Crustal geoelectric structure of the Sikkim Himalaya and adjoining Gangetic foreland basin

- Crustal structure across the Sikkim Himalaya by 2-D inversion of MT data
- The Main Himalayan Thrust forms the base of resistive blocks within the wedge.
- Compositionally different crust and mantle lithosphere beneath the Higher Himalaya
- Identification of a crustal-scale fault with the Moho offset of 14 km
- The conductor in the Higher Himalayan Crystallines related to sedimentary rocks

We present the results of a broadband magnetotelluric survey along a 200-km-long profile across the Sikkim Himalaya. The data were acquired at average station spacing of 5-6 km and transfer functions of 31 sites in 0.01-1000 s period range have been used for 2-D joint inversion of TE and TM modes. The composite model incorporating the effect of transverse strike reveals several features that correlate with the available seismic and kinematic models of the region. A major result of the present study is that the Main Himalayan Thrust forms the base of several resistive blocks within the wedge and that a ramp structure is present south of the Main Central Thrust Zone (MCTZ). Another significant result is that the crust and mantle lithosphere beneath the MCTZ and the Higher Himalayan Crystallines (HHC) seem to be compositionally/geologically different from the lithosphere south of the MCTZ. A steep crustal-scale fault with the Moho offset of 14 km is inferred to be separating these two blocks. The deep crustal seismicity could be related to this fault whereas shallow seismicity can be linked to the deformation within the wedge. The results also reveal the presence of some more conductors. We relate the conductor within the HHC to the sedimentary rocks of the Tethyan sequence exposed in a window about 40 km west of the profile and north of the South Tibetan Detachment System (STDS). The conductor at 90 km profile location is linked to the Gondwana rocks exposed in the Rangit Window. A 4-6 km thick sedimentary layer overlies the basement in the Gangetic foreland basin. We also delineate a sub-crustal conductor at 50-60 km depth beneath the foreland basin at the southern end of the profile, the cause of which is not apparent and needs to be explored.