Late Holocene evolution of the Hendijan Delta (north of the Persian Gulf)

摘要

Hendijan Delta is an active sedimentary environment at the north of the Persian Gulf which represents the late Holocene climate changes and tectonic movements. Achieve to evolution trend of Hendijan Delta since the late Holocene was aim of the present research. This purpose was supported by ~(14)C dating method and surveying of paleoshorelines using Differential Geographical Positioning System. Eight paleoshoreline were found which the oldest one was dated 2555 ± 114 BP, at 3-m elevation and 9492 m far from present coastline. Maximum prograding rate of delta was happened with the mean rate 7.29 m y~(?1) between the first and the sixth paleo shorelines. Nevertheless, shoreline regression was relatively constant at a rate of 0.6 m y~(?1) since 693 ± 17 BP. Resultant data raveled that Hendijan Delta has been uplifted at the mean rate of 1.86 ± 0.77 mm y~(?1) which agrees with 2-mm y~(?1) uplifting rate of Iranian continental margin. An increase in the shell content in sediments of paleoshorelines highlighted the climate changes to Sub-Atlantic (Roman Warm Period) condition, especially since 693 ± 14 BP. Natural trend associated with human evidences which settlements were established behind of the first paleoshoreline during the Sassanid Empire (224–651 CE).