Investigation of the Mechanism and Neotectonics of the Siah Cheshmeh- Khoy Fault Zone

Siah Cheshmeh- Khoy fault system is one of the principal faults in NW of Iran and that its right- lateral strike- slip activity has reported for different segments of this fault zone. Landsat 7 satellite images of the area, confirm the right- lateral strike- slip motion of this fault system by deflected drainage of large rivers, cutting and displacement of alluvial fans across the segments of the fault zone. The amount of alluvial fans displacement in -Dasht e zurabad- (along the segment of the Kamarkassan fault) was estimated nearly 1.8 km. In this research, the neotectonics and mechanism of the Siah Cheshmeh- Khoy fault zone has been studied by Inversion method, based on the combination of focal mechanisms of earthquakes and different shear- fault planes. In this paper, we utilized all of the focal mechanism solutions of earthquakes existent in this area. Besides, the data measured conclude shear planes whit slickenside and the measured fault planes across the Siah Cheshmeh- Khoy fault zone. These data were gaged in 7 sites and 45 shear planes with slickenside. Initially the main axis were obtained in all sites by Inversion method; then by combination of focal mechanisms of earthquakes and the measured data, the stress state of this region was evaluated. The results obtained of this analysis indicate strike- slip stress with NNW-SSE (N162°) direction of compression component and ESE-WNW (N255°) direction of extension component in this area. It can be stated that the mentioned stress regime was the main factors controlling the recent kinematic movements of faults and strong earthquakes in the region. Also the right- lateral strike- slip motion of the Siah Cheshmeh- Khoy fault segments are affected by this stress (under the influence of this stress). The results of this research are compatible with the results of the geodetic studies and the GPS measurements in the region that were done by other researches.