Advanced Applied Geology

Advanced Applied Geology

Assessment of tectonic activity using the morphotectonic indices of the Jiroft Fault in western boundary of the Jazmurian depression

Authors
Maryam Abdolkarimi 1
Saeede Keshavarz 2
Majid Shahpasandzadeh 3
1 Department of Earth Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran.
2 Department of Earth Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran
3 Kerman University
10.22055/aag.2025.48695.2495
Abstract
The Iranian plateau consists of various structural blocks with dynamic tectonic activity. Remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems are effective tools for assessing relative tectonic activity. This research employs a 1:100,000 geological map, a 1:25,000 topographic map, Arc GIS, and Global Mapper software to quantify morphotectonic indices on 15 basins influenced by the Jiroft Fault, located on the western edge of the Jazmurian region. The morphotectonic indices include: stream sinuosity index (S), percentage dissected mountain fronts (Fd), mountain front sinuosity index (Smf), stream length gradient index (Sl), ratio of valley floor width to valley height index (Vf), and drainage basin shape index (Bs). Each index was categorized into high, moderate, and low activity levels. After averaging, these were represented as the Index of Active Tectonics (Iat). Variations in Iat values indicate that basins in the northern and central parts of the study area exhibit higher relative tectonic activity than those in the south. Specifically, the central basins fall into the second category of tectonic activity, with minor Iat variations attributed to tectonic activity, considering the uniformity of rock types and their resistance. The change in the fault's strike and its tendency towards the southeast, the change in the lithology of the southern basins, and the lower tectonic activity of the southern basins place them in the low relative activity category. These changes and the distribution of earthquakes confirm that the Jiroft Fault is an active fault system with segments having different morphotectonic characteristics
Keywords
tectonic activity
Morphotectonic indices
Jiroft fault
Kerman
Iran
Subjects
Abbasnejad, A., 2012.The Huge Jiroft Landslide: Introduction, Indications and Characteristics. Science Quarterly Journal 21, 41–48. https://doi.org/ 20.1001.1.10237429.1391.21.83.6.7
Asadi, M., Gnjaeian, H., Javedian, M., 2024. Analysis of Tectonic Status of Lavasan Sub-Basins Using Geomorphic Indicators and Radar Images. Geography and Environmental Planning 35, 73–85. http://10.22108/gep.2023.133365.1518
Ballabh, H., Devi Datt, CH., Mahendra Singh, L., 2011. Geomorphic Evidence of Active Tectonics in the Dhundsir Gad Watershed of Alaknada Basin, Uttrakhand, India, Nature and Science 9, 1–6. http://www.sciencepub.net.
Brice, J.C., 1964. Channel Patterns and Terraces of the Loup Rivers in Nebraska, U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 422-D, Washington, 41 PP. https://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/0422d/report.pdf
Bull, W.B., McFadden, L. D., 1977. Tectonic geomorphology north and south of the Garlock Fault, California. In: Doehring, D. O., (Ed.,) Geomorphology in Arid Regions, A Proceedings of Eighth Annual Geomorphology Symposium, State University of New York, Binghamton 23-24, 115–138. 10.4324/9780429299230-5
Bull, W.B., 1978. Geomorphic Tectonic Activity Classes of the South Front of the San Gabriel Mountains, California. U.S. Geological Survey Contract Report 14-08- 001-G-394, 59. https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=1960383
Cheng, Y.L., He, C.Q., Rao, G., Yan, B., Lin, A. M., Hu, J. M., Yao, Q., 2017. Geomorphological and structural characterization of the southern Weihe Graben, central China: Implications for fault segmentation. Tectonophysics 722, 11–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2017.10.024
Ezati. M.,  Gholami, E., Moussavi. SM., 2019. Investigation of tectonic uplift in Shekarab Mountain located in North of Birjand (Southern Khorasan) using morphotectonic evidence. Quantitative Geomorphological Research 7, 181–195. https://doi.org/120.1001.1.22519424.1397.7.3.11.9
El Hamdouni, R.E., Irigaray, C., Fernandez, T., Chacon, J., Keller, E.A., 2008. Assessment of Relative Active Tectonic, Southwest Border of the Sierra Nevada (Southern Spain). Geomorphology 96, 150-173. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2007.08.004
Faghih, A., Samani, B., Khabazi, S., Roshanak, R., 2011. Geomorphological analysis of tectonic activities affecting the formation of Maharlou Lake. Advanced Applied Geology 1 (1), 62–66. https://aag.scu.ac.ir/article_11544.html?lang=en
Faghih, A., Nourbakhsh, A., 2015. Appraisal of relative tectonic activity along the Kazerun Fault Zone, Zagros Mountains, Iran: insight from spatial analysis of geomorphic indices. Geological Journal 50, 783–798. https://doi.org/10.1002/gj.2597
Fountoulis, I., Mavroulis, S., Vassilakis, E., Papadopoulou-Vrynioti, K., 2013. Shoreline displacement and Pineios River diversions in NW Peloponnese (Greece) as result of the geology, active tectonics and human activity during the last 100 ky. Z. Geomorphology Supplementary 57, 97–123. https://doi.org/10.1127/0372-8854/2013/S-00146
