Spatio-temporal evolution of intraplate strike-slip faulting: The Neogene–Quaternary Kuh-e-Faghan Fault, central Iran

Abstract

39Central Iran provides an ideal region to study the long-term morphotectonic response to the 40 nucleation and propagation of intraplate faulting. In this study, a multidisciplinary approach 41 that integrates structural and stratigraphic field investigations with apatite (U+Th)/He (AHe) 42 thermochronometry is used to reconstruct the spatio-temporal evolution of the Kuh-e-Faghan 43 As demonstrated by regional and global stress field maps, in-plane stresses can be 65

Innovations in (U–Th)/He, Fission Track, and Trapped Charge Thermochronometry with Applications to Earthquakes, Weathering, Surface‐Mantle Connections, and the Growth and Decay of Mountains

“…FT and (U–Th)/He thermochronometry are now routinely applied to detrital minerals (e.g., Carter, , and references therein). Detrital apatite and/or zircon crystals can trace sediment sources in orogenic systems (Bernet & Garver, ; Glotzbach et al, ; Horton et al, ; Stock et al, ), quantify the basin burial and exhumation phases (Guenthner et al, ; Ketcham, Mora, & Parra, ; Schwartz et al, ), and track the source to sink evolution of sedimentary basins (Calzolari et al, ; Carter, ; Tranel et al, ; Zattin et al, ). Detrital thermochronometry from catchments also informs the timing and tempo of source area exhumation related to tectonism (e.g., Bernet et al, ; Bernet et al, ; Espurt et al, ; Filleaudeau et al, ; Gautheron, Espurt, et al, ), glacial processes (e.g., Ehlers et al, ; Enkelmann & Ehlers, ), or the interplay between the two.…”

The long‐term evolution of the Doruneh Fault region (Central Iran): A key to understanding the spatio‐temporal tectonic evolution in the hinterland of the Zagros convergence zone

“…The early‐middle Miocene corresponds to a period of enhanced rock exhumation and regional uplift, erosion, and deposition during the collision‐related reactivation of the Kashmar–Kerman Tectonic Zone (Kargaranbafghi et al, ; Verdel et al, ). This phase is accompanied by (a) activation of major dextral strike‐slip fault zones along the northwestern boundary of the Lut Block (Calzolari, Rossetti, et al, ; Nozaem et al, ; Verdel et al, ) and (b) resumed tectonic activity in the DF region (Tadayon et al, ) (Figure ). This event is also recorded at the regional scale, as documented along the Bitlis–Zagros collisional zone and the Alborz Mountains (Allen et al, ; Axen, Lam, Grove, Stockli, & Hassanzadeh, ; Ballato et al, , , ; François et al, ; Gavillot, Axen, Stockli, Horton, & Fakhari, ; Guest, Stockli, et al, ; Hessami et al, ; Homke et al, ; Khadivi et al, ; Khadivi, Mouthereau, Barbarand, Adatte, & Lacombe, ; Madanipour et al, ; Madanipour, Ehlers, Yassaghi, & Enkelmann, ; Morley et al, ; Mouthereau et al, ; Okay, Zattin, & Cavazza, ), commonly referred to the transition from a juvenile to a mature stage of continental collision (hard collision in Ballato et al, and Madanipour et al, ).…”

“…A major tectonic reorganization occurred in Central Iran during the Late Miocene–early Pliocene as attested by (a) enhanced exhumation in the Alborz and Talesh mountains (Axen et al, ; Madanipour et al, ; Rezaeian, Carter, Hovius, & Allen, ), (b) changes in the regional states of stress in the Kopeh Dagh region (Javidfakhr, Bellier, Shabanian, Ahmadian, & Saidi, ; Robert et al, ; Shabanian, Acocella, Gioncada, Ghasemi, & Bellier, ; Shabanian, Bellier, Abbassi, Siame, & Farbod, ), (c) oroclinal bending of the Alborz Mountains (Cifelli, Ballato, Alimohammadian, Sabouri, & Mattei, ; Mattei et al, ), (d) activation of the Zagros–Makran transfer zone (Regard et al, ) (Figure ), and (e) the collisional lithosphere overthickening of the Zagros convergence zone that became unable to sustain further shortening (Allen et al, ; Austermann & Iaffaldano, ). This time frame is also relevant for the history of the DF, as documented by (a) fault kinematic changes within the DF region (Bagheri et al, ; Javadi et al, , ; Tadayon et al, ) in consequence of a major shift in the regional paleo‐σ 1 direction from NW–SE to N–S‐oriented (Tadayon et al, ) and (b) renewed activity of dextral shearing to the south of the DF, along the Neogene–Quaternary Kuh‐Sarangi‐Kuh‐e‐Faghan fault system (Calzolari, Della Seta, et al, ; Calzolari, Rossetti, et al, ; Calzolari et al, ).…”

“…Simplified tectonic map of Iran on the shaded‐relief Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) image, showing the main tectonic domains and the major strike‐slip fault systems accommodating the Arabia‐Eurasia convergence. Distribution of the Neo‐Tethyan ophiolites are also shown (modified after Allen, Jackson, & Walker, ; Allen, Kheirkhah, Emami, & Jones, ; Berberian & King, ; Berberian, ; Calzolari, Rossetti, et al, ; Stöcklin & Nabavi, ; Morley et al, ; Nozaem et al, ; Shafaii Moghadam & Stern, ). The inset shows the Arabia–Eurasia convergence zone with the main tectonic features indicated (modified after Javadi et al ()).…”

Thermotectonic History of the Kluane Ranges and Evolution of the Eastern Denali Fault Zone in Southwestern Yukon, Canada

“…Strike‐slip fault systems can accommodate significant vertical strain manifest by exhumation and the development of near‐fault mountain ranges (e.g., Dewey et al, ; Fossen & Tikoff, ; Spotila et al, ). Controls on the spatiotemporal partitioning of strain depend on near‐field factors such as fault geometry (e.g., restraining or releasing bends and stepovers) and rheological contrasts, combined with far‐field factors including plate boundary coupling and obliquity between convergence direction and fault strike (e.g., Buscher & Spotila, ; Calzolari et al, ; Ellis, ; Molnar & Dayem, ; Platt, ; Spotila et al, ; Sylvester, ; Tikoff & Teyssier, ; Umhoefer et al, ). Patterns of elevation gain (or loss) and exhumation along strike‐slip faults reflect interaction and transience of these various factors (e.g., Spotila et al, ; Umhoefer et al, ).…”