Geological and geophysical transect of the Middle Tien Shan across the Naryn and Atbashi depressions

Abstract

The article presents the results of integrated geological and geophysical research works dealt with detailed magnetotelluric (MT) sounding and the study of the morphology and spatial position of the sedimentary cover and basement structures along the key transect of the Middle Tien Shan crossing the Naryn and Atbashi depressions. The data on the distribution of deep electrical conductivity of the crust and upper mantle were compared with the seismic profiling data. The compilation of the results of structural-geological and geophysical studies provided the opportunity to draw 2D upper-crust geological structure, consistent with the structure of electrical conductivity of the crust to depths of about 10 km. The detailed geological cross-sections and the structural and geological data allow us to characterize the deformations of the Cenozoic sedimentary complex and Paleozoic basement surface associated with the alpine activation of the key segment of the Tien Shan. It is shown that the Cenozoic structural parageneses emerged during a relatively short-term phase of deformation and orogeny under conditions of horizontal compression and transpression, which did not manifest themselves during sagging that occurred previously.