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The effect of basement step/topography on the geometry of the Zagros fold and thrust belt (SW Iran): an analog modeling approach

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Abstract

Systematic analog models are run to study the variation in deformation across basement steps in the Zagros fold-thrust belt. Our model results demonstrate that basement configuration/topography influences the sedimentation thickness and, hence, the kinematics and geometric evolution of the fold and thrust belt. The greater the difference in thickness between the adjacent cover units across a basement step, the sharper and clearer will be the offset of the deformation front. Based on model results, we conclude that in a fold-thrust belt, where basement step/topography is covered by a layer of ductile salt acting as a decollement, the effect of the salt decollement on the evolution of the belt is far greater than the effect of thickness variation of the cover units.

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Acknowledgments

AFS thanks the research and postgraduate office in University of Isfahan and Uppsala University for their support and acknowledges his wife for her help and kindness during the stay in Uppsala. We acknowledge M. Vatandoust for her help in preparation of some figures. The editors, Wolf-Christian Dullo and Wenjiao Xiao, and the detailed and constructive reviews of Yunpeng Dong and anonymous reviewer are acknowledged. Swedish Research Council (VR) funds HK and FN.

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  1. Department of Geology, University of Isfahan, 81746-73441, Isfahan, Iran

    A. Farzipour-Saein

  2. Hans Ramberg Tectonic Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Villavägen 16, SE-752 36, Uppsala, Sweden

    F. Nilfouroushan & H. Koyi

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Farzipour-Saein, A., Nilfouroushan, F. & Koyi, H. The effect of basement step/topography on the geometry of the Zagros fold and thrust belt (SW Iran): an analog modeling approach. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 102, 2117–2135 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-013-0921-5

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