Tectonic geomorphology assessment of neotectonics in the north of Damghan Region, Alborz Mountain Belt, Northern Iran

Abstract

In mountain ranges, recent and active tectonics can be viewed as the main factor contributing to rock uplift, their present-day topography being the result of the competition between tectonic and erosional processes. The region coincides with three faults which show signs of activity during the late Quaternary period: The Astaneh, North Damghan, and Damghan faults, which collectively make up the SW section of the left‐lateral Shahrud fault system. In this study we have analyzed morphotectonic and neotectonic indices to evaluate tectonic activity of the study area.Tectonic geomorphological indices that are used in this study are drainage basin based (drainage basin asymmetry factor (Af), Hypsometric integral (Hi)) and mountain front based (mountain-front sinuosity (Smf), valley floor width – valley height ratio (Vf)) which can be useful tools for studying active tectonics. The study area includes pop-up structures that are formed during inverse tectonic activities of Alborz mountain belt. Strike-slip faults and flower structures suggest transpressional tectonic regime at eastern part of Alborz.