Fine structure of seismotectonics in western Shillong massif, north east India

Mukhopadhyay, S. ; Chander, R. ; Khattri, K. N. (1993) Fine structure of seismotectonics in western Shillong massif, north east India Proceedings of the Indian Academy of Sciences - Earth and Planetary Sciences, 102 (2). pp. 383-398. ISSN 0253-4126

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Official URL: http://www.ias.ac.in/j_archive/epsci/102/2/383-398...

Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02861510

Abstract

The epicentral tract of the great Assam earthquake of 1897 of magnitude 8·7 was monitored for about 6 months using an array of portable seismographs. The observed seismicity pattern shows several diversely-oriented linear trends, some of which either encompass or parallel known geological faults. A vast majority of the recorded micro-earthquakes had estimated focal depths between 8-14 km. The maximum estimated depth was 45 km. On the basis of a seismic velocity model for the region reported recently and these depth estimates we suggest that the rupture zone of the great 1897 earthquake had a depth of 11-12 km under the western half of the Shillong massif. Four composite fault plane solutions define the nature of dislocation in three of the seismic zones. Three of them show oblique thrusting while one shows pure dip slip reverse faulting. The fault plane solutions fit into a regional pattern of a belt of earthquakes extending in NW-SE direction across the north eastern corner of the Bengal basin. The maximum principle stress axis is approximately NS for all the solutions in conformity with the inferred direction of the Indian-EuroAsian plate convergence in the eastern Himalaya.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to Indian Academy of Sciences.
Keywords:Shillong Massif; Seismotectonics; Seismicity; 1897 Great Assam Earthquake; Stress Pattern
ID Code:7677
Deposited On:25 Oct 2010 10:51
Last Modified:16 May 2016 17:49

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