Balanced Cross Sections and Determine of Shortening in North Makran Ophiolite Mélange, Southeastern Iran

The geometrical and kinematic characteristics of structural elements of north Makran have been measured and analyzed in five structural sections. Then, by using of balance cross sections and restoring the structures to their original state, the amount of shortening was determined in different parts of the area. The Bashagard, Dranar, Abenma, Koh Bahark and Vernach thrust faults with a WNW-ESE trend and 20 to 35 degrees dip towards the NNE are the main deformation controllers in this region and are the main cause of shortening. The excellent fit between N209/09 principal stress axis calculated based on the geometry of thrust faults and compression axis that formed folds, indicates that these structures were formed as a result of the same tectonic regime. The difference in the amount of shortening in different parts of the north Makran ophiolite mélange is also directly related to the thrust faults. So that, in western part of north Makran, thrust faults caused shortening amount 22.66, 22.85 and 14.32% in structural sections A-A', B-B' and C-C' respectively,. In the eastern parts, due to the lack of thrust faults and the presence of more strike-slip faults, the amount of shortening has decreased to 4.52% and 6.67%, respectively, in the sections D-D' and E-E'. Balanced cross sections and restoring the structures to the pre-deformation stages represent the narrow width of the early oceanic basin in the north of Makran.