Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

1 Research Institute for Earth Science, Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, Iran

2 School of Mininig Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Estimate of moment rate is comparatively reckoned as a new method for dealing with tectonic activities rate in different regions and it prepares the way for putting together different methods. In fact, moment rate states rate of energy which exists in deformation system. There are three different approaches to state moment rate that each one express tectonic motion and movement of a region from a particular view. These three approaches consist of: geodetic (surveying), seismic and geology methods. Geodetic method which is determined on the basis of gained strain rate tensor from geodetic data, shows deformation rate (including seismic and aseismic) that is happening in the region at this moment in time. Moment rate which has gained on the basis of historical and instrumental catalogues, shows the total released seismic energy during quake events which are available in earthquake of region and geologic moment rate which gained with geometric parameters of faults, reveals potential of the faults in releasing stored elastic energy in. Geodetic moment rate, seismic moment rate (on the basis of historical and instrumental earthquake data) and geologic moment rate are estimated for Central Alborz region. The most moment rate in the study area belongs to geodetic approach (8.83×1019 Nm/yr) and then geologic moment rate (0.12×1019 Nm/yr) and finally the least quantity belongs to seismic moment rate (0.022×1019- 0.046×1019 Nm/yr). Considering, distribution of earthquake epicenters, the most seismic energy is released in the south parts of Central Alborz and considering high geodetic and geologic moment rates in north parts, it seems, north parts of Central Alborz have higher seismic potential.

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