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Seismotectonics of the East Alborz and Kopeh- Dagh zones using local seismic network data

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student, Research Institute for Earth Sciences, Geological survey of Iran, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Research Institute for Earth Sciences, Geological survey of Iran, Tehran, Iran

3 Professor, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China

4 Associate Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences, Zanjan, Iran

5 Associate Professor, Department of Geology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad university, Tehran, Iran

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. 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.

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References
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Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences
Volume 31, Issue 1 - Serial Number 119
Volume 31, Issue 1, Serial Number 121, Spring, 2021
June 2021
Pages 199-208
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