Crustal Structure of the Jammu and Kashmir Himalaya

 Mitra, Supriyo ;

Sharma, Swati ;
Powali, Debarchan ;
Priestley, Keith ;
Wanchoo, Sunil
Abstract

We use P-wave receiver function (P-RF) analysis of broadband teleseismic data recorded at
twenty stations spanning the Jammu-Kishtwar Himalaya, Pir Panjal Ranges, Kashmir Valley,
and Zanskar Ranges in Northwest Himalaya, to model the seismic velocity structures of the
crust and uppermost mantle. Our network extends from the Shiwalik Himalaya (S) to the
Tethyan Himalaya (N), across major Himalayan thrust systems and litho-tectonic units. We
perform depth-Vp /Vs (H-K) stacking of P-RF, common conversion point (CCP) stacking
along 2D profiles and joint inversion with surface wave dispersion data. H-K analysis reveals
increasing average crustal thickness from the foreland (∼40 km) to the hinterland (∼65 km),
with felsic- to-intermediate (Vp /Vs of 1.71-1.80) average crustal composition. In CCPs the
Indian crust Moho is marked by a large positive impedance contrast boundary, and the Main
Himalayan Thrust (MHT) by a negative phase, indicating a low velocity layer (LVL). The
underthrust Indian crust (between the MHT and Moho) has an average thickness of ∼40 km
and the Moho dips northward at ∼7-9° . Moho flexure (or possible off-set) are observed in
across-arc profiles, beneath the Shiwalik Himalaya, Higher Himalaya and the Kishtwar
window. The Moho is remarkably flat at ∼55 km beneath the Pir Panjal Ranges and the
Kashmir Valley. North of the Kishtwar window (E) and Kashmir Valley (W) the Moho dips
steeply underneath the Tethyan Himalaya/Zanskar Ranges from ∼55 km to ∼65 km. The
MHT LVL is at a depth of ∼8 km beneath the Shiwalik Himalaya, and dips gradually
northeast at ∼7-9° , to reach a depth of ∼25 km beneath the Higher Himalaya. The MHT is
marked by a frontal ramp beneath the Kishtwar window (E) and north of the Kashmir Valley
(W). The MKT, MBT and MCT are marked by LVLs which splay updip from the MHT. To
study the 3D variation of the crustal structure, we grid the region into 0.1° square grids and
jointly model the P-RFs within each grid with Rayleigh wave dispersion data, obtained from
regional tomography. The 3D models obtained from this analysis provide variations in Vs
and Moho depth. The Kashmir Valley and Zanskar Ranges are underlain by the highest
 average crustal Vs followed by the Pir-Panjal Ranges. These are also regions of the thickest
crust. The Shiwalik Himalaya is underlain by the slowest average Vs , with lateral variations
along the MKT, Reasi Thrust and the Kotli Thrust. These are also regions of thinnest crust
(~40 km). A remarkable lower Vs region extends SW-NE from Jammu to the Kishtwar
window, along the reentrants of the MHT, MBT and MCT. This marks a strong E-W lateral
variation in crustal Vs , Moho depth and a possible lateral ramp on the MHT, also highlighted
by small-to-moderate earthquake clusters.

Publication:

EGU23, the 25th EGU General Assembly, held 23-28 April, 2023 in Vienna,
Austria and Online. Online at [Link] id. EGU-16615

Pub Date:

May 2023

DOI:

10.5194/egusphere-egu23-16615

Evidence of Active Tectonic Deformation in Kishtwar Area, Jammu and

 Research Articles
Journal of the Geological Society of India

 Ahsan ul Haq,
 S. K. Pandita,
 Yudhbir Singh,
 G. M. Bhat,
 Shiv Jyoti Pandey,
 Arjun Singh,
 Mithila Verma &
 B. K. Bansal

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 9 Citations
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Abstract
Based on the interpretation of satellite data and fieldwork in Kishtwar and surrounding area
some geomorphic signatures of active tectonics which include uplifted river terraces,
palaeochannels and their causative faults have been identified. The technique used in this
study to delineate these geomorphic features includes the generation of digital elevation
model (DEM), hillshaded images and anaglyphs from high resolution satellite data Cartosat-
1. The anaglyphs and hill-shaded images helped to identify the fault scarp and palaeochannel
of Chenab river. The ground truth further confirmed the displacement in the Quaternary river
terraces lying along these faults. The presence of Quaternary fluvial sediments throughout the
palaeochannel of Chenab river and the presence of wind-gap further confirmed that the river
was once flowing from this area and shifted toward west in the recent geological past. Based
on the geological evidences the present study leads to identification of a N-S striking fault
which is represented by a >10 km fault scarp where the fluvial and lacustrine sediments are
uplifted upto an elevation of 350–400 m from present river bed and another E-W striking
fault that caused upliftment in river terraces and shifting of the river channel. These faults
show clear evidence of active tectonics indicated by the displacement and deformation in the
river terraces. Beside the geomorphological and geological evidences the seismic data of last
three years obtained from the seismic observatories installed in this area ascertained the
active nature of this area.