SOME FEATURES OF CURRENT TECHNOGENIC MOVEMENTS OF THE EARTH’S CRUST

We describe the history of studying the current crustal movements by various methods and discuss technogenic effects recorded at large water-reservoir zones and mineral deposits in Siberia. Initially, classical surveying techniques aimed to obtain high-accuracy ground-based measurements of height, tilt and direction. Modern geodesy techniques and methods for measuring absolute gravity are now available to investigate displacement, deformation, tilt and other phenomena taking place on the Earth’s surface. These methods are used to estimate kinematic parameters of the crust areas (e.g. rates of subsidence and horizontal movements) and to monitor fluid motions in mineral deposits. Such data are critical for ensuring a proper management of the mineral deposits. In this article, we analyse technogenic processes observed in the Ust Balyk oil-gas field, the Zapolyarny gas deposit, the water-reservoir zone at the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station (SSHPS) on the Yenisei river, and large open-pit mines in the Kuzbass basin. Our analysis is based on surface displacement rates estimated from the data collected in different periods of observations at large man-made facilities. In the study of the hydro technical objects, we estimated the displacement rates at 5.0 mm per year. In the northern areas of the West Siberian petroleum basin, subsidence rates amounted to 20–25 mm per year in the early 2000s. These estimates were supported by the high-accuracy gravity measurements showing an increase up to 6–7 microGal per year in the oil-gas field development areas. We assess a possibility of triggering effects related to weak seismicity due to a high stress accumulation rate (1 KPa per hour) in the SSHPS area. A connection between earth tides and catastrophic events, such as gas emissions in high amounts on mining sites, is discussed. Having analysed the surface monitoring records taken in South Primorye in September 2017, we conclude that underground nuclear explosions in North Korea in this period did not cause any significant displacement of the surface in this most southerly region of the Russian Far East territories

СОВРЕМЕННЫЕ ДВИЖЕНИЯ ЗЕМНОЙ ПОВЕРХНОСТИ ГОРНОГО АЛТАЯ ПО GPS-НАБЛЮДЕНИЯМ

In 2000–2017, the GPS technology was first applied to study inter-seismic, co-seismic and post-seismic processes in the crust of the Altai Mountains (Gorny Altai). Our study aims at investigating the fields of displacement and deformation in the Gorny Altai region as a part of Asia.The 3D displacement fields are reconstructed for the period before the M 7.3 Chuya earthquake that occurred in the southern sector of the Altai GPS network (49° to 55°N, and 81° to 89°E)on 27 September 2003.Anomalous behavior features are discovered in the displacement orientations, as well as in the distribution of velocities and deformation in the zone of the future earthquake.The spatial displacement pattern defined for the period of co-seismic displacements corresponds to the right-lateral strike-slip along the vertical fault. The fault depth is estimated using the elastic model and the experimental data (change in displacement from 0.30 m to 0.02 m at the distances of 14 km and 84 km from the fault, respectively); it amounts to 8–10 km.The co-seismic deformation field is investigated.In the post-seismic stage (2004–2017), displacements revealedin the epicentral zone show the right-lateral strike-slip along the fault at the rate of 2 mm/yr. Therefore, two-layer viscoelastic models can be considered. The estimated viscosity of the lower crust ranges from 6×1019 to 3×1020Pa×s, and the elastic upper crust thickness is 25 km. Analyzed are modern movements in the Gorny Altai region outside the Chuya earthquake area.The results of our study show that modern horizontal displacements occur in the NNW direction at the rate of 1.1 mm/yr, which is twice lower than the displacement rate before the earthquake.Технология космической геодезии впервые использована для изучения межсейсмических, косейсмических и постсейсмических процессов в земной коре Горного Алтая с 2000 по 2017 г. Показано место Горного Алтая в полях смещений и деформаций Азии. Получены поля 3D смещений перед Чуйским землетрясением (27.09.2003г., М=7.3), произошедшим в южной части Алтайской GPS-сети (от 49° до 55° с.ш. и от 81° до 89° в.д.). Выделено аномальное поведение в ориентации смещений, в распределении скоростей и деформаций в зоне будущего землетрясения. В эпоху косейсмических смещений получено распределение смещений, соответствующее правостороннему сдвигу на вертикальном разрыве. С использованием экспериментальных данных (изменение смещения от 0.3 м в 14 км от разрыва до 0.02 м в 84 км) и упругой модели получена оценка глубины разрыва (8–10 км). Исследовано поле косейсмических деформаций. Для постсейсмического этапа (2004–2017 гг.) выделяются смещения в эпицентральной зоне. Они повторяют правостороннее движение (скорость 2 мм/год) на разрыве, что позволило рассмотреть двухслойные вязкоупругие модели, оценить вязкость нижней коры (6×1019–3×1020 Па×с) и мощность упругой верхней (25 км). Проанализированы современные движения Горного Алтая вне области Чуйского землетрясения. Величина современных горизонтальных смещений составила 1.1 мм/год при направлении на ССЗ (–30°). Скорость смещения оказалась более чем в два раза меньше значений скоростей перед землетрясением.

