Crustal structure and tectonics of Bangladesh: New constraints from inversion of receiver functions

Abstract

An understanding of the sedimentary and crustal structure of the Bengal Basin and of the tectonics deforming it remains elusive due to lack of seismic data from Bangladesh. Taking advantage of recently available data from 11 seismic stations deployed over Bangladesh, we determine the crustal structure beneath each station using 2768 high quality receiver functions (RFs). Inversion of the RFs reveals a highly variable thickness of the overlying sediments beneath the Bengal Basin. The thickness of the sediments increases dramatically across the Hinge Zone of the Early Cretaceous passive margin from 3 to 17km. The thick sediments partly represent progradation of the continental margin due to the influx of clastic sediments from the Himalayas. The Moho shallows across the region. This reflects thinning of the crystalline crust from 38km in the Indian Craton to 34km at the Hinge Zone to <16km in the Bengal Basin. The thickness of the sediments increases dramatically from 3 to 17km south of Madhupur tract which reflects the regions of highest influx of clastic sediments from the Himalayan collision zone. RFs display strong dipping reflectors (strike 67°) for a station over Hinge Zone and seem to be associated with the transition from continental to oceanic crust. The thinning of significant crustal thickness (16–19km) beneath 15–17km of sediment and associated velocities (>4.0km/s) at lower crustal levels supports an influence of the Kerguelen plume igneous activity during rifting. We invert data for a station near the Dauki Fault, which marks the southern boundary of the uplifted Shillong plateau, for dip and anisotropic effects. Our results show the Dauki as a north-dipping thrust fault at Jaflong with a dip angle of 32° and strike (110°) close to its surficial expression. A strong anisotropy (~15%) and the sense of shear (plunge: 24°, trend: 79°) compliment the dipping geometry and deformation seems to be related to the initiation of the Dauki Fault.