Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Geological investigation and subsurface sediments classification in the Isfahan plain

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors
1 Department of Geology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
2 Civil Engineering Department, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
The Isfahan plain is located in the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone with geographical coordinates of 545000 to 581000 and 3606000 to 3627000. Subsurface sedimentary sequence in this plain is divided into 4 main zones and 6 subzones. Zone A is the rock outcrops and bedrock sequence in this plain. Zone B consists of alluvial fan deposits including a variety of talus cons (B1), coarse-grained to fine-grained (B2), and mud-flow (B3) sediments. Zone C consists of fine-grained playa deposits with pedogenic limestones, formed in depressed areas outside the Zayandeh-Rud alluvial plain. Zone D is the Zayandeh-Rud alluvial plain, divided into upper fine-grained (D1), middle coarse-grained (D2), and lower fine-grained (D3) units. Fine-grained sediments were deposited in calm and stagnant conditions, and coarse-grained sequences were deposited by river's flood currents. The flatness of plain, widening of bed, and uplift of bedrock in the eastern part of river's path led to the river's exit from main path in the Isfahan plain. Presence of coarse-grained fluvial deposits with high roundness and sphericity in an upward-diminishing sequence in the central, northern, and northeastern areas of the Isfahan plain indicates the existence of an abandoned channel of the Zayandeh-Rud river to the northeastern parts of this plain.
Keywords

