Articles | Volume 7, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-7-659-2016
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-7-659-2016
Research article
 | 
25 Apr 2016
Research article |  | 25 Apr 2016

Spatial evolution of Zagros collision zone in Kurdistan, NW Iran: constraints on Arabia–Eurasia oblique convergence

Shahriar Sadeghi and Ali Yassaghi

Abstract. Stratigraphy, detailed structural mapping and a crustal-scale cross section across the NW Zagros collision zone provide constraints on the spatial evolution of oblique convergence of the Arabian and Eurasian plates since the Late Cretaceous. The Zagros collision zone in NW Iran consists of the internal Sanandaj–Sirjan, Gaveh Rud and Ophiolite zones and the external Bisotoun, Radiolarite and High Zagros zones. The Main Zagros Thrust is the major structure of the Zagros suture zone. Two stages of oblique deformation are recognized in the external part of the NW Zagros in Iran. In the early stage, coexisting dextral strike-slip and reverse dominated domains in the Radiolarite zone developed in response to deformation partitioning due to oblique convergence. Dextral-reverse faults in the Bisotoun zone are also compatible with oblique convergence. In the late stage, deformation partitioning occurred during southeastward propagation of the Zagros orogeny towards its foreland resulting in synchronous development of orogen-parallel strike-slip and thrust faults. It is proposed that the first stage was related to Late Cretaceous oblique obduction, while the second stage resulted from Cenozoic collision. The Cenozoic orogen-parallel strike-slip component of Zagros oblique convergence is not confined to the Zagros suture zone (Main Recent Fault) but also occurred in the external part (Marekhil–Ravansar fault system). Thus, it is proposed that oblique convergence of Arabian and Eurasian plates in Zagros collision zone initiated with oblique obduction in the Late Cretaceous followed by oblique collision in the late Tertiary, consistent with global plate reconstructions.

Please read the corrigendum first before accessing the article.

Download

The requested paper has a corresponding corrigendum published. Please read the corrigendum first before downloading the article.

Short summary
Detailed field investigations, a crustal-scale cross section and stratigraphic data are used to document oblique convergence in Kurdistan, NW Zagros. Two stages of deformation partitioning are recognized in the external part of Zagros, one in the Late Cretaceous by obduction and the other in the Cenozoic by collision. Thus, it is proposed that oblique convergence of Arabian and Eurasian plates in Zagros initiated in the Late Cretaceous, consistent with global plate reconstructions.