Abstract
Jarreh Dam in the southwest of Iran has two specific features that made it almost important to be studied here. The dam is unique in the country for having not any water tightening structures including cutoff wall or grout curtain. On the other hand, almost its entire reservoir is located over the Gachsaran Evaporites of Miocene age with several karstic features. A new type of structural polje bounded by thrust faults is introduced here named as Duz Madui polje. This study is aimed at investigating the geology of Jarreh dam site and reservoir from an applied perspective, with special attention to the karstification in the Gachsaran evaporites and the impact of neotectonics on it, vice versa. The investigation is essentially based on: (1) geological field surveys and aerial and satellite imagery; (2) collection and interpretation of structural data; and (3) analysis of morpho-structural features especially in the Gachsaran Formation. The mutual impacts of the neotectonic structures and Gachsaran Formation on the current and future behavior of the dam is important and debatable. The relationship between neotectonic activity and evaporite karst development can be noteworthy in dam construction projects especially in relation to grouting, water tightness and stability plans. The findings are applicable to maintenance and rehabilitation programs regarding short and long term behavior of the dam as well.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
The data were used according to their availability.
References
Alavi M (2004) Regional stratigraphy of the Zagros fold-thrust belt of Iran and its proforeland evaluation. Am J Sci 304:1–20. https://doi.org/10.2475/ajs.304.1.1
Barjasteh A (2001) The relation between karstification and morphotectonic characteristics of Gachsaran evaporitic formation, SW. Iran. In: Proceedings, 1st international conference sustainable development in karst regions, Beijing, China, pp 62
Barjasteh A (2003) Morphotectonics of Allah River and its application in the rehabilitation study of Ramhormoz region, southwest of Iran. In: Proceedings 6th international conference river engineering, Ahvaz University, Ahvaz, Iran, p 6
Barjasteh A (2004) Seismotectonics of Ramhormoz region in relation to the morphotectonic characteristics of Gachsaran Evaporites, SW of Iran. In: 32nd international geological congress, Florence, Italy
Barjasteh A (2005a) Seismotectonic importance of fault related folding in Khuzestan Province of southwestern Iran. In: Internationsl Conference on theory and application of fault-related folding in foreland basins. 25 June-4 July, 2005a Beijing, China
Barjasteh A (2005b) Karstic features of Gachsaran evaporites in Ramhormoz region, southwest of Iran. In: Proceedings tenth multidisciplinary conference on sinkholes and the engineering and environmental impacts of karst (ASCE), Sept. 24–28, San Antonio, USA., ASCE Geotechnical special publication, no.144. p 667–671
Barjasteh A (2006) Investigation of the engineering geomorphologic properties of Allah river, northeast of Ramhormoz city (in Persian). In: Proceedings 10th SympGeol Soc Iran, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran, p 2368–2373
Barjasteh A (2007) Investigation of the relationship of drainage network to fracture system in Gachsaran Formation (Ramhormoz region) (in Persian). In: Proceedings 1st applied geology congress of Iran. Azad Islamic University of Mashad, Mashad, Iran, pp 868–872
Barjasteh A (2009) Tectonic geomorphology of Ramhormoz watershed area in the Zagros Fold Belt of southwestern Iran. In: Proceedings 9th International Conference on Fluvial Sedimentology, Geologica Acta Lilloana, 21, Suplemento. Aug. 24–28, National Univ. of San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina. p 17–18
Barjasteh A (2012) Salt tectonics impact on dam construction in khuzestan province of Iran. In: 24th ICOLD congress. Kyoto, Japan, 6p
Barjasteh A (2016) Halotectonics and evaporite karst of the Upper Gotvand Dam reservoir, SW Iran. In: 34th National and 2nd International Geosciences Congress. GSI. 15–17 Feb. 2016, Tehran, Iran
Barjasteh A (2019) Influence of geological structure on dam behavior and case studies. In: Tosun H (ed) Dam engineering. Intech Open Publishing. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.74153 (ISBN: 978-1-78985-480-0)
