The role of active strike-slip faults and opposite vertical axis rotations in accommodating eurasia-arabia shortening in central iran

摘要

In Central Iran, most of the Late Cenozoic to Present shortening has been accomplished in the Zagros, in the Alborz, and Kopeh-Dagh mountain ranges. Between these active mountain belts, a minor amount of shortening is observed and the deformation style is characterized by active strike-slip faults that bound relatively aseismic blocks. Two main strike-slip fault systems are presently active in different regions of Central Iran: South of latitude 34 degrees N, active deformation is accommodated on similar to N-S oriented right-lateral strike-slip faults, and north of latitude 34 degrees N, E-W left-lateral strike slip faults prevail.