Subjects


 
Abdollahi, M.R., Jafarian, M.B., Goodarzi, A., Pirhadi, G.R., and Partoazar, H., 2014. Geological report of the Esfahan map (1:25000) 6355 III NE, Geological survey of Iran, 64 p. (in Persian).
Ahmadi, H., and Soltani Kopaie, S., 1996. Study of Zayandeh-Rud River terraces, Iran. J. Natural Res., 49, 25-33 (in Persian).
Arvin Ajand Consulting Engineers Company, 2022. Geotechnical studies of the Talar building, 112 p. (in Persian).
Arvin Ajand Consulting Engineers Company, 2024. Geotechnical studies of commercial-service complex in Quds square, 120 p. (in Persian).
ASTM D2487, 2018. Standard practice for classification of soils for engineering purposes (Unified Soil Classification System), ASTM international, Annual book of ASTM standards, vol 04.08., 12 p.
ASTM D422, 2014. Standard test method for particle-size analysis of soils, ASTM international, Annual book of ASTM standards, vol 04.08., 8 p.
ASTM D4318, 2017. Standard test methods for liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils, ASTM international, Annual book of ASTM standards, Vol 04.08., 14 p.
Ayoubi, S., 2002. Pedogenic evidences of Quaternary climatic change recorded in paleosols from Isfahan and Emam-Gheis (Charmahal Bakhtiari province), Ph.D. thesis, Isfahan university of Technology, Iran, 301 p. (in Persian).
Azmouneh Foulad Consulting Engineers Company, 2017. Geotechnical operation of the supplementary stage of line 2 of Isfahan city train, Kharazi station, 121 p. (in Persian).
Bull, W.B., 2009. Geomorphic responses to climatic change, Oxford University Press, New York, 352 p.
Davoodi, E., Shabanian, N., and Davoudian, A.R., 2015. Characteristic evaluation of sedimentology of the of Zayandeh-Rud River alluvial Terraces and the sediment source identification, Quarterly journal of Environmental Erosion Research, 5(18), 67-84 (in Persian).
Deere, D.U., 1989. Rock quality designation (RQD) after twenty years, Vicksburg, USA, 101 p.
Farashi, S., and Ajalloeian, R., 2012. Engineering geological mapping at east of Isfahan city, using GIS, AJBAS, 6(1), 165-172.
Fatolahzadeh, S., Nadi, B., and Ajalloeian, R., 2022. Land Subsidence Susceptibility Zonation of Isfahan Plain based on Geological Bedrock Layer, Geotech. Geol. Eng., 40(14), 1-8.
Fazileh, F., Karami, G.H., and Ajalloeian, R., 2020. An empirical method for estimating the soil hydraulic conductivity using particle size distribution curve, case study: Isfahan city, IJHST, 10(5), 504-513.
Ghaiumi Mohammadi, H., 2011. The influence of morphogenic-pedogenic processes on natural and civil evolutions of Zayandeh-Rud at the Quaternary period, PhD thesis, University of Isfahan, Iran, 397 p. (in Persian).
Ghasemi, A., and Talbot, C.J., 2006. A new tectonic scenario for the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone (Iran), J. Asian Earth Sci., 26, 683-693.
Havaee, S.H., Kamali, A., Toomanian, N., and Mosaddeghi, M.R., 2018. Investigation of the Terraces of the Zayandeh‒Rud River’s current pathway using the Harden’s profile development index (PDI), J. of Water and Soil Conservation, V. 25(2), 1-22 (in Persian).
Honarjoo, N., 1992. Soil genesis and clay minerals studies on terraces of Zayandeh-Rud river in Isfahan, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran, 138 p. (in Persian).
Jaafarian, M., 1986. Past history and evolutionary steps of Zayandeh-Rud Valley, Res. J. Isfahan University, 1, 15-31 (in Persian).
Khademi, H., Mermut, A.R., and Krouse, H.R., 1997. Sulfur isotope geochemistry of gypsiferous aridi sols from central Iran, Geoderma, 80, 195-209.
Mohammadi, M., 2021. The engineering geology classification of the south Esfahan alluviums with emphasis on geology factors and in situ tests, PhD thesis, Faculty of Earth Science, Kharazmi University, 168 p. (in Persian).
Mohammadi, M., Aghda, S.M.F., Talkhablou, M., and Cheshomi, A., 2020. Introducing a comprehensive geological and geotechnical classification for urban planning and design, a case study in Isfahan (Iran), Geotech. Geol. Eng., 38(6), 6809-6826.
Nadimi, A., and Konon, A., 2012. Strike-slip faulting in the central part of the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone, Zagros Orogen, Iran. J. Struct. Geol., 40, 2-16.
Pakzad, H., and Amini, A., 2009. Facies and sedimentation processes in the alluvial fan deposits of the lower reach of Zayandeh-Rud river, southeast of Isfahan, Journal of stratigraphy and sedimentology researches, 25, 113-132 (in Persian).
Ramesht, M.H., 1992. Effect of Zayandeh-Rud River on landscape of Esfahan, PhD thesis, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, 197 p. (in Persian).
Sohrabi, A., Beygi, S., Nadimi, A., and Hajihashemi, M., 2015. The role of regional tectonics in structural caves, Simorgh Cave, Sofeh mountain (Iran), J. Tethys, 3(2), 114-122.
Soil survey staff, 2010. Keys to soil taxonomy, 11th edn., USDA, NRCS, P. 422
Soltani Kopaie, S., 2004. An evaluation of type of sedimentary environment in Isfahan region and Zayandeh-Rud river avulsion, Iranian J. Natural Res., 56(4), 351-364 (in Persian).
Tadayon, M., Rashid, H., Salehi, M.A., and Aslani, A., 2022. Post-Cretaceous structural reconstruction of the west Central Iranian micro-plate: insights from structural and magnetic fabrics (AMS) constraints, J. Struct. Geol., 160, 104601
Targulian, V.O., and Krasilnikov, P.V., 2007. Soil system and pedogenic processes: self-organization, time scales, and environmental significance, Catena, 71, 373-381.
Technical and Soil Mechanics Laboratory Company, 2020. Results of the tests carried out in the Isfahan airport project, 78 p. (in Persian).
Technical and Soil Mechanics Laboratory Company, 2024. Construction of a 500-bed 25-Aban hospital in the Isfahan, 99 p. (in Persian).
Toomanian, N., 2007. Landscape evolution, pedodiversity and mapping of some pedogenic attributes of soils in central Iran, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran, 170 p. (in Persian).
Zamin Fanavaran Consulting Engineers Company, 2006. Geotechnical conditions of Si-o-se- pol to azadi stations report, line 1 of subway in Isfahan city, 30 p. (in Persian).
Zamin Fanavaran Consulting Engineers Company, 2017. Final geotechnical reports and results of laboratory and in situ tests of line 3 of subway in Isfahan city, 115 p. (in Persian).