Morphostructure of the Southeastern Kamchatka Peninsula: Neotectonic Control and Relationship to Thermal Water Discharge

Based on a comprehensive morphostructural analysis of the southeastern Kamchatka Peninsula using GIS modeling and satellite imagery interpretation, the new maps of morphoisohypses (distinguishing structural and sculptural relief) and a relief energy map reflecting the field of modern vertical movements are composed. The interpretation revealed a system of lineaments including local and regional disjunctive–plicative structures with shear kinematics and a model of their formation was proposed. The leading role in the formation of the present-day relief belongs to neotectonics resulting in the block structure of the area. The main practical conclusion of this study is related to the identification of potential discharge zones of high-temperature thermal waters. These zones are confined to the boundaries of contrasting morphostructures (junctions of uplifts and subsidences) with higher fracturing areas, as well as to the destructive fields within regional strike-slip fault lineaments, which are the conduits for the migration of deep fluids. Our results are the basis for planning the exploration and evaluation works for regional thermal resources.