Barjasteh A, Barghi F (2009) Investigation of engineering geological parameters of Jarreh storage dam as the first earth dam without any water-tightness plan in Iran (in Persian). In: Proceedings 6th Iranian conference on engineering geology and the environment. Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran, p 9
Barjasteh A, Ghobadi MH (2011) Structural effects on the hydrogeology of Jarreh dam site and reservoir area in Khuzestan Province, Iran. International Conference on Earth Sciences and Engineering, January 2011, World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology (WASET), Dubai, UAE. p 6
Barjasteh A, Rajab-Poor M (2001) The role of evaporitic Gachsaran formation on the morphotectonic characteristics of Jarreh Dam reservoir, Ramhormoz (in Persian). In: 4th IRCOLD Conference on dam construction, 20–21 Feb. Tehran, Iran pp 990–996
Berberian M (1995) Master blind thrust faults hidden under the zagros folds: active basement tectonics and surface morphotectonics. Tectonophysics 241:193–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(94)00185-C
Berberian M (2014) Earthquakes and coseismic active faulting on the Iranian plateaus. Dev Earth Surf Process 17:628p
Boyer SE, Elliott D (1982) Thrust systems. Am Asso Petrol Geol Bull 66:1196–1230
Davis DM, Suppe J (1980) Critical taper in mechanics of fold-and- thrust belts. Geol Soc Am Abstr Programs 12:410
Davis DM, Suppe J, Dahlen FA (1983) Mechanics of fold-and-thrust belts and accretionary wedges. J Geophys Res 88(B2):1153–1172
Derikvand B, Alavi SA, Abdollahie Fard I, Hajialibeigi H (2018) Folding style of the Dezful Embayment of Zagros Belt: signatures of detachment horizons, deep-rooted faulting and syn-deformation deposition. Mar Pet Geol 91:501–518
Ebrahimzadeh SS, Solgi A, and Arian A (2012) Investigation of seepage through the Jarreh dam foundation using SEEP/W (in Persian). In: Proceedings 30th symposium on geosciences, geological survey of Iran, 20–22 Feb. 2012, Tehran, Iran. 7p
Edgell HS (1996) Salt tectonism in the Persian Gulf Basin, Geological Society London, Special Publications Vol. 100, pp. 129–151.
Ewert FK (1985) Rock grouting with emphasis on dam sites. Springer, Verlag, p 428
Falcon NL (1974) Southern Iran: Zagros Mountains. In: Spencer (ed) Mesozoeic-Cenozoice Orogenic Belts, and Data for Orogenic Studies, vol 4. Geological Society Special Publication, London, pp 199–211
Farhoudi G (1987) Comparison of landforms resulting from neotectonics in western and southern Iran, Z.Geomorph.N.F., Suppl.-Bd.63, pp. 57–60.
Ford DC, Williams PW (2007) Karst Geomorphology and hydrology. Wiley, Chichester. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118684986
Ghanbarian MA, Derakhshani R (2021) The folds and faults kinematic association in the Zagros. Sci Rep 12:8350. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-12337-8
Ghanbarian MA, Derakhshani R (2022) Systematic variations in the deformation intensity in the Zagros Hinterland Fold-and-Thrust Belt, Iran. Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geowissenschaften Band 173 Heft 1 (2022), p 193–210. https://doi.org/10.1127/zdgg/2021/0276
Ghanbarian MA, Yassaghi A, Derakhshani R (2021) Detecting a sinistral transpressional deformation belt in the Zagros. Geosciences 11:226. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences11060226
Ghobadi MH, Mohammadian M (2011) Relation between structural system and karstification in Ramhormoz region, east of Khuzestan Province (in Persian). In: Proceedings 5th National conference of geology and environment. Islamic Azad University, Eslamshahr branch, 6p
Gürbüz A, Farzipour Saein A (2019) Tectonic geomorphology of the zagros orogen. In: Ali Farzipour Saein (ed) Tectonic and structural framework of the zagros fold-thrust belt. Developments in structural geology and tectonics, vol 3. Elsevier, USA, pp 131–144
Harrison JV, (1930) The geology of some salt plugs in Laristan (southern Persia).-Quart. J. Geol. Soc. London, 86, 4, 463–522
Hashemi M, Saki A, Nikudel MR (2020) Effects of chemical composition on the solubility and geomechanical characteristics of gypsum rocks from Gachsaran Formation Iran. Bull Eng Geol Environ 1:2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-020-01794-y
ICOLD (1998) Neotectonics and Dams. Bulletin No. 112, International Commission on Large Dams, Paris. 100p.
