Metzger, S, Gągała, Ł, Ratschbacher, L et al. (3 more authors) (2021) Tajik Depression and Greater Pamir Neotectonics From InSAR Rate Maps. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 126 (12). e2021JB022775. ISSN 2169-9313
Abstract
Using E-W and vertical deformation-rate maps derived from radar interferometric time-series, we analyze the deformation field of an entire orogenic segment, that is, the Tajik depression and its adjoining mountain belts, Tian Shan, Pamir, and Hindu Kush. The data-base consists of 900+ radar scenes acquired over 2.0–4.5 years and global navigation satellite system measurements. The recent, supra-regional kinematics is visualized in an unprecedented spatio-temporal resolution. We confirm the westward collapse of the Pamir-Plateau crust, inverting the Tajik basin into a fold-thrust belt (FTB) with shortening rates decaying westward from ∼15 to 2 mm/yr. Vertical rates in the Hindu Kush likely record slab-dynamic effects, that is, the progressive break-off of the Hindu Kush slab. At least 10 mm/yr of each, uplift and westward motion occur along the western edge of the Pamir Plateau, outlining the crustal-scale ramp along which the Pamir Plateau overrides the Tajik depression. The latter shows a combination of basin-scale tectonics, halokinesis, and seasonal/weather-driven near-surface effects. Abrupt ∼6 mm/yr horizontal-rate changes occur across the kinematically linked dextral Ilyak strike-slip fault, bounding the Tajik FTB to the north, and the Babatag backthrust, the major thrust of the FTB, located far west in the belt. The sharp rate decay across the Ilyak fault indicates a locking depth of ≤1 km. The Hoja Mumin salt fountain is spreading laterally at ≤350 mm/yr. On the first-order, the modern 20–5 and fossil (since ∼12 Ma) 12–8 mm/yr shortening rates across the FTB correspond.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2021. The Authors. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Keywords: | Pamir westward collapse; Tajik fold-and-thrust belt; InSAR rate maps; fault slip rate; salt tectonics; tectonic geodesy |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) > Inst of Geophysics and Tectonics (IGT) (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 12 Jan 2022 14:20 |
Last Modified: | 12 Jan 2022 14:20 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Identification Number: | 10.1029/2021JB022775 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:182368 |