Seismotectonic aspects of the Ms 7.3 1948 October 5 Aşgabat (Ashgabat) earthquake, Türkmenistan: right-lateral rupture across multiple fault segments, and continuing urban hazard

A 1948 earthquake (Ms 7.3) that devastated Aşgabat, Türkmenistan, was found to have ruptured a right-lateral strike-slip fault southeast of the city and likely reactivated a concealed thrust along the Gyaursdag anticline. The study, using historical seismograms, regional seismicity data, satellite imagery, and digital elevation models, determined that the earthquake probably nucleated near Aşgabat and involved multiple fault segments, including one northwest of the city with no clear surface expression. Geomorphic evidence suggests significant strike-slip and oblique strike-slip faulting in the region, with luminescence dating indicating a vertical displacement rate of 0.6 mm/yr for fluvial terraces west of Aşgabat. The findings highlight ongoing urban seismic hazards linked to these active faults.

Marshall, N., Ou, Q., Begenjev, G., Bergman, E., Bezmenov, Y., Dodds, N., Gruetzner, C., Hudson, T., Pierce, I., Mirzin, R., Rhodes, E., Walker, R. T., & Wordsworth, P. (2023). Seismotectonic aspects of the M s 7.3 1948 October 5 Aşgabat (Ashgabat) earthquake, Türkmenistan: right-lateral rupture across multiple fault segments, and continuing urban hazard. Geophysical Journal International, 237(1), 315–338. https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggad488