Geodynamic and Meteorological Processes at the Altai Mountains and Their Possible Influence on the Population Health
The present work is interdisciplinary research. We consider the problem of earthquakes, trying to find the relationship geodynamic and meteorological processes and the impact of these processes on human health. We have studied the structure of the attenuation field in the source zone of the Altai earthquake 2003 by short-period coda. Attenuation field of the focal zone includes blocks where Q-factor value is high and linear zones characterized by strong attenuation. Surface fault rupture of the main shock lies within the strong attenuation zone. The epicenters of the main shock and two strongest aftershocks occur in the zones marked by maximally contrasting S wave attenuation in the Earth''s crust and upper mantle. We have found that sub-crustal fluid-saturated layer is characterized by high viscosity in the Altai area. This fact seems to be the reason for the relatively low level of Altai seismic activity. In this paper we also analyzed variations of atmosphere pressure in Mountain Altai in relation to the Altai severe earthquake (September 27, 2003). We found that the rhythmic structure of the pressure field variations in space (depending on the position relative to geodynamic active area), and in time. The annual rhythm in the time series of atmosphere pressure is prevailed at the periphery of the active tectonic zone. Its amplitude decreases in the zones of active faults. A few months before the Altai earthquake rhythmic structure variations of the atmospheric pressure near its focal zone has changed in time. After Altai earthquake when seismic activity decreased the proportion of periodic components in the variations of the atmospheric pressure increased. It seems there is a relationship between variations in atmospheric pressure and released seismic energy. We found that local or regional perturbations of the pressure field are followed by seismic local or regional events respectively. We found that the occurrence of a major earthquake followed by desynchronization geodynamic and atmospheric processes in a wide range of periods (from days to years). We also consider the specific features of the dynamics of series of medical indicators of the population in the Altai seismic area before and after a severe earthquake. During the geodynamic activation, under the impact of additional stressors the number of patients with high blood pressure, hypertensive crisis, stroke and myocardial infarction dramatically increases. The process of the earthquake (including aftershock period) is a stress factor of longer duration. It causes strong strain and reduces the adaptability of the organism disrupting the structure of biorhythms. We suggested that the influence of external factors to the human organism is realized through the effects to its water content by changing electromagnetic field. People''s reaction to changing external conditions varies and depends on individual ability to adapt. Individuals having a pronounced daily dynamics of physiological parameters adapt best.