based on the impact model (impact occurs due to the rock body shift). Earth crust is presented as a system formed by gravity field, which consists of geological massive bodies resting on each other and holding weight of the rocks located above. Due to the rupture of the supporting base, a block of rocks shifts. When it decelerates, a seismic emission occurs and a momentum obtained during block’s movement propagates. We propose a nomographic chart for evaluation of dynamic parameters, such as shifted mass, momentum, pressure of the wave front. The magnitude of a seismic event has dimension of the momentum. The earthquake intensity has dimension of pressure.