Seismotectonic evidence for subduction beneath the Eastern Greater Caucasus

Gunnels, Michael; Yetrimishli, Gurban; Kazimova, Sabina; Sandvol, Eric

doi:10.1093/gji/ggaa522

Seismotectonic evidence for subduction beneath the Eastern Greater Caucasus

Journal Article · Thu Nov 05 00:00:00 EST 2020 · Geophysical Journal International

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggaa522· OSTI ID:1737681

Gunnels, Michael ^[1]; Yetrimishli, Gurban ^[2]; ^[2]; Sandvol, Eric ^[1]

Department of Geological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Azerbaijan, 25 Nigar Rafibeyli Str. AZ1001, Baku

SUMMARY

We generated high-resolution 3-D seismic velocity models as well as a relocated earthquake catalogue across the eastern Greater Caucasus and Kura basins. This work was done using data from the recently upgraded Republic Seismological Survey Center's (RSSC) seismic network. We generated our tomographic images of crustal velocity structure in Azerbaijan using double-difference inversions (i.e. tomoDD and hypoDD). Earthquake catalogues from the RSSC between 2011 and 2016 were used; these catalogues include absolute arrival times of 103 288 P- and 120 952 S-wave traveltime picks for 7574 events recorded at 35 stations in Azerbaijan. Beginning with a layered, 1-D velocity model that was estimated using VELEST, we inverted simultaneously for relative location, Vp and Vs on a 3-D grid with dimensions 670 × 445 × 45 km, with a uniform grid spacing of 55 × 55 × 5 km for all of Azerbaijan. We observe that the relocated hypocentres cluster into two depth ranges, at the surface and at depth, that appear to correspond to major fault zones and the top of a subducting plate. Additionally, we note intermediate depth seismicity (∼50–60 km) beneath the Kura Basin, and a northward deepening of earthquake depths. Seismic velocities vary significantly throughout the study region; we observe very slow velocities throughout the Kura Basin between 5 and 15 km, and elevated velocities at 20–35 km. The wholesale velocity structure and seismic structure of Kura Basin strongly mirrors that of the Caspian Sea, which suggests that the geodynamics of the Caspian continue westwards into Azerbaijan. The key results of this study suggest that the northward subduction observed in the Caspian Sea continues beneath the Eastern Greater Caucasus, as well as provides evidence for active faulting along the southern margin of the mountain range.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

OSTI ID:: 1737681

Journal Information:: Geophysical Journal International, Journal Name: Geophysical Journal International Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 224; ISSN 0956-540X

Publisher:: Oxford University PressCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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