Crustal-scale cross-sections across the NW Zagros belt: implications for the Arabian margin reconstruction

• DOI: 10.1017/s0016756811000331
• Publication Date: 2011-05-17T10:05:37Z
• Authors: J. VERGÉS; E. SAURA; E. CASCIELLO; M. FERNÀNDEZ; A. VILLASEÑOR; I. JIMÉNEZ-MUNT; D. GARCÍA-CASTELL...
• Keywords: Isostasy; Orogeny

Abstract Quantified balanced and restored crustal cross-sections across the NW Zagros Mountains are presented in this work integrating geological geophysical local global datasets. The cross-section reproduces surficial folding thrusting of thick cover succession, including near top Sarvak Formation (~90 Ma) that forms cross-section. base Arabian crust is constrained by recently published seismic receiver function results showing a deepening Moho from 42 ± 2 km undeformed foreland basin to 56 beneath High Zagros. internal parts deformed new tomographic sections imaging ~50° NE-dipping sharp contact between Iranian crusts. These surfaces bound an area 10800 should be kept constant during orogeny. using six different tectonosedimentary domains according their sedimentary facies palaeobathymetries, assuming Airy isostasy conservation. While two southwestern were directly determined well-constrained surface data, reconstruction distal NE was made recent margin model Wrobel-Daveau et al . (2010) fitting total calculated continental–oceanic boundary, at time corresponding Formation, located 169 trace Main Recent Fault. Shortening estimated ~180 for rocks ~149 basement, all compressional events Late Cretaceous time, with average shortening rate ~2 mm yr −1 last 90 Ma.