The Evolution of Ardebil Aggradational plain in the Northwest of Iran

Inter-mountainous Ardebil plain in the northwest of Iran has approximately 990 km2 of area. This plain is located within Sabalan volcanic massif in the west, and Talesh mountain chain (Baghro-Dagh) in the east. Faults of Neor, Hir, Doovil and several other faults that have been pulled in north-south direction, caused Talesh mountain chain (Baghro-dagh) uplift and consequently formed a horst. After these faults appearnce in Eocene period, general landforms of Ardebil plain have been created. Near the end of Cenozoic Era (Neocene) Ardebil area, had become a semi-closed lacustrine trench.This lake has received overland flows and deposits form surrounding areas of the lake, having fresh water. Continuation of tectonic activity in northwest Talesh slopes (Baghro-Dagh) during Quaternary has caused the formation of Ardebil tectonic trench. Consequently, rivers have deposited great volume of alluvial materials in Ardebil plain. Surrounding plains (west and east) were filled by pleo-Quatrenary volcano-sedimentary and conglomerate sediments. This accumulation of conglomerate in pediment of Baghro-Dagh is one reason for tectonic activities in Quaternary.