Investigation of the subaerial Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Delta stratigraphy and tectonic using high-resolution multichannel seismics

• Applicant: Dr. Tilmann Schwenk
• Subject Area: Palaeontology
• Term: from 2011 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 214147652

We propose to image the sedimentary structure of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Delta by means of high-resolution multichannel air-gun seismic and boomer seismic. Seismic surveys shall be carried out on the river network of Bangladesh as well as on areas extensively flooded at the end of the monsoon season. Main goals will be the imaging of the Holocene stratigraphy of the delta, the mapping of blind tectonic structures and the identification of buried river valleys. The seismic data sets will lead to an integrated analysis and combined interpretation, embedded in the international project “Life on a tectonically active delta – convergence of Earth-science and geohazard research in Bangladesh with education and capacity building”, which has been funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation for 2010-2015. In particular, 250 drillings down to the Pleistocene base of the delta will be carried out within this project, and the here proposed seismic data shall be used as pre-site survey database, and will also give the opportunity to link the stratigraphy between the boreholes. Together with resistivity data, GPS data and modelling results, (also parts of the project), the whole bundle of data sets will help to understand the development of this tectonically active and densely populated delta. The results will improve the geohazard assessment for more than 150 million peoples in times of changing monsoon climate and sea-level rises.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Volkhard Spieß