Crustal and Upper Mantle Structure of the Assam Valley Region, NE India: A Review of Geophysical Findings
The northeastern region of India is one of the six most seismically active convergent plate tectonic areas in the world. The north–south convergence along the Indo-Tibetan Himalayan Ranges and the east–west subduction within the Indo-Burma Ranges create a complex stress regime, resulting in signific...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Ilya Lozovsky Ivan Varentsov Devesh Walia |
| author_facet | Ilya Lozovsky Ivan Varentsov Devesh Walia |
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| description | The northeastern region of India is one of the six most seismically active convergent plate tectonic areas in the world. The north–south convergence along the Indo-Tibetan Himalayan Ranges and the east–west subduction within the Indo-Burma Ranges create a complex stress regime, resulting in significant seismic activity and a history of great/large earthquakes. The region’s intricate strain patterns, active faults, and potential seismic gaps underscore the need for detailed subsurface studies to effectively assess seismic hazards and impending seismicity. Geophysical research is essential for understanding the region’s geodynamic evolution, seismotectonics, and mineral resources. This manuscript reviews the geological and tectonic settings of the region and summarizes recent geophysical studies, including seismic, gravity, magnetic, and magnetotelluric surveys conducted in the Assam Valley and adjacent areas (within latitudes 24.5–28.5° N and longitudes 89–97.5° E). The review highlights key findings on hydrocarbon-bearing sediments, the configuration of the crystalline basement, the heterogeneous structures of the crust and upper mantle, and seismic discontinuities. By synthesizing these results, the review aims to enhance the understanding of seismic hazards in Northeast India, guide mitigation strategies, and identify key knowledge gaps to direct future research efforts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0befd3d7bbfa4de39ff81f1a97e8d491 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3263 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| series | Geosciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-0befd3d7bbfa4de39ff81f1a97e8d4912025-01-24T13:34:13ZengMDPI AGGeosciences2076-32632025-01-011512710.3390/geosciences15010027Crustal and Upper Mantle Structure of the Assam Valley Region, NE India: A Review of Geophysical FindingsIlya Lozovsky0Ivan Varentsov1Devesh Walia2Geoelectromagnetic Research Centre, Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth, Russian Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 30, 108840 Troitsk, Moscow, RussiaGeoelectromagnetic Research Centre, Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth, Russian Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 30, 108840 Troitsk, Moscow, RussiaDepartment of Geology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, Meghalaya, IndiaThe northeastern region of India is one of the six most seismically active convergent plate tectonic areas in the world. The north–south convergence along the Indo-Tibetan Himalayan Ranges and the east–west subduction within the Indo-Burma Ranges create a complex stress regime, resulting in significant seismic activity and a history of great/large earthquakes. The region’s intricate strain patterns, active faults, and potential seismic gaps underscore the need for detailed subsurface studies to effectively assess seismic hazards and impending seismicity. Geophysical research is essential for understanding the region’s geodynamic evolution, seismotectonics, and mineral resources. This manuscript reviews the geological and tectonic settings of the region and summarizes recent geophysical studies, including seismic, gravity, magnetic, and magnetotelluric surveys conducted in the Assam Valley and adjacent areas (within latitudes 24.5–28.5° N and longitudes 89–97.5° E). The review highlights key findings on hydrocarbon-bearing sediments, the configuration of the crystalline basement, the heterogeneous structures of the crust and upper mantle, and seismic discontinuities. By synthesizing these results, the review aims to enhance the understanding of seismic hazards in Northeast India, guide mitigation strategies, and identify key knowledge gaps to direct future research efforts.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/1/27Northeast IndiaAssam ValleyShillong Plateaucrustal structuregeophysical surveysseismic hazard assessment |
| spellingShingle | Ilya Lozovsky Ivan Varentsov Devesh Walia Crustal and Upper Mantle Structure of the Assam Valley Region, NE India: A Review of Geophysical Findings Geosciences Northeast India Assam Valley Shillong Plateau crustal structure geophysical surveys seismic hazard assessment |
| title | Crustal and Upper Mantle Structure of the Assam Valley Region, NE India: A Review of Geophysical Findings |
| title_full | Crustal and Upper Mantle Structure of the Assam Valley Region, NE India: A Review of Geophysical Findings |
| title_fullStr | Crustal and Upper Mantle Structure of the Assam Valley Region, NE India: A Review of Geophysical Findings |
| title_full_unstemmed | Crustal and Upper Mantle Structure of the Assam Valley Region, NE India: A Review of Geophysical Findings |
| title_short | Crustal and Upper Mantle Structure of the Assam Valley Region, NE India: A Review of Geophysical Findings |
| title_sort | crustal and upper mantle structure of the assam valley region ne india a review of geophysical findings |
| topic | Northeast India Assam Valley Shillong Plateau crustal structure geophysical surveys seismic hazard assessment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/1/27 |
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