Geomorphic features of the November 2017 earthquake in Sarpol-e Zahab- Ezgele

The 7/3 Richter earthquake of November 2016 in Sarpol Zahab, in addition to the loss of life and property, left many geomorphic effects. In this research, an attempt is made to identify the complications and evaluate the volume of these changes. First, based on the topography, the study area was divided into two parts: mountains and plains, and then the geomorphic effects caused by the earthquake were identified and investigated using aerial photos and satellite images and field visits. Then, the map of the Geological and Mineral Exploration Organization of the country was digitized using the ARC GIS software, and the slope map was prepared from the digital elevation model in the ARC GIS software. These data were used to better display the effect of faults, terrain, formations, domain instabilities and the cause of geomorphic effects caused by earthquakes. The results showed that the presence of resistant layers of Asmari limestone on the Aghajari, Marni and Gachsaran sandstone formations and the weakness and erodibility of these formations cause many geomorphological effects caused by earthquakes such as slope instabilities (Landslides, rockfalls, Deposit flows), ruptures, liquefaction, fluctuations of the underground water level. In addition to the identification of geomorphological effects caused by earthquakes, their location and location in relation to other geological factors were mapped and the role of geomorphological effects in creating secondary hazards and the comparison of these effects in two topographical units of mountains and plains were investigated.