Heterogeneities of the field of short-period shear wave attenuation in the lithosphere of Central Asia and their relationship with seismicity

• Published in: Doklady earth sciences Vol. 437; no. 1; pp. 363 - 367
• Main Authors: Kopnichev, Yu. F., Sokolova, I. N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht SP MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica 01.03.2011; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analysis; Depression, Mental; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Earthquakes; Geophysics; Lithosphere; Seismic activity; Seismology; Shear strength; Wave power; Central Asia; INW, Asia; Earth Quake; DOKLADY Earth Science; Source Zone; Lateral Strike Slip; Strong Earthquake
• ISSN: 1028-334X; 1531-8354
• DOI: 10.1134/S1028334X11030044

The characteristics of the short-period shear wave attenuation field in the lithosphere of the Turanian Plate, West Tien Shan, Pamir, and Hindu Kush have been studied. The method based on analysis of the logarithm of the ratio between maximal amplitudes of Sn and Pn waves ( Sn / Pn parameter) has been applied. More than 400 records of earthquakes, obtained at distances of ∼400–1000 km from the AAK digital station, have been processed. It has been found that relatively weak attenuation is observed in the regions of the West Tien Shan and Pamir. The largest area of strong attenuation is located in the region of the Afghan-Tadjik Depression adjacent to Hindu Kush. A wide band of low Sn / Pn parameter values, stretched northeastwards, has been distinguished. Along with the analogous band of strong attenuation, distinguished before in the regions of Central Tien Shan and Dzungaria, it is the continuation of the largest Chaman Fault, which stretches 850 km along the boundary of the Indian Plate. Source zones of strong earthquakes with M ≥ 7.0 that occurred in the first half of 20th century correspond to relatively weak attenuation. Areas of high attenuation, where strong seismic events have not occurred for the last 110 years, are outlined. Analogously to other seismoactive regions, it is supposed that these areas are related to preparation of strong earthquakes.