Geometric characteristics of the Makran subduction zone

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES), Tehran, Iran.

2 2 Associate Professor, International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES), Tehran, Iran

3 3 Professor, International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES), Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Based on the role of fault segmentation in the deformation, it is necessary to determine the main segments of the Makran fault by transfer faults for the potential risk of earthquake and tsunami. Therefore, in this study, the transfer faults of Makran subduction zone were identified. Our research shows that Makran fault consists of 6 main segments with step- arrangement which most of these segments are separated by NW-SE transfer fault (such as sonne fault). These transfer faults have cuted the Makran fault and caused the displacement in the acceleration zone. According to the effect of the slope of the subduction slab in the seismic risk and the tsunami assessment, we proposed four cross-sections perpendicular to the subduction zone at longitude 58°, 60°, 63°, and 66°. Review of these sections shows that at the subduction wedge, the slab plate does not have a slight slope, so that the slope is horizontal. In these cross-sections, slope of the slab plate in different points are determined.

Keywords