Dzhankeldy Wind Power Project

6.3
Soils, Geology, Groundwater and Surface Water 
6.3.1 
Geological Setting & Geomorphological Structure
The majority of Uzbekistan territory (approximately 78.8%) consist of desert plains stretching 
from the north west to south east which are regions of Turan depression or Turan Platform . The 
plain area is presented by steppes, Kyzylkum and Karakum desert. The south eastern & eastern 
region (21.2%) of the country consist primarily of mountains. 
According to the Geotechnical Site Investigation report prepared by UzAssystem on behalf of 
ACWA Power (UzAssystem, 2021a), The multiple folded basement of the Turan Platform 
includes sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks which belongs to the Uralo-Mongolian 
Late Paleozoic orogenic belt. Major ancient continental blocks are the Kazakh and Karakum-
Tajik microcontinents separated by the Turkestanian paleo-oceanic structure. The latter 
originated by rifting during Late Proterozoic and closed progressively from the Ordovician 
through the Early Triassic. The last collision of both microcontinents followed the formation of a 
large nappe pile intruded by granite in the South of Uzbekistan and the formation of a 

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Dzhankeldy 500MW Wind Farm 
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volcanic-plutonic belt in the North. A Late-Neogene-Quaternary secondary orogeny formed 
the present appearance of the territory. 
The south east part of the Turan Platform experienced the secondary orogenic process the 
same as in the Alpine fold beIt (Pamir). As a result of this secondary tectonic activity, a new 
orogenic belt - The Tien Shan Mountains was formed.
6.3.2 
Seismicity of the Region 
According to the Geotechnical Site Investigation report, there are several seismically active 
zones in Uzbekistan due to the large tectonic deformation strike lines capable of generating 
earthquakes with a magnitude of M>7 (UzAssystem, 2021a). Several seismic zones are 
identified in western and central Uzbekistan which could have effect on the project area. This 
seismic zone include North-Kuldzhuktau-Turkestan and Predkyzylkum, South-Auminzatau-Aktau 
and South-Tyan-Shan seismic zones and these are dynamically influenced by South Tyan Shan 
Fault, Zaravshan Fault and Uchbash-Karshi Flexure Fault. The North-Kuldzhuktau-Turkestan 
seismic zone with an earthquake potential & magnitude of M>6.5 passes through the Project 
site (both western & eastern plots). Another seismic zone; the Predkyzylkum which has an 
earthquake potential with magnitude of M>5.5 also passes through the southern part of the 
Project area.
Based on the above, the possible seismic activity which could affect the Project area is 
considered as M > 6.5.
The table below shows the few earthquakes that has been recorded to occur close to the 
Project area with magnitude of M>5 and MSK-64 intensity degrees greater than 8. The location 
of these earthquakes in relation to the Project Site is presented in the figure below.