Structural evolution of the early Miocene- late Pliocene basin in the Saveh area, Central Iran basin

We used 2D seismic profiles, field observation and well data to constrain the structural evolution of the Saveh basin during the late-lower Miocene to late Pliocene. During this time period almost 8-9 kilometers of Upper Red Formation (URF) and the Pliocene conglomerates were deposited in the basin depocenter. During the late- lower Miocene (to early- middle Miocene ?), Syn-depositional activity of west-east-northwest-southeast trending high-angle fault zones, with an extensional component, created accommodation space for deposition of lower Upper Red Formation. Since the late- middle Miocene (or late Miocene), initiation of a compressional phase has resulted in regional deformation.The deposition of upper part of the URF and the Pliocene conglomerates was contemporaneous with compressional deformation. During this stage, the middle part of the URF acted as an effective detachment horizon and detachment folds, such as the Saveh and Taraz Naeen anticlines, were formed. The thinning of the Pliocene conglomerates towards the crestal point of these folds indicates late structural growth. According to the top Qom depth map, there are no traps with fault independent closure within the Saveh basin. The top of the Qom Formation is estimated at -4250 m in the Taraz Naeen anticline.