Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Seismotectonic characteristics of the northern flank and axial part of the Tajik Depression (the Garm Geodynamic Research Area)

  • Published:
Izvestiya, Physics of the Solid Earth Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Detailed estimates of seismotectonic strain (STS) characteristics are obtained for the upper crust from focal mechanisms of numerous earthquakes (M ≥ 1) in the northern and axial parts of the Tajik Depression (the Garm area, Tajikistan). It is shown that, in the majority of cases, a close interrelation exists between tectonic structures and the STS type. Changes in the STS characteristics in various areas of the depression admit a reasonable geological interpretation. Based on geological, seismological, and geodetic data, a unified scheme of deformation of layered rocks of the Tajik Depression is presented. The main factor controlling the deformation process is the extrusion of the rocks in the axial part of the depression in the NNW and SSE directions (with the formation of imbricate thrusts) and in the WSW direction. The latter case is characterized by left-lateral motions in fault zones in the south of the depression (including the Darvaz fault) and by right-lateral motions in northern zones (the Peter the First Range) located from seismological data. In our opinion, such expulsion is caused mainly by an increase of the volume of layered rocks in the Tajik Depression, apparently due to deep fluids penetrating into these rocks and supplying additional mineral material. However, it is also possible that the region is influenced, to an extent, by the general subhorizontal N-S compression associated with the convergence of the Indian and Eurasian lithospheric plates in accordance with the concept of plate tectonics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. A. M. Babaev, “Major Faults in Tajikistan and Their Systematics,” in Geology and Geophysics of Tajikistan (Donish, Dushanbe, 1989), Vol. 2, pp. 33–52 [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ya. A. Bekker, “Muksu Overthrust in the Peter the First and Zaalaiskii Ranges,” Dokl. Akad. Nauk Tajik SSR 18(3), 42–45 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  3. V. A. Belokopytov, T. P. Guseva, A. A. Lukk, et al., “Geodynamics of the Pamirs-Tien Shan Junction Zone,” Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Ser. Geol., No. 11, 127–134 (1990).

  4. T. P. Belousov, “Recent Structural Plan and Seismicity of the Pamirs-Tine Shan Junction Zone in the Framework of Plate Tectonics,” in Problems of Engineering Seismology (1991), Vol. 32, 126–136.

    Google Scholar 

  5. T. P. Belousov, S. F. Kurtasov, and Sh. A. Mukhamediev, Divisibility of the Earth’s Crust and Paleostresses in Seismically Active and Oil-and-Gas Bearing Regions of the Earth (OIFZ RAN, Moscow, 1997) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  6. V. V. Belousov, Structural Geology (MGU, Moscow, 1986) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  7. Differentiation of Stratified and Intrusive Rocks in Tajikistan (Donish, Dushanbe, 1976) [in Russian].

  8. I. P. Dobrovolskii and V. I. Shevchenko, “On the Origin of Subhorizontal Compressive Stresses and Deformations in a Mobile Belt,” Fiz. Zemli, No. 2, 46–49 (2006) [Izvestiya, Phys. Solid Earth 42 (2), 132–135 (2006)].

  9. M. A. Goncharov, V. G. Talitskii, and N. S. Frolova, Introduction to Tectonophysics (Knizhnyi Dom, Moscow, 2005) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  10. G. P. Gorshkov, Regional Seismotectonics of the Southern USSR (Nauka, Moscow, 1984) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  11. I. E. Gubin, Regular Seismicity Patterns in Tajikistan (Akad. Nauk SSSR, Moscow, 1960) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  12. T. V. Guseva, Recent Crustal Movements in the Transitional Zone between the Pamirs and Tien Shan (IFZ AN SSSR, Moscow, 1986) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  13. T. V. Guseva, A. A. Lukk, A. K. Pevnev, et al., “Geodynamics of the Garm Research Area in Tajikistan,” Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Fiz. Zemli, No. 7, 10–26 (1983).

  14. T. V. Guseva, A. A. Lukk, Yu. A. Trapeznikov, and V. I. Shevchenko, “Geodynamics of the Garm Research Area (Tajikistan) from Optical Range Finder Observations,” Geotektonika, No. 3, 47–54 (1993).