ГЛУБИННОЕ СТРОЕНИЕ ГОРНОГО АЛТАЯ И СОВРЕМЕННЫЕ МОДЕЛИ ГРАВИТАЦИОННОГО ПОЛЯ

The results of the ground-based absolute gravity and space geodetic measurements for the Altai Mountains were considered in combination with EIGEN-6C4 Global Geopotential Model (ETOPO1 Global Relief Model) generated from the satellite data. Analysis was made on different kinds of data: model values for the vertical component of gravity, values of Bouguer and Faye gravity reductions, variations of the vertical gravity gradient, and changes in altitude of the measurement sites. With EIGEN-6C4 model for Bouguer reduction, the crustal thickness curve was drawn along the Novosibirsk (southern West Siberia) – Ukok Plateau (Altai Mountains) line with a length of 800 km. The Moho depth increases from 40 km in the northwest of the area to 51 km in the southeast. For the homogeneous crust model, there was obtained the Moho depth distribution in the Altai Mountains and their foothills.The analysis of the results of modeling Bouguer and Faye reductions, the data on quasigeoid heights and the relationship between relief height and Bouguer anomalies implies that the Altai Mountains area as a whole is isostatically compensated. Non-compensated are some intermountain basins, such as, for example, the Kurai and Chuya valleys.Результаты наземных измерений в районах Горного Алтая, полученные методами абсолютной гравиметрии и космической геодезии, рассматривались совместно с моделью геопотенциала EIGEN-6C4 (модель рельефа ETOPO1), построенной по спутниковым данным. Анализировались различные виды данных: модельные величины вертикальной составляющей силы тяжести, значения силы тяжести в редукциях Буге, Фая, вариации вертикального градиента силы тяжести и изменения высот пунктов. С использованием модели EIGEN-6C4 в редукции Буге построен график мощности земной коры по линии Новосибирск (юг Западной Сибири) – плато Укок (Горный Алтай) длиной 800 км. Глубина границы Мохоровичича увеличивается от 40 км на северо-западе территории до 51 км на юго-востоке. Для модели однородной коры получено распределение глубин по поверхности Мохоровичича в Горном Алтае и его предгорьях.Анализируя результаты построений в редукциях Буге и Фая, данные о высотах квазигеоида и соотношение высоты рельефа и аномалий Буге, следует сделать вывод, что в целом территория Горного Алтая изостатически скомпенсированна. Являются нескомпенсированными отдельные межгорные впадины, например Курайская и Чуйская долины

