TIEN SHAN - PAMIR GEODYNAMIC PROGRAM

TIPAGE

In a series of geophysical experiment we study deep structures and geodynamic processes in the Tien Shan and Pamir collision zones, central Asia. The first batch of experiments with passive sources only includes a seismic array and a magnetotelluric (MT) survey. The seismic array will consist of 30 broadband stations located in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, along an approximately 300-400 km long profile with some additional stations for areal coverage. The MT data will be acquired along the same profile, in two field campaigns in consecutive years, to obtain the electrical conductivity structure of the earth's crust and upper mantle. These new geophysical data will provide the basis for future active seismic experiments and for multi-disciplinary synthesis and integration of results.

Principal Investigators  

• Dr. O. Ritter (GFZ Potsdam)
• Dr. J. Mechie (GFZ Potsdam)
• Dr. X. Yuan (GFZ Potsdam)
• Dr. B. Schurr (GFZ Potsdam)

Cooperation  

• Russian Academy of Sciences, Bishkek (Kyrgyz Republic)
• Timur Frunze, Central Asian Institute for Applied Geosciences (Bishkek)
• Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan
• PMP International, Republic of Tajikistan
• GFZ
• TU Freiberg, Institut für Geologie
• UNI Potsdam, Institut für Geowissenschaften
• Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Institut für Geowissenschaften

Experiment time frame  

• june 2008 - oktober 2009

Methods & equipment  

• passive seimic array using 30 broadbandrecorders
• magnetotelluric survey

Publications  

• Mechie, J., Yuan, X., Schurr, B., Schneider, F., Sippl, C., Ratschbacher, L., Minaev, V., Gadoev, M., Oimahmadov, I., Abdybachaev, U., Moldobekov, B., Orunbaev, S. & Negmatullaev, S., 2012. Crustal and uppermost mantle structure along a profile across the Pamir and southern Tien Shan as derived from project TIPAGE wide-angle seismic data. Geophys. J. Int., 188, 385-407, doi:10.1111/j.1365-246X.2011.05278.x

For more information contact  O. Ritter