National Science Foundation Workshop
December 9-12, 2004
Stanford University, Stanford CA

Application of Himalayan extrusion models and evolution of the central Asia and the Sea of Okhotsk

Main Authors:

Brian Darby
Kaz Fujita
Jeremy Hourigan
Cari Johnson
Kevin Mackey
Boris Natal’in
Brad Ritts,
Laura Webb

Scientific Rationale:

Where are the active and/or Cenozoic faults in central Asia and northeast Russia? How do they connect to one another in time and space? How are active tectonics in this region related to far-field effects of Himalayan collision?

1. Examining role of inherited lithospheric and mantle structures in controlling fault distribution and strain partitioning.
2. Geographic distribution and linkages between fault systems.
3. Investigating temporal variations in slip history along major faults.
4. Field tests of sense of motion predicted by seismicity.

Broader Impact:

• Seismic Hazards.
• Economic interests: ore deposits and petroleum systems.
• Active laboratory for processes of continental deformation.
• How far is far in far field effects?

Approaches:

• Data Sets:
• Seismicity: Siberia—additional monitoring stations needed to assess the reality of apparent seismic gaps. Mongolia—100 year record of seismicity exists but data need to be acquired. China—difficulty accessing data from existing networks.
• GPS: as above, assess existing databases, accessibility, and need for new stations.
• Remote sensing/GIS/imaging data: DEM, Landsat imagery for regional correlation and mapping.
• Geologic data: field mapping, fault slip data, geochronology, offset features and piercing points, sedimentary basin studies.
• Personnel, ongoing research, and possible collaborators:
• Webb and Johnson: slip history of East Gobi fault zone.
• Darby and Ritts: Cenozoic faulting NE of Qilian Shan (extension of left-lateral slip NE of Altyn Tagh fault).
• Mackey, Fujita: Active seismicity and deformation. Existing networks and new stations.
• Other possible participants: Valery Imaev, Rudolph Semenov (Institute of the Earth’s Crust, Irkutsk), Boris Koz’min ( Institute of Diamonds and Precious Meta,l Geology, Yakutsk), Sergei Rodionov (contact at Institute of Tectonics and Geophysics, Khabarovsk)