Morphotectonics, Kinematics and Geometry of the Sufian-Shabestar Fault Zone, Azerbaijan (NW Iran)

This research has been achieved with the purpose of morphotectonic studies of the Sufian-Shabestar fault zone in the West Alborz-Azerbaijan (NW Iran). The fault zone cuts the Neogene and Quaternary units in south of the Misho Mountains. The maximum of horizontal and vertical displacements along the Sufian-Shabestar fault zone are H=2500±200 m in Meshnaq river and V=66±4 m in fan east of Benis village, respectively. The minimum of horizontal and vertical displacements along this fault are H=9±0/5 m in offset stream of N Sharafkhaneh city and V=6±4 m in river NW of Kozehkanan city, respectively, all estimated based on combining data of Digital Elevation Model in scale of 1/25000, aerial photographs in scale of 1/20000, LANDSAT ETM satellite imagery and field studies. The estimated rate of horizontal and vertical displacements are H=135±20 m V=19±4 m in NW of Sharafkhaneh city, respectively and all allow us to estimate the rake of fault by geometry calculations. Based on estimate, the rake of the Shabestar fault segment is 11±4W. The Sufian-Shabestar fault zone is a right lateral-reverse strike slip fault with strike N81E and rake range of between 04, 11 with westwards dip, all estimated based on the rake of fault plane and morphotectonic data. Therefore, the Sufian-Shabestar fault zone (including faults segments of Sufian, Shabestar, F1, Sharafkhaneh (F2) and F3) is neotectonically an active zone.