Active Faulting and Quaternary Landforms Deformation Related to the Nain Fault

Abstract

Problem statement: Landforms developed across terrain defining boundary the Nain fault have imprints of recent tectonic activity in the west region of Central Iran. Depositional landforms such as alluvial fans bear signatures of later phases of tectonic activity in the form of faulting of alluvial fan deposits and development of fault traces and scarps within 100 km long and a NW-SE-trending zone, 1000-2000 m wide. Approach: We are addressing the neotectonic landforms based on detailed field work carried out in the Nain exposed active fault segments which brought forward some outstanding morph tectonic evidence of quaternary tectonically activities. Tectonic geomorphology applied to the Nain fault suggests recent subsurface activity along the Nain fault and an interconnecting faulting network of roughly NW-SE-trending, right-lateral, strike-slip segments and mostly NW-SE-oriented, transtensional to normal faults. Results: Evidence for recent activity is provided by faulted Pleistocene-Holocene deposits, fresh scarps in Late Quaternary deposits, 8-15 m lateral offsets locally affecting the drainage pattern of the area, ground creeping, aligning of series of spring faults, deflected streams and fault trace over recent alluvial fans. The existences of strike-slip faults system in the Nain area can be implications for seismic hazard. Conclusion: Motion along these structures suggests, in fact, that cumulative displacements include normal, transtensional and strike-slip components. Based on all evidence of active tectonics, earthquake risk and occurrence area is significant.