Evaluation of neotectonic activity within the Urumieh-Dokhtar volcanic arc (Iran) based on the calculation of morphotectonic indices
Abstract
The article deals with the analysis of morphotectonic indices as a principal tool to identify the areas experiencing rapid tectonic deformations, or estimate relative variations of tectonic activity in a specific area. We applied the analysis in the Zeferh fault zone, located within the Urumieh-Dokhtar Volcanic Arc (UDVA) in the Central Iran. The Zefreh fault is a most important fault in the central part of the UDVA. The Zefreh fault stretches for 130 km in NW–SE direction from the Natanz town in the north to the Zefreh village in the south. The Zefreh fault cuts and displaces the UDVA along its whole trace. The dextral strike-slip component confirmed by tectonic features was shown based on the analysis of fault lineations, and interpretation of Landsat satellite images and field data. We calculated morphotectonic indices along the Zefreh fault zone and evaluated the tectonic activity of the area. We used topographic maps, geological maps, satellite images, and field observations for identification and calculation of morphotectonic indices. A digital elevation model (DEM) was obtained by digitizing contour lines from topographic maps. Standard methods in ArcGIS, Global Mapper, and Envi programs were used to calculate indices and identify tectonic features. The coefficients of mountain-front sinuosity (Smf), ratio of the valley floor width to the valley slope height (Vf) and ratio of the valley width to the valley slope height (V) average to 1,17, 0,78 and 6,92 respectively. In addition, the stream length gradient index (SL), the displacement of river valleys, the presence of asymmetric and curved proluvial fans and the increasing rate of vertical erosion, as well as the residual effects of fault movement in Quaternary sediments, indicate that the Zefreh fault is still active.
About the Authors
S. Beygi
Saint Petersburg Mining University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Geological Prospecting Faculty, Department of Historical and Dynamic Geology, PhD student
I. V. Talovina
Saint Petersburg Mining University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Geological Prospecting Faculty, Department of Historical and Dynamic Geology, Professor, D.Sc.in Geology and Mineralogy
N. S. Krikun
Saint Petersburg Mining University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Geological Prospecting Faculty, Department of Historical and Dynamic Geology, PhD student
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Review
For citations:
Beygi S., Talovina I.V., Krikun N.S. Evaluation of neotectonic activity within the Urumieh-Dokhtar volcanic arc (Iran) based on the calculation of morphotectonic indices. Vestnik Moskovskogo universiteta. Seriya 5, Geografiya. 2021;(3):64-76. (In Russ.)
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