SEISMOGEODYNAMICS OF THE GREATER CAUCASUS FROM GNSS DATA

Abstract

The article provides an analysis of modern seismogeodynamics of the Azerbaijan part of the  Greater Caucasus. The purpose of the research was to reveal how complex geodynamic processes are reflected in the spatial and temporal distribution of strong earthquakes in the territory of the Azerbaijan part of the Greater Caucasus. For this purpose, GPS and seismological data for the period 2012-2022 were considered. The main tasks were to analyze the strong earthquakes that occurred in the territory under consideration, analyze the data on the velocities of horizontal movements obtained from the data of the GPS network of RSSC stations, and also make a correlation between these data. The velocity field clearly illustrates the movement of the earth's surface in a north-northeast direction. This phenomenon reflects the process of successive accumulation of elastic deformations in the zone of subduction interaction of the structures of the northern side of the South Caucasian microplate (Vandam-Gobustan megazone) with the accretionary prism of the Greater Caucasus. Comparing the seismic data with the data of GPS stations, it can be seen that with the gradual immersion of the seismogenic layer, the velocities increase. At SATG and ALIG stations, the data increase to 10-11 mm/g. It can be noted that the change in the values of horizontal movements on the territory of the Zakatalo-Balakan, Oguz-Gabala seismogenic zones is associated with the movement of layers (blocks) of the earth's crust at a depth of
5-20-40 km. In the Sheki seismogenic zone 2-30 km, in the Shamakhi-Ismayilli zone 5-45 km, and in the Hajigabul seismogenic zone 5-55 km.