Crustal Structure

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Michael Weber
• Co-Applicants: Professor Dr. Zvi Ben-Avraham; Dr. Radwan El-Kelani; D. Jaser
• Subject Area: Geophysics
• Term: from 2006 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 18243543

In an integrated geoscientific project we plan to study the control of crustal and upper mantlestructure on the occurrence and development of seismicity in the pull-apart basin of the DeadSea. The geoscientific projects necessary for this task consist of several mutually dependentand interlocked experiments and modeling approaches, see Fig. 6a:1. Plate Movement: Permanent GPS monuments in Jordan and temporary GPS campaigns2. Crustal Structure: Seismics and magnetotellurics3. Aero-Gravimetry: High resolution potential field data of the DST from the Sea of Galileeto the Gulf of Aqaba/Eilat4. Earthquakes & Radon: Monitoring and analyzing seismicity, radon emission, platemotion and magnetotellurics5. Geodynamic Modeling: 4D thermo-elastic modeling using the input from the other fourprojects.The crustal and lithospheric structure of the Dead Sea area will be determined in projects 2and 3 (Crustal Structure and Aero-Gravimetry) which are to be complemented by local andregional seismological projects and observations at multi-parameter stations(project 4). Thestructure of the crust and lithosphere, the actual velocity, density, deformation and rigidity ofthe plates east and west of the DST and the Dead Sea Basin (project 1) are key inputparameters for the 4D modeling (project 5), which is the central component of GEO-DESIRE.The integration of the location parameters and source solutions for events in the Dead Seaarea (project 4) will be used to derive and understand better the dynamics and geologicaldevelopment of this world geological site. Some of the key questions of plate tectonics whichwe aim to answer are:1. Why and how does plate movement open deep holes/basins in the crust?2. How are stress and strain instantaneously distributed in time and space?3. How does this process influence and control asperities and earthquakedistribution?

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Israel, Jordan, Palestine
• Participating Persons: Privatdozent Dr. Günter Asch; Dr. James Mechie; Professor Dr. Oliver Ritter