Document Type : Original Research Paper
Authors
1 B.Sc., Faculty of Earth Science, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
2 Ph.D., Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, Iran
3 Assitant Professor, Faculty of Earth Science, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
4 M.Sc., Faculty of Earth Science, Shahrood University of Technology,Shahrood, Iran
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 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.
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