H. Nazari; J-F. Ritz
Abstract
The Taleghan Fault is located at the southern side of Taleghan valley in Central Alborz, 50 km north west of the Tehran mega city. Usually described as a south-dipping reverse fault, it could be the source of some of the strongest historical earthquakes recorded in the Tehran region, notably the 958 ...
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The Taleghan Fault is located at the southern side of Taleghan valley in Central Alborz, 50 km north west of the Tehran mega city. Usually described as a south-dipping reverse fault, it could be the source of some of the strongest historical earthquakes recorded in the Tehran region, notably the 958 AD (estimated magnitude M 7.7). The fault stands out as one of the major active structure menacing the cities of Tehran and Karadj, representing together 12 millions inhabitants. In order to analyze the recent activity of the fault, a morphological study was carried out along the fault combining satellite imagery, aerial photographs and Digital Elevation Model. We found out an active branch that had never been described whereas the fault classically mapped appears inactive. Detailed field work along the branch allows us to show that the fault had its vertical component recently reverted from reverse movement to normal movement. One of the measured ratios of accumulated horizontal / vertical displacements associated to the left lateral and normal movement is 2.5-5. The strike, estimated dip and rake in the eastern part are 105°, 60° and 40° respectinely making it a left lateral- normal strike slip fault in this part of the Central Alborz.
K. Kalantari; A. Kananian; A. Asiabanha; M. Eliassi
Abstract
Paleogene basic to intermediate lava flows of Central Alborz, in the northeast of Qazvin city (Zarjebostan), include trachy-andesite, basaltic trachy-andesite and basaltic andesite. These volcanic rocks are high-K calc-alkaline rocks. Based on the high LILE/HFSE and LREE/HREE ratios ...
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Paleogene basic to intermediate lava flows of Central Alborz, in the northeast of Qazvin city (Zarjebostan), include trachy-andesite, basaltic trachy-andesite and basaltic andesite. These volcanic rocks are high-K calc-alkaline rocks. Based on the high LILE/HFSE and LREE/HREE ratios and their similar composition to subduction volcanic rock suites; it seems that they have formed in a subduction zone. The subduction process has little effect on the concentration of Zr, Ta, Hf, Sm, Tb, Nd, Eu and Y elements, while it has strong influence on concentration of Th, U and La elements. Due to high Ba/La, Ba/Ta and La/Ta ratios and low TiO2 content of lavas, they could be attributed to magmatic arc setting. Th/Yb vs. Ta/Yb diagrams and association of study suite with extensive volume of acidic tuffs, indicate that these rocks have been formed in an active continental margin.
H. Nazari; J-F. Ritz; S. Oghbaee
Abstract
Development and evolution of Tethys basins during geological history from the Precambrian to Paleogene has been considered by many geoscientists. The first sign of various basins propagation of Tethys which resulted in separation of supercontinents, ancient lands (such as Eurasia, Gondwana) and ...
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Development and evolution of Tethys basins during geological history from the Precambrian to Paleogene has been considered by many geoscientists. The first sign of various basins propagation of Tethys which resulted in separation of supercontinents, ancient lands (such as Eurasia, Gondwana) and blocks or microplates among them, are found in the Precambrian. One of these old basins in the north of Iran has been called Ortho-Tethys, its evidence can be found in the primary structures of Alborz and its Precambrian units.
Some other researchers believe that the Ordovician and Silurain volcanic series of Iranian Plateau and Alborz were formed after genesis of Early Tethys basin or Paleotethys due to extension-shear system along the Paleo-Tethys between Turan plate and Alborz-Kopet-Dagh belts. By increasing the rate of subsidence in the Permain basin, the dominating marks of extension system between Iranian microcontinents and Arabian plate were recorded, however, the related alkaline volcanic rocks of the Neotethys rifting found in Triassic succesion. In addition, the most important tectonic changes of the Caspian and Black seas occurred in the Triassic time.
