Tectonics
Fereshteh Jafari-Hajati; Maryam Agh-Atabai; Majid Nemati; Ali Biglari-Fadafan
Abstract
In this research, to understand the present-day tectonic situation of Gorgan-plain in the east of the South Caspian basin, the tectonic stress regime of this area and its adjacent areas was estimated using the inversion of the data of the earthquake focal mechanisms. For this aim, in addition to analyzing ...
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In this research, to understand the present-day tectonic situation of Gorgan-plain in the east of the South Caspian basin, the tectonic stress regime of this area and its adjacent areas was estimated using the inversion of the data of the earthquake focal mechanisms. For this aim, in addition to analyzing focal mechanisms solved by different sources, the focal mechanisms were solved for several earthquakes with appropriate and sufficient information. The results indicate the presence of various mechanisms, including thrust, normal, and strike-slip, and as a result, various orientations of kinematic P and T axes, which can indicate the complexity of the region. By analyzing the earthquakes with a minimum magnitude of 4 in the Gorgan-plain, the Kopeh-Dagh in the east of the plain, and the entire eastern region of the South Caspian, a compression regime with a NNW-SSE trend was obtained. However, by analyzing all of the earthquakes (smaller and larger earthquakes) in the Gorgan-plain, a strike-slip regime was obtained, in which the trend of the P and T axes were calculated NE-SW and NW-SE, respectively. The results indicate a local strike-slip regime in addition to the regional compressional regime in the region.
Tectonics
M. Kouhpeyma; M. Talebian; L. Chen; A. Ghods; M. Ghorashi
Abstract
The Kopeh Dagh and Binalud-Alla Dagh mountains are important structural elements located in the northeastern boundary of Arabia-Eurasia collision zone. Due to existence of large cities with a long history of civilization, there is a relatively rich body of data on historical seismicity in this area. ...
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The Kopeh Dagh and Binalud-Alla Dagh mountains are important structural elements located in the northeastern boundary of Arabia-Eurasia collision zone. Due to existence of large cities with a long history of civilization, there is a relatively rich body of data on historical seismicity in this area. Nonetheless, little adequate instrumental seismic data were available prior to this study. In this paper, we utilized the temporary China-Iran local seismic network data deployed in the area for 13 months. Based on this data, we determined 37 focal solutions through first motion polarity approach suggesting a combination of strike-slip, reverse and normal mechanisms. There is a significant concentration of epicenters and focal mechanisms around the eastern Alborz - Kopeh Dagh boundary along the Atrak River. The southern and western boundaries of the Binalud Mountains also show relatively high seismic activities. The Local magnitude (ML) of the events ranges from 3.5 to 4.9 with depths of up to 20 km, mostly concentrated at ~10 km. The principal stress axes and slip vectors obtained from the focal mechanisms agree well with kinematic state of main faults and tectonic regime of the area, confirming the seismogenic nature of these faults. In addition, they are consistent with right-lateral component of slip along thrust faults in eastern Kopeh Dagh and Binalud and both laft- and right-lateral motions in the central Kopeh Dagh.
Gh. Ghorbani Rostam; M. Pakzad Pakzad; N. Mirzaei
Abstract
There are two different seismotectonic zones in around of the Zendan- Minab- Palami (ZMP) fault system and the Oman Line, in south of Iran (Makran subduction zone in the east and Zagros collision zone in the west), which led to the complexity of this region. Since studying the stress field is important ...
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There are two different seismotectonic zones in around of the Zendan- Minab- Palami (ZMP) fault system and the Oman Line, in south of Iran (Makran subduction zone in the east and Zagros collision zone in the west), which led to the complexity of this region. Since studying the stress field is important for accurate perception from elastic features of environment, surveying the exerted the tectonic stresses to the tectonics plates and their magnitude, and description the geodynamic of this region, in this study considerd to assessment of stress field and also, maximum horizontal stress (SH) in around of ZMP fault system. To receive this purpose, amount and direction of stress is calculated by iterative joint inversion of earthquake focal mechanism. From east to west of ZMP fault system, with transition from Makran subduction to Zagros collision, direction of SH is reduced from 5.09º in east to 0.9º. To surveying the strain field, we used Global Positioning System (GPS) data. Maximum variance between velocity vector and direction of SH is determined in Bandar-Abbas (BABS) station, that located in adjacent of ZMP fault system. The friction coefficients which obtained in this study show that friction in Makran zone is more than Zagros zone.
M.A Shokri; M Foroutan; M Nemati; M.J Bolourchi; SH Javadipour; B Oveisi
Abstract
The Touchahi earthquake of Aug 27, 2010 (MN 5.9; IRSC- Mw 5.7; USGS) occurred at 19:23:49 UTC (23:53:49 local time on 5 Shahrivar 1389) in south of Damghan city. No foreshock were reported before this earthquake whereas 85 aftershocks (MN 1-5) were registered by IRSC until 1 month after the mainshock. ...
