Tsunami prone area of Makran, offshore South of Iran

The Makran region located in the north of Oman Sea is composed of a large sedimentary prism accreted during the Cenozoic. In this study seismic reflection data, published geological information and regional seismicity have been utilized. Based on recent GPS study in the region the subduction velocity is measured to be at least 19 mm/year. The south-east part of Makran has been historically affected by tsunami. The most recent earthquake of magnitude 8.1 occurred in 1945 creating a huge tsunami in this region killing at least 4000 people and having great economical impact in Pakistan, Oman, and Iran. The western part of Makran lacks the seismicity based on historical as well as instrumental data and there has been no major record of seismic activities in the last 25 years. By assuming the reoccurrence of 1945 tsunami the temporal and spatial location of tsunami wave has been preliminary modeled for the coastal region of the Makran and Oman. Based on the result of this simulation the coastal region of Iran, Pakistan and Oman will be affected in less than 30 minutes. The coastal area of Iran along the Sea of Oman in the vicinity of the Indian Ocean has developed extensively during the last two decades and the high growth of population has increased the risk of death loss due to any future tsunami. Due to the above statement, to reduce the future damage, it is important to develop a tsunami early warning system and required rapid evacuation procedure in the vicinity of the coast.