Seismic Deformations in the Archeological Monuments of Mugkala and Mugtepa (Fergana Depression, Uzbekistan)

Abstract

The article provides data on the geological, tectonic, and seismological situation of the region. Results of archeoseismological field studies of the ancient fortress and castle of Mugkala and Mugtepa in the Fergana Valley (Namangan region, Uzbekistan) are considered. At the archeological sites, we revealed such characteristic destruction and damage as wedges, inclinations, shaking, sagging, and extend through cracks and interbrick cracks in city walls, confirming their seismogenic origin. Similar seismic deformations can be considered as evidence of the high local seismic oscillation intensity. It was noted that seismic shocks propagated along the sublatitudinal axis. Both the Mugtepa and Mugkala archeological sites are located between the North Fergana Fault and North Fergana flexural-fracture zone. The seismicity of the research area is associated with the development of the Kasansay group of young Quaternary anticlinal folds. A new residence on Mugtepa could have been built by new kings of the Fergana Valley at the end 1st century BCE, which was destroyed in the 1st century CE by a strong earthquake with a local seismic intensity of IL = VIII–IX (MSK-64 scale). The residence of the Turkic Khaganate could have been built by new kings of Fergana Valley in a new location. Mugkala could also have been destroyed by a strong earthquake with a seismic intensity of IL = VIII–IX (MSK-64 scale) at the end of the 8th century CE. This earthquake caused the various deformations described in the paper.