Fingerprint Identification Using Noise in the Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio: Retrieving the Impedance Contrast Structure for the Almaty Basin (Kazakhstan)

Detailed knowledge of the 3D basin structure underlying urban areas is of major importance for improving the assessment of seismic hazard and risk. However, mapping the major features of the shallow geological layers becomes expensive where large areas need to be covered. In this study, we propose an innovative tool, based mainly on single station noise recordings and the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (H/V), to identify and locate the depth of major impedance contrasts. The method is based on an identification of so-called fingerprints of the major impedance discontinuities and their migration to depth by means of an analytical procedure. The method is applied to seismic noise recordings collected in the city of Almaty (Kazakhstan). The estimated impedance contrasts vs. depth profiles are interpolated in order to derive a three-dimensional (3D) model, which after calibration with some available boreholes data allows the major tectonic features in the subsurface to be identified

Statistical analysis of the use an internal capital adequacy assessment procedure in the monitoring of banks stability

To increase the stability of the banking system, it is necessary to use effective systems of risk management and monitoring of banks. One of these systems is the internal procedure for capital adequacy assessment (IPCAA). The purpose of this study is to assess, using a statistical analysis, the impact of the IPCAA procedure on changes in the value of banks' capital adequacy ratios. Some results of monitoring data are presented on risk-weighted assets, level 1 and 2 capitals, and capital adequacy ratios (CAR) for two foreign (2008 - 2018) and three Russian banks (2014 - 2018). The study showed the direct effect of increasing the risk-weighted assets on the level of capital adequacy (CAR). The results obtained allow concluding that there is a direct significant connection between the IPCAA procedure use and the stability of banks. This procedure provides a comprehensive assessment of the overall capital adequacy of banks, taking into account the existing risks in order to maintain an adequate and stable forecast level of capital. The study also revealed the needs of banks in creating adequate structures to ensure proper management of financial and operational risks, which will simplify the IPCAA process and ensure more effective capital planning and decision-making to provide the stability of both individual banks and the entire banking system. © 2020 American Institute of Physics Inc.. All rights reserved

Catalogs of ground motion parameters for earthquake-prone regions in Kazakhstan

The catalogs of ground motion parameters for earthquake-prone regions of Kazakhstan used for modeling seismic effects in seismic hazard assessment and microzonation are presented

Seismic ground motion variations resulting from site conditions

Amplification of seismic ground motions in the territory of Almaty city is evaluated by using different methods. The pattern and probable causes of ground motion variations in different engineering-geological conditions are characterized. An expeditious application of these techniques within a complex methodical approach for Almaty city microzonation is considered

An overview on the seismic microzonation and site effect studies in Central Asia

During the past centuries, many cities in Central Asia have suffered significant damages caused by earthquakes. A crucial step towards preparedness for future events, the definition of the optimal engineering designs for civil structures and the mitigation of earthquake risks involves the accomplishment of site response studies. To accurately identify local variations of the site response at different locations within the cities, earthquakes recorded by seismic networks as well as measurements of the seismic noise can be used for estimating the resonance frequencies and for evaluating the expected level of ground motion at each site. Additionally, the measurements can help identifying site specific features like more-dimensional resonances and directional effects. This information can be complemented with array measurements of ambient seismic noise in order to estimate local shear-wave velocity profiles, an essential parameter for evaluating the dynamic properties of soil, and to characterize the corresponding sediment layers at each site. The present study gives an overview on the progressive development of the seismic zonation studies in the frame of EMCA carried out in several cities in Central Asia

Harmonizing seismicity information in Central Asian countries: earthquake catalogue and active faults

Central Asian countries, which include Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, are known to be highly exposed to natural hazards, particularly earthquakes, floods, and landslides. With the aim of enhancing financial resilience and risk-based investment, planning to promote disaster and climate resilience in Central Asia, the European Union, in collaboration with the World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), launched the Strengthening Financial Resilience and Accelerating Risk Reduction in Central Asia (SFRARR) regional programme. Within this framework, a consortium of national and international scientific institutions was established and tasked with developing a regionally consistent multi-hazard and multi-asset probabilistic risk assessment. The overall goal was to improve scientific understanding on local perils and to provide local stakeholders and governments with up-to-date tools to support risk management strategies. However, the development of a comprehensive risk model can only be done with the basis of an accurate hazard evaluation, the reliability of which depends significantly on the availability of local data and direct observations. This paper describes the preparation of the input datasets required for the implementation of a probabilistic earthquake model for the Central Asian countries. In particular, it discusses the preparation of a new regional earthquake catalogue harmonized between countries and homogenized in moment magnitude (Mw), as well as the preparation of a regional database of selected active faults with associated slip rate information to be used for the construction of the earthquake source model. The work was carried out in collaboration with experts from the local scientific community, whose contribution proved essential for the rational compilation of the two harmonized datasets.</p