Spatial clustering of seismic activity in open-pit boundary zone (case study of the Zhelezny mine, Kovdor)
The article presents the results of solving a problem of classification and identification of origin of local seismic events observed in open-pit boundary area of the Zhelezny mine (Kovdor) by using a method of hierarchical cluster analysis. Seismic events registered in the Zhelezny mine have been analyzed by hierarchical cluster analysis. It has been confirmed that the clusters of the seismic events are concentrated in two zones of the open-pit: in the bottom area and in the eastern part. The clusters' location at the eastern part coincides with an existing zone of structural disturbances. Based on modeling the focal mechanisms of the seismic events in the selected clusters we can say that disturbances occurred in the form of faults oriented to the dip. The information given is of interest for the specialists dealing with geophysical control for geological media state under mad-made impacts and geomechanics of open and underground mining operations.