EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Leith & Simpson 1986
Leith, W. and Simpson, D.W. (1986). Earthquakes related to active salt doming near Kulyab, Tadjikistan, USSR. Geophysical Research Letters 13: doi: 10.1029/GL013i010p01019. issn: 0094-8276.

In the region near Kulyab, Tadjikistan, hundreds of shallow earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 21/2 have been reported in Soviet yearly catalogs since 1964. This area appears as a well-defined cluster of activity, distant from the line of epicenters that defines the Gissar-Kokshal seismic zone, to the north of the Pamir ranges. The geology of this region is dominated by the presence of numerous salt domes, surrounded by Neogene and Quaternary continental deposits. The spatial relationship between these earthquakes and the salt domes suggests that the two phenomena may be related. Moderate earthquakes (M>5) occurred in 1972 and 1973, and intensities of surface shaking greater than MM=6 were reported from earthquakes 1937, 1952, 1969, 1972, 1973, and 1978. The earthquake on 2 April 1973 and its aftershocks were located in a region where no salt domes have been mapped at the surface. However, a buried salt daipir has been mapped at depth by geophysical means. These earthquakes may result from active salt diapirism at depth. The mechanism for producing this seismicity could be either the active fracturing of the cap rock by the rising diapir, or the concentration of tectonic stresses in the thinned section above and adjacent to the diapir. The salt-related earthquakes may produce lower frequency radiation than other events of the same size.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit