Past projects

Topo-Transylvania

Funder: NKFIH NN

Duration: 2019-2022

The goal of the ESF TOPO-EUROPE project is the observation and modelling of the tectonically most interesting part of the European lithospheric plate, the Carpathian subduction, volcanism associated with the subduction and the effects of volcanic activity on salt tectonics by means of complex space geodesy, furthermore magnetotelluric- and seismic tomography. Beside GGI, the project leader, the initiative has been joined also by the ELTE (Eötvös Loránd Public Research University of Budapest), by the Romanian Institute for Earth Physics, by the Romanian Institute of Geodynamics, by the Sapientia University, and the Babes-Bolyai University, as well as by the Utrecht University – the world-leading center for lithosphere dynamics.

The practical tasks are to set up new remote sensing networks and monitoring systems for continuously observing postvolcanic gas emanations in the area. One of the main goals of the proposal is to reveal the interplay between surface movements, seismic and post-volcanic activity in the Carpathian Bend area to better understand the coupling mechanism between deep and surface processes. The other important aim is to study whether there is any relationship between the compositions of upper mantle xenolith hosted fluid inclusions and those coming to the surface in gas emanations. Furthermore deep MT soundings will be undertaken in the area to identify highly conductive zones which may be in association with percolating fluids in the lithosphere-asthenosphere system. Petrology and geochemistry, seismology and deep MT soundings will be used jointly to build a 3D lithosphere-asthenosphere model under the Carpathian Bend area.
This holistic 3D model can serve as a starting point for future numeric and analogue models for the deformation of the lithosphere. The emerging new models may contribute to refine geodynamic models for the formation of Vrancea earthquakes.