Gao, M., Zeilinger, Xu, X., Wang, Q., Hao, M., 2013. DEM and GIS analysis of geomorphic indices for evaluating recent uplift of the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, China. Geomorphology 190, 61–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2013.02.008
Hack, J.T., 1973. Stream-profiles analysis and stream-gradient index. Journal Research of United States Geological Survey 1, 421–429. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70161653
Keller, E.A., Pinter, N., 2002. Active Tectonics, Earthquakes, Uplift and Landscape. 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, P. 362.
Leopold, L.B., Wolman, M.G., 1957. River channel patterns: braided, meandering and straight. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 282-B, Washington, 85 PP. https://doi.org/10.3133/pp282B
Longkumer, L., Luirei, K., Moiya, J.N., Thong, G.T., 2019. Morphotectonics and neotectonic activity of the Schuppen Belt of Mokokchung, Nagaland, India, Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 170, 138–154, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2018.11.010.
Maghsoudi, M., Bagheri, S., Davoodi, M., 2011. Gilan Gharb thrusting, using indices and morphotectonics, is evidenced. Geography and Development 21, 137–158. https://doi.org/10.22111/gdij.2011.585.
Malik, J.N., Mohanty. C., 2007. Active tectonic influence on the evolution of drainage and landscape: Geomorphic signatures from frontal and hinterland areas along the Northwestern Himalaya, India. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 29, 604–618. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2006.03.010
Mohammadi Shahrestanaki1, M., Davoodi, Z., Sadeghi, Sh., Razavi-Pash, R., 2025. Morphotectonic indices analysis of the southern slope of Alborz in the eastern part of the Takestan curvature. Advanced Applied Geology 14, 1034–1057. https://doi.org/10.22055/aag.2024.46603.2467
Nadri, R., Yeganehfar, H., 2023. Relative evaluation of active tectonics using quantitative morphometric and structural investigation of geology in South Qom Basin. Advanced Applied Geology 13, 877–891. https://doi.org/10.22055/aag.2023.42651.2338
Nemati, M., Abbasnejad. A., 2020. Geomorphology and active tectonic related to the faults in Kerman Province, SE Iran. Geotectonics 17, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.22077/JT.2021.4176.1109
Ntokos, D., Lykoudi, E., Rondoyanni, T., 2016. Geomorphic analysis in areas of low-rate neotectonic deformation: South Epirus (Greece) as a case study. Geomorphology 263, 156–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2016.04.005
Pedrera, A., Perez-Pena, J.V., Galindo-Zaldıvar, J., Azanon, J.M., Azor, A., 2009. Testing the sensitivity of geomorphic indices in areas of low-rate active folding (eastern Betic Cordillera, Spain). Geomorphology 105, 218–231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2008.09.026
Ramírez-Herrera, M.T., 1998. Geomorphic assessment of active tectonics in the Acambay graben, Mexican Volcanic Belt. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 23, 317–332. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1096 9837(199804)23:4<317: AID-ESP845>3.3.CO;2-M
Rashidi, A., Abbassi, M.R., Nilfouroushan, F., Shafiei, S.H., Derakhshani, R., Nemat, M., 2020. Morphotectonic and earthquake data analysis of interactional faults in Sabzevaran Area, SE Iran. Journal of Structural Geology 139, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2020.104147.
Regard, V., Bellier, O., Thomas, J.C., Abbassi, M.R., Mercier, J., Shabanian, E., Fegghi, K., Soleymani, S., 2004. The accommodation of Arabia-Eurasia convergence in the Zagros-Makran transfer zone, SE Iran: a transition between collision and subduction through a young deforming system, Tectonics 23, TC4007, https://doi.org/10.1029/2003TC001599
Rockwell, T.K., Keller, E.A., Johnson, D.L., 1985. Tectonic geomorphology of alluvial fans and mountain fronts near Ventura, California. In: Morisawa, M. (Ed.), Tectonic geomorphology. Proceedings of the 15th Annual Geomorphology Symposium. Allen and Unwin Publishers, Boston, MA. 183–207
Rust, B.R., 1978. A classification of alluvial channel systems. In: Miall, A.D. (Ed.), Fluvial Sedimentology, Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists Memoir 5, 187–19. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:129207437
Samimi, N., 1980. 1/100000 geological map of Kahnuj. Geological and mineral survey of Iran.
Shafiei Bafti A., Jafari HR., Shahpasandzadeh, M., 2009. Active tectonics and estimation of seismic hazard in the Sabzevaran region, southeast of central Iran. Journal of Geotechnical Geology 5, 230–239. https://www.sid.ir/paper/127144/fa
Silva, P.G., Goy, J.L., Zazo, C., Bardajı, T., 2003. Fault-generated Mountain fronts in southeast Spain: geomorphologic assessment of tectonic and seismic activity. Geomorphology 50, 203–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(02)00215-5
Zarei, S., Faghih, A., Keshavarz. S., Zarei. E. 2023. Growth history and linkage pattern of fault-related folds deciphered from geomorphic analysis: A case study from the Dalan Anticline, Zagros Mountains, SW Iran. Journal of African Earth Sciences 202 (6), 104927. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2023.104927
 
 
Advanced Applied Geology
Volume 15, Issue 3
Autumn 2025
Pages 71-92