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The Touchahi earthquake of Aug 27, 2010 (MN 5.9; IRSC- Mw 5.7; USGS) occurred at 19:23:49 UTC (23:53:49 local time on 5 Shahrivar 1389) in south of Damghan city. No foreshock were reported before this earthquake whereas 85 aftershocks (MN 1-5) were registered by IRSC until 1 month after the mainshock. According to our field study after the event, surface rupture of causative fault was not observed but we measured some fractures related to this event with dominant strike of N120º-140º. According to our observations of 32 towns and villages that were damaged in this seismic event, maximum intensity (I0) of VIII+ in MMI scale occurred near the Touchahi village in ~85 km south of Damghan city. Unfortunately in this earthquake 4 people were killed. Focal mechanisms of the Touchahi seismic event and its greatest aftershock is solved using the first P motion method. The fault plane solution show near vertical plane for the causative fault of the earthquake and suggests a left- lateral mechnism. The mechanisms associated with the fault show mainly left-lateral strike–slip motion, on a NE –SW striking fault plane. Based on location of the earthquake epicenter, its aftershocks location, the fault plane solution (left-lateral strike-slip with N039º strike and dip direction toward NW) and field observations, the causative fault of Touchahi earthquake is one of the active fault branches that is situated in north of Darestan mountain and south of Touchahi, Koohzar and Kooshahi villages. This fault with left-lateral strike-slip mechanism by general strike of NE-SW and dip direction toward NW is indicated as Touchahi fault.
SH Pourbeyranvand; M Tatar
Abstract
Having knowledge of stress variations in the Zagros region, southwest Iran is necessary to study the deformation resulting from oblique collision between the Eurasian & the Arabian plates and to obtain insight into the complicated tectonics of the region. In this study, earthquakes focal mechanism ...
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Having knowledge of stress variations in the Zagros region, southwest Iran is necessary to study the deformation resulting from oblique collision between the Eurasian & the Arabian plates and to obtain insight into the complicated tectonics of the region. In this study, earthquakes focal mechanism data were used to collect information on the state of stress in 12 subdivisions of the data including teleseismic and local events in the Zagros region. The stress axis show noticeable variations in the Zagros region, especially around the Oman Line. The angular difference between the stress & strain axis increases from the southeast to the northwest of the ZagrosMountain. The deformation partitioning due to pre-existing faults and fractures and introducing a weak zone in the NW Zagros under the influence of the Main Recent Fault activity may explain this increasing.
M Tatar; S.M Momeni; F Yaminifard
Abstract
The V shape kink of the AlborzMountains at its southern end reaches to the Garmsar city located 100 km southeast of Tehran metropolis. We investigated seismicity and seismotectonic features of the Garmsar area by precisely locating of microearthquakes recorded by our local dense seismological network ...
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The V shape kink of the AlborzMountains at its southern end reaches to the Garmsar city located 100 km southeast of Tehran metropolis. We investigated seismicity and seismotectonic features of the Garmsar area by precisely locating of microearthquakes recorded by our local dense seismological network and by the Iranian Seismological Center (IRSC). Our results indicate high seismic activity at the central and western parts of the Garmsar fault. Three computed focal mechanisms revealed compressional movements of the central part of this fault. Very little seismic activity is observed on the Eyvanekey and the Pishva faults. The only computed focal mechanism for the northern hills of the Garmsar fault shows tensional movements in this area, which refers to strain release among the Garmsar and Sorkheh reverse faults. Most of the calculated focal mechanisms in the Garmsar area indicate compressional and strike slip motions with overall P axis direction of 10° to 35°. The calculated P axis with NW-SE trend, close to the Sorkheh fault, is different from the other calculated P axes that show NNE-SSW direction. This is probably due to rotating of structures in this area, as revealed by recent GPS measurements in this region.
H. Hamzehloo; E. Farzanegan; H. Mirzaei
Abstract
The December 20, 2007 earthquake has occurred three months after the September 16, 2007 earthquake near the Tabriz city in East Azarbaijan province. We have used SH- waves accelerographs data and Brune model to estimate the causative fault plane parameters. The strike, dip and rake have been ...
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The December 20, 2007 earthquake has occurred three months after the September 16, 2007 earthquake near the Tabriz city in East Azarbaijan province. We have used SH- waves accelerographs data and Brune model to estimate the causative fault plane parameters. The strike, dip and rake have been estimated as 310o, 85o and 170o, respectively. The focal mechanism shows right- lateral strike slip, which is consistent with the North Tabriz Fault. This is the first focal mechanis for the North Tabriz fault based on the strong ground motion data.
A. S. Moradi; M. Tatar; D. Hatzfeld; A. Paul
Abstract
The North Tabriz Fault (NTF) is an active fault which poses a high seismic hazard to the areas of NW Iran, especially the city of Tabriz with a population of 1.6 million. In order to determine the geometry and the kinematics of this fault system, a local dense seismological network including forthy 3-component ...
