Active Faulting Along Tabriz Fault (North West Part of Iran)

Although during the last two centuries , no important seismic activity has been observed along e Tabriz fault, but field surveys show the active faulting along this fault. Based on the field evidences, different morphological features relevant with faulting can be observed along this fault, So, possibility of occurrence of destructive earthquake by this fault in future is not unlikely. Tabriz Fault is composed of two main pieces. This fault in its length has not the same geometry and based on the changes in the geometry of fault rupture level, it can be divided in to three parts. The northern part is continued from the north part of Tabriz airport up to Soofiyan city and is compatible on the northern part of Tabriz fault. In this part, Tabriz fault has caused Miocene sediments to be laid on young Quaternary sediments and has a relatively steep slope toward north east. The middle part is continued from the north part of Tabriz airport up to the east of Baghmisheh town and has caused Miocene sediments to be laid on young Quaternary sediments and has a relatively steep slope toward north east . Also, terrace surfaces indicate rising the northern block of this fault. The middle and northern part of Tabriz fault has separated from each other by a Pull-Apart structure . finally, the south part of Tabriz fault, which is continued from the east of Baghmisheh, Tabriz up to Bostanabad city , has caused Plyv- Quaternary sediments with the fault border to be laid on Miocene sediments. The south part of Tabriz fault unlike to its middle and southern part has a gradient toward south west. In both of the third faults, Tabriz fault has caused the sediment movement to the right and has a pressure component.