Tectonics
Ali Bandegani; Ali Yassaghi; Mohsen Eliassi
Abstract
In this paper, the structural evolution of Bamu fault zone located in the Zagros folded belt zone is presented as an example of northeast-trending fault zone in the Zagros, using the kinematic and dynamic analysis of accompanied structures. Based on structural and paleostress analyzes two phases of shortening ...
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In this paper, the structural evolution of Bamu fault zone located in the Zagros folded belt zone is presented as an example of northeast-trending fault zone in the Zagros, using the kinematic and dynamic analysis of accompanied structures. Based on structural and paleostress analyzes two phases of shortening were determined as NE and NNE. In order to define the chronology of the deformation stages in the region, the relationship between fault structures and folds in the folded rock formations has been utilized. The result showed that the first compression stress trend in the area was NE that caused formation of the Bamu transverse Fault with left-lateral strike-slip mechanism and its accompanied structures. Since this stage of deformation has affected the Oligocene- early Miocene formations, more likely occurred at this time. During the next phase the shortening direction, due to change in the collision zone direction of the Arabian-central Iran in the Miocene-Pliocene, has changed to NNE which causes development of younger structures in the form of folding and reverse faulting in the fault zone. This shows that the NE-trending fault zones, like other major NW-faults, in Zagros affected by the change in the convergence of Zagros collision.
Akbar Jabbari; Asghar Dolati; Alireza Shahidi; Amin Behrooz
Abstract
Abstract: The Alborz Mountain range is formed by collision between the Central Iran and Eurasia plates, since Late Triassic. Facieses studies on the Alborz and Central Iran indicate sedimentation in shelf and epicontinental shelf in passive margin of Gondwana during Paleozoic Era. This study represents ...
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Abstract: The Alborz Mountain range is formed by collision between the Central Iran and Eurasia plates, since Late Triassic. Facieses studies on the Alborz and Central Iran indicate sedimentation in shelf and epicontinental shelf in passive margin of Gondwana during Paleozoic Era. This study represents direction and paleostress analysis of the Central Alborz based on geometry and kinematics of faults; i.e. strike, dip, slicken line orientation and movement directions for Carboniferous and Permian Periods. Since many tectonic events occur after the Paleozoic Era in the Alborz Mountain range so just growth faults, active during sedimentation, which were not reactivated by later events were used for paleostress analysis. In total 15 stations, including 148 fault data are measured along the Tehran-Chalus road from Carboniferous and Permian outcrops. The data were rotated to the first position based on fold axes, when the layers were horizontal. FSA software (Fault Slip Analysis) was used to calculate orientations of principal stress directions. Primary results indicate a proximately North-South extension in Carboniferous and Permian Periods. Iran and adjacent area, rotated along vertical axis during its movements from Gondwana, in South, to Eurasia, in north, that based on the plate rotation the extension direction for Permian and Carboniferous Periods are NE-SW and ENE-WSW, respectively.
L. Ebadi; S. A. Alavi; M. R. Ghassemi
Abstract
In this paper a part of the Shahr-e-Babak area in NW-Kerman is studied, which is geologically located in Central Iran and Urumiyeh- Dokhtar Belt. The basin was strongly affected by compression in Miocene times, in which deformation is characterized by development of NW-SE trending fold and thrust belt. ...
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In this paper a part of the Shahr-e-Babak area in NW-Kerman is studied, which is geologically located in Central Iran and Urumiyeh- Dokhtar Belt. The basin was strongly affected by compression in Miocene times, in which deformation is characterized by development of NW-SE trending fold and thrust belt. In this paper, we aim atdeciphering polyphase deformation and paleostress history of part of the Central Iran in the Shahr-e-Babak area, and that how various geological aspects may be related to a stress field that has been reoriented through time. Also, we indicate how the brittle deformation studies and paleostress analyses may contribute in the interpretations of the post-collisional tectonic evolution of this area. In this paper, by using systematic brittle tectonic analyses, including stress tensor inversion form fault-slip data, we decipher the succession of deformational events that resulted in present-day structures. Therefore, a statistical view of the brittle tectonic reconstructions taken as a whole leads one to better understand the relationships between the different stress fields and folding events that governed the history of compression in this area .The systematic reconstruction of brittle tectonic regimes led us to characterize an anticlockwise change in the main direction of compression through time. Thus, it can be seen that the late Cretaceous to late Miocene pre-folding N055° and N084° compression was followed by syn-folding N040° compression in the Miocene. The Miocene compression then continued into the Pliocene post-folding N029° direction, and changed afterward to the Pleistocene-Recent post-folding N003° direction. Although this general anticlockwise rotation of compression has probably been progressive through time, our data suggest three distinct stress regimes that (1) predate, (2) are contemporaneous with, and (3) post-date the more consistent compressional stress regime of the folding and thrusting process. According to this reconstruction, it is confirmed that many local right-lateral strike–slip faults were reactivated from NW-SE reverse faults in the Sahahr-e-Babak area of SW Central Iran .These results could properly support the hypothesis of a significant anticlockwise change in the movement direction of the Arabian plate with respect to the Eurasian plate and block rotation in Central Iran.
Kh Sarkarinejad; B Zafarmand
Abstract
The Ghir fault zone is a thrust zone in the Zagros foreland folded belt that is located in the south of Sabz-Pushan shear zone and southeast of the Kar-e-Bas strike-slip fault zone. It is a moderately-dipping fault zone oriented parallel to the general trend of folds and thrusts in the Zagros foreland ...
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The Ghir fault zone is a thrust zone in the Zagros foreland folded belt that is located in the south of Sabz-Pushan shear zone and southeast of the Kar-e-Bas strike-slip fault zone. It is a moderately-dipping fault zone oriented parallel to the general trend of folds and thrusts in the Zagros foreland folded belt. In this study, two methods using fault slip data and focal mechanism of earthquakes were analyzed using the stress inversion method in order to reconstruct the paleostress and recent stress orientations, respectively. The results show a transpressional deformation with current compression direction along N05°E and the mean paleo-compression direction alongN33°E. Both are consistent with the general direction of compression in Zagros due to convergence of the Arabian and Iranian plates, and indicate an anticlockwise change in the compression direction over time and the Mohr circle patterns show an active transpressional zone. The stress ratio of 0.88 obtained from inversion of earthquake focal mechanism data indicates that the shape of stress ellipsoid is oblate. However, a ratioof 0.2 for obtained from inversion of fault slip data indicates a prolate shape of stress ellipsoid.
M Mirzaei Souzani; A Shahidi; R Ramezani; F Alizadeh Sevari
Abstract
In order to survey the extensional forces dominated in central Alborz since Late Triassic (Norian) to Middle Jurassic (Early-Bajocian), synsedimentary normal and strike-slip fault systems in Balladeh valley which contains significant distribution of Shemshak Group have been studied. Analysis of σ3 ...
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In order to survey the extensional forces dominated in central Alborz since Late Triassic (Norian) to Middle Jurassic (Early-Bajocian), synsedimentary normal and strike-slip fault systems in Balladeh valley which contains significant distribution of Shemshak Group have been studied. Analysis of σ3 orientation for 404 fault planes in 35 normal fault systems, show two major extension directions at NNE (020°) and NE (070°) trends during sedimentation of Shemshak Group. Also, the presence of a minor extension direction trending WNW (300°) which is coincident with extension direction of synsedimentary strike-slip fault systems implies the existence of transtentional basins in the Shemshak basin at that time. The southward movement of southern edge of Eurasia (from latitude of 30° to 15°) and its clockwise rotation for some 40°-50° during Triassic-Jurassic periods led to domination of N-S extension in early times of Shemshak Group sedimentation, and as soon as the Eurasian plate rotated, the extension direction was changed into a NE-SW trend. These separated records of paleostress axis trends are also due to the high sedimentation rates and subsidence in Norian-Rhaetian and Toarcian-Aalenian during Shemshak Group sedimentation. The minor extension trending WNW-ESE (278°-307°) is due to σ2/σ3 permutation between N-S σ3 direction of stress tensor and its σ2 axis. Low values of Φ (less than 0.4) generally correspond to situation characterized by σ2/σ3 permutation; therefor it causes multidirectional extension in extensional stress regimes. About 80 percent of sites which show WNW-ESE paleostress extension trend have low Φ values. This issue explains σ2/σ3 permutation of N-S major extension trend. The areas of mentioned stations and also those ones with strike-slip fault systems σ3 directions of which are directed WNW-ESE had high basin crustal anisotropy.
R. Arfania
Abstract
The study area, located in the east of Eghlid town, between the northeast of the Abadeh Fault and southwest of the Zagros Main Fault, consists of the highly deformed rocks, which have been emerging clearly in tectonic crashed zone. Kinematic analysis carried out for determining the paleostress directions ...
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The study area, located in the east of Eghlid town, between the northeast of the Abadeh Fault and southwest of the Zagros Main Fault, consists of the highly deformed rocks, which have been emerging clearly in tectonic crashed zone. Kinematic analysis carried out for determining the paleostress directions and deformation history of the area. Thus, the geometry of the fault plan/fault zone brittle structures and other kinematic indicators were measured based on the field observations and analysis carried out via data analysis inversion method and statistical models. The geological evidences provided necessary data for determining formation ages of the structures based on the relative time scale. According to the results, it can be concluded that three different faulting phases were efficacious in formation of the analyzed faults. During the faulting phases, three reverse fault systems developed respectively; imbricate fans thrust system, hinterland dipping duplex and inverted normal faults.
S. Sadeghi; A. Yassaghi; M. Fathollahi
Abstract
In this paper, the structural relationship between two main structural features of the Zagros suture zone, that is, the Main Zagros Reverse Fault (MZRF) and the Main Recent Fault (MRF) in Kurdistan area has been studied in more detail. This provides information as to the structural evolution and seismotectonics ...
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In this paper, the structural relationship between two main structural features of the Zagros suture zone, that is, the Main Zagros Reverse Fault (MZRF) and the Main Recent Fault (MRF) in Kurdistan area has been studied in more detail. This provides information as to the structural evolution and seismotectonics of the Zagros suture zone. Around latitude 36, the Sardasht segment of the MRF cut the MZRF and toward southeast part of this intersection, the MRF is the only major fault between the Zagros fold- thrust belt and the Sanandaj- Sirjan zone. Here, segments of the MZRF can be seen in the MRF zone, which represents the younger activity of the MRF. Our investigation show that there is a right- hand bending between the Piranshahr Fault in the northwest and the Marivan Fault in the southeast (between latitudes 35 ̊, 30' and 36 ̊, 30'). On the southwest and northeast edges of this releasing bend, the Sardasht and Baneh faults are located that have both strike-slip and normal components. Considering geometric and kinematic aspects of the curved segment of the MRF (Sardasht Fault), as well as the paleostress studies of this segment, it can be said that the Sardasht Fault with N30W trending fault has deviated from the main displacement vector (N60W) and hence has a normal component. Therefore, this fault accommodates dextral and transpressional movements between the Zagros fold- thrust belt and the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone and its normal movements arising from the right hand bending of the MRF. Paleostress analysis (using the Multiple Inverse Method) shows separate stress fields for different movements. Paleostress fields have a close correlation with the stress fields obtained from the focal mechanism of the earthquakes located along the Zagros suture zone. This correlation shows that the obtained stress fields are belong to younger activity. Displacement of the MZRF by the MRF caused significant heave in the MZRF and thus it does not expose at the surface between latitudes 35 ̊, 20' and 36 ̊, 00'.
B Zamani Gharechamani
Abstract
In the present study, the state of stress in SiahCheshme-Khoy fault zone area in the North-West of Iran has been analyzed based on the systematic inversion of focal mechanisms of earthquakes, and fault slip data, to characterise the stress regime controlling of most faults and earthquakes in this area. ...
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In the present study, the state of stress in SiahCheshme-Khoy fault zone area in the North-West of Iran has been analyzed based on the systematic inversion of focal mechanisms of earthquakes, and fault slip data, to characterise the stress regime controlling of most faults and earthquakes in this area. The calculated average stress regime in this area indicates major NW-SE trending compression which dominates stress regime in strike slip mode with an intermediate stress axis, σ2, close to vertical. Reconstructed stress has shown that average seismotectonic stress and average stress obtained from fault slip data do not have consistency due to of the multi stress regimes in this fault zone. Nonetheless stress separation analysis results for fault slip data and earthquake data have good consistency and their first and second analyzed stress regimes have the same trend. Also comparison between the results of the stress separation analysis between fault slip data and earthquake data, has shown that the second and third stress regime of this analysis are neotectonic stresses that controlling this fault zone movements. The forth stress regime also is a neostress regime that has been shown in seismotectonic stress separation analysis also, but it seems related to the deep faults. The first stress regime that have resulted from stress separation analysis of both field and earthquake data, it seems a paleostress regime which is not shown in seismic data analysis. Also reconstructed stresses in this study, have good consistency with the latest studies in this area especially with geodetic studies.
Arman Heravi; H. Nazari; A. Shahidi; M. Talebian
Abstract
The Garmsar Fault with a length of about 75 km and E-W trend is located in Garmsar.This Fault observed in north of Garmsar and eastern part of central Alborz with slop toward north, continus east of Eyvanakey Fault. Base of the morphotectonical investigation, along the Garmsar Fault this ...
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The Garmsar Fault with a length of about 75 km and E-W trend is located in Garmsar.This Fault observed in north of Garmsar and eastern part of central Alborz with slop toward north, continus east of Eyvanakey Fault. Base of the morphotectonical investigation, along the Garmsar Fault this fault is devided to 5 segments from east (Dehnamak village) to the west (Eyvanakey), with attention to this segmentation we could consider the branch of kuh-e-sorkh Fault at west of Garmsar in kuh-e-sorkh anticline such as separated fault with slop toward north and pressure mechanism with small left-lateral strike slip component. Base on observations and Paleostress measurment along the Garmsar Fault in Bon-e-kuh station and eastern segment of this fault, we could consider that Paleostress direction around Neogen Time, is N-S with pressure component. However, base of data, is gain from morphotectonical investigations, young and overcome mechanism in eastern segment (Fault segment 1) left-lateral with pressure component, on the other side, in kuh-e-sorkh anticline at western part of research area, considered stress direction at quaternary period E-W under the effect of Thrust fault with left-lateral component. Base of this study from geometry point of view, the Garmsar Fault is a fault with slop toward north which is able to devide in to 5 segments that is strike and geometry of each fault segment mechanism is from left-lateral with pressure component until Tension and the Garmsar Fault is considered as an active fault in quaternary period. Maximum and minimum on the left horizontal displacement measured on the fault equal to 220 meters and 4 meters of a fault on the part of the fault system and third segment on the drainages of Garmsar displaced is visible.
Alireza Shahidi; E. Barrier; M.-F. Brunet; A. Saidi
Abstract
In northern Iran the Eo-Cimmerian orogeny resulting from this collision is associated with a regional unconformity and a major change in sedimentation. From Norian to middle Bajocian (Shemshak group), 030° trending extension is indicated by syndepositional normal faults. We assign this extensional ...
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In northern Iran the Eo-Cimmerian orogeny resulting from this collision is associated with a regional unconformity and a major change in sedimentation. From Norian to middle Bajocian (Shemshak group), 030° trending extension is indicated by syndepositional normal faults. We assign this extensional tectonics to the rifting phase preceding the oceanic opening of the South Caspian Basin. Dalichai and Lar formations, late-Bajocian to Neocomian in age, conformably cover the Shemshak in central Alborz. They are contemporaneous with the opening of the South Caspian marginal basin. In Alborz, the lower part of the Cretaceous sequence is associated with E-W to WNW-ESE trending normal fault systems associated with magmatism related to an N-S to NNE-SSW trending extension during this period. The Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary is marked by a major regional unconformity. This unconformity is related to a major inversion of the southern margin of the South Caspian basins. During the early-middle Eocene, southern Alborz is characterized by a rapid subsidence of the Karaj basin. Syndepositional E-W to WNW-ESE trending normal faults are common in the Karaj Formation. They are associated with a well-determined N-S to NNE-SSW extension. We assign the Karaj basin to a back-arc basin related to the NE subduction of the neo-tethyan oceanic lithosphere beneath the southern margin of Eurasia.
M. Saadat; S. A. Alavi; A. Saeedi
Abstract
To analyze the paleostress in Sorkheh Hessar – Khodjir area, different shear – fault planes and the associated slickenside lineations are measured. The stress tensor and the variation of the stress direction in the upper Triassic to Oligocene formations are discussed. Numerous shear data ...
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To analyze the paleostress in Sorkheh Hessar – Khodjir area, different shear – fault planes and the associated slickenside lineations are measured. The stress tensor and the variation of the stress direction in the upper Triassic to Oligocene formations are discussed. Numerous shear data are determined from different locations in the study area and categorized into 16 sites according to the stratigraphic age. The main criteria used to identify the sense of slip are accretionary mineral steps, tectonic tool marks, polished and rough facets, and riedel shears. According to the inversion method which includes determination of the mean stress tensor orientation and sense of slip on numerous faults ,all data are classified based on tectonic events and the principal stress axes and corresponding compressional and extensional directions are calculated.
Based on the derived results from the diagrams, it is suggested that a prominent NE- SW compressional stress direction, which is obvious in Mesozoic and the younger Cenozoic formations, caused the deformation of the Mesozoic strata after Mesozoic and was continuous in Tertiary (Oligocene). It seems that a younger N-S stress direction exists and has had effects on both older and younger formations. It is believed that it would be related to one of the last Alpine orogenic phases.
M. R. Moshrefi far; A. Alavi; M. Mohajjel
Abstract
In this research, separation of paleostress phases in the central part of Dehshir fault is investigated based on the study of heterogeneous fault-slip data and their related slickenside lineations. These data are measured from the Certaceous (Taft limestone), ...
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In this research, separation of paleostress phases in the central part of Dehshir fault is investigated based on the study of heterogeneous fault-slip data and their related slickenside lineations. These data are measured from the Certaceous (Taft limestone), early Eocene (Kerman conglomerate) and Eocene (Volcanics) formations. The main criteria used here to identify sense of fault-slip are stratiographic separation, accretionary mineral steps, Riedel shears and tension gash. The existing faults in the region of investigated often show two NE and NW trend in which the latter is usually dominant. Based on the study of heterogeneous fault-slip data and their related slickenside lineations and using the multiple inverse method, at least two phases are expected. These phases show that the axis of maximum principal stress, σ1, is at NE trend and that of minimum principal stress,σ3, is at NW trend. The location of σ3 usually indicates that the strike-slip and reverse strike-slip faults mostly occur in the region. In addition, the shape of the stress ellipsoid is prolate in the region.