  15. M. V. Gzovskii, V. N. Krestnikov, and G. I. Reisner, “Comparison of Tectonics with Seismicity in the Garm Area, Tajik SSR. Part 1,” Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Ser. Geofiz., No. 8, 959–976 (1958).

  16. V. N. Krestnikov, Development of Oscillatory Crustal Movements in the Pamirs and Asian Adjacent Regions (Akad. Nauk SSSR, Moscow, 1962) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  17. V. N. Krestnikov and I. L. Nersesov, “Tectonic Structure of the Pamirs and Tien Shan and Its Relation to the Moho,” Sov. Geol., No. 11, 36–69 (1962).

  18. V. N. Krestnikov, I. L. Nersesov, and D. V. Shtange, “Quaternary Tectonics and Deep Structure of the Pamirs and Tien Shan,” Sov. Geol., No. 2, 78–96 (1980).

  19. V. K. Kuchai, Zonal Orogenesis and Seismicity (Nauka, Moscow, 1981) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  20. V. K. Kuchai, “Transformation of Tectonic Movements,” Geotektonika, No. 3, 3–14 (1983).

  21. K. M. Larson, J. T. Freymueller, and S. Philipsen, “Global Plate Velocities from Global Positioning System,” J. Geophys. Res. 102(B5), 9961–9981 (1997).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. N. N. Leonov, Tectonics and Seismicity of the Pamirs-Alai Zone (Akad. Nauk SSSR, Moscow, 1961) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  23. A. A. Lukk, “Spatial-Temporal Sequences of Weak Earthquakes in the Garm Area,” Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Fiz. Zemli, No. 2, 25–37 (1978).

  24. A. A. Lukk and S. L. Yunga, “Seismotectonic Deformations in the Garm Area,” Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Fiz. Zemli, No. 10, 24–43 (1979).

  25. A. A. Lukk and V. I. Shevchenko, “Crustal Deformation Pattern of Garm Area (Tajikistan) from Geological Evidence and Seismological Data,” Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Fiz. Zemli, No. 7, 16–33 (1986).

  26. A. A. Lukk and V. I. Shevchenko, “Geodynamics of the Garm Test Area in Tadjikistan and the Convergence of the Eurasian and Indian Lithospheric Plates,” J. Geodyn. 9, 239–246 (1988).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. A. A. Lukk and S. L. Yunga, Geodynamics and Stress-Strain State of the Lithosphere in Central Asia (Donish, Dushanbe, 1988) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  28. A. A. Lukk and V. I. Shevchenko, “Stress-Strain State of the Upper Crust in the Garm Research Area (Tajikistan),” Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR 306(2), 317–321 (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  29. A. A. Lukk, S. L. Yunga, V. I. Shevchenko, and M. W. Hamburger, “Earthquake Focal Mechanisms, Deformation States, and Seismotectonics of the Pamirs-Tien Shan Region, Central Asia,” J. Geophys. Res. 100(B10), 20 321–20 343 (1995).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. A. A. Lukk, A. V. Deshcherevskii, A. Ya. Sidorin, and I. A. Sidorin, Variations in Geophysical Fields as Evidence for Deterministic Chaos in a Fractal Medium (OIFZ RAN, Moscow, 1996) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  31. A. A. Lukk and V. I. Shevchenko, “Implications of Local Tectogenesis for the Deformation of Layered Sequences in the Tajik Depression,” Fiz. Zemli, No. 11, 5–25 (2004) [Izvestiya, Phys. Solid Earth 40 (11), 897–916 (2004)].

  32. A. A. Lukk, V. G. Leonova, and V. I. Shevchenko, “Seismotectonics of the Darvaz Fault Zone (the Pamirs),” Fiz. Zemli, No. 9, 21–35 (2005) [Izvestiya, Phys. Solid Earth 41 (9), 704–717 (2005)].

  33. A. A. Lukk and V. I. Shevchenko, “Island Arcs, Deep-Sea Trenches, and Seismofocal Zones of Indonesia and the Pacific Ocean: Similarity and Distinctions,” Fiz. Zemli, No. 2, 3–38 (2008) [Izvestiya, Phys. Solid Earth 44 (2), 85–118 (2008)].

