Created in 1998 on the basis of the association of two laboratories “Seismological methods for studying and modeling the structure of the earth’s crust” (headed by E.M. Butovskaya from 1963-1982, S.S. Seiduzova – 1982-1988) and “Field seismometry of deep structures of ore regions and seismogenic zones” (headed by T.E. Ergeshev). From 1998-2002 The laboratory was headed by PhD T.E. Ergeshev, from 2003-2011. headed by DSc in Physics and Mathematics S.Kh. Maksudov.Prior to the organization of the joint laboratory, work was carried out to study the Еarth’s crust of the Pamirs and Tien Shan within the framework of the International Pamir-Himalayan project. The vertical and horizontal heterogeneity of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle, the multilayer-block structure of the lithosphere, the thickness of the earth’s crust – a maximum of 85 km, the boundaries of sections, a clear expression of the roots of mountain structures and the correspondence of mantle protrusions to depressions have been established. With the reorganization, the laboratory was connected to the implementation of the International Project No. 354 “Relationship between the concentration of metals and the deep structure of the lithosphere”, within which the role of deep structures of the lithosphere in the origin of large and super-large ore deposits was studied. As a result of the research, in general for Uzbekistan, the main geological and geophysical parameters that control the formation of large and super-large deposits have been identified.Since 2012, the laboratory has been headed by DSc in Geology and Mineralogy  I.P. Sidorova. The total number of employees is 7 people.

Strategic direction and themes.

Studies of the structure of the lithosphere (“λίθος [lithos]” – the solid shell of the Earth in Greek) is fundamental knowledge in predicting large and super-large deposits, both for liquid hydrocarbons (oil, gas) and solid ore (gold, silver, polymetals ) mineral. The main strategic direction of the laboratory is a comprehensive study of the lithosphere of Uzbekistan at different scales – from the micro (sample, sample) to the macro level – layers, strata and larger geological formations in order to identify patterns of their spatial distribution in the lithosphere to predict new mineral deposits.

Main tasks

  • Study of the deep structure of the regions of ore deposits using a complex of geological and geophysical methods;
  • Geothermal studies of geological objects. Study of thermophysical properties of rocks and their correlation with other petrophysical properties.
  • Identification of the features of the dynamics of the evolution of deep structures of the lithosphere;
  • Study of the relief morphology of the Moho boundary and its relationship with high- and low-velocity objects of the lithosphere;
  • Seismic monitoring of hazardous geological processes at industrial geological facilities;
  • Study of the features of the deep structure of geological objects.

The entire territory of our Republic is covered with a network of geophysical profiles of deep seismic sounding, as well as gravimagnetic surveys of different scales – from regional (1000000, 500000) to local – (50000, 10000).Comprehensive geophysical studies are being carried out on the ore deposits of Uzbekistan, as a result of which the features of the dynamics of the evolution of the deep structures of the lithosphere have been revealed; relief morphology of the Moho boundary and its relationship with high- and low-velocity objects of the lithosphere.

On the basis of geological and geophysical studies, five main ore-magmatic concentrations have been identified:1. Central Kyzylkum; 2. Chatkal-Kurama; 3. Nurata; 4. Sultanuvais; 5. Southwestern Gissar.

A methodology for creating integrated models has been developed and tested, which includes two successive stages: a) methodology for complex geological and geophysical processing, interpretation of potential fields and profiles of deep seismic sounding; b) a technique for creating a combined interactive 3-D model in ArcGIS (in combination with remote sensing materials).
Based on a complex methodology, a three-dimensional spatial dynamic model of the Central Kyzylkum Ore-Magmatic Concentre was created, including an integrated analysis of the location of deep structures, relationships between objects and phenomena using modern methods of spatial analysis and geomodeling.
Petrologo-geophysical models of the deep structure of the ore regions of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in particular, the Central-Kyzylkum Ore-Magmatic Concentre, have been developed. A forecast was made for the search for new deposits of the Muruntau and Kyzylkum types.
A series of maps has been created, that characterizes the anomalies of the heat flow on the territory of our Republic (certificate No. BGU 00339), the distribution of temperatures and their gradients, which made it possible to identify the main features of thermal fields and thermal anomalies at different levels of the Earth’s crust. Since 2019, research work has been carried out on the topic of GRR No. 284 “Geophysical study of geothermal anomalies in the Kyzylkum, Gissar, Almalyk-Angren regions in order to clarify their contours and develop scientific and practical recommendations for the use of low- and high-potential sources of geothermal energy.”
Digital maps of the gravitational field of Uzbekistan and the surface of Moho have been created, taking into account the latest results of seismic studies. Their analysis allows, along with the solution of theoretical issues of geology and seismology, to set purely practical tasks – to investigate the relationship between the deep structure of the Earth’s crust and the structure of its upper horizons.
An integrated predictive map of mineral deposits in the Nurata region has been created, including both outcrops and deep isohypses of the surface of the pre-Mesozoic basement, contours of intrusions and their buried extensions according to potential fields, and new predictive areas for gold and gold-silver mineralization.

Implementations, achievements. A computational program for calculating percolation processes occurring in rock samples has been developed and patented (certificate for the software product “Percolationcheck” No. DGU 01170 dated November 24, 2006). These studies are a good theoretical and practical basis for further searches for unique substances identified at the micro level on a larger scale.Also, the laboratory has developed a computer program in the Wolfram Mathematica7 programming language, which allows seismic P, S waves to be separated by mathematical modeling by theoretical rotation of the horizontal axes of seismic receivers. The method improves the possibility of determining the beginning of P and S waves on a seismogram. Certificates were obtained for the software product of the Agency for Intellectual Property of the Republic of Uzbekistan “PS-S Division” No. DGU04477 and “3D P-S Division” No. DGU05454.

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Foreign relations.

The laboratory is actively developing international cooperation – in 2013, a grant for equipment and software was received from the Japanese International Agency JICA. A three-stage training of young specialists to work in the ArcGIS-10.1 software package was carried out. Within the framework of the signed Memorandum, from 2012-2017, geological and geophysical field expeditions were carried out with geologists, geophysicists and tectonists from the Pierre and Marie Curie University (Paris, France). Laboratory staff actively participates in joint international research and conferences.

Communication with Universities.

The laboratory observes the tradition of continuity of knowledge and transfer of experience from the older generation to young scientists. Geophysicists with experience give lectures at the University of Geological Sciences, National and Technical Universities of the Republic. Seminars are held on the most interesting emerging topics with the participation of young scientists.

Liaison with industry organizations.

The laboratory maintains intensive contacts, first of all, with the Institute of Seismology: joint research is carried out within the framework of international grants, in particular, the STSU grant was carried out. Since 2010, the laboratory has been actively cooperating with scientists from the Institute of Oil and Gas – IGIRNIGM – joint field trips and research have been carried out in the Hissar region by the international program “Darius” with the reconnaissance goal of choosing areas for joint detailed research. According to the roadmap for the development of geological science between NMMC and the Institute of Geology and Geophysics named after Kh.M.Abdullaev in the period 2020-2024, geophysical studies in the identified promising areas of Western Tamdytau will be carried out in 2023-2024.