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The Velocity Structure at Depth and Seismicity in the Transbaikalia Region (along the 1-SB Geological-Geophysical Reference Traverse)

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Abstract

This study is concerned with an analysis of seismicity and deep structure in the Transbaikalia along the 1-SB reference geophysical traverse. We have found a complex inhomogeneous structure of the crust and upper mantle. The crustal thickness varies between 40 km in the southeastern part of the traverse and in intermontane troughs in its northwestern part on the one hand and 48 km in mountain ranges. Strong variation also affects boundary velocities at the Moho, ranging from 8.4‒8.5 km/s for compressional waves and 4.9‒4.95 km/s for shear waves (especially in the southeastern part of the traverse) to lower values of 7.8‒8.0 km/s for compressional waves and 4.6‒4.7 km/s for shear waves in the area of the Baikal Rift Zone in the northwestern part of the traverse. A strongly inhomogeneous earth structure based on elastic wave velocities, Vp/Vs velocity ratios, and Poisson’s ratio was found for upper and middle crust at depths of 8‒20 km. It was also found that zones of higher seismicity tend to coincide with crustal blocks with inhomogeneous velocity structure based on differently polarized compressional and shear waves. Higher inhomogeneity in upper crust as inferred from elastic wave velocities and secondary earth parameters (Vp/Vs velocity ratios, the parameter K* = Vp/(γ ‒ 1), where γ = Vp/Vs, and Poisson’s ratio (σ)) characterize the area of the Baikal Rift Zone in an immediate vicinity of the great Muya earthquake of 1957 with М = 7.6. As well, several other deep zones of inhomogeneity have been identified along the traverse line based on anomalies of Р and S velocities and secondary earth parameters that correlate to varying degrees with seismically active areas based on multiyear instrumental observations. We have identified an unambiguous relationship of large inhomogeneous zones in the Transbaikalia crust with stress buildup and stress release in the shape of large earthquakes, thus substantiating the intermediate-term prediction of catastrophic events.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We wish to express our gratitude to colleagues from the Baikal, Altai-Sayan, and Seismological Branches of the RAS Geophysical Survey and from the AO SNIIGGiMS who took part in acquisition of experimental data for the Baikal Region and the Transbaikalia, as well as for valuable remarks during a discussion of this paper.

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia (for the state assignment no. 075-01304-20) and using data acquired at the unique scientific installation “Seismic Infrared Complex for Monitoring the Arctic Cryolithic Zone and a Complex for Continuous Seismic Monitoring of the Russian Federation, Adjacent Areas, and Worldwide,” as well as in accordance with the section “State Network of Reference Geological and Geophysical Traverses, parametric and superdeep Wells” of the program of Russian Federation “Reproduction and Use of Natural Resources” approved by the decree of the Government of the Russian Federation no. 322 as of April 15, 2014.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Altai-Sayan Branch, Geophysical Survey, Russian Academy of Sciences, prosp. akad. Koptyuga 3, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia

    V. M. Solovyev & N. A. Galyova

  2. Seismological Branch, Geophysical Survey, Russian Academy of Sciences, prosp. akad. Koptyuga 3, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia

    V. S. Seleznev, A. V. Liseikin & A. A. Bryksin

  3. Siberian Institute of Geology, Geophysics, and Mineral Raw Resources, Krasnyi prosp. 67, 630091, Novosibirsk, Russia

    A. S. Salnikov

  4. Baikal Branch, Geophysical Survey, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Lermontova 128, 664033, Irkutsk, Russia

    V. V. Chechelnitsky & N. A. Gileva

Authors
  1. V. M. Solovyev
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  2. V. S. Seleznev
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  3. A. S. Salnikov
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  4. V. V. Chechelnitsky
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  5. N. A. Gileva
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  6. A. V. Liseikin
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  7. A. A. Bryksin
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  8. N. A. Galyova
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Correspondence to V. M. Solovyev or A. A. Bryksin.

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Translated by A. Petrosyan

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Solovyev, V.M., Seleznev, V.S., Salnikov, A.S. et al. The Velocity Structure at Depth and Seismicity in the Transbaikalia Region (along the 1-SB Geological-Geophysical Reference Traverse). J. Volcanolog. Seismol. 17, 147–158 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0742046323700082

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