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Cooperation with EMSEV - investigations of natural electric field variations preceding to earthquakes

From September 11, 2015, in cooperation with EMSEV, the investigations of natural electric field variations preceding to earthquakes had been started in the territory of Bishkek Geodynamic Proving Ground. For the purpose of natural electric field observations two special electromagnetic stations were arranged in Shavai and Issyk-Ata points. At the Shavai station the electric fields registration has been conducted with the help of 24-bit DAS (data acquisition system) LS-8800 of 0.01 Hz to 40 Hz frequency range. The sampling frequency of measurements is 100 Hz. As a sensor we use the system of 100-m orthogonal electrical dipoles with non-polarized electrodes oriented by cardinal directions.

At Issyk-Ata station the system of observations is similar to above but has another type of DAS.

On the first of July 2014 both stations were upgraded: electrodes have been changed, the receiver dipoles were lengthened and monocomponent vertical seismometers were installed.

As a result of natural electric field monitoring there was collected the data base comprising observations from 11.11.2011 till current moment which includes:

1.For Shavai station – 50 GB data in binary format and 750 GB of data converted in ASCII text format. Data is presented in the form of one-hour files (size of 25 MB) which comprises 100 Hz records with 3 measuring channels.

2.For Issyk-Ata station – 30 GB data in binary format and 100 GB of data converted in ASCII text format. Data is presented in the form of one-day files (size of 90-270 MB) which comprises 20 Hz and 4- Hz records with 4 and 6 measuring channels.

To analyze and compare the data obtained at above described stations we use the data of closest to points of observations KNET stations (Kyrgyz Network of seismic stations) and the data of operational electromagnetic and geomagnetic observations of Research Station RAN in Bishkek city.

Sampling frequencies of 40 Hz and 100 Hz corresponded to “B” and “H” channels of KNET seismic stations and were selected to simplify joint analyses of natural electric and seismic fields. Vertical seismometers were installed in 2014, what allows precise determination of seismic wave arrival directly at the station of electromagnetic observations.

In November, 2011, in the territory of RS RAS in cooperation with EMSEV the First International Symposium has been held where researchers from the universities of Japan, Greece, France and Russian Federation took an active part. In October, 2012, at the Conference on electromagnetic phenomena connected with seismic and volcanoes activity in Japan RS RAS researchers presented 3 reports.

As agreed by the RS RAS and EMSEV the work conference devoted to contemporary state of electromagnetic investigations is to be held every year in Japan, Greece or Kyrgyzstan.

In April, 2014, the First work conference took place in Toulouse (France). Researchers from the universities of Japan, Greece, France and Russian Federation discussed in details the results of electromagnetic observations. Head of LIS (Laboratory of Integrated Study) presented 2 reports. One of report was presented by junior researcher of LIS Ekaterina Vorontsova. Further to discussion in cooperation with colleagues there were elaborated the plenary report “Preliminary analysis of geoelectric data collected by RS RAS and EMSEV in cooperation” to be presented during the conference on electromagnetic phenomena connected with seismic and volcanoes activity”, which took place in September 2014 in Pole.

In April 2015 the Second work conference came around in Athens (Greece). The participants from Japan, Greece, France, China and Russia discussed the electromagnetic observation results obtained in preceding year. Ekaterina Vorontsova presented the results of analysis of data obtained.

RS RAS researchers elaborated and presented two reports in a course of 26 IUGG General Assembly which was held on June 2015 in Prague (Czech Republic):

• Outcome of RS RAS and EMSEV collaboration in a field of electric and seismic events study in the territory of Northern Tian-Shan.
• About the problem of identification of pre-seismic electric signals of VAN technique in geoelectric data collected within the framework of EMSEV and RS RAS collaboration.

During the conference in Athens it was agreed to hold next conference on electromagnetic phenomena connected with seismic and volcanoes activity in lanzhou (China) on August 25 – 29, 2016.

Field works on collection the information on geological indicators of paleo stresses

For the period 14 - 27 September, 2015, within the framework of complex expeditionary project RFBR № 15-05-10138к (Project Manager – Anatoly Rybin) and for solving of research problems within the RFBR initiative subsidy №15-05-06857а (Project Manager – Naila Sycheva) there had been carried out the field works to collect the information on geological indicators of paleo stresses in the areas of transition from folded mountain structures to intermountain depressions in the Tian-Shan area. While passing along 12 field routes there had been investigated 4 global sites, where structural and cinematic information on tectonic joints and minor faults movements onto surface were collected.

The data were collected in the territory of Research Station, near the complex geophysical mini proving ground “Kentor” and along the Valley of Alamedin River (6 points of survey). On the walls of Kochkor and Issyk-Kul intermountain depressions the data necessary for the reconstructions of local paleo stressing conditions were obtained. Within the Kochkor Valley the measurements on its eastern end and southern wall (entirely 11 points of survey) were conducted.

There we succeeded in determination of stressing conditions in Miocene deposits. Reconstruction of stressed conditions made in this point can be associated with contemporary phase of region deformation. On the southern coast of Issyk-Kul depression we carried out the comprehensive investigations of fold structure in Mesozoic deposits (7 points of survey).

Scientific Program of IRC - GPG

On the 12th of September, 2015, at the meeting of Committee of Plenipotentiaries of Governments of the Russian Federation and the Kyrgyz Republic, which was held on the basis of IRS-GPG, the Scientific Program “Geodynamics and Geoenvironmental Problems of High-Mountain Tien Shan (2015-2019)” was approved. In implementation of specific chapters of the Program within the frames of independent projects the international and national scientific and research organizations and establishments, as well as individual researchers and specialist from countries – members of IRC-GPG and not, can take part.

A large number of researchers and specialist from Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Germany, France, China and Japan took part in development of the Program.

It is proposed to finance the projects by means of:

• Target financing by the founding members of IRC-GPG due to budgetary financing allocated by ministries and departments of the countries – members of IRS-GPG for science and techniques development;
• Financial means received under the agreements and contracts;
• Financial benefits from use of intellectual property of IRC-GPG;
• Grants and financial means received under charity.

The Scientific Advisor of the Program “Geodynamics and Geoenvironmental Problems of High-Mountain Tien Shan (2015-2019)” is an Academician N.P. Laverov.

The organization of projects implementation within the framework of Program was rested on Executive Direction of IRC-GPG.

On the basis of contemporary knowledge and facilities available there are necessity and possibility to continue the researches of the following interconnected problems of geodynamics of the Central Asia.

• Geodynamics of latest intracontinental mountain building;
• Stressed and deformed state and deep structure of Tien Shan;
• Seismotectonic, geoenvironmental and engineering-geological aspects of latest tectonics and modern geodynamics of Tien Shan.

International Research Center – Geodynamic Proving Ground. News.