| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||||
LAMONT-DOHERTY GEOLOGICAL OBSERVATORY OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, PALISADES, NEW YORK 10964
Abstract
Focal mechanism solutions are determined for 23 earthquakes that occurred from 1965 to 1970 in Persia, Turkey, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. These mechanisms were obtained from the long-period first-motion P waves recorded by the World-Wide Standardized Seismograph Network stations. Mechanism solutions for the earthquakes in the folded foothills of the Zagros are predominantly thrust faulting, but depending on the assumed crustal velocity, many have strike-slip components. Cross sections of the seismic zone of the folded foothills of the Zagros show that the earthquakes are confined to a possible lithospheric slab nearly 60 km thick dipping 10° to 20° toward the north. For the earthquakes with focal depth of about 200 km, in the Hindu Kush in Afghanistan, mechanism solutions are characterized by a nearly horizontal compressional axis and a steeper extensional axis. The seismic zone appears as a contorted slab-like structure 20 to 30 km in width. This lithospheric slab may be a remnant of the Tethys Sea floor. Consistent right-lateral strike-slip mechanism solutions are found for earthquakes on the Anatolian fault in Turkey. For earthquakes on the Ferdows fault in eastern Persia, mechanism solutions vary from pure left-lateral strike-slip faulting to pure thrust faulting. Mechanism solutions for earthquakes on the Kirthar-Sulaiman shear zone in West Pakistan show consistent left-lateral strike-slip motion on a fault plane that strikes north-south. This is in agreement with the northward movement of India with respect to Afghanistan. On the basis of seismic and geological evidence, the entire Middle East is divided into eight plates which are moving northward, at different rates, with respect to Eurasia. The differential motion between various plates can explain the sense of offset and other geological features.
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  M. Alavi Structures of the Zagros fold-thrust belt in Iran Am J Sci, November 1, 2007; 307(9): 1064 - 1095. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 F. G. Bourrouilh-Le Jan, B. Akram, and M. Schvoerer Band-e-Amir Lakes and Dragon Valley (Bamiyan): myths and seismicity in Afghanistan Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2007; 273(1): 121 - 132. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. Taymaz, T. J. Wright, S. Yolsal, O. Tan, E. Fielding, and G. Seyitoglu Source characteristics of the 6 June 2000 Orta Cankiri (central Turkey) earthquake: a synthesis of seismological, geological and geodetic (InSAR) observations, and internal deformation of the Anatolian plate Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2007; 291(1): 259 - 290. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y. Sattarzadeh, J. W. Cosgrove, and C. Vita-Finzi The geometry of structures in the Zagros cover rocks and its neotectonic implications Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2002; 195(1): 205 - 217. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. D. ADAMS and M. BARAZANGI Seismotectonics and seismology in the Arab region: A brief summary and future plans Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, June 1, 1984; 74(3): 1011 - 1030. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. H. HEATON Tidal triggering of earthquakes Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, December 1, 1982; 72(6A): 2181 - 2200. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. ADELI The sirch (Kerman, Iran) earthquake of 28 July 1981--A field investigation Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, June 1, 1982; 72(3): 841 - 861. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. ROWSHANDEL, S. NEMAT-NASSER, and R. B. COROTIS A comparative seismic hazard study for Azerbaijan Province in Iran Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, February 1, 1981; 71(1): 335 - 362. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. J. KRISTY, L. J. BURDICK, and D. W. SIMPSON The focal mechanisms of the Gazli, USSR, earthquakes Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, October 1, 1980; 70(5): 1737 - 1750. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. C. QUITTMEYER and K. H. JACOB Historical and modern seismicity of Pakistan, Afghanistan, northwestern India, and southeastern Iran Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, June 1, 1979; 69(3): 773 - 823. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. BERBERIAN Discussion of the paper A. A. Nowroozi, 1976 "Seismotectonic provinces of Iran" Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, February 1, 1979; 69(1): 293 - 297. [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. H. Sillitoe Metallogenic evolution of a collisional mountain belt in Pakistan: a preliminary analysis Journal of the Geological Society, August 1, 1978; 135(4): 377 - 387. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 N. N. Ambraseys Middle East--A Reappraisal of the Seismicity Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, February 1, 1978; 11(1): 19 - 32. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. K. GUPTA, D. C. NYMAN, and M. LANDISMAN Shield-like upper mantle structure inferred from long-period Rayleigh- and Love-wave dispersion investigations in the Middle East and southeast Asia Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, February 1, 1977; 67(1): 103 - 119. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. N. TANDON and H. N. SRIVASTAVA Focal mechanisms of some recent Himalayan earthquakes and regional plate tectonics Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, August 1, 1975; 65(4): 963 - 969. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. NOWROOZI A reply to discussion on "Focal mechanism of earthquakes in Persia, Turkey, West Pakistan, and Afghanistan and plate tectonics of the Middle East" Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, April 1, 1973; 63(2): 733 - 734. [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. V. MCEVILLY and R. RAZANI The Qir, Iran earthquake of April 10, 1972 Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, February 1, 1973; 63(1): 339 - 354. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