Structural upheaval of Tethys basins among blocks and plates, such as Turan in the north Kopet-e-Dagh, Caucasus, Alborz, Sabzevar, Central Iranian micro-continents and Arabian plate in the south is traceable periodically.
The succession of extension and compression tectonic events resulting from opening and closing of such basins during Assynitic–Pan african and Alpine orogenies which sometimes correspond to metamorphic facies from Caldonian and Hercynian orogenies, resulted in tectonic evolution of sedimentary basins in the areas impressed by various orogenies.
Alborz as an extended block in active tectonic zone and impressed by most distinguished geological events in both supercontinents of Eurasia and Gondwana is evolved between two ancient continents. The total of thinning and thickening of Alborz basement during ancient events in comparison to other parts of Iran indicate approximately constant rate and little negative gradients due to thickness decrease of crystalline crust and lower crust towards Caspian basin.
Detachment folding system with uplift of ancient facies in hanging wall of basic fault in north Alborz is one of the apparent features of central part of this structural block that occurred in flower structure. More folding and movement in western part of this fault comparing to eastern part, is another structural feature in the area.
North Alborz , Mosha and Taleghan faults as principal faults appearing in internal part of Central Alborz,wheresomepropagationfaults like the North Tehran and Khazar can be derived from them to the south and north side of Central Alborz.
S. M. Hosseini-Nezhad; M. Yazdi; M. Ghobadi-Pour; H. Gholamalian
Abstract
Geirud formation deposits of Kalariz in the Eastern Alborz start with a relatively thick sequence of sandstone, shale, and red, white and brown colored siltstone changing into yellow dolomitic layers, fossiliferous limestone and shaly or marly limestone. This formation ...
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Geirud formation deposits of Kalariz in the Eastern Alborz start with a relatively thick sequence of sandstone, shale, and red, white and brown colored siltstone changing into yellow dolomitic layers, fossiliferous limestone and shaly or marly limestone. This formation lies over Mila formation with a disconformity and covered transitionally by limestones of Mobarak formation. In the above mentioned sequence, numerous and various conodonts and brachiopods were identified. Based on the distribution of brachiopoda, two assemblage zones and based on the conodonts, four assemblage zones were recognized with Famennian and Strunian age. The first brachiopoda biozone, equivalent to the first and second conodont biozones, belongs to early Famennian age (older than late crepida zone and romboidea to late trachytera zone) and the second Brachiopoda biozone which is equivalent to conodont biozone of number three and four has the late Famennian age (postera to late expansa zone and praesulcata zone). Paleontological and stratigraphical evidence indicates that Frasnian sediments are absent in the study area.
A. H. Rajaee; M. Mokhtari; K. Priestley; D. Hatsfeld
Abstract
Using teleseismic body waves, this paper presents the crustal and lithospheric structure in the central part of the AlborzMountains for the first time. The region has been known as a very active and seismogenic locations in the past, characterized by strong earthquakes and complex structures. Tehran, ...
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Using teleseismic body waves, this paper presents the crustal and lithospheric structure in the central part of the AlborzMountains for the first time. The region has been known as a very active and seismogenic locations in the past, characterized by strong earthquakes and complex structures. Tehran, the capital of Iran, is located on the southern part of the region. The aim of this study is to determine Moho depth and its variation beneath the Central Alborz with high resolution and accuracy. The crustal structure of the Central Alborz beneath 26 broadband stations from a temporary dense seismological network was determined by using recorded data deployed for a period of 4-6 months. We first summarize an analysis of the teleseismic P-wave receiver function beneath each station. Next, we use joint inversion of receiver functions with surface wave dispersion data calculated for the center of network. Results of this research are shown as cross-sections through N-S azimuth of the profiles which passes across the AlborzMountains. Our study shows a thickening in the central part of the AlborzMountains crust down to 55 km relative to 48-50 km crustal thickness beneath northern part of the Central Iran. The crustal thickness is close to 44 km beneath the southern coast of the South Caspian Sea Block. These results are completely unlike with most of the other previous suggested crustal thickness. Based on our results, the AlborzMountains with a high average elevation can be considered with a crustal root.
