Deep structures beneath Karakoram Fault revealed by deep seismic reflection profile

Abstract:

The Karakoram fault is one of the most important structures in southwest Tibet, associated with the collision between India and Eurasia. In order to discover the deep structures of the Karakoram fault, SinoProbe has acquired a deep seismic reflection profiles with 110 km length across the Ayila Ri’gyu mountain in the southeast part of the Karakoram fault.

Preliminary reflection images of the crustal structures of the Karakoram fault show that Moho reflections appear at 23 ~ 24 s (TWT) beneath deep seismic reflection line. Many north and south dipping reflections in the crust form v-shaped structures along the reflection line and suggest the Karakoram fault as a crustal scale. Beneath the Gangdese granite belt, there are many “bright-spot” reflections in the upper and middle crust