ICOLD (2011) Reservoirs and seismicity–state of knowledge, Bulletin No. 137, International Commission on Large Dams, Paris.
ICOLD (2018) Cutoffs for Dams. Bulletin No. 150, International Commission on Large Dams, Paris. 289p.
Institute of geophysics, University of Tehran (2020) Seismic data gathering, processing and interpretation report of seismic stations at Jarreh Dam (in Persian). 157p.
James GA, Wynd JG (1965) Stratigraphic nomenclature of Iranian oil consortium agreement area. Bull Am Assoc Petrol Geol 49:2182–2245
Kamali Z, Nazari H, Rashidi A, Heyhat MR, Khatib MM, Derakhshani R (2023) Seismotectonics geomorphology and paleoseismology of the doroud fault, a source of seismic hazard in zagros. Appl Sci 13:3747. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13063747
Keller EA, Pinter N (2001) Active Tectonics, earthquakes, uplift and landscape. 2nd edition. Pearson. 338. ISBN-10: 0130882305.
Lerche I, Obrien JJ (1987) Dynamical geology of salt and related structures. Academic Press Inc, Cambridge, p 832
Mahab-Ghodss consulting engineering company (1985) Ramhormoz Dam and Irrigation Plan, Geology Report, Reconnaissance studies (in Persian), 52pp.
Mahab-Ghodss Consulting Engineering Company (1989) Ramhormoz Dam and Irrigation Plan, Jarreh Dam Technical Report, Phase 1 studies (in Persian), 229pp.
Mahab-Ghodss Consulting Engineering Company (1996). Dam Body technical Report of Jarreh Dam, Second stage studies (in Persian), 86 p.
McQuarrie N (2004) Crustal scale geometry of the Zagros fold thrust belt Iran. J Struct Geol 26:519–535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2003.08.009
McQuillan H (1991) The role of basement tectonics in the control of sedimentary facies, structural patterns and salt emplacement in the Zagros fold belt of southwest Iran. J Southwest Asian Earth Sci 5(1–4):453–463. https://doi.org/10.1016/0743-9547(91)90061-2
Milanovic P (2018) Engineering karstology of dams and reservoirs. CRS Press, USA, p 354
Mitra S (1986) Duplex structures and imbricate thrust systems: geometry, structural position, and hydrocarbon potential. Am Asso Petrol Geol Bull 70:1087–1112
Mohammadian M, Ghobadi MH (2010) Karst geomorphology in gypsum layers of Gachsaran Formation at Jarreh dam site, Ramhormoz region, Khuzestan Province, (in Persian). In: Proceedings 14th Geological Society of Iran and 28th Symposium on Geosciences, Uromieh University, Uromieh, 6p.
Mohammadian M, Ghobadi MH (2011) Karstic sinkholes and their developments in Ramhormoz region, Khuzestan Province, (in Persian). In: Proceedings 29th symposium on geosciences, geological survey of Iran, 15–16 Feb. 2011, Tehran, Iran. 7p
Mohammadian M, Ghobadi MH, Mohseni H, Karami R (2011) Lithological, physical and mechanical properties associated with stability of karst (in Persian). In: Proceedings 7th Iranian Conference on engineering geology and the environment. Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood. Iran. 8p
Mohammadihadi H, Kalantari N, Anbari A, Pahlavanizadeh S (2021) Hydrochemical assessment of the Jarreh Dam water resources; using multivariate statistical techniques and hydrochemical methods (in Persian). Adv Appl Geol 10(4):620–633
Moores EM, Twiss RJ (2014) Tectonics. Waveland Press, USA, p 429
Morris P (1977) Basement structure as suggested by aeromagnetic surveys in S.W. Iran, The Iranian petroleum institute, Proceedings 2nd geological symposium of Iran, Tehran, Iran, p 294–307
Motiei H (1995) Petroleum geology of Zagros (in Persian). Vols, 1 and 2, geological survey of Iran Publications. P.1009.
N.I.O.C (1966) Geological map of Haft Kel, Scale 1/100000.
Najafi M, Vergés J, Etemad-Saeed N, Karimnejad HR (2018) Folding, thrusting and diapirism: Competing mechanisms for shaping the structure of the north dezful embayment, Zagros, Iran. Basin Research, p. 1–30.
Nowroozi AA (1972) Tectonics and Earthquake Risk of Iran. In: Cakmak AS (ed) Ground motion and engineering seismology. Developments in geotechnical engineering 44. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p 621
Nowroozi AA (1985) Empirical relations between magnitudes and fault parameters for Earthquakes in Iran. Bull Seismol Soc Am 75(5):1327–1338
Nowroozi AA, Ahmadi G (1986) Analysis of earthquake risk in iran based on seismotectonic provinces. Tectonophysics 122:89–114
Oberlander TM (1985) Origin of drainage transverse to structures in Orogens. In: Morrisawa M, Hack JT (eds) Tectonic geomorphology. Allen & Unwin, Australia, pp 155–182
Raeisi E, Zare M, Aghdam JA (2013) Hydrogeology of gypsum formations in Iran. J Cave Karst Stud 75(1):68–80. https://doi.org/10.4311/2011ES0234
Rashidi A, Derakhshani R (2022) (2022) Strain and moment rates from GPS and seismological data in Northern Iran: implications for an evaluation of stress trajectories and probabilistic fault rupture hazard. Remote Sens 14:2219. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14092219
Razaghian G, Beitollahi A, Pourkermani M, Arian M (2018) Determining seismotectonic provinces based on seismicity coefficients in Iran. J Geodyn 119:29–46
Rouhani B (2011) Development and cultural heritage in Iran; Policies for an ancient country. In: ICOMOS, proceedings of the scientific symposium, 17th General assembly "heritage, driver of development": Paris, France, p1021–1027
Shanov S, Kostov K (2015) Dynamic tectonics and karst. Springer, Berlin, p 131
Stocklin J, Setudehnia A (1977) Stratigraphic lexicon of Iran. Geol Survey Iran, Tehran
Suppe J (1985) Principles of Structural Geology. Prentice-Hall. Englewood Cliffs. NJ.
Verge´s et al. (2011) Multiple detachment folding in Pusht-e Kuh Arc, Zagros: Role of mechanical stratigraphy, In: K. McClay, J. H. Shaw, and J. Suppe, eds. Thrust fault-related folding: AAPG Memoir 94, p. 69 – 94.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank the KWPA Bureau of Applied Researches, and Deputy for Dam and Power plant for partly supporting field trips. A very early version of the manuscript was reviewed by Prof. F. Gutiérrez of Zaragoza University before the reservoir impoundment. He is appreciated for his comments that thoroughly developed the manuscript. A newly revised version was prepared after the impoundment that was reviewed by Prof. Z, Mohammadi and Prof. M. Zarei of Shiraz University. They kindly improved the manuscript by their valuable comments. Two anonymous reviewers are appreciated for valuable comments that thoroughly developed the manuscript. Finally, A.B. is thankful of his wife Mrs. R. Ghilav at KWPA who kindly helped type and verify grammatical points of the manuscript.
Funding
There was not any funding for the article.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Barjasteh, A., Ghobadi, M.H. Neotectonics and Evaporite Karst Evidence in Jarreh Dam and Reservoir Area (SW Iran). Geotech Geol Eng 41, 4559–4581 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-023-02533-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-023-02533-2