Abstract
The Kazerun fault system as an active transverse fault has affected the structures and sedimentation of the Zagros belt from Cambrian to the present. On the basis of published geological maps this fault system has divided into four segments: the Sisakht, Yasuj, Kamarij and Borazjan segments. The fault slip data in the seven sites close the Kamarij segment within this fault system; we have studied using the Direct Inversion and Right Dihedra methods. The results demonstrate that the reverse faulting and the strike-slip faulting on this fault system. This suggested that the discrepant stress axes direction on this fault system is that it takes up shortening perpendicular to the strike of the Zagros by a component of extension parallel to the strike of the belt, rather than by crustal thickening. In addition to analysis of the stress axes, fault-slip data were analyzed using the graphical kinematic method. The purpose of this analysis was to test the homogeneity of the data sets and to determine the geometric relationships that are represented by kinematic axes. Analysis indicates remarkably homogeneous kinematic axes as defined by the near-horizontal NE–SW shortening and near-horizontal NW–SE extension. In fact, the Kazerun fault system accommodates some of the shortening between Arabia and Central Iran by an elongation of the Zagros belt parallel to strike. It is not easy to assess the likely rate of elongation parallel to the strike of the Zagros. It is clear from the anticlines and reverse faulting earthquakes near the Kazerun fault system that it does not accommodate all the shortening at its position within the belt. These observations combined with the regional elevations and historical seismicity suggests to us that the rate of motion on the Kazerun fault system is relatively slow.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
M. Alavi, “Tectonics of the Zagros orogenic belt of Iran: New data and interpretations,” Tectonophysics 229, 211–238 (1994).
M. Alavi, “Regional stratigraphy of the Zagros fold-thrust belt of Iran and its proforeland evolution,” Am. J. Sci. 304, 1–20 (2004).
R. W. Allmendinger, Quantitative Interpretation of Joints and Faults, Vol. 52 of Geol. Soc. Am., Short Course (1989).
N. N. Ambraseys and C. P. Melville, A History of Persian Earthquakes (Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, 1982).
J. Angelier and P. Mechler, “Sur une méthode graphique de recherche des contraintes principales également utilisable en tectonique et en séismologie: la méthode des dièdres droits,” Bull. Soc. Geol. Fr. 7, 1309–1318 (1977).
J. Angelier, “Tectonic analyses of fault slip data sets,” J. Geophys. Res., B 89, 5835–5848 (1984).
J. Angelier, “Inversion of field data in fault tectonics to obtain the regional stress. III. A new rapid direct inversion method by analytical means,” Geophysical J. Int. 103, 363–376 (1990).
J. Angelier, “Fault slip analysis and paleostress reconstruction,” in Continental Deformation, Ed. by P. L. Hancock (Pergamon Press, 1994), pp. 53‒100.
J. Angelier, “Inversion of earthquake focal mechanisms to obtain the seismotectonic stress: A new method free of choice among nodal planes,” Geophys. J. Int. 150 (3), 588–609 (2002).
C. Authemayou, O. Bellier, D. Chardon, Z. Malekzade, and M. Abassi, “Role of the Kazeron fault system in active deformation of the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt (Iran),” C. R. Geosci. 337, 539–545 (2005).
C. Authemayou, O. Bellier, D. Chardon, L. Benedetti, Z. Malekzade, C. Claude, B. Angeletti, E. Shabanian, and M. R. Abbassi, “Quaternary slip-rates of the Kazerun and the Main Recent Faults: Active strike-slip partitioning in the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt,” Geophys. J. Int. 178, 524‒540 (2009).
D. M. Bachmanov, V. G. Trifonov, Kh. T. Hessami, A. I. Kozhurin, T. P. Ivanova, E. A. Rogozhin, M. C. Hademi, and F. H. Jamali, “Active faults in the Zagros and central Iran,” Tectonophysics 380, 221–242 (2004).
C. Baker, J. Jackson, and K. Priestley, “Earthquakes on the Kazerun line in the Zagros mountains of Iran: Strike-slip faulting within a fold-and-thrust belt,” Geophys. J. Int. 115, 41–61 (1993).
