Using luminescence dating of coarse matrix material to estimate the slip rate of the Astaneh fault, Iran
Abstract
In this paper, we present optically and infrared stimulated luminescence (OSL and IRSL) ages for four samples from alluvial fan surfaces in the Astaneh Valley. This valley is located in the north-east part of the Alborz range in Iran. Our morphologic interpretations recognize at least three generations of fans in the study area, all of which have been displaced along the left-lateral strike-slip Astaneh fault. Because of the dry, loose, and sometimes complex juxtaposition of the target sediments, we collected the samples in total darkness beneath dark plastic layers placed atop the pit openings. Luminescence ages of the fans are ~55 ka, ~32 ka and ~16 ka. These ages are concurrent with periods of loess deposition and wet climatic conditions previously recorded in the Arabia-Iranian region. They allow estimation of a horizontal slip rate of ~2 mm/yr along the Astaneh fault, which is consistent with additional slip rates determined for the Holocene period along faults further west of the Astaneh fault.
Additional Information
© 2011 Elsevier B.V. Received 20 May 2010; revised 2 February 2011; accepted 1 March 2011. Available online 21 March 2011. We thank the Geological Survey of Iran for organizing the fieldworks of 2008 and 2009 and we especially thank the technical Iranian staff, notably Mohammad Foroutan, for help in the field. The MAM estimates were performed using an excel spreadsheet provided by Sébastien Huot and the first author would like to acknowledge him for his patience and his tutorial for using the MAM files. We also would like to thank S. Forman, M. Fattahi and also R.B. Roberts for their constructive suggestions and their helpful to improve the manuscript and clarify the data. We also would like to acknowledge James Jