Holocene and recent tectonics at the Pamir-Tien-Shan boundary, within the Surkhob valley (Garm gedynamic test area)

Abstract

The Surkhob valley is a part of the zone of collision of Eurasian and Indian lithospheric plates. Due to tectonic compression in the Holocene a narrow highly shattered zone was formed (lengthwise morphostructural lineament of the 1st rank), associated with the Ghissar-Kokshaal deep-seated fault and the Vakhsh over thrust. The recent activity of the faults was tentatively evaluated. Late Holocene displacements along longitudinal and transversal thrusts are identified from the Surkhob terraces profiling. Geodetic system of the Garm test area is arranged according to morphostructural plan of the Surkhob valley which is controlled by the Ghissar- Kokshaal fault zone. Geomorphological data permit to delimit an area of highly contrast displacements in the frontal zone of the Vakhsh over thrust where the two fault zones interact.