Deep Structure and Folded-Block Structure of the Garhwal Himalayas (India): Results of Integrated Geological and Geophysical Study

Geotectonics - The geological and geophysical study of the representative segment of the Alpine-Himalayan mobile belt—the Central zone of the Garhwal Himalaya—was conducted. The results...     

Source zones of strong earthquakes in southern Yakutia as inferred from paleoseismogeological data

Investigations aimed at revealing traces of recent tectonic activity in geological fault zones were carried out in 2006 in the territory of southern Yakutia and the Amur region in connection with works on detailed seismic zoning of the route of the East Siberia-Pacific Ocean oil pipeline. In addition to geological-geomorphological and geophysical studies, the complex investigations included paleoseismogeological studies and were accompanied by the driving of mine workings through topographic forms that could be associated with zones of active tectonic disturbances. This approach made it possible to substantially refine the available information on seismotectonics and the potential seismic hazard of the region.     

Paleoseismogeological Investigations in a “Seismic Gap” in the Northwest Caucasus Compared to the West Himalayan Region

In this article we have compared the results of seismotectonic and paleoseismogeologic investigations for representative segments of the two fold systems of the Alpine-Himalayan mobile belt (in the North- west Caucasus and West Himalayas). It has been found that during the previously identified “seismic gaps,” in both cases, we are dealing with primary dislocations (seismic ruptures) of ancient historical and prehistoric strong earthquakes. According to estimations, the magnitude of one-act seismogenic displacements in the first region was about 6.5-7.0 m, and the recurrence period ranges from 500 to 1500 years on average. In the West Himalayas, the overthrust displacements along the ruptures were 6-7 m, which corresponds to an 8.0-magnitude earthquake. At the same time, the recurrence period of strong earthquakes during a seismic gap in the Himalayas was 500-1000 years, which is similar to that in the Caucasus. The data collected also demonstrate the correct preliminary estimation of the seismic potential of zones of seismic quiescence in both the studied fold systems.     

堪察加地区现今地壳运动与变形特征研究

利用俄罗斯堪察加地区1995～2005年的GPS观测数据,研究了该区现今地壳水平运动速度场特征.在球坐标系中解算了各应变率分量,分析了应变率场的空间分布特征,并与地震学和地质学研究结果进行了综合对比分析.结果表明,堪察加半岛北部的微板块边界并不明显,堪察加南部测站运动速度大于中部和北部地区,愈靠近东部板块汇聚区,测站速度越大.从东海岸到西海岸,测站水平速度存在明显的梯度衰减特征,水平运动方向与太平洋板块向西北的俯冲方向基本一致.各应变率分量具有东部海岸大于中部和西海岸、从东至西呈梯度衰减的特点.堪察加大部分地区处于EW和NS向压缩状态,局部存在拉张.面应变率结果显示绝大部分为压缩区;刚性转动结果表明大部分地区表现为顺时针转动,北部地区和南端顺时针旋转性明显.东部有效应变率明显大于西部地区,东西向梯度衰减关系明显.主压应变率明显大于主张应变率,特别是在东海岸地区.主压应变率方向与中等以上地震的主压应力轴在水平方向的投影方向基本一致.地壳变形场在空间分布上的不一致性主要与太平洋板块在堪察加半岛东南侧的俯冲深度、俯冲方位角、俯冲倾角和俯冲带的耦合强度有关.     

Strong Medieval Earthquake in the Northern Issyk-Kul Lake Region (Tien Shan): Results of Paleoseismological and Archeoseismological Studies

A number of archeological monuments in the northern Issyk-Kul Lake region (Tien Shan) in the basins of the Chet-Koysuu and Chon-Koysuu rivers are studied. All monuments have undergone significant seismogenic deformations and destructions. A cromlech (7th century BC to 8th centuries AD) was displaced along the sinistral strike-slip fault. A kurgan (7th–13th centuries AD) was deformed in a front of the reverse fault scarp. A fortress (14th–15th centuries AD) was submerged beneath the lake water during the catastrophic subsidence of the coastal zone. We identify a zone of the seismogenic rupture. It is located along the Kultor border fault, which separates the Issyk-Kul depression and its surrounding mountains (Kungey Ala-Too Range). During the earthquake, the seismogenic reverse fault scarp was formed. A total of 1.6 m was offset along the rupture, which corresponds to an earthquake with М _S ≥ 7 and seismic intensity of I ₀ ≥ IX. Judging by numerous radiocarbon datings of submerged wood, which was used in building the fortress (end of 14th to the beginning of 15th centuries AD), the earthquake occurred in the 16th century AD and could have caused the decline of the Mogul civilization in the northern Issyk-Kul Lake region.     

Observations of Modern Crustal Deformations in Moscow Using Global Navigation Satellite Systems

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - This article presents the results of processing observations of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) at satellite-geodetic stations located in...     

Recurrence of strong earthquakes in the active Hovd Fault Zone, Mongolian Altay

A geological, geomorphic, and paleoseismological study of paleoseismodislocation systems has been carried out. Numerous indications of prehistoric strong earthquakes expressed in sediments deposited in the fault-line region due to the formation of transient barrier lakes were revealed in the active Hovd Fault Zone on the eastern slope of the Mongolian Altay during a paleoseismological study of young near-surface sediments in trenches and dug pits. The paleosoils buried by these sediments were radiocarbon-dated. It has been established that the strongest earthquakes with magnitudes of ～8, which took place here 7200, 6600, 1500, and later than 700 years ago, substantially changed the topography in the epicentral zone. By analogy with the results of paleoseismological investigations performed in the Gorny Altay and the western Mongolian Altay, the data obtained shed light on the recurrence of the strongest seismic events in the Great Altay.     

Complex geological-geophysical study of active faults in the Sochi-Krasnaya Polyana region

The combined geological, geomorphologic, and geophysical study has significantly ascertained the spatial location of main seismogenerating structures in the region of Sochi. The research, which is aimed at identifying and thoroughly exploring all active faults in this area, was conducted in 2007–2009 in the territory between Adler and Krasnaya Polyana. It is found that the Monastyrskii and Krasnopolyanskii faults are the most important structures for seismic hazard assessment. Dramatic deformations of young deposits and prominent landforms are revealed, and seismogravitational features associated with these units are identified.     

The August 19, 2018 (M W = 8.2) Strong Deep Earthquake West off the Tonga Islands in the Context of Developing Our Concepts of Deep Earthquakes

Izvestiya, Physics of the Solid Earth - Abstract—One of the strongest deep earthquakes that occurred on August 18, 2018, MW = 8.2, h = 600 km off the Tonga Islands is analyzed. This...