Tectonic and non-tectonic crustal deformation in Kumaun Garhwal Himalaya

Abstract

A detailed characterization of the crustal deformation in the Himalaya is important to understand the tectonic and non-tectonic deformation processes responsible for the strain build-up and transients in deformation. In the present work, we have characterised the present day tectonic and non-tectonic deformations in the Kumaun Garhwal Himalaya estimated from the continuous GPS measurements. We observed strong seasonal variations in the horizontal and vertical displacement components (i.e. North, East and Vertical). The transient surface deformation estimated from global hydrological models is found to explain ~40–60% of the observed seasonal variations at sites. Plate convergence rate, and variation of slip deficit on the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) are calculated using site velocity estimated after removal of seasonal variations from the GPS time series. We report an excessive compression with an average principal shortening rate of −0.09 μ strain/yr in the north-northeast direction. The derived plate convergence rate is 18 ± 1 mm/yr and the width of locked frontal part of MHT is 100 ± 15 km. The quiescence of major to great earthquakes in the region since at least past 200 years and high rate of strain build up make this region vulnerable for a potentially devastating earthquake of Mw ≥ 8 in near future.