An up-to-date crustal deformation map of Iran using integrated campaign-mode and permanent GPS velocities

Khorrami, Fatemeh; Vernant, Philippe; Masson, Frédéric; Nilfouroushan, Faramarz; Mousavi, Zahra; Nankali, H.; Saadat, Seyed Abdolreza; Walpersdorf, Andréa; Hosseini, Sedighe; Tavakoli, P.; Aghamohammadi, A.; Alijanzade, M.

doi:10.1093/gji/ggz045

Cited by 114 publications

(134 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…While GPS-derived surface velocity field can provide clues on the plate motion directions and the pattern of the associated large-scale asthenospheric flow (by assuming a coupling of the lithosphere motion to the asthenospheric flow), the lateral gradient of the velocity field, as a measure of surface strain field, can offer insights into the lithospheric deformation (by assuming a vertically coherent deformation). The availability of a relatively uniform and extensive archive of geodetic data across the Iranian Plateau 19 provides the opportunity to examine the correlation between the pattern of seismic anisotropy, plate motion velocities and surface strain fields. For this purpose, we compare the interpolated anisotropy pattern (red bars) with GPS velocities and horizontal strain rates from Khorrami et al 19 and the lithospheric thickness map of Priestley and McKenzie 5 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mantle-flow diversion beneath the Iranian plateau induced by Zagros’ lithospheric keel

Kaviani

Mahmoodabadi

Rümpker

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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Previous investigation of seismic anisotropy indicates the presence of a simple mantle flow regime beneath the Turkish-Anatolian Plateau and Arabian Plate. Numerical modeling suggests that this simple flow is a component of a large-scale global mantle flow associated with the African superplume, which plays a key role in the geodynamic framework of the Arabia-Eurasia continental collision zone. However, the extent and impact of the flow pattern farther east beneath the Iranian Plateau and Zagros remains unclear. While the relatively smoothly varying lithospheric thickness beneath the Anatolian Plateau and Arabian Plate allows progress of the simple mantle flow, the variable lithospheric thickness across the Iranian Plateau is expected to impose additional boundary conditions on the mantle flow field. In this study, for the first time, we use an unprecedented data set of seismic waveforms from a network of 245 seismic stations to examine the mantle flow pattern and lithospheric deformation over the entire region of the Iranian Plateau and Zagros by investigation of seismic anisotropy. We also examine the correlation between the pattern of seismic anisotropy, plate motion using GPS velocities and surface strain fields. Our study reveals a complex pattern of seismic anisotropy that implies a similarly complex mantle flow field. The pattern of seismic anisotropy suggests that the regional simple mantle flow beneath the Arabian Platform and eastern Turkey deflects as a circular flow around the thick Zagros lithosphere. This circular flow merges into a toroidal component beneath the NW Zagros that is likely an indicator of a lateral discontinuity in the lithosphere. Our examination also suggests that the main lithospheric deformation in the Zagros occurs as an axial shortening across the belt, whereas in the eastern Alborz and Kopeh-Dagh a belt-parallel horizontal lithospheric deformation plays a major role.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mantle-flow diversion beneath the Iranian plateau induced by Zagros’ lithospheric keel

Kaviani

Mahmoodabadi

Rümpker

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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“…Whereas earthquake slip vectors show the relative motion between the blocks on either side of the fault, GPS vectors show the motion of the measured point with respect to the chosen reference frame. We transformed the Eurasian-fixed GPS velocities (Khorrami et al, 2019) using the rotation pole between Eurasia and Arabia in the ITRF2008 reference frame (Altamimi et al, 2012) to illustrate the GPS velocities relative to the Arabian Plate ( Figure 7).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kinematic Variation Within the Fars Arc, Eastern Zagros, and the Development of Fold‐and‐Thrust Belt Curvature

2020

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We analyze deformation of the Fars Arc in the eastern Zagros, Iran, including earthquake slip vectors, GPS velocities, paleomagnetism data, and fold orientations, to understand how this fold‐and‐thrust belt works and so better understand the generic issue of fold‐and‐thrust belt curvature. The Fars Arc is curved, convex southward. GPS‐derived rotation rates are ≤0.5° Myr−1: Rotation is clockwise west of 53°E and counterclockwise to the east. These rotation senses are opposite to previous predictions of passive “bookshelf” models for strike‐slip faults during north‐south convergence. West of 53°E, average GPS vectors, thrust earthquake slip vectors, strain axes derived from GPS data, and orthogonal directions to fold trends are all aligned, toward ~218°. East of this meridian, the average GPS vector is toward 208°, but the averages of the other data sets are distinctly different, all toward ~190°. We propose that fault blocks in eastern Fars, each ~20–40 km long, rotate predominantly counterclockwise, whereas in western Fars, the regional clockwise rotation takes place mainly on the array of active right‐lateral faults in this area. Thus, localized block faulting and rotations accumulate to produce the overall strain and regional curvature. Active folds of different orientations in eastern Fars intersect to produce domal interference patterns, without involving separate deformation phases, indicating that fold interference patterns should not be interpreted in terms of changing stress orientations unless there is clear evidence. Fars Arc curvature is best explained by deformation being restricted at tectonic boundaries at its eastern and western margins, with significant gravitational spreading.

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“…Global positioning system (GPS) measurements show that the Arabian plate is currently moving northward relative to Eurasia at a rate of ∼22 mm yr −1 at Bahrain longitude (Khorrami et al., 2019; Masson et al., 2007; Vernant et al., 2004). In northeastern Iran, north to the sinistral Doruneh fault system (DFS), a total of ∼5 mm yr −1 N‐S shortening is accommodated across the Kopeh Dagh, Alborz‐Binalud, and Sabzevar zone (Khorrami et al., 2019; Masson et al., 2007; Mousavi et al., 2013; Vernant et al., 2004). Thick‐skinned crustal deformation and related uplift of the Kopeh Dagh probably have begun after ca.…”

Section: Geological Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lateral Structural Variation of the Lithosphere‐Asthenosphere System in the Northeastern to Eastern Iranian Plateau and Its Tectonic Implications

Chen

Talebian

et al. 2021

JGR Solid Earth

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The Iranian plateau in the central part of the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic system (Figure 1a) was formed as a consequence of the long-standing convergence between Eurasia and Gondwana-derived fragments, especially the Cenozoic closure of the Neo-Tethyan ocean and subsequent Arabia-Eurasia continental collision (see review by Agard et al., 2011). The causes of the plateau formation remain highly disputed and the role of crustal/lithospheric shortening and thickening (

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An up-to-date crustal deformation map of Iran using integrated campaign-mode and permanent GPS velocities

Cited by 114 publications

References 70 publications

Mantle-flow diversion beneath the Iranian plateau induced by Zagros’ lithospheric keel

Mantle-flow diversion beneath the Iranian plateau induced by Zagros’ lithospheric keel

Kinematic Variation Within the Fars Arc, Eastern Zagros, and the Development of Fold‐and‐Thrust Belt Curvature

Lateral Structural Variation of the Lithosphere‐Asthenosphere System in the Northeastern to Eastern Iranian Plateau and Its Tectonic Implications

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