Ali Faghih

Kinematics of rock flow and fabric development associated with shear deformation within the Zagros transpression zone, Iran

This paper presents quantitative data on the finite strain, quartz crystal fabric, geometry of flow and deformation temperatures in deformed quartzite samples to characterize the ductile deformation along the thrust sheets constituting the Sanandaj–Sirjan Metamorphic Belt within the Zagros Mountains of Iran. The results of this study emphasize the heterogeneous nature of deformation in this belt, showing a spatial variation in strain magnitude and in degree of non-coaxiality. A dominant top-to-the-SE sense of shear is indicated by the asymmetry of microstructures and quartz c-axis fabrics. Quartz c-axis opening angles suggest deformation temperatures range between 435° ± 50°C and 510° ± 50°C, which yield greenschist to amphibolite facies conditions during the ductile deformation. Mean kinematic vorticity number ( W m ) measured in the quartzite samples ranges between 0.6 and 0.9 with an average of 0.76, which indicates that extrusion of the metamorphic rocks of the region was facilitated by a significant component of pure shear strain. Traced towards the basal thrust of the Zagros Thrust System from northeast to southwest, the quartz grain fabrics change from asymmetric cross-girdle fabrics in the internal part of the deformation zone to an asymmetric single-girdle fabric at distances close to the basal thrust. This variation may depend on the structural depth and on the geometry of the ductile deformation zone. The observed increase in strain and vorticity within the study area is comparable with patterns recorded within metamorphic rock extrusions within other orogens in the world.

Implication of surface fractal analysis to evaluate the relative sensitivity of topography to active tectonics, Zagros Mountains, Iran

Fractal geometry is increasingly becoming a useful tool for modeling and quantifying the complex patterns of natural phenomena. The Earth’s topography is one of these phenomena that have fractal characteristics. This paper investigates the relative sensitivity of topography to active tectonics using ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model. The covering divider method was used for direct extraction of surface fractal dimension (Dsurf) to estimate the roughness-surface of topography with aid of geographic information system (GIS) techniques. This evaluation let us highlight the role of the geomorphic and tectonic processes on the spatial variability of fractal properties of natural landforms. Geomorphic zones can be delineated using fractal dimension mapping in which variability of surface fractal dimension reflects the roughness of the landform surface and is a measure of topography texture. Obtained results showed this method can be a quick and easy way to assess the distribution of land surface deformation in different tectonic settings. The loose alluvial deposits and irregularities derived by tectonic activity have high fractal dimensions whereas the competent formations and higher wavelength folded surfaces have lower fractal dimensions. According to the obtained results, the Kazerun Fault Zone has a crucial role in the separation of the Zagros Mountain Ranges into the different lithological, geomorphological and structural zones.

Kinematic analysis of deformed structures in a tectonic mélange: a key unit for the manifestation of transpression along the Zagros Suture Zone, Iran

Kinematic analysis of melange fabrics provides critical information concerning tectonic processes and evaluation of the kinematics of ancient relative plate motion. Systematic kinematic analysis of deformed structures within a tectonic melange exposed along the Zagros Suture Zone elucidates that this zone is an ancient transpressional boundary. The melange is composed of a greywacke and mudstone matrix surrounding various lenses, blocks and ribbons of radiolarian chert, limestone, sandstone, pillow lava, tuff, serpentinite, shale and marl. The deformation fabrics of the melange suggest that the melange units were tectonically accreted at shallow levels within a subduction complex, resulting in layer-parallel extension and shearing along a NW–SE-trending suture that juxtaposes the Afro-Arabian continent to the south and the Central Iranian microcontinents to the north. The tectonic melange is characterized by subhorizontal layer-parallel extension and subsequent heterogeneous non-coaxial shear resulting in alternating asymmetric and layer-parallel extensional fabrics such as P–Y fabrics and boudinaged layers. Kinematic data suggest that the melange formed during oblique subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic lithosphere in Late Cretaceous time. Kinematic shear sense indicators reveal that the slip direction (N9°E to N14°E) during accretion-related deformations reflects the relative plate motion between the Afro-Arabian continent and Central Iranian microcontinents during Late Cretaceous to Miocene times.

Analogue modeling of the role of multi-level decollement layers on the geometry of orogenic wedge: an application to the Zagros Fold–Thrust Belt, SW Iran

The presence of evaporate and incompetent formations (i.e., decollement horizons) within the sedimentary sequence of fold-thrust belts can control their structural style and deformation evolution. In the present study, the influence of the decollement layers (e.g., basal and internal decollement layers) on the deformation style of several segments of the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt (ZFTB), SW Iran (e.g., Fars Arc, Dezful Embayment, and Izeh Zone) was investigated using a series of analogue models of accretionary wedges. The study of seismic profiles to understand the structural evolution of these segments of the belt, where several decollement intervals acted as basal and internal decollements, is complemented by the analogue model results. The experimental results reveal that the thickness of the internal decollement layers influences the creation of fold-dominated or thrust-dominated deformations, respectively. Experimental models and seismic data highlight that incompetent layers act as barrier units against fault propagation (in-sequence and/or out-of-sequence faults) into overlying strata towards southwest by fore-deformation and control the rate of deformation propagation in the ZFTB. The presence of both the basal and internal decollement layers located at different stratigraphic levels is required to form disharmonic decollement folds in the foreland of the ZFTB. In addition, the geometry, spacing, activity, and propagation of faults as well as the topographic height of the critical wedges are directly controlled by low-frictional decollements (Geophys J Int, 165(1):336–356 2006; Geochem Geophys Geosyst, 14:1131–1155 2013). The seismic profiles of the ZFTB showed that in addition to lithological contrasts, the existence and activity of deep-seated and basement faults had a big impact on the structural styles of the region.

Kinematic analysis of rock flow and deformation temperature of the Sirjan thrust sheet, Zagros Orogen, Iran

Microstructural, finite strain and vorticity analyses of quartz-rich mylonites were used in order to investigate kinematics of rock flow and deformation temperature in the Sirjan thrust sheet exposed in a structural window within the Sanandaj–Sirjan High Pressure – Low Temperature (HP–LT) metamorphic belt that forms part of the hinterland of the Zagros orogenic belt of Iran. A dominant top-to-the-SW sense of shear in the study area is indicated by several shear sense indicators such as asymmetric boudins, rotated porphyroclasts, mica fish and S/C fabrics. Quantitative analyses reveal approximately plane strain deformation conditions with R xz values ranging from 2.5 to 4.3 and increasing towards the Sirjan thrust. Opening angles of quartz c-axis fabrics and recrystallization regimes suggest deformation temperatures vary from 430 to 625 ± 50°C in the hanging wall rocks. Oblique grain shape and quartz c-axis fabrics were used to estimate the degree of non-coaxiality during deformation. The obtained vorticity profile indicates a down-section increase in kinematic vorticity number (W m ) from 0.6 to 0.89. This range of vorticity numbers confirms contributions of both simple (41–68 %) and pure shear (32–59 %) deformation components. The structural characteristics of the study area ultimately were controlled by oblique motion of the Afro-Arabian plate relative to the Iranian plate.

Evaluation of slip rate on Astara fault system, North Iran

Due to its strategic location, the Astara fault system (AFS), which is located in Iran, has given rise to a number of earthquakes. In spite of its frequent seismic events, limited information is available for AFS. Slip rate is one of the important variables for future scrutiny of seismic risk of this fault system. The main objective of this research is to study slip rates at intermediate and short terms for this fault system using geological, geodetic observations and empirical method. Using the geological data, the intermediate-term horizontal and vertical slip rates for AFS have been determined to be 2.8±0.2 and 0.27±0.03 mm/year, respectively. In addition, the short-term slip rates of the fault, based on the geodetic method (using displacement values of two GPS stations: HASH and DAMO) and assuming attenuation of 60% (to fold the sediment of South Caspian Basin and shortening of Talesh Mountain range), determined to be 1.23±0.03 and 2.05±0.05 mm/year for the horizontal and vertical slips, respectively. Finally, evaluation of the slip rate using empirical relationship yields 10 mm/year for the entire fault system, which seems rather implausible.

GIS-Based Analysis of Relative Tectonic Activity along the Kazerun Fault Zone, Zagros Mountains, Iran: Insights from Data Mining of Geomorphic Data

This paper tests a data mining method for evaluation of the “IRTA” (Index of Relative Tectonic Activity) to investigate the impact of active tectonics on geomorphic processes and landscape development. Based upon K-means clustering of six basin-related geomorphic indices (the hypsometric integral, basin asymmetric factor, drainage density, basin shape ratio, mean axial slope of the channel and topographic roughness) that represent the relative strength of active tectonic deformation on topography and morphology, the relative tectonic activity along the Kazerun Fault Zone in the Zagros Mountains of Iran may be classified into low, moderate and high relative tectonic activity zones. The results allow the identification of the clusters of similarly deformed areas related to relative tectonic activity. The utilization of geomorphic parameters as well as IRTA with comparison to the field observations exhibit change in relative tectonic activities mostly corresponding to the change in mechanism of the prominent fault zones in the study area.

Geomorphometric evidence of an active pop-up structure along the sabzpushan fault zone, Zagros mountains, SW Iran

Evaluation of active tectonism by means of geomorphic indices has provided crucial semi-quantitative data for evaluating seismic hazards in a fault zone in a semiarid area of the Zagros Mountains of Iran where tectonic rates are low-to-moderate and there are few Quaternary dates. Quaternary activity along the seismically active but poorly understood Sabzpushan fault zone (SFZ) has been investigated. The SFZ consists of two dextral strike-slip faults, the Zafarabad and Kafari faults. Geomorphic indices including mountain front sinuosity, valley asymmetry factor, hypsometric integral, valley floor width to valley height ratio and stream length gradient index were used to assess the effects of active reverse faults which control the topographic relief and Quaternary activity. Geomorphometric and field evidence reveal that the Quaternary activity and topographic relief of the study area are controlled by two reverse faults, the North and South Sabzpushan reverse faults, which have formed a pop-up structure in the contractional step-over area between the Zafarabad and Kafari dextral strikeslip faults as a consequence of oblique convergence between the Afro-Arabian and Iranian plates accommodated by the North and South Sabzpushan thrust faults.