Implication of Surface Fractal Analysis to Evaluate the Relative Sensitivity of Topography to Active Tectonics,Zagros Mountains, Iran

Fractal geometry is increasingly becoming a useful tool for modeling and quantifying the complex patterns of natural phenomena. The Earth's topography is one of these phenomena that have fractal characteristics. This paper investigates the relative sensitivity of topography to active tectonics using ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model. The covering divider method was used for direct extraction of surface fractal dimension(D surf) to estimate the roughness-surface of topography with aid of geographic information system(GIS)techniques. This evaluation let us highlight the role of the geomorphic and tectonic processes on the spatial variability of fractal properties of natural landforms.Geomorphic zones can be delineated using fractal dimension mapping in which variability of surface fractal dimension reflects the roughness of the landform surface and is a measure of topography texture. Obtained results showed this method can be a quick and easy way to assess the distribution of land surface deformation in different tectonic settings. The loose alluvial deposits and irregularities derived by tectonic activity have high fractal dimensions whereas the competent formations and higher wavelength folded surfaces have lower fractal dimensions.According to the obtained results, the Kazerun Fault Zone has a crucial role in the separation of the Zagros Mountain Ranges into the different lithological,geomorphological and structural zones.

Tectonic implication of geomorphometric analyses along the Saravan Fault: evidence of a difference in tectonic movements between the Sistan Suture Zone and Makran Mountain Belt

In this paper, remote sensing techniques,as well as field studies, have been used to investigate the geomorphological processes and landscape evolution along the Saravan Fault, SE Iran to highlight how topographic features were influenced by active tectonics. Quantitative geomorphic analysis was carried out using mountain-front sinuosity(Smf),valley floor width-valley height ratio(Vf), drainage basin asymmetry factor(Af), Hypsometric integral(Hi), drainage basin shape index(Bs), mean axial slope of channel(MASC), standard deviation of topography(STD) and index of active tectonic(Iat).Remote sensing techniques, as well as field studies revealed that the Saravan Fault have three parts trending N-S, NW-SE, and E-W. Obtained results show that basins with high Iat index are located at where the strike of the Saravan Faults changes and where several strike-slip faults are crossed the Saravan fault.

Folded Radiolarite Unit as a Kinematic Indicator of the Zagros Collision Processes, Southwestern Iran

Radiolarites have an important role in the reconstruction of the paleogeography, bathymetry and their coexistence with ophiolites gives an opportunity to determine the tectonic his- tory of collisional zones. The radiolarite units of the southwestern Neyriz are part of the Zagros ac- cretionary prism and positioned beneath the thick bedded carbonate sediments of Tarbur Forma- tion. The existing various structural elements within this unit give a unique fortunate for investiga- tion on the deformation history and studying of the kinematics of the Zagros collision zone. The nu- merous evidence show that this unit has experienced different deformation conditions during ongo- ing evolution, including ductile, brittle-ductile and brittle deformation conditions. The main strike of E-W for axial planes of folds, eastward trend and plunge of fold axes, boudins＇ neck axes and Type III of the fold interference patterns are indicators of formation and evolution of folds during tran- spressional deformation. Structural evolution of the study area has been affected by an NE-dipping subduction zone of Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere below the Iranian microcontinents. These structural elements suggest that high mechanical anisotropy and two successive generations of fold- ing simultaneously with thrusting and extrusion of this unit had led to formation and evolution of this highly asymmetrical folded unit on top of the subducted oceanic crust.

GIS-Based Analysis of Relative Tectonic Activity along the Kazerun Fault Zone, Zagros Mountains, Iran: Insights from Data Mining of Geomorphic Data

This paper tests a data mining method for evaluation of the ＂IRTA＂（Index of Relative Tectonic Activity） to investigate the impact of active tectonics on geomorphic processes and landscape development. Based upon K-means clustering of six basin-related geomorphic indices（the hypsometric integral, basin asymmetric factor, drainage density, basin shape ratio, mean axial slope of the channel and topographic roughness） that represent the relative strength of active tectonic deformation on topography and morphology, the relative tectonic activity along the Kazerun Fault Zone in the Zagros Mountains of Iran may be classified into low, moderate and high relative tectonic activity zones. The results allow the identification of the clusters of similarly deformed areas related to relative tectonic activity. The utilization of geomorphic parameters as well as IRTA with comparison to the field observations exhibit change in relative tectonic activities mostly corresponding to the change in mechanism of the prominent fault zones in the study area.