The study analyzes correlations between the crustal seismic quality factor (Q-factor) and several geophysical parameters in the Amur Region and adjacent territories. These parameters include the age of tectonic activation, deep-layer velocity structure, released seismic energy from crustal earthquakes, depth of the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (LAB), surface heat flow, and estimated temperatures at depths of 50 and 100 km. The results indicate that the Q-factor shows a high correlation with the age of tectonic activation, S-wave velocity, and temperature; a moderate correlation with the released seismic energy; and only a weak correlation with the LAB depth and surface heat flow. Mapping the spatial variations in Q-factor correlation coefficients and the above parameters suggests that the combined effects of temperature inhomogeneity and fluid content in the upper mantle and crust most likely explain the observed patterns. The inhomogeneity may, in turn, be attributed to the influence of the Pacific subduction zone.
Merkulova et al. (Mon,) studied this question.