Geomorphologic assessment of relative tectonic activity in the Maharlou Lake Basin, Zagros Mountains of Iran

Abstract

Spatial differences of Quaternary deformation and intensity of tectonic activity are assessed through a detailed quantitative geomorphic study of the fault-generated mountain fronts and alluvial/fluvial systems around the Maharlou Lake Basin in the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt of Iran. The Maharlou Lake Basin is defined as an approximately northwest-southeast trending, linear, topographic depression located in the central Zagros Mountains of Iran. The lake is located in a tectonically active area delineated by the Ghareh and Maharlou faults. Combined geomorphic and morphometric data reveal differences between the Ghareh and Maharlou mountain front faults indicating different levels of tectonic activity along each mountain front. Geomorphic indices show a relatively high degree of tectonic activity along the Ghareh Mountain Front in the southwest, in contrast with less tectonic activity along the Ahmadi Mountain Front northeast of the lake which is consistent with field evidence and seismotectonic data for the study area. A ramp valley tectonic setting is proposed to explain the tectonosedimentary evolution of the lake.

Genetic connectivity and phenotypic plasticity in the cyprinodont Aphanius farsicus from the Maharlu Basin, south‐western Iran

“…The presence of such aquifers in the Maharlu Basin has been demonstrated by the hydrological study of Zare et al (). These aquifers probably formed during the late Pliocene to early Pleistocene, when the present endorheic Maharlu Basin was created (Khormali et al , ; Hatzfeld et al , ; Faghih et al , ). A report on the natural recolonization of the Maharlu springs after the drought event of 1967 (Coad, ) provides additional support for the existence of these underground passages.…”

“…; . The Maharlu Basin covers an area of c. 4200 km 2 (Agard et al, 2005;Zare et al, 2005;Faghih et al, 2012). Its northern sector is mountainous, reaching elevations of 1455-2990 m, while the southern part consists mainly of flat terrain (Khaksar et al, 2004).…”

Appraisal of relative tectonic activity along the Kazerun Fault Zone, Zagros Mountains, Iran: insight from spatial analysis of geomorphic indices

“…This is the case in the study area where basins and mountain fronts in the southwestern parts of the study area have the lowest values of Vf and Smf respectively, whereas the Smf and Vf present the highest values in northeastern parts of the Zagros. Ramsey et al, 2008;Bretis et al, 2011;Bahrami, 2012Bahrami, , 2013Faghih et al, 2012). The geomorphological data also show that deformation has been concentrated in the outboard regions of the belt, associated with the Mountain Front Fault (MFF) and other frontal structures (e.g.…”

“…The total amount of shortening on 10 À4 -10 À5 years' time scale, as recorded by geomorphological markers of deformation, is consistent, within error, with the GPSderived present-day deformation rates of 8-10 mm/a across the Zagros. The geomorphic indicators of active tectonics such as fault and fold scarps, deeply entrenched rivers, triangular facets (flat iron structures), wine-glass valleys with narrow outlets, truncated folds associated with wind gap and water gap and Quaternary deposits along folded/faulted mountain fronts reflect recent tectonics of folded structures within the Zagros Mountains in southwest Iran (Ramsey et al, 2008;Dehbozorgi et al, 2010;Bretis et al, 2011;Bahrami, 2012;Faghih et al, 2012) (Fig. Burazjan Fault), during Late Quaternary times, and both thick-and thin-skinned structures are active simultaneously .…”

“…Due to the continuous northward movement of the Afro-Arabian Plate, the Zagros mountain belt is still under the process of crustal adjustments. The geomorphic indicators of active tectonics reflect recent tectonics of folded structures within the Zagros Mountains in southwest Iran (Ramsey et al, 2008;Dehbozorgi et al, 2010;Bretis et al, 2011;Bahrami, 2012;Faghih et al, 2012). Due to lateral propagation of fold and fault in a fold and thrust belt such as Zagros, tectonic activity can also vary locally within a fold (Delcaillau et al, 1998;Keller et al, 1999;Keller and Pinter, 2002;Delcaillau et al, 2006;Melosh and Keller, 2013).…”