TIPTIMON / MT: GFZ

Magnetotellurics in the Tian Shan and Pamir

In series of geophysical experiments we investigate the deep structures and related geodynamic processes in the Tian Shan and Pamir

Tian Shan - Pamir Monitoring Program (TIPTIMON)

3D crustal geometry of the Darvaz fault system – assessing its role in the India–Asia collision

The Tian Shan - Pamir Monitoring Program (TIPTIMON) is a cross-disciplinary project that comprises long-term monitoring of geodynamics and climate in the Central Asian states Kyrgyzstan, Tadjikistan, and Uzbekistan. The monitoring seeks to quantify geologic processes like deformation, erosion, and sedimentation as well as their rates, interactions with climate factors, and hazard potential for human habitats.

The aim of the magnetotelluric part within TIPTIMON is to understand the 3D crustal structure in the main Pamir zone, which is Asia’s most active intra-continental subduction zone outside the Himalaya. We installed around 100 MT stations in the Central Pamirs and across the Darvas Fault in summer 2013. This investigation extends the dataset recorded during 2008 and 2009 as part of the TIPAGE program.

Time frame

07/2012 - 07/2015

Funding

BMBF - Federal Ministry of Education and Research
GFZ - Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

Principal Investigator

Oliver Ritter (GFZ Potsdam)

Personnel

Walja Korolevski (GFZ Potsdam)

Cooperations

RAS Bishkek (Research Station of the Russian Academy of Sciences RAS, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan): Dr. Anatoly Rybin, Dr. Vlad Batalev, Vitalii Matiukov
Institute of Geology, Tajik Academy of Sciences, Dushanbe, Tajikistan: Prof. Dr. Lothar Ratschbacher, Prof. Dr. Richard Gloaguen
TU Freiberg: Prof. Dr. Lothar Ratschbacher, Prof. Dr. Richard Gloaguen
Universität Jena: Prof. Dr. Jonas Kley
GFZ Potsdam: Dr. Bernd Schurr (section 3.1) Dr. Xiaohui Yuan (section 2.4) Dr. James Mechie (section 2.2) Dr. Stephan Sobolev, Dr. Andrey Babeyko (section 2.5)

Methods & Equipment

SPAM 4 real-time data acquisition instruments for broad band measurements (GFZ)
Induction coils (Metronix)
Non-polarisable Ag-AgCl electrodes (GFZ)

Publications/Results

Acknowledgments

All magnetotelluric instruments are provided by the magnetotelluric component of the geophysical instrument pool (GIPP-MT).

Additional Information

CAME (BMBF Verbundprogramm WTZ Zentralasien – Monsundynamik & Geoökosysteme)

The Tien Shan - Pamir Geodynamic Program (TIPAGE)

Topographic map of Pamir and western Tien Shan with political borders (black lines) and the location of main geological structures (blue lines). Red and yellow dots indicate the location of broad band and long period MT sites, respectively. *(GFZ Potsdam)*

The Tien Shan - Pamir Geodynamic Program (TIPAGE) aims to investigate key questions of active intra-continental orogeny. It combines multiple methods like numerical geodynamic modeling, structural geology, geo-thermochronology and petrology with passive source geophysical experiments, i.e. a seismic and a magnetotelluric survey. The magnetotelluric (MT) component addresses topics such as middle crustal flow, stress relaxation due to partial melting and fluid release in continental subduction processes.

MT data were recorded in two field campaigns 2008 and 2009 along a 350 km long corridor from the Afghan border in SE-Tajikistan across the Pamir Plateau, the Alai Valley and western Tien Shan ranges to Osh in southern Kyrgyzstan. In total there are 178 MT stations with an averaged station spacing of 2 km. At most of the stations a broad period range of 6 decades (10^-3 s - 10³ s) was recorded with a recording time of 3 to 4 days. 26 stations combine broad band and long period (up to 10⁴ s) measurements. The MT data were collected in close cooperation with the Research Station of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.