A set of seismic monitoring instruments will be installed inside the Taurida cave to track ground vibrations, as announced by the Russian Geographical Society.
Taurida is an enlarged karst cave situated near the village of Zuya in Crimea’s central region. It was most recently opened in 2018 during road improvements. In the cave, researchers uncovered remains of ancient animals, including bones from a giant predatory hyena known as pachycrocuta, a mastodon, saber-toothed cats, and Dmanis ostriches. The site is now planned to host an antenna complex that blends GPS and GLONASS technologies to help forecast potential earthquakes at this natural monument.
Crimea lies in a seismically active zone where the Black Sea Plate interacts with the Crimean mountain range. Historical records and ancient sources indicate strong earthquakes in the region, with significant events documented in the 20th century, including the Great Crimean earthquakes of 1927. One of those quakes, in September, reached a magnitude described as formidable and caused extensive damage. These historical tremors underscore the importance of ongoing seismic observation for the peninsula and its surroundings.
The move to monitor seismic activity in this area aligns with the geological context. The proposed GPS-based antenna network will function as trackers, enabling scientists to detect minute shifts in the lithospheric plates. Seismologists note that the neighboring Taman Peninsula, adjacent to Crimea, has long been influenced by pressure from the southern Black Sea Plate and is gradually adjusting its northeastward motion toward the mainland in the north.
Ancient biologists observed unconventional developments in energy storage, with artificial fat produced for test-tube meat experiments. [Citation: Russian Geographical Society, regional science centers.]