Quantifying the Termination Mechanism Along the North Tabriz-North Mishu Fault Zone of Northwestern Iran via Small Baseline PS-InSAR and GPS Decomposition

Abstract

Quantitative understanding of stress transfer between major fault systems can elucidate the kinematics of large-scale plate interactions. This study analyzed right-lateral strike-slip motion on the North Tabriz fault (NTF) in an area where this structure appears to transition into a thrust fault known as the North Mishu fault (NMF). These faults play an important but cryptic role in accommodating stress related to the Arabia-Eurasia plate collision. We analyzed regional velocity vectors from permanent and temporary GPS arrays to estimate changes in fault-parallel and fault-normal slip rates in the transition zone between the NTF and NMF. Independent of its compressional motion, the NMF exhibits a dextral strike-slip rate of ∼2.62 mm/yr. Along the NTF, the right-lateral slip rate decreases and the vertical slip rate on increases at rates of 0.08 and 0.38 mm/yr km, respectively, as the NTF approaches the NMF. This study also used small baseline (SBAS) PS-InSAR results to reveal a NE-SW-striking reverse fault and a developing syncline hidden beneath the Tabriz Basin. Additionally, we calculated the vertical displacement rates using horizontal vectors from the GPS data and mean line-of-sight rate estimates from the SBAS data. While the study area does not express large-scale extrusion, such as that observed in the Anatolian Plate, the transformation of strike-slip motion into thrusting and crustal shortening along the NMF-NTF fault zone accommodates most of the N–S compression affecting the northwestern Iranian Plateau. In this region, small-sized, right-lateral strike-slip faults, and other folded structures form horsetail features. These dispersed structures accommodate eastward extrusion of the northwestern Iranian Plateau.