Modelling of crustal composition and Moho depths and their Implications toward seismogenesis in the Kumaon–Garhwal Himalaya

Abstract We image the lateral variations in the Moho depths and average crustal composition across the Kumaon–Garhwal (KG) Himalaya, through the H–K stacking of 1400 radial PRFs from 42 three-component broadband stations. The modelled Moho depth, average crustal Vp/Vs, and Poisson’s ratio estimates...

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Main Authors: Prantik Mandal, D. Srinivas, G. Suresh, D. Srinagesh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2021-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93469-1
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author Prantik Mandal
D. Srinivas
G. Suresh
D. Srinagesh
author_facet Prantik Mandal
D. Srinivas
G. Suresh
D. Srinagesh
author_sort Prantik Mandal
collection DOAJ
description Abstract We image the lateral variations in the Moho depths and average crustal composition across the Kumaon–Garhwal (KG) Himalaya, through the H–K stacking of 1400 radial PRFs from 42 three-component broadband stations. The modelled Moho depth, average crustal Vp/Vs, and Poisson’s ratio estimates vary from 28.3 to 52.9 km, 1.59 to 2.13 and 0.17 to 0.36, respectively, in the KG Himalaya. We map three NS to NNE trending transverse zones of significant thinning of mafic crust, which are interspaced by zones of thickening of felsic crust. These mapped transverse zones bend toward the north to form a NE dipping zone of maximum changes in Moho depths, below the region between Munsiari and Vaikrita thrusts. The 1991 Mw6.6 Uttarakashi and 1999 Mw6.4 Chamoli earthquakes have occurred on the main Himalayan thrust (MHT), lying just above the mapped zone of maximum changes in Moho depths. Modelled large values of average crustal Vp/Vs (> 1.85) could be attributed to the high fluid (metamorphic fluids) pressure associated with the mid-crustal MHT. Additionally, the serpentinization of the lowermost crust resulted from the continent–continent Himalayan collision process could also contribute to the increase of the average crustal Vp/Vs ratio in the region.
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spelling doaj.art-133fd2b0f03f42c69cf02bacc39219da2022-12-21T21:20:42ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222021-07-0111111310.1038/s41598-021-93469-1Modelling of crustal composition and Moho depths and their Implications toward seismogenesis in the Kumaon–Garhwal HimalayaPrantik Mandal0D. Srinivas1G. Suresh2D. Srinagesh3CSIR-National Geophysical Research InstituteCSIR-National Geophysical Research InstituteCSIR-National Geophysical Research InstituteCSIR-National Geophysical Research InstituteAbstract We image the lateral variations in the Moho depths and average crustal composition across the Kumaon–Garhwal (KG) Himalaya, through the H–K stacking of 1400 radial PRFs from 42 three-component broadband stations. The modelled Moho depth, average crustal Vp/Vs, and Poisson’s ratio estimates vary from 28.3 to 52.9 km, 1.59 to 2.13 and 0.17 to 0.36, respectively, in the KG Himalaya. We map three NS to NNE trending transverse zones of significant thinning of mafic crust, which are interspaced by zones of thickening of felsic crust. These mapped transverse zones bend toward the north to form a NE dipping zone of maximum changes in Moho depths, below the region between Munsiari and Vaikrita thrusts. The 1991 Mw6.6 Uttarakashi and 1999 Mw6.4 Chamoli earthquakes have occurred on the main Himalayan thrust (MHT), lying just above the mapped zone of maximum changes in Moho depths. Modelled large values of average crustal Vp/Vs (> 1.85) could be attributed to the high fluid (metamorphic fluids) pressure associated with the mid-crustal MHT. Additionally, the serpentinization of the lowermost crust resulted from the continent–continent Himalayan collision process could also contribute to the increase of the average crustal Vp/Vs ratio in the region.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93469-1
spellingShingle Prantik Mandal
D. Srinivas
G. Suresh
D. Srinagesh
Modelling of crustal composition and Moho depths and their Implications toward seismogenesis in the Kumaon–Garhwal Himalaya
Scientific Reports
title Modelling of crustal composition and Moho depths and their Implications toward seismogenesis in the Kumaon–Garhwal Himalaya
title_full Modelling of crustal composition and Moho depths and their Implications toward seismogenesis in the Kumaon–Garhwal Himalaya
title_fullStr Modelling of crustal composition and Moho depths and their Implications toward seismogenesis in the Kumaon–Garhwal Himalaya
title_full_unstemmed Modelling of crustal composition and Moho depths and their Implications toward seismogenesis in the Kumaon–Garhwal Himalaya
title_short Modelling of crustal composition and Moho depths and their Implications toward seismogenesis in the Kumaon–Garhwal Himalaya
title_sort modelling of crustal composition and moho depths and their implications toward seismogenesis in the kumaon garhwal himalaya
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93469-1
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