A possible origin of intraplate earthquakes in the Kachchh rift zone, India, since the 2001 Mw7.7 Bhuj earthquake

Abstract

We herein use the joint inversion of P-receiver functions and fundamental mode group velocity dispersion data (9–70 s) of Rayleigh and Love waves to estimate crustal and lithospheric thicknesses at twenty three-component mobile broadband stations in Kachchh, Gujarat. Modeled Moho depths range from 35 to 43 km, while lithospheric thicknesses vary from 64 to 106 km. The main result of our modelling is the delineation of a marked crustal (∼2–4 km) as well as lithospheric (∼10–20 km) thinning and a 2–6% drop in Vs across the lithosphere-asthenosphere-boundary (LAB), within the Samkhiali graben (associated with gravity high) underlying the central Kachchh rift zone (KRZ), where 95% of the continued aftershock activity took place since 2001. Such a large drop in Vs could be attributed to the presence of carbonatite melts in the upper mantle. Our modeling reveals a 4 km crustal thinning below the central KRZ and a 4 km crustal thickening below the surrounding riftless regions. This kind of crustal structure is inferred to induce large flexural deviatoric stresses (∼50–100 MPa) in the upper crust, thereby, these stresses in the presence of regional plate tectonic stresses can bring the Samkhiali graben below the central KRZ near to the critical stress level. While stress-transfer, meteoric water (in the upper crust), and metamorphic fluid as well volatile CO2 flows (in the lower crust) provide the required triggering effect to the critically stressed graben structure (down to 35 km depth) for generating continued aftershock activity in the Kachchh rift zone, since 2001. We also propose that the deeper circulation of volatile CO2 through the inferred conduit (related to the 65 Ma Deccan Plume activity) extending from lower crust down to asthenosphere plays a key role in the generation of uninterrupted occurrence of earthquakes in the Kachchh rift zone, Gujarat, India.