ESTIMATES OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DYNAMICS OF GEOPHYSICAL PARAMETERS AND THE STRESS-STRAIN STATE OF GEOENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The RAS Research Station started geodynamical research at the Bishkek Geodynamic Test Area (BGTA) in 1980s. This test area is located in the Northern Tien Shan, one of most seismically active zones of Central Asia. The distribution patterns of crustal deformation in space and time are investigated by a complex of geophysical, seismological and geodesic methods. Long-offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) technique is an important component of the geophysical research carried out at BGTA with the focus on forecasting of seismic activity dynamics. LOTEM is considered to be one of the most informative methods for obtaining data on multilayered conductive anisotropic geologic environment. This article presents the results of integrated interpretation of LOTEM sounding data recorded at permanent electromagnetic monitoring stations, Ak-Suu and Shavai. The time series of specific electrical resistance are analyzed to reveal a correlation with the stress-strain state of the geologic environment and seismic process in the study region in the period from January 2016 to October 2018. It is established that the deformation process taking place at a depth of more than 8.0 km is reflected in the time series of specific electrical resistance in the form of bay-shaped negative variations. A decrease of apparent resistance is observed when the receiver dipoles of the measurement unit are arranged in the meridian (N-S) direction. The periods of compression in the submeridional direction coincide with the periods with the highest density of seismic events. A comparison of earthquake hypocenter locations against the topographic relief and the data on regional faults shows the maximum density of hypocenters at the axial parts of Northern Tien Shan ridges.