Geological Structure of the Middle Kura and Shamakhi-Gobustan Troughs of the South-Caspian Depression (Azerbaijan): Results of Interpretation of Seismological Data and GPS-Monitoring

The article presents GPS monitoring data for the territory of Azerbaijan. It has been established that the velocity of the earth’s surface in depression zones is significantly higher than at the junction of large tectonic elements, where the earth’s surface moves in a rotational manner (counterclockwise and clockwise). It is assumed that the decrease in the velocity of the earth’s surface in the junction zone of the Kura Trough with the Greater Caucasus is associated with the influence of tectonic compression forces in the horizontal direction on the formation of young uplifts that form a series of parallel ridges of the Cenozoic age, and the compaction of tectonic breccias formed as a result of friction between the folded system of the Greater Caucasus and the Kura Trough. In some areas of Southeastern Gobustan, there is a clockwise rotation of the Cenozoic sedimentary layers. This may be due to the narrowing of the platform area and the fragmentation of the rocks into separate blocks under the influence of mud volcanism. In addition, the dextral shear movements along faults are recorded in the region. This occurred as a reaction of the earth’s crust to the force of horizontal compression created by the convergence of the Eurasian and Arabian lithospheric plates.