LEAP: Linking structural Evolution with QuAternary landscape evolution and deformation in the western Himalaya: structural segmentation and implications for seismogenesis in Pakistan

• Applicant: Dr. Humaad Ghani
• Subject Area: Geology
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 510220130

The regional distribution of major earthquakes (Mw≥ 7) along the Himalayan arc indicates that seismicity is associated with locked seismotectonic segments of the north dipping Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT). In the tectonically active western Himalayan orogen region of Pakistan, however, similar-sized earthquakes appear to be confined to three major, obliquely-striking transpressional transfer zones. The seismotectonic of these transfer zones is poorly understood because of a lack of data about the spatiotemporal structural evolution and the deformation rates associated with this portion of the orogen in Pakistan. This proposal aims to address this shortcoming in one of the transfer zones and adjoining areas by (a) modeling structural evolution at a million-year time scale, (b) identifying zones of active deformation and defining rates of Quaternary deformation across active structures, and (c) bridging the deformation rates at different temporal scales. The expected results will provide a better understanding of the structural control and deformation mechanism on seismogenesis in specific seismotectonic segments of the mountain range that are prone to deformation and susceptible to seismogenic hazard.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigators: Professor Bodo Bookhagen, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Jonas Kley; Professor Manfred Strecker, Ph.D.