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The North Tabriz Fault (NTF) is an active fault which poses a high seismic hazard to the areas of NW Iran, especially the city of Tabriz with a population of 1.6 million. In order to determine the geometry and the kinematics of this fault system, a local dense seismological network including forthy 3-component stations was installed around the central segment of Tabriz Fault which crosses the northern part of the city of Tabriz. This network operated for 3 months. Using microearthquakes recorded by our temporary network in addition of more than 6 years of local events recorded by 8 permanent stations of Tabriz telemetry network, the 1-D crustal velocity of the region was determined. Our results indicates that the upper crust consists of a ~6 km thick sedimentary layer (VP = 5.23 km s-1) overlying a ~18 km thick upper crystalline crust (VP = 5.85 km s-1). We estimate a velocity of 6.54 km s-1 for the lower crystalline crust, but the limited focal depths of our local events did not allow determining the thickness of this layer. The well-located earthquakes indicate the seismic activity along the Tabriz fault. Precise examination of the focal depths on different cross sections indicates that the western and central segment of this fault system dip northeast ward while the eastern part shows almost southwest dipping plane. Calculated focal mechanism all indicate the right-lateral strike-slip motion of the Tabriz Fault. The most reliable fault plane solutions are consistent with cross sections showing evidence of extension in Eastern part comparing to compression observed in Western segment. Our focal mechanisms and geodetic studies using GPS measurements indicate that the North Tabriz Fault helps to northeast motion of trapped crust in this area.
F. Yamini-Fard; A. S-Moradi; M. Hosseini; R. Norouzi
Abstract
From June 2004 to December 2008 low seismic activity was recorded near North-Tehran, Taleghan and Kahrizak faults and inside of Tehran city. In contrast, seismic activity along Mosha, Garmsar and North-Alborz faults is considerable. Generally seismic activity decreases from 51 degrees longitude to west. ...
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From June 2004 to December 2008 low seismic activity was recorded near North-Tehran, Taleghan and Kahrizak faults and inside of Tehran city. In contrast, seismic activity along Mosha, Garmsar and North-Alborz faults is considerable. Generally seismic activity decreases from 51 degrees longitude to west. Two earthquakes with 15 and 17 km depth were located in the west of Tehran city. The calculated focal mechanism for one of them is pure strike-slip. High seismic activity is observed along Mosha fault close to Damavand, Boumehen cities and Lavasant-e-Bozorg region. Calculated focal mechanisms along this fault includes both strike-slip, and reverse mechanisms that implies transpression motion, dominantly left-lateral slip along this fault that continued to Lavasanat region in south of the eastern end of the North Tehran fault. Precise location of some events shows depth range of 4-32 km. Generally, calculated focal mechanisms in studied region include both strike-slip and reverse mechanisms and seems that in southern part, approaching Central Iran, reverse mechanisms are dominant. It implies slip partitioning in southern margin of Central Alborz.
M. Tatar; A. M. Farahbod
Abstract
A moderate earthquake (Ms=6.3) struck the coastal region of north of Iran and the central Alborz on 28 May, 2004 was responsible of several damages and about 35 casualties. The mainshock was followed by a large number of aftershocks, the largest ...
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A moderate earthquake (Ms=6.3) struck the coastal region of north of Iran and the central Alborz on 28 May, 2004 was responsible of several damages and about 35 casualties. The mainshock was followed by a large number of aftershocks, the largest one reaching Ml=4.8, based on the analysis of local waveforms. We study the mainshock, first major aftershock, and about 240 aftershocks recorded by Iranian National Seismic Network (INSN), Tehran Telemetry Seismic Network (Institute of Geophysics, Tehran University), and our temporary local seismological stations, which were installed on 30 May, around the epicentral area of this earthquake. Using waveforms of all permanent stations, the coordinates of the mainshock was determined as 36.30 °N for latitude and 51.60 °E for longitude. The analysis of aftershocks indicates that the seismic activity migrate from east where the mainshock occurred toward west close to the location of the largest aftershock (36.36 ° N, 51.45 ° E). 140 selected aftershocks recorded at a minimum of 6 stations, having rms less than 0.15 sec and uncertainties less than 2 km, were used to infer a precise geometry of the fault region. The aftershocks distribution has 30 km long and trends NW-SE parallel to the North Alborz and Khazar faults. The focal depths comprised between 10 and 28 km, unusually deep for Iran. Distribution of aftershocks cluster on cross-section defines a fault plane which dips at 40-50 degree south-westward. Its upward continuation can be related to either North Alborz or Khazar faults. Most of the focal mechanisms are consistent with reverse faulting on NW-SE trending faults, parallel to the main active structures of the region. Well constraint focal mechanisms which dip gently at a rate of 25-40ْ indicate the activity of the second mentioned faults during the Firozabad-Kojour earthquake. Existence of focal depths up to 28 km indicates an unusual brittle lower crystalline crust in this part of central Alborz.
