Geomorphological settings of Iranian urban areas and some of the relevant restrictions and advantages

The purpose of this study is: to determine the geomorphological setting; to assess earthquake, flood, and subsidence hazards, as well as to evaluate the landscape of Iranian urban areas, based on geomorphological criteria. To access the aim, 210 cities, each one having more than 50,000 population, were investigated. In this study, Google Earth and satellite pictures, aerial photographs, and geological and geomorphological maps were used and, if needed, field investigations were undertaken. This study showed that the number of urban areas totally or partly lie on alluvial fans, flat surfaces, terraces, synclines, piedmonts, anticlines, and deltas are 103, 34, 26, 39, 27, 8, and 11 cases, respectively. The numbers on volcanic cones, cliffs, and wetlands are only 2, 1, and 1 cases, respectively. Also, 158 cases lie only on one landform and the remaining 52 cases predominately lie on two kinds of landforms. There are 82 and 90 cities at the high threat of earthquake and flood and the numbr of cities at the threat of surficial and qanat subsidence are 60 and 47 cases, respectively. The urban areas with uniform and good landscapes are 71 and 52 cases, respectively. The presented table demonstrates the geomorphological settings; the earthquake, flood and subsidence hazard levels and the landscape status of the 210 studied urban areas.