Abstract
In this research, Tabas area, which is located in central Iran, was selected as the study area and three geomorphic indices were calculated for its structural fronts. Through averaging these three indices, we obtained index of active tectonics (IAT). The values of the index were divided into classes to define the degree of active tectonics. Therefore, relative tectonic activity was calculated and their values were classified and analyzed in two groups. Regions were identified as high and moderate levels. In analyzing data and combining them with tectonic setting, the results were often associated and justified with regional geology. Our results show that the highest value is located along Shoutori fault, which shows 2 class of relative tectonic activity (high level). Also, moderate values are located along Ereshk, Ezmeighan and Jamal faults (moderate level). According to these results, Shoutori fault is the most active fault in the study area and this situation is compatible with its position as a mountain front fault.
Highlights
The study area is the north part of Tabas area [1] in the east-central Iran basin [2]
The calculated geomorphic indices are suitable for assessment of tectonic activity of the study area
The values of the index are divided into four classes to define the degree of active tectonics: 1-very high (1 < index of active tectonics (IAT) < 1.5), 2-high (1.5 < IAT < 2), 3-moderate (2 < IAT < 2.5), 4-low (2.5 < IAT) [11]
Summary
The study area is the north part of Tabas area [1] in the east-central Iran basin [2]. Dominant structural trend in east-central Iran province is N-S (Figure 1). From tectonics view, it contains an ancient island arc on the west of the Lut Plain-Gonabad province that has accreted to this along Nayband fault system (western border of the Lut microcontinent) by eastward subduction in Pre-Cambrian [3]. We use geomorphic indices of active tectonics, known to be useful in active tectonic studies [4]-[7] This methodology has been previously tested as a valuable tool in different tectonically active areas, namely SW USA [8], the Pacific coast of Costa Rica [9], central Zagros, Iran [10]
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