Quaternary state of stress in the Mahneshan - Mianeh sedimentary basin, NW Iran

Mahneshan­­–­­Mianeh Cenozoic basin, in southern part of SE­–­­termination of North Tabriz Fault, is located between two distinct NW and N Iran tectonic domains affected by different Quaternary tectonic and stress regimes, with a transitional boundary. Determining the Quaternary state of stress in the area of interest is a key to locate the locus of this transition between the two tectonic domains. In this study, Quaternary stress state of the area was studied using the inversion of fault kinematics data (with well-known sense and chronology) measured in 25 sites in the Mahneshan­­–­­Mianeh Cenozoic basin. Our results indicate a homogenous modern compressional stress field characterized by a NE-trending horizontal maximum stress axis (~N055) prevailing through Quaternary, and coherent with the direction of the Arabia­–­Eurasia convergence in Iran.