  34. New Catalog of Strong Earthquakes in the USSR from the Ancient Time through 1975, Ed. by N. V. Kondorskaya and N. V. Shebalin (Nauka, Moscow, 1977) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  35. D. N. Osokina and V. N. Fridman, “Stress Field Patterns in the Vicinity of a Strike-Slip Fault with Friction between Its Walls,” in Stress-Strain Fields in the Earth’s Crust (Nauka, Moscow, 1987), pp. 74–119 [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  36. M. T. Prilepin and V. I. Shevchenko, “Geodynamics of the Mediterranean from GPS Data,” Geotektonika, No. 6, 19–31 (2005).

  37. F. Sella, et al., “REVEL: A Model for Recent Plate Velocities from Space Geodesy,” J. Geophys. Res. 102(B5), 2081 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. V. I. Shevchenko, Origin of Horizontal Compression Structures in a Fold Zone: A Case Study of the Greater Caucasus (Nauka, Moscow, 1984) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  39. V. I. Shevchenko, “Implications of Some Processes of Lithogenesis for Tectonic Faulting under Conditions of Subhorizontal Compression,” Byull. Mosk. O-va Ispyt. Prir., Otd. Geol., No. 3 (1999).

  40. V. I. Shevchenko, I. P. Dobrovolskii, and A. A. Lukk, “The Stress-Strain State of the Lithosphere in the Aegean Sector of the Mediterranean Mobile Belt,” Fiz. Zemli, No. 12, 52–63 (2001) [Izvestiya, Phys. Solid Earth 37 (12), 1015–1025 (2001).

  41. V. I. Shevchenko, A. A. Lukk, and M. T. Prilepin, “The Sumatra Earthquake of December 26, 2004, as an Event Unrelated to the Plate-Tectonic Process in the Lithosphere,” Fiz. Zemli, No. 12, 55–76 (2006) [Izvestiya, Phys. Solid Earth 42 (12), 1018–1037 (2006)].

  42. V. I. Shevchenko, A. A. Lukk, and M. T. Prilepin, “Autonomous and Plate-Tectonic Geodynamics of the Alpine-Himalayan Mobile Belt,” in Fundamental Problems in Geotectonics. Proc. XL Tectonic Conference (Moscow, 2007), Vol. 2, pp. 359–362 [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  43. SOPAC Refined Velocities (mm/yr). Most Recent Available Epoch for Each Site (http://sopac.ucsd.edu/cgibin/refinedModelVelocities.cgi).

  44. V. G. Trifonov, “General Features and Distinctions of Recent Geodynamics on Continents,” in Geodynamics and Development of the Tectonosphere (Nauka, Moscow, 1991), pp. 144–160 [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  45. V. I. Ulomov, “Implication of Horizontal Tectonic Movements for Seismogeodynamics and Seismic Hazard Prediction,” Fiz. Zemli, No. 9, 14–30 (2004) [Izvestiya, Phys. Solid Earth 40 (9), 710–724 (2004)].

  46. S. L. Yunga, Methods and Results of Study of Seismotectonic Deformations (Nauka, Moscow, 1990) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  47. S. A. Zakharov, Genesis of Folded Blankets (Donish, Dushanbe, 1979) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  48. A. V. Zubovich, V. I. Makarov, S. I. Kuzikov, et al., “Intracontinental Orogeny in Central Asia from Satellite Geodetic Data,” Geotektonika, No. 1, 16–29 (2007).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth (IPE), Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Bol’shaya Gruzinskaya ul. 10, Moscow, 123995, Russia

    A. A. Lukk, V. G. Leonova & V. I. Shevchenko

Authors
  1. A. A. Lukk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. V. G. Leonova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. V. I. Shevchenko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Original Russian Text © A.A. Lukk, V.G. Leonova, V.I. Shevchenko, 2008, published in Fizika Zemli, 2008, No. 12, pp. 24–64.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lukk, A.A., Leonova, V.G. & Shevchenko, V.I. Seismotectonic characteristics of the northern flank and axial part of the Tajik Depression (the Garm Geodynamic Research Area). Izv., Phys. Solid Earth 44, 965–1001 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1069351308120021

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1069351308120021

PACS numbers

Search

Navigation