The Balei earthquake of 6 January 2006 (Mw = 4.5): a rare case of seismic activity in eastern Transbaikalia

The Balei earthquake of 6 January 2006 (Mw = 4.5) was felt over a large part of Transbaikalia. Judging by its updated source parameters (earthquake mechanism, seismic moment, and moment magnitude), the event was generated by the Balei–Darasun fault reactivated in the Cenozoic. Exhaustive macroseismic evidence has been collected for the first time from the study area. The reported results fill up the gap in the seismological knowledge of eastern Transbaikalia and can be used for seismic risk mapping and earthquake prediction.