Investigation of the relationship between tectonic morphological indices and seismic acceleration in Indes, Aipak, Avaj and Kushk-e-Nusrat fault zones (northwest of Saveh).

The northwest zone of Saveh city is located in the Indes, Kooshk e Nosrat, Avaj, and Aipak fault zones. Indes, Kooshk e Nosrat, Avaj, and Aipak faults are considered the major faults in central Iran, which are also active in the Quaternary, and their last movements are attributed to the present time. Therefore, the estimation of morphometry to identify the effect of active tectonics on the tectonic evolution of drainage basins seems necessary. In this study, six important morphotectonic indices were analyzed including the longitudinal gradient of the river, asymmetry of the drainage basin, hypsometric integral, drainage basin shape, the ratio of the floor width to the valley height, and mountain front. To model the formation of basins in the studied area, Arc Hydro software (Arc GIS add-ins) was used based on data derived from a digital elevation model. Then, 6 morphotectonic indices were compiled and classified on each of the basins. Finally, the Active Tectonic Index (IAT) was calculated, according to which the study area was classified into 4 categories including very high, high, intermediate, and low tectonic activity. According to the IAT index, 5% of the study area shows very high tectonic activity, 25% of the studied area has high tectonic activity, 65% of it has average tectonic activity and about 5% of the tectonic activity is low. Moreover, seismic acceleration was prepared to confirm the result of morphological indices in the estimation and analysis of active tectonics in the region. In this study, the highest level of tectonic activity can be seen in the north-eastern part of the area. In most sectors, the level of activity is high and intermediate, which is related to the activity of Kooshk-e-Nosrat, Aipak, and Avaj faults.