The latest issue of the scientific journal The Russian Journal of Seismology has been published has been published – Vol. 8, No. 3. The issue covers a wide range of topics in modern seismology, from the analysis of global and regional seismicity and the development of observation systems to studies of the deep structure of the Earth’s crust and individual natural and anthropogenic seismic events. The authors of the papers represent scientific organizations from Obninsk, Perm, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, reflecting the broad geographical coverage of the research presented in the issue.

The issue opens with a review article by Yu.A. Vinogradov, M.I. Ryzhikova, N.V. Petrova, M.V. Kolomiets (GS RAS, Obninsk) “Global earthquakes in the 2026 first half according to the GS RAS”. The paper presents an overview of global seismicity during the first six months of 2026 for earthquakes with mb(MS)≥6.0 and considers earthquakes felt in Russia based on data from the Rapid Reports Service of the GS RAS. A total of 86 earthquakes of this magnitude level were recorded during the period. The authors provide information on the parameters of the strongest events, their focal mechanisms, and macroseismic effects. The strongest earthquake occurred on June 7 off the southern coast of Mindanao, Philippines, with MS=7.9 (Mw=7.8). The most severe consequences were associated with two events on June 24 in northern Venezuela. In Russia, the most strongly felt event occurred on March 17 in the Magadan Region, with mb=5.0 and an intensity of 6 in Magadan and Uptar.

The topic of long-term seismological monitoring is addressed in the paper by S.L. Senyukov, S.Ya. Droznina, D.V. Droznin, D.V. Chebrov (KB GS RAS, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky) “15 years of the operational-final regional earthquake catalog of Kamchatka and the Commander Islands (2010–2024)”. The authors describe the transition to the operational compilation of the final regional catalogue following the modernization of the observation network and the development of a digital platform for data collection, storage, and analysis. During 2010–2024, parameters were determined for 103,263 earthquakes within the energy range covered by the catalogue, including 100,942 events located within the area of responsibility of the Kamchatka Branch of GS RAS.

Under conditions of high anthropogenic activity, a study was conducted to assess the capabilities of a temporary seismological observation point. The paper by M.N. Voskresenskiy and E.A. Kosorotova (IGF UB RAS, Yekaterinburg) “Establishment of a temporary seismological observation station under conditions of elevated anthropogenic activity” presents the results of four months of observations in Yekaterinburg using a borehole seismometer. Of the 123 recorded events, 55 were confirmed by the existing catalogue, while 68 had not previously been recorded. The results showed that placing the sensor in a borehole makes it possible to detect weak events under conditions of significant anthropogenic noise and can be used for seismic monitoring in industrial cities and mining areas.

The next paper focuses on the Gorlovskaya Basin in the Novosibirsk Region, where increased seismic activity has been observed in recent years. In the paper by N.N. Nevedrova, S.M. Babushkin and A.M. Sanchaa (INGG SB RAS and SEB GS RAS, Novosibirsk) “The structure of the Gorlovkaya depression in the zone of seismic activation according to transient electromagnetic data” the authors investigate the structure of the area around active coal mines. Transient electromagnetic sounding data were used to refine the geological structure and identify fault zones associated with seismic activation. The resulting geoelectric models made it possible to identify areas with fault-related structures that are promising for further monitoring of the developing seismicity.

The deep structure of another region is addressed in the paper by M.A. Khritova and E.A. Kobeleva (BB GS RAS and IEK SB RAS, Irkutsk) “Preliminary results of the deep velocity structure of Transbaikalia using the method of P-wave receiver functions”. Based on data from two seismic stations of the Baikal Branch of GS RAS, the authors constructed velocity models of the crust and upper mantle of Transbaikalia. The models reveal a sedimentary layer, an intracrustal low-velocity layer, and a sharp boundary at a depth of about 42 km. A low-velocity layer at depths of approximately 120–230 km was identified in the upper mantle and is likely associated with the asthenosphere.

Two felt earthquakes in the Tymovsky District of Sakhalin Region are considered in the paper by N.V. Kostyleva, A.S. Zakupin and D.V. Kostylev (IMGG FEB RAS and SB GS RAS, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk) “Earthquakes felt on November 6, 2025 (ML=5.2) and February 10, 2026 (ML=4.5) on Sakhalin Island (Tymovsky district)”. Instrumental and macroseismic data are presented for the November 2025 and February 2026 events, their source parameters are determined, and their focal mechanisms are constructed. The first earthquake was felt in populated areas with intensities of 2–6, while the second was felt with intensities of 2–5. During the month following the February event, 18 additional earthquakes with ML=0.9–3.6 were recorded.

Another paper in the issue addresses anthropogenic seismicity. The paper by F.G. Verkholantsev, N.N. Noskova, D.Yu. Shulakov and S.V. Glotov (GS RAS, Perm and Obninsk; GI UB RAS, Perm; SUBR JSC, Severouralsk) “Seismic events on May 5, 2026, with mb=4.4 and mb=4.6 in the Northern Urals (Severouralsk)” investigates two events that occurred near Severouralsk on May 5, 25 minutes apart. The authors determined their instrumental and macroseismic parameters and showed that the events were associated with anthropogenic activity at the Novo-Kalinskaya Mine of the Northern Ural Bauxite Mine. For both events, Mw values were calculated from source spectra for the first time for the Ural region.

The issue concludes with a paper by I.N. Sokolova, I.P. Gabsatarova, A.S. Zvereva and A.I. Klyanchin (GS RAS, Obninsk) “The West Crimean (Sevastopol) earthquake of June 22, 2026”. The authors investigate a series of earthquakes that occurred from June 22 to July 3, 2026, in the southern shelf zone of the Crimean Peninsula. For the strongest event, which occurred on June 22 with Mw=4.0, the source parameters and focal mechanism were determined using data from 40 seismic stations, and spectral characteristics were calculated. The spatial relationship of the earthquake sources to the West Crimean Fault and identified seismicity structures is considered. The paper also presents the authors’ assessment of the possibility that an earthquake with Mw=6.7±0.4 could be prepared in the area where these structures converge during the period 2031–2039.

Thus, the third issue of Volume 8 brings together studies addressing various aspects of seismological observations and analysis, from the operational study of strong earthquakes and the compilation of regional catalogues to investigations of weak and anthropogenic seismicity, the deep structure of the Earth’s crust, and individual seismic events.