Abstract
The Zagros thrust belt is a large orogenic zone located along the southwest region of Iran. To obtain a better knowledge of this important mountain chain, we elaborated the first 3-D model reproducing the thermal structure of its northwestern part, i.e., the Lurestan arc. This study is based on a 3-D structural model obtained using published geological sections and available information on the depth of the Moho discontinuity. The analytical calculation procedure took into account the temperature variation due to: (1) The re-equilibrated conductive state after thrusting, (2) frictional heating, (3) heat flow density data, and (4) a series of geologically derived constraints. Both geotherms and isotherms were obtained using this analytical methodology. The results pointed out the fundamental control exerted by the main basement fault of the region, i.e., the Main Frontal Thrust (MFT), in governing the thermal structure of the crust, the main parameter being represented by the amount of basement thickening produced by thrusting. This is manifested by more densely spaced isotherms moving from the southwestern foreland toward the inner parts of orogen, as well as in a lateral variation related with an along-strike change from a moderately dipping crustal ramp of the MFT to the NW to a gently dipping crustal ramp to the SE. The complex structural architecture, largely associated with late-stage (Pliocene) thick-skinned thrusting, results in a zone of relatively high geothermal gradient in the easternmost part of the study area. Our thermal model of a large crustal volume, besides providing new insights into the geodynamic processes affecting a major salient of the Zagros thrust belt, may have important implications for seismotectonic analysis in an area recently affected by a Mw = 7.3 earthquake, as well as for geothermal/hydrocarbon exploration in the highly perspective Lurestan region.
Highlights
The Zagros thrust belt forms part of the Alpine-Himalayan orogen
An improved analytical calculation procedure was implemented to obtain for the first time a crustal 3-D thermal model of the Lurestan arc that took into account the temperature variation due to a re-equilibrated conductive state associated with thrusting, frictional heating, heat flow density data, and a series of geologically derived constraints
As a matter of fact, the junction between the Lurestan arc and the Kirkuk embayment to the NW was clearly reflected by the crustal thermal structure observed in map view (Figure 9)
Summary
The Zagros thrust belt forms part of the Alpine-Himalayan orogen. This mountain chain formed by the convergence between the Eurasian and Arabian plates, which occurred since theLate Cretaceous [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. The Zagros thrust belt forms part of the Alpine-Himalayan orogen. This mountain chain formed by the convergence between the Eurasian and Arabian plates, which occurred since the. In the Lurestan arc, active plate convergence produces high-magnitude seismicity, Energies 2020, 13, 2140; doi:10.3390/en13092140 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies. Several authors studied the thermal structure of the Lurestan arc, resulting in a series of 2-D models (i.e., [10,11,12]). An improved analytical calculation procedure was implemented to obtain for the first time a crustal 3-D thermal model of the Lurestan arc that took into account the temperature variation due to a re-equilibrated conductive state associated with thrusting, frictional heating, heat flow density data, and a series of geologically derived constraints
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