Structural evolution of High Zagros fault in Faraghun Mountains, Evidence for right lateral transpression in SE Zagros

Faraghun Mountains are located in the south eastern part of the Zagros orogen. Early Ordovician- Permian rock units are deepest stratigraphic units exposed in the central part of the Faraghun Mountains. High Zagros Fault (HZF) is the main structural feature bordering southern flank of these mountains. Here we combine detailed mapping, field based structural kinematic analysis and cross sections to reconstruct structural evolution of the Faraghun Mountains. Our new structural and stratigraphic analysis document three kinematically and geometrically different western, central and eastern segments for HZF in the Faraghun Mountains. Eastern and western segments of HZF, those are dipping northward, are connected together with Zakin Fault that dipping to south. Late Paleozoic successions have exposed in the hanging wall of Zakin Fault and central segment of HZF in a pop-up geometry. Stratigraphic records document prominent variation in late Cretaceous sequences including Gurpi Formation in the Hanging wall and footwall of the HZF in the Faraghun Mountains. Higher thickness and basal conglomeratic nature of Gurpi Formation in the hanging wall of HZF with respect to its footwall might reflect normal kinematics of the HZF during late Jurassic-early Cretaceous time. All the stratigraphic and structural evidence represent post late Cretaceous compression accompanied by late Cenozoic right lateral transpression in Faraghun Mountains at SE Zagros