The effect of tectonic activity on the formation of Inselbergs in Safiabad plain in northeastern Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor of Faculty of Earth Sciences, Damghan University

2 Assistant Professor of Geology Department of Damghan University

Abstract

Inselbergs are special forms of desert areas that give a special face to the morphology of these areas. The study of these forms is essential in terms of tourism, climate change and regional development. Among the factors influencing the formation of inselbergs the role of tectonics seems to be important. In this study, which was conducted by field and library studies with the aim of studying the inselberg of Safi Abad plain, we identified 20 inselbergs and concluded that the activity of regional faults in the Miocene period, the heights Poshte Bahram, the primary nucleus of inselberg in this plain Has created. In this plain, there were six thrust faults along the northwest-southeast and a slope between 30 and 50 degrees. These faults have provided the initial conditions for the formation of inselberg by moving and giving height to geological formations. The effect of faults in the formation of inselberg of this plain is not the same, in the northern part due to the confrontation of faults and erosion processes, the typical inselberg has been formed. In the middle part, due to the superiority of tectonic activity, the inselbergs have a rough and unglazed state, and in the southern part, due to the superiority of erosion, polished inselbergs have formed. In addition to the faults of Safi Abad plain, the activity of Aladagh highlands faults in the northern neighborhood of this plain, by affecting the catchment area of the Grati River, has been applied to the inselberg of this plain.

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