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Reflection seismic, gravity, magnetic, and InSAR analysis of the Chaman Fault in Pakistan

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Abstract

This study presents new insights on the Chaman Fault System that connects deformation in the Makran and Himalayan collision zones. The Chaman Fault is ~ 850 km long, and shear strain is concentrated in a densely populated region between 29 and 32° N. Three earthquakes with Mw ~ 5 occurred in May, July, and August of 2016 along a segment the of the Chaman Fault at 30.5° N. This study uses Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar, reflection seismic, gravity, and magnetic data to understand earthquake distribution along the Chaman Fault and to characterize its subsurface structure. Reflection seismic profiles across the Chaman Fault show that it dips ~ 80° towards the west and has been imaged down to ~ 7 km. Gravity and magnetic data integrated with six seismic profiles document a sedimentary basin up to ~ 5 km deep that contains an intrusive body adjacent to the Chaman Fault. The seismic data also show the southern segment of the Chaman Fault widens at a depth between ~ 2.5 and 4 km that correlates with the fault locking depth. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar results from 2006 to 2011 observes slip rate distributions that explain the increasing frequency of earthquake activity along the locked segment of the Chaman Fault at ~ 30.5° N.

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Acknowledgments

Part of the PALSAR data was supplied by the Alaska Satellite Facility (ASF). The rest of the PALSAR data were provided by a PALSAR grant to Dr. Shuhab Khan from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Six seismic lines were provided by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Pakistan, to Dr. A.S. Khan, University of Balochistan. This work benefited from helpful discussions on strike-slip fault systems with Dr. Paul Mann. Thanks to Dr. Fred Hilterman for the help on seismic interpretation and Dr. Dale Bird for the helpful discussion on gravity and magnetic interpretation. We Thank Dr. Ozyavas and an anonymous reviewer for the helpful comments.

Funding

This work is funded by the National Academy of Science and the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan through Pak-US Science and Technology Cooperation Program.

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Correspondence to Shuhab D. Khan.

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Responsible Editor: Biswajeet Pradhan

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Huang, J., Khan, S.D., Van Nieuwenhuise, D. et al. Reflection seismic, gravity, magnetic, and InSAR analysis of the Chaman Fault in Pakistan. Arab J Geosci 13, 576 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-05581-7

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