M. Berberian and G. C. P. King, “Towards the paleogeography and tectonic evolution of Iran,” Can. J. Earth Sci. 18, 210–265 (1981).
M. Berberian, “Master ‘blind’ thrust fault hidden under the Zagros folds: active basement tectonics and surface morphotectonics,” Tectonophysics 241, 193–224 (1995).
J. M. Dupin, W. Sassi, and J. Angelier, “Homogeneous stress hypothesis and actual fault slip: A distinct element analysis,” J. Struct. Geol. 15, 1033–1043 (1993).
N. L. Falcon, “Problems of the relationship between surface structure and deep displacements illustrated by the Zagros Range,” in Time and Place in Orogeny, Vol. 3 of Geol. Soc. London, Spec. Publ., Ed. by P. E. Kent, G. E. Satterthwaite, and A. M. Spencer (London, 1969), pp. 9–22.
N. L. Falcon, “Southern Iran: Zagros Mountains,” in Mesozoic–Cenozoic Orogenic Belts, Vol. 4 of Geol. Soc. London, Spec. Publ., Ed. by A. Spenser (London, 1974), pp. 199–211.
M. Furst, “Strike-slip faults and diapirism of the south-eastern Zagros ranges,” in Proceeding of Symposium on Diapirism, Bandar Abbas, Iran, 1990, Vol. 2, 149–181.
J. W. Gephart and D. W. Forsyth, “An improved method for determining the regional stress tensor using earthquake focal mechanism data: Application to the San Fernando earthquake sequence,” J. Geophys. Res., B 89, 9305‒9320 (1984).
P. L. Hancock, A. Al-Kadhi, A. A. Barka, and T. G. Bevan, “Aspects of analyzing brittle structures,” Ann. Tecton. 1, 5‒19 (1987).
D. Hatzfeld, C. Authemayou, P. Van der Beek, O. Bellier, J. Lave, B. Oveisi, M. Tatar, F. Tavakoli, A. Walpersdorf, and F. Y. Fard, “The kinematics of the Zagros Mountains (Iran),” in Tectonic and Stratigraphic Evolution of Zagros and Makran during the Mesozoic–Cenozoic, Vol. 330 of Geol. Soc. London, Spec. Publ., Ed. by P. Leturmy and C. Robin (London, 2010), pp, 19–42.
Kh. Hessami, H. A. Koyi, and C. J. Talbot, “The significance of strike-slip faulting in the basement of the Zagros fold-thrust belt,” J. Pet. Geol. 24, 5–28 (2001).
Kh. Hessami, F. Nilforoushan, and C. J. Talbot, “Act-ive deformation within the Zagros Mountains deduced from GPS measurements,” J. Geol. Soc. (London, U. K.) 163, 143–148 (2006).
Q. Huang, “Computer-based method to separate heterogeneous sets of fault-slip data into sub-sets,” J. Struct. Geol. 10, 297‒299 (1988).
W. B. Kamb, “Ice petrofabric observations from Blue Glacier, Washington, in relation to theory and experiment,” J. Geophys. Res. 64, 1891‒1909 (1959).
P. E. Kent, “The emergent Hormuz salt plugs of the southern Iran,” J. Pet. Geol. 2, 117–144 (1979).
R. J. Lisle, “Principal stress orientations from faults: An additional constraint, ” Ann. Tecton. 1, 155‒158 (1987).
T. A. Little, “Brittle deformation adjacent to the Awatere strike-slip fault in New Zealand: Faulting patterns, scaling relationships, and displacement partitioning,” Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 107, 1255‒1271 (1995).
T. A. Little, “Faulting-related displacement gradients and strain adjacent to the Awatere strike-slip fault in New Zealand,” J. Struct. Geol. 18, 321‒340 (1996).
R. Marrett and R. W. Allmendinger, “Kinematic analysis of fault-slip data,” J. Struct. Geol. 12, 973‒986 (1990).
K. Mobasher and H. A. Babaie, “Kinematic significance of fold- and fault-related fracture systems in the Zagros Mountains, southern Iran,” Tectonophysics 451, 156–169 (2007).
P. Molnar, “Average regional strain due to slip on numerous faults of different orientations,” J. Geophys. Res., B 88, 6430‒6432 (1983).
P. Navabpour, J. Angelier, and E. Barrier, “Cenozoic post–collisional brittle tectonic history and stress reorientation in the High Zagros Belt (Iran, Fars Province),” Tectonophysics 432, 101–131 (2007).
D. C. P. Peacock and D. J. Sanderson, “Estimating strain from fault slip using a line sample,” J. Struct. Geol. 15, 1513‒1516 (1993).
Z. Reches, “Determination of the tectonic stress tensor from slip along faults that obey the Coulomb yield condition,” Tectonics 6, 849‒861 (1987).
D. J. Sanderson and W. R. D. Marchini, “Transpression,” J. Struct. Geol. 6, 449–458 (1984).
K. Sarkarinejad and A. Azizi, “Slip partitioning and inclined dextral trenspression along the Zagros thrust system, Iran,” J. Struct. Geol. 30, 116–136 (2008).
M. Sepehr and J. M. Cosgrove, “Structural framework of the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt, Iran,” Mar. Pet. Geol. 21, 829‒843 (2004).
M. Sepehr and J. W. Cosgrove, “Role of the Kazerun fault zone in the formation and deformation of the Zagros Fold-Thrust belt, Iran,” Tectonics 24 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1029/2004TC001725
Sh. Sherkati and J. Letouzey, “Variation of structural style and basin evolution in the Zagros (Izeh zone and Dezful Embayment), Iran,” Mar. Pet. Geol. 21, 535‒554 (2004).
J. Stöcklin, “Structural history and tectonics of Iran: A review,” AAPG Bull. 52, 1229–1258 (1968).
C. J. Talbot and M. Alavi, “The past of the future syntaxis across the Zagros,” in Salt Tectonics, Vol. 100 of Geol. Soc. London, Spec. Publ., Ed. by G. I. Alsop, D. J. Blundell, and I. Davison (London, 1996), pp. 89–109.
M. Talebian and J. Jackson, “Offset on the Main Recent Fault of NW Iran and implications for the late Cenozoic tectonics of the Arabia-Eurasia collision zone,” Geophys. J. Int. 150, 422‒439 (2002).
M. Talebian and J. Jackson, “A reappraisal of earthquake focal mechanisms and active shortening in the Zagros mountains of Iran,” Geophys. J. Int. 156, 506–526 (2004).
M. Tatar, D. Hatzfeld, J. Martinod, A. Walpersdorf, M. Ghafori-Ashtiany, and J. Chery, “The present-day deformation of the central Zagros from GPS measurements,” Geophys. Res. Lett. 29 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1029/2002GL015427
M. Tatar, D. Hatzfeld, and M. Ghafori-Ashtiany, “Tectonics of the Central Zagros (Iran) deduced from microearthquake seismicity,” Geophys. J. Int. 156, 255–266 (2004).
F. Tavakoli and A. Walpersdorf, “Distribution of the right-lateral strike-slip motion from the Main Recent Fault to the Kazerun fault system (Kazerun, Iran): E-vidence from present day GPS velocities,” Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 275, 342‒347 (2008).
J. S. Tchalenko, J. Braud, and M. Berberian, “Discovery of three earthquake faults in Iran,” Nature 248 (5450), 661–663 (1974).
P. Vernant, F. Nilforoushan, and D. Hatzfeld, “Present-day crustal deformation and plate kinematics in the Middle East constrained by GPS measurements in Iran and Northern Oman,” Geophys. J. Int. 157, 381–398 (2004).
R. E. Wallace, “Geometry of shearing stress and relation to faulting,” J. Geol. 59, 118–130 (1951).
F. Yamini-Fard, D. Hatzfeld, M. Tatar, and M. Mokhtari, “Microearthquake seismicity at the intersection between the Kazerun fault and the Main Recent Fault (Zagros, Iran),” Geophys. J. Int. 166, 186–196 (2006).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work was supported by the Shiraz University Research Council (Iran). In particular, we thank reviewers for their considerable help and guidance on this research.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Reviewer: V.G. Trifonov
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mehdizadeh, R. Kinematic Evaluation of the Kazerum Fault System within the Zagros Fold-and-Thrust Belt, Iran. Geotecton. 53, 774–785 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016852119060086
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016852119060086