Project Details
Projekt
Lithospheric structure and seismicity of the Rwenzori mountains as part of the Albertine rift system
Applicant
Professor Dr. Georg Rümpker
Subject Area
Geophysics and Geodesy
Term
from 2006 to 2015
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 18857975
We propose a seismological experiment to study the velocity structure and seismicity of the Rwenzori region. A temporary network consisting of 25 seismic stations will be deployed in the area for a period of 18 months. The earthquake data that will be recorded during this time can be divided into two major groups: (a) Recordings from teleseismic events will be analyzed to image the structural details (seismic velocity, attenuation and anisotropy) of the crust and upper mantle in this region. This will provide important constraints for the modeling of geodynamic processes responsible for the formation of the Rwenzori mountains (Project D2). (b) Recordings of local earthquakes will be used to map active fault zones in the Rwenzori region. This will provide information on current tectonic movements and earthquake risk. The interpretation of our results will be performed in close cooperation with structural studies based on magnetotelluric investigations (Project A2). Our interpretation of seismic velocities and anisotropy will benefit from the proposed studies on mantle xenoliths (Project A3). During the second half of this 6-year project we plan to extend the experimental investigation to a larger area along the western branch of the East African Rift System (EARS), which is characterized by pronounced seismic activity. Previous large-scale seismological experiments have focused mainly on the less-active eastern branch.
DFG Programme
Research Units
Major Instrumentation
seismic broad-band stations
Instrumentation Group
0420 Seismometer und Geräte für Sprengseismik
Participating Person
Professor Dr. Rainer Kind