ВАРИАЦИИ СИЛЫ ТЯЖЕСТИ И СОВРЕМЕННАЯ ГЕОДИНАМИКА ЮГОЗАПАДНОЙ ЧАСТИ БАЙКАЛЬСКОГО РЕГИОНА

Modern methods for determination of gravity values make it possible to obtain measurements with the accuracy up to 10–9 from g0 of the normal value (up to 1 microgal = 10 m/sec2). While all the systematic and periodic effects are excluded, a question is raised about stability of the gravity field of the Earth over time. Changes of the altitude (the Earth’s radius) with time can be estimated with an accuracy of 0.1 mm by modern space geodetic techniques, such as VLBI method. Our experiments for evaluation of stability of the gravity values over the past decades are based on the data obtained by Russian and foreign observatories using absolute ballistic laser gravimeters. The results put a limit of 10–10 per year to changes of the Earth’s radius. These estimations can be useful for testing hypotheses in tectonics.Measurements of non-tidal variations of gravity (Δg), which were obtained from 1992 to 2012 at the Talaya seismic station (located in the south-western part of the Baikal region), are interpreted together with GPS observation data. At the Talaya seismic station, the linear component of gravity variations corresponds to changes in the elevation of this site. The correlation coefficient is close to the normal value of the vertical gradient of gravity. At this site, coseismic gravity variations at the time of the Kultuk earthquake (27 August 2008, Mw=6.3) were caused by a combined effect of the change of the site’s elevation and deformation of the crust. Our estimations of the coseismic effects are consistent with results obtained by modeling based on the available seismic data.Современные методы определения значения силы тяжести позволяют проводить измерения с точностью до 10–9 от g0 нормального значения (до 1 микрогала = 10 нм/с2). При этом исключаются все систематические и периодические эффекты и возникает вопрос о стабильности поля силы тяжести Земли во времени. Оценить изменения высоты (радиуса Земли) во времени с точностью до 0.1 мм позволяют современные методы космической геодезии (VLBI метод). Экспериментальные оценки стабильности значения силы тяжести за последние десятилетия сделаны по материалам отечественных и зарубежных обсерваторий, использующих абсолютные лазерные баллистические гравиметры. Полученные результаты ограничивают изменение радиуса Земли значением 10–10 в год. Эти оценки можно использовать для тестирования тектонических гипотез.Результаты измерений неприливных вариаций ускорения силы тяжести Δg, проведенных в 1992–2012 гг. на сейсмостанции «Талая» (юго-западная часть Байкальского региона), интерпретируются совместно с данными GPS-наблюдений. Линейная составляющая вариации силы тяжести на станции Талая соответствует изменениям высоты пункта. Коэффициент корреляции близок к нормальному значению вертикального градиента силы тяжести. Косейсмические вариации силы тяжести на этом пункте в эпоху Култукского землетрясения (27.08.2008 г., Мw=6.3) вызваны комплексным эффектом изменения высоты пункта и деформации земной коры. Оценки косейсмических эффектов соответствуют результатам моделирования на основе сейсмологических данных

MODERN MOVEMENTS OF THE CRUST SURFACE IN GORNY ALTAI FROM GPS DATA

In 2000–2017, the GPS technology was first applied to study inter-seismic, co-seismic and post-seismic processes in the crust of the Altai Mountains (Gorny Altai). Our study aims at investigating the fields of displacement and deformation in the Gorny Altai region as a part of Asia.The 3D displacement fields are reconstructed for the period before the M 7.3 Chuya earthquake that occurred in the southern sector of the Altai GPS network (49° to 55°N, and 81° to 89°E)on 27 September 2003.Anomalous behavior features are discovered in the displacement orientations, as well as in the distribution of velocities and deformation in the zone of the future earthquake.The spatial displacement pattern defined for the period of co-seismic displacements corresponds to the right-lateral strike-slip along the vertical fault. The fault depth is estimated using the elastic model and the experimental data (change in displacement from 0.30 m to 0.02 m at the distances of 14 km and 84 km from the fault, respectively); it amounts to 8–10 km.The co-seismic deformation field is investigated.In the post-seismic stage (2004–2017), displacements revealedin the epicentral zone show the right-lateral strike-slip along the fault at the rate of 2 mm/yr. Therefore, two-layer viscoelastic models can be considered. The estimated viscosity of the lower crust ranges from 6×1019 to 3×1020Pa×s, and the elastic upper crust thickness is 25 km. Analyzed are modern movements in the Gorny Altai region outside the Chuya earthquake area.The results of our study show that modern horizontal displacements occur in the NNW direction at the rate of 1.1 mm/yr, which is twice lower than the displacement rate before the earthquake

LOCAL DEFORMATION AND RHEOLOGICAL PARAMETERS BY MEASUREMENTS IN TALAYA STATION GALLERY (BAIKAL REGION)

Tilt measurements have been taken in the underground gallery at Talaya Seismological Station for almost three decades, from March 1985 till 2014. Based on such data, deformation curves were constructed and analysed in the frame of elastic and viscous-elastic models of the geological medium. From estimated annual deformation rates, it became possible to reveal deformation cycles ranging from 3 to 18 years with amplitudes up to 5 arc-seconds (2·10–5). For the bedrock in the Talaya stream valley, the elastic modulus was estimated at 20 GPa. In frame of the Kelvin viscoelastic model, the apparent viscosity of the medium was estimated at 1019 Pa·sec by deformation delay curve for 1989–2014 epoch. Observed vertical rates were used to estimate the size of the studied area (from 0.1 km to 6.0 km). The values estimated in our experimental investigation are used in a wide range of geophysical studies: modelling tectonic, co-seismic and post-seismic processes

Present tectonics of the southeast of Russia as seen from GPS observations

The present tectonics of Northeast Asia has been extensively investigated during the last 12 yr by using GPS techniques. Nevertheless, crustal velocity field of the southeast of Russia near the northeastern boundaries of the hypothesized Amurian microplate has not been defined yet. The GPS data collected between 1997 February and 2009 April at sites of the regional geodynamic network were used to estimate the recent geodynamic activity of this area. The calculated GPS velocities indicate almost internal (between network sites) and external (with respect to the Eurasian tectonic plate) stability of the investigated region. We have not found clear evidences of any notable present-day tectonic activity of the Central Sikhote-Alin Fault as a whole. This fault is the main tectonic unit that determines the geological structure of the investigated region. The obtained results speak in favour of the existence of a few separate blocks and a more sophisticated structure of the proposed Amurian microplate in comparison with an indivisible plate approach

GRAVITY VARIATIONS AND RECENT GEODYNAMICS OF THE SOUTH-WESTERN PART OF THE BAIKAL REGION

Modern methods for determination of gravity values make it possible to obtain measurements with the accuracy up to 10–9 from g0 of the normal value (up to 1 microgal = 10 m/sec2). While all the systematic and periodic effects are excluded, a question is raised about stability of the gravity field of the Earth over time. Changes of the altitude (the Earth’s radius) with time can be estimated with an accuracy of 0.1 mm by modern space geodetic techniques, such as VLBI method. Our experiments for evaluation of stability of the gravity values over the past decades are based on the data obtained by Russian and foreign observatories using absolute ballistic laser gravimeters. The results put a limit of 10–10 per year to changes of the Earth’s radius. These estimations can be useful for testing hypotheses in tectonics.Measurements of non-tidal variations of gravity (Δg), which were obtained from 1992 to 2012 at the Talaya seismic station (located in the south-western part of the Baikal region), are interpreted together with GPS observation data. At the Talaya seismic station, the linear component of gravity variations corresponds to changes in the elevation of this site. The correlation coefficient is close to the normal value of the vertical gradient of gravity. At this site, coseismic gravity variations at the time of the Kultuk earthquake (27 August 2008, Mw=6.3) were caused by a combined effect of the change of the site’s elevation and deformation of the crust. Our estimations of the coseismic effects are consistent with results obtained by modeling based on the available seismic data

ЛОКАЛЬНОЕ ДЕФОРМИРОВАНИЕ И РЕОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ ПАРАМЕТРЫ ПО ИЗМЕРЕНИЯМ В ШТОЛЬНЕ (СЕЙСМОСТАНЦИЯ ТАЛАЯ, БАЙКАЛЬСКИЙ РЕГИОН)

Tilt measurements have been taken in the underground gallery at Talaya Seismological Station for almost three decades, from March 1985 till 2014. Based on such data, deformation curves were constructed and analysed in the frame of elastic and viscous-elastic models of the geological medium. From estimated annual deformation rates, it became possible to reveal deformation cycles ranging from 3 to 18 years with amplitudes up to 5 arc-seconds (2·10–5). For the bedrock in the Talaya stream valley, the elastic modulus was estimated at 20 GPa. In frame of the Kelvin viscoelastic model, the apparent viscosity of the medium was estimated at 1019 Pa·sec by deformation delay curve for 1989–2014 epoch. Observed vertical rates were used to estimate the size of the studied area (from 0.1 km to 6.0 km). The values estimated in our experimental investigation are used in a wide range of geophysical studies: modelling tectonic, co-seismic and post-seismic processes.Наблюдения наклонов в штольне сейсмостанции Талая ведутся уже около трех десятилетий (с марта 1985 года по настоящее время). В работе представлены результаты измерений. Полученные графики хода деформаций анализируются с использованием упругих и упруговязких моделей геологической среды. Определены годовые скорости деформирования, выявлен его циклический характер с периодами от 3 до 18 лет и амплитудами до 5 секунд дуги (2·10–5). Различными методами определен упругий модуль коренных пород, слагающих долину р. Талой, его величина составила 20 ГПа. С использованием кривой затухания деформации за период 1989–2014 гг., в рамках вязкоупругой модели Кельвина получено значение эффективной вязкости среды 1019 Па·с. С привлечением данных о скоростях вертикальных движений проведена оценка области, представительной для полученных параметров (от 0.1 до 6.0 км). Экспериментально определенные параметры могут быть использованы при моделировании тектонических, косейсмических и постсейсмических процессов.