New data on the Indus Kohistan seismic zone and its extension into the Hazara–Kashmir Syntaxis, NW Himalayas of Pakistan

This paper deals with the data obtained from local networks in northern Pakistan for 251 earthquakes of magnitude ≥4.0 for October 8, 2005 to December 31, 2006 period. The study presents focal mechanism solutions (FMS) of 12 pre- (1904–2005) and 17 post- (October 8, 2005–December, 2005) Muzaffarabad Earthquake, their detailed tectonic interpretation, and correlation with surface evidence of co-seismic rupture with published synthetic aperture radar data. Distribution of landslides obtained from National Engineering Services of Pakistan and the earthquake damages are also discussed. Aftershock distribution, which is more prominent in the crystalline zone (northwest of Muzaffarabad), defines a 50-km-wide NW–SE trending zone that extends for 200 km from the main mantle thrust to the center of the Hazara–Kashmir Syntaxis. The FMS of the main shock and 16 aftershocks having magnitude ≥4.0 indicate thrusting to be the dominant mechanism with rupture planes having NW–SE trend and NE dip. In addition, 12 FMS of pre-Muzaffarabad Earthquake (1904–2004) from the same area have been determined and results are compared. This leads to the conclusion that the wedge-shaped NW–SE trending blind zone, referred to by earlier workers as the Indus Kohistan Seismic Zone (IKSZ), has been activated during the Muzaffarabad earthquake. The right-lateral component in all FMS, supported by the surface evidences, suggests the involvement of Balakot–Bagh Fault (BBF). We propose that the IKSZ is the source of the October 8, 2005 Muzaffarabad earthquake that reactivated the BBF. Furthermore, the IKSZ does not end at the nose of the syntaxis but extends further southeast of it. Tectonic complexity seems to be due to a variety of factors. Also, thrust and reverse solutions near the northern collisional boundary (main mantle thrust) have mostly NE/SW-directed P-axis orientations. From the detailed FMS analysis, three conclusions have been drawn: (1) Shallow events (depth ≤10 km) with prominent strike slip solutions (earlier earthquakes) are associated with the surface strike slip faults (e.g., Muzaffarabad Fault) and/or the Besham domal structure; (2) moderate depth events (depth 10–25 km) with thrust/reverse solutions but having minor right-lateral strike slip component (all Muzaffarabad earthquakes and two earlier) are associated with the IKSZ; (3) deeper earthquakes (depth below IKSZ) with pure thrust/reverse solutions may be related to the under-thrusting of the Indian plate beneath the IKSZ, which represents a major thrust zone. Imbricate thrusting and breaking and thickening of the crust are considered to be caused by steep bending of the under-thrusting plate at the collisional boundary. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Predictability performance enhancement for suspended sediment in rivers:Inspection of newly developed hybrid adaptive neuro-fuzzy system model

Reliable modeling of river sediments transport is important as it is a defining factor of the economic viability of dams, the durability of hydroelectric-equipment, river susceptibility to pollution, suitability for navigation, and potential for aesthetics and fish habitat. The capability of a new machine learning model, fuzzy c-means based neuro-fuzzy system calibrated using the hybrid particle swarm optimization-gravitational search algorithm（ANFIS-FCM-PSOGSA） in improving the estimation accur...     

A Periglacial Palaeoenvionment in the Upper Carboniferous–Lower Permian Tobra Formation of the Salt Range, Pakistan

The Upper Carboniferous—Lower Permian(Upper Pennsylvanian-Asselian) Tobra Formation is exposed in the Salt and Trans Indus ranges of Pakistan.The formation exhibits an alluvial plain(alluvial fan-piedmont alluvial plain) facies association in the Salt Range and Khisor Range.In addition,a stream flow facies association is restricted to the eastern Salt Range.The alluvial plain facies association is comprised of clast-supported massive conglomerate(Gmc),diamictite(Dm)facies,and massive sandstone(Sm) Hthofacies whereas the stream flow-dominated alluvial plain facies association includes fine-grained sandstone and siltstone(Fss),fining upwards pebbly sandstone(Sf),and massive mudstone(Fm) Hthofacies.The lack of glacial signatures(particularly glacial grooves and striatums) in the deposits in the Tobra Formation,which are,in contrast,present in their timeequivalent and palaeogeographically nearby strata of the Arabian peninsula,e.g.the AI Khlata Formation of Oman and Unayzah B member of the Saudi Arabia,suggests a pro-to periglacial,i.e.glaciofluvial depositional setting for the Tobra Formation.The sedimentology of the Tobra Formation attests that the Salt Range,Pakistan,occupied a palaeogeographic position just beyond the maximum glacial extent during Upper Pennsylvanian-Asselian time.     

Experimental study of the stability of metals associated with iron oxyhydroxides precipitated in acid mine drainage

Iron oxyhydroxide precipitates associated with acid mine drainage (AMD) from the Stearns Coal Zone in southeastern Kentucky were analyzed for their metal (Al, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, and Zn) content. The most concentrated metals within these sediments are nickel (27–32×10³μmol/kg), manganese (16–29×10³μmol/kg), and aluminum (13–22×10³μmol/kg) as determined by HCl-HNO₃ digestion. Metal concentrations associated with the organic fraction as determined by H₂O₂ digestion were generally far lower, with the exception of aluminum. "Batch" experiments (at initial pH=2.0) were used to analyze the stability of these metals associated with a contaminated soil. Aluminum was the most mobile of the metals, presumably the result of the formation of aluminum-sulfate aqueous complexes. The solubilization rates for nickel and iron were very similar, suggesting that nickel, unlike the other metals, coprecipitated with iron in these sulfatic oxyhydroxides. Received: 9 October 1997 · Accepted: 15 December 1997     

Vegetation response to climate and climatic extremes in northwest Bangladesh: a quantile regression approach

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - The present study assessed the vegetation response to climate in the water-stressed northwest Bangladesh (NWB). The quantile regression analysis was employed...     

Estimation of Tasuj aquifer response to main meteorological parameter variations under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways scenarios

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - In this study, statistical and soft-computing methods are compared in forecasting groundwater levels under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) SSP1-2.6,...     

Erratum to: Transpressional regime in southern Arabian Shield: Insights from Wadi Yiba Area,Saudi Arabia

Mineralogy and Petrology -     

Spatial analysis of a historical phenomenon: using GIS to demonstrate the strategic placement of Umayyad desert palaces

The Umayyad qusour (desert palaces) are monumental structures built during the reign of the first caliphate of Islam. Usually dismissed as “pleasure palaces” or “hunting lodges,” some scholars are beginning to argue that these prominent structures were strategic interventions in the landscape. Until now, historians have relied mainly on textual, architectural and art-historical analyses of the qusour in order to understand Umayyad state architecture. This research proposes the use of spatial analysis through GIS to lend a new dimension to the discussion. The results of the analysis show that Umayyad qusour are carefully situated at routes of transhumance and water sources. The distribution pattern of the Umayyad qusour is clustered at the outlet of Wadi Sarhan, and there is actually line-of-sight communication between Azraq, Amra, Haranah, Muwaqqar, Umm al Walid, Mushatta, and Qastal. There is also a positive association between Umayyad qusour and their water sources. These results support the argument that the Umayyad qusour were built strategically at perennial water sources in order to monitor routes of transhumance amongst the socio-political centers of the period.