Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Lateral variation of crust and upper mantle structures in NW Iran derived from surface wave analysis

  • ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • Published:
Journal of Seismology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

To obtain the shear velocity structure across North-West of Iran and surrounding areas to a depth of 160 km, we performed a namely Hedgehog nonlinear inversion on Rayleigh wave group velocity dispersion curves in the period range from 7 to 60 s. The distributed dispersion curves are the results of our surface wave dispersion tomography using the data of 280 local and regional seismic events, recorded by the medium- and broad-band seismic stations in the region. We outline different crust and upper mantle structures for the study area based on calculated group and shear velocities. Our results reveal relatively low velocities at the shorter periods (7–10 s) in the presence of sedimentary basins (e.g., South Caspian Basin) and for eastern Anatolia and relatively high velocities along the Sanandaj–Sirjan Metamorphic zone, Alborz, Talesh, and the Lesser Caucasus Mountains. By depth inversion of group velocities, we observed 14-km-thick sediments in South Caspian Basin and Kura Depression. Based on our maps at 20 s, we outline different crustal models for the region and highlight the differences between South Caspian Basin and NW Iran, on one side, and the similarities between the South Caspian Basin and Kura Depression that extend beneath Talesh, Alborz, and Lesser Caucasus, on the other. Comparing the shear velocity of lower crust in South Caspian Basin and Kura Depression with that of NW Iran proves different origination of lower crust in the basin, probably oceanic source, because of its significant higher shear velocity rather than NW Iran. In Talesh, we observe indications of an under-thrusting of the lower crust of SCB beneath NW Iran while the middle crust is locked. The analysis of group velocities at longer periods (≥ 35 s) and obtained shear velocity models allows us to outline different lithospheric structures and crustal depth in the region. The high group velocities in Talesh, South Caspian Sea, and Lesser Caucasus on one side and Zagros Folding and Thrust Belt on the other, beside the result of shear velocity models, suggest the presence of a stable and thick mantle lid that seems to be thin or absent in the eastern Anatolia and much of NW Iran. The shallowest Moho and Lithosphere Asthenosphere boundary depths of 37 and 63 km were observed in Eastern Anatolian Accretionary Complex. The thin mantle lid in this region has affected the whole crust in such a way that we observed the lowest shear velocities inside the crust in this region. We observed a significant thickening of both crust and lithosphere in Sanandaj–Sirjan Metamorphic zone comparing to Urmieh Dokhtar Magmatic Arc and Zagros Folding and Thrust Belt on its two sides.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agard P, Omrani J, Jolivet L, Whitechurch H, Vrielynck B, Spakman W, Monie P, Meyer B, Wortel R (2011) Zagros orogeny: a subduction-dominated process. Geol Mag 148(5–6):692–725

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alavi M (1994) Tectonics of the Zagros orogenic belt of Iran: new data and interpretation. Tectonophysics 229:211–238

  • Al-Lazki AI, Seber D, Sandvol E, Turkelli N, Mohamad R, Barazangi M, (2003) Tomographic Pn velocity and anisotropy structure beneath the Anatolian plateau (eastern Turkey) and the surrounding regions. Geophys Res Lett 30(24). https://doi.org/10.1029/2003GL017391

  • Al-Lazki AI, Sandvol E, Seber D, Barazangi M, Turkelli N, Mohamad R (2004) Pn tomographic imaging of mantle lid velocity and anisotropy at the junction of the Arabian, Eurasian and African plates. Geophys J Int 158:1024–1040

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Lazki AI, Al-Damegh KS, El-Hadidy SY, Ghods A, Tatar M (2014) Pn velocity structure beneath Arabia–Eurasia Zagros collision and Makran subduction zones. Geol Soc Lond, Spec Publ 392(1):45–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asudeh I (1982) Seismic structure of Iran from surface and body wave data. Geophys J R Astron Soc 71:715–730

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aydın I, Karat HI, Kocak A (2005) Curie-point depth map of Turkey. Geophys J Int 162:633–640

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bavali K, Motaghi K, Sobouti F, Ghods A, Abbasi M, Priestley K, Mortezanejad G, Rezaeian M (2016) Lithospheric structure beneath NW Iran using regional and teleseismic travel-time tomography. Phys Earth Planet Inter 253:97–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pepi.2016.02.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brunet MF, Korotaev MV, Ershov AV, Nikishin AM (2003) The South Caspian Basin: a review of its evolution from subsidence modelling. Sediment Geol 156:119–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chiu HY, Chung SL, Zarrinkoub MH, Mohammadi SS, Khatib MM, Iizuka Y (2013) Zircon U–Pb age constraints from Iran on the magmatic evolution related to Neotethyan subduction and Zagros orogeny. Lithos 162–163:70–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dehghani GA, Makris J (1984) The gravity field and crustal structure of Iran. ​Neues Jahrb Geol Palaontol Abh 168:215–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Didem Cambaz M, Karabulut H (2010) Love-wave group velocity maps of Turkey and surrounding regions. Geophys J Int 181:502–520. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2010.04516.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ditmar PG, Yanovskaya TB (1987) A generalization of the Backus–Gilbert method for estimation of lateral variations of surface wave velocity. Izv Phys Solid Earth, 23 (6), 470–477

  • Giese P, Makris J, Akashe B, Rower P, Letz H, Mostaanpour M (1984) The crustal structure in southern Iran derived from seismic explosion data. Neues Jahrb Geol Palaontol Abh 168:230–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gok R, Pasyanos ME, Zor E (2007) Lithospheric structure of the continent–continent collision zone: eastern Turkey. Geophys J Int 169(3):1079–1088

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herrmann RB, Ammon CJ, (2004) Surface waves, receiver functions and crustal structure, in Computer Programs in Seismology. Version 3.30, Saint Louis University, http://www.eas.slu.edu/People/RBHerrmann/CPS330.html

  • Hessami K, Jamali F, Tabassi H (2003) Major active faults of Iran, edition 2003. International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology, Tehran

  • Jackson JA, Fitch T (1981) Basement faulting and the focal depths of the larger earthquakes in the Zagros Mountains (Iran). Geophys J R Astron Soc 64:561–586

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson JA, Priestley K, Allen M, Berberian M (2002) Active tectonics of the South Caspian Basin. Geophys J Int 148(2):214–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Karagianni EE, Panagiotopoulos DG, Panza GF, Suhadolc P, Papazachos CB, Papazachos BC, Kiratzi A, Hatzfeld D, Makropoulos K, Priestley K, Vuan A (2002) Rayleigh wave group velocity tomography in the Aegean area. Tectonophysics 358:187–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keskin M (2003) Magma generation by slab steepening and breakoff beneath a subduction accretion complex: an alternative model for collision-related volcanism in eastern Anatolia, Turkey. Geophys Res Lett 30(24). https://doi.org/10.1029/2003GL018019

  • Keskin M, Pearce JA, Mitchell JG (1998) Volcano-stratigraphy and geochemistry of collision-related volcanism on the Erzurum–Kars plateau, north eastern Turkey. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 85:355–404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knapp JH, Connor JA (2004) Crustal-scale structure of the South Caspian Basin revealed by deep seismic reflection profiling. Mar Pet Geol 21:1073–1081

  • Knopoff L, Schwab F, Kausel E (1973) Interpretation of Lg. Geophys J R Astron Soc 33:389–404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levshin AL, Ratnikova LI, Berteussen KA (1972) On a frequency–time analysis of oscillations. Ann Geophys 28:211–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Levshin AL, Ratnikova LI, Berger J (1992) Peculiarities of surface wave propagation across Central Eurasia. Bull Seismol Soc Am 82:2464–2493

    Google Scholar 

  • Maggi A, Priestley K (2005) Surface waveform tomography of the Turkish Iranian plateau. Geophys J Int 160:1068–1080

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maggi A, Jackson JA, Priestley K, Baker C (2000) A re-assessment of focal depth distributions in southern Iran, the Tien Shan and northern India: do earthquakes really occur in the continental mantle? Geophys J Int 143:629–661

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maheri-Peyrov M, Ghods A, Abbasi M, Bergman E, Sobouti F (2016) ML shear wave velocity tomography for the Iranian plateau. Geophys J Int 205:179–191. https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggv504

    Google Scholar 

  • Mangino S, Priestley K (1998) The crustal structure of the southern Caspian region. Geophys J Int 133:630–648

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mortezanejad G, Aziz Zanjani A, Ghods A, Sobouti F (2013) Insights into the crustal structure and the seismotectonics of the Talesh region using the local and teleseismic data. Geosciences 88(2):38–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Panza GF (1981) The resolving power of seismic surface waves with respect to crust and upper mantle structural models. In: The solution of the inverse problem in geophysical interpretation, Ed.: Cassinis, R., Plenum Pub. Corp., 39–77

  • Panza GF, Calcagnile G (1975) Lg, Li and Rg from Rayleigh modes. Geophys J R Astron Soc 40:475–487

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paul A, Kaviani A, Hatzfeld D, Vergne J, Mokhtari M (2006) Seismological evidence for crustal-scale thrusting in the Zagros mountain belt (Iran). Geophys J Int 166:227–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paul A, Hatzfeld D, Kaviani A, Tatar M, Pequegnat C (2010) Seismic imaging of the lithospheric structure of the Zagros mountain belt (Iran). Geol Soc Lond Spec Publ 330:5–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Priestley K, McKenzie D, Barron J, Tatar M, Debayle E (2012) The Zagros core: deformation of the continental lithospheric mantle. Geochem Geophys Geosyst 13:Q11014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raykova RB, Panza GF (2010) The shear-wave velocity structure of the lithosphere–asthenosphere system in the Iberian area and surroundings. Rend Fis Acc Lincei 21:183–231. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-010-0077-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ritzwoller MH, Shapiro NM, Barmin MP, Levshin AL (2002) Global surface wave diffraction tomography. J Geophys Res 107:2335. https://doi.org/10.1029/2002JB001777

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sengor AMC (1990) A New Model for the Late Palaeozoic-Mesozoic Tectonic Evolution of Iran and Implications for Oman, In: Robertson, A.H.F., Searle, M.P. and Ries, A.C., Eds., The Geology and Tectonics of the Oman Region. Geol Soc Spec Publ 49:797–831.

  • Sengor AMC, Ozeren S, Zor E, Genc T (2003) East Anatolian high plateau as a mantle-supported, N–S shortened domal structure. Geophys Res Lett 30(24):8045. https://doi.org/10.1029/2003GL017858

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stocklin J (1968) Structural history and tectonics of Iran: a review. Am Assoc Pet Geol Bull 52:1229–1258

    Google Scholar 

  • Taghizadeh-Farahmand F, Sodoudi F, Afsari N, Ghassemi MR (2010) Lithospheric structure of NW Iran from P and S receiver functions. J Seismol 14(4):823–836

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Talebian M, Jackson JA (2002) Offset on the main recent fault of the NW Iran and implications for the Late Cenzoic tectonics of the Arabia–Eurasia collision zone. Geophys J Int 150:422–439

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Talebian M, Jackson JA (2004) A reappraisal of earthquake focal mechanisms and active shortening in the Zagros mountains of Iran. Geophys J Int 156:506–526

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Urban L, Cichowicz A, Vaccari F (1993) Computation of analytical partial derivatives of phase and group velocities for Rayleigh waves with respect to structural parameters. Stud Geophys Geod 37:14–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yanovskaya TB (1997) Resolution estimation in the problems of seismic ray tomography. Izv Phys Solid Earth 33(9):762–765

    Google Scholar 

  • Yanovskaya TB, Kizima ES, Antomova LM (1998) Structure of the crust in the Black Sea and adjoining regions from surface wave data. J Seismol 2:303–316

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yilmaz Y (1990) Comparison of young volcanic associations of western and eastern Anatolia formed under a compressional regime: a review. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 44:69–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zanjani AA, Ghods A, Sobouti F, Bergman E, Mortezanejad G, Priestley K, Madanipour S, Rezaeian M (2013) Seismicity in the western coast of the South Caspian Basin and the Talesh Mountains. Geophys J Int 195(2):799–814

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zor E, Sandvol E, Gorbuz C, Turkelli N, Seber D, Barazangi M (2003) The crustal structure of the east Anatolian plateau (Turkey) from receiver functions. Geophys Res Lett 30(24):8044. https://doi.org/10.1029/2003GL018192

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the Iranian Seismological Center (IRSC), the International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES), and the European Integrated Data Archive (EIDA) for providing the required waveforms for this study. Also we warmly thank the Department of Earth Sciences of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS) that provided us the data recorded by their individual seismic network. The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of University of Tehran for this research under grant number 28950/1/04. The article was partially supported on the Italian side by Italian MIUR (PRIN 2015 project). We appreciate the reviewers for their constructive comments.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geophysics, University of Tehran, North Kargar St, Tehran, Iran

    G. Mortezanejad & H. Rahimi

  2. Department of Mathematics and Geosciences, University of Trieste, via E. Weiss 4, 34127, Trieste, Italy

    F. Romanelli

  3. Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Rome, Italy

    G. F. Panza

  4. Institute of Geophysics, China Earthquake Administration, Beijing, China

    G. F. Panza

  5. International Seismic Safety Organization (ISSO), Arsita, Italy

    G. F. Panza

  6. Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture (BUCEA), Beijing, China

    G. F. Panza

Authors
  1. G. Mortezanejad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. Rahimi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. F. Romanelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. G. F. Panza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. Rahimi.

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 43 kb)

ESM 2

(DOCX 50.2 kb)

ESM 3

(DOCX 48.8 kb)

ESM 4

(DOCX 38.7 kb)

ESM 5

(DOCX 35.3 kb)

ESM 6

(DOCX 23.8 kb)

ESM 7

(DOCX 22.1 kb)

ESM 8

(DOCX 933 kb)

ESM 9

(DOCX 934 kb)

ESM 10

(DOCX 880 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mortezanejad, G., Rahimi, H., Romanelli, F. et al. Lateral variation of crust and upper mantle structures in NW Iran derived from surface wave analysis. J Seismol 23, 77–108 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10950-018-9794-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10950-018-9794-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation