Active tectonics of the eastern Himalaya: New constraints from the first tectonic geomorphology study in southern Bhutan

Abstract

Research Article| May 01, 2014 Active tectonics of the eastern Himalaya: New constraints from the first tectonic geomorphology study in southern Bhutan Théo Berthet; Théo Berthet 1Géosciences Montpellier, UMR5243, Université Montpellier 2, Place E. Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jean-François Ritz; Jean-François Ritz 1Géosciences Montpellier, UMR5243, Université Montpellier 2, Place E. Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Matthieu Ferry; Matthieu Ferry 1Géosciences Montpellier, UMR5243, Université Montpellier 2, Place E. Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Phuntsho Pelgay; Phuntsho Pelgay 2Seismology and Geophysics Division, Department of Geology and Mines, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Post Box 173, Thimphu, Bhutan Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Rodolphe Cattin; Rodolphe Cattin 1Géosciences Montpellier, UMR5243, Université Montpellier 2, Place E. Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Dowchu Drukpa; Dowchu Drukpa 2Seismology and Geophysics Division, Department of Geology and Mines, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Post Box 173, Thimphu, Bhutan Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Régis Braucher; Régis Braucher 3Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS-IRD-Collège de France, CEREGE UM34, Aix-en-Provence 13545, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar György Hetényi György Hetényi 4Swiss Seismological Service, ETH-Zürich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland5Department of Earth Sciences, ETH-Zürich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2014) 42 (5): 427–430. https://doi.org/10.1130/G35162.1 Article history received: 03 Oct 2013 rev-recd: 18 Feb 2014 accepted: 24 Feb 2014 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Théo Berthet, Jean-François Ritz, Matthieu Ferry, Phuntsho Pelgay, Rodolphe Cattin, Dowchu Drukpa, Régis Braucher, György Hetényi; Active tectonics of the eastern Himalaya: New constraints from the first tectonic geomorphology study in southern Bhutan. Geology 2014;; 42 (5): 427–430. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G35162.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract How convergent systems distribute strain among frontal thrusts is a major concern regarding seismic hazard assessment. Along the 2500 km Himalayan arc, the seismic behavior of the Bhutan region is unknown, because it corresponds to the only portion of the arc where no evidence of major earthquakes has been reported. This can be due either to the fact that no active tectonic studies have been conducted or to continental shortening being absorbed by the Shillong plateau 150 km farther south. Analyzing offset fluvial terraces in south-central Bhutan shows that two major earthquakes ruptured the Himalayan frontal thrust during the last millennium, and that a comparable rate of Holocene deformation (∼20 mm/yr) is accommodated across the Himalaya in Bhutan as in central Nepal. Thus, the propensity for great earthquakes in Bhutan is similar to what is observed in neighboring portions of the Himalaya arc. This in turn suggests that the shortening process beneath the Shillong plateau has little effect on how strain accumulates within the Bhutanese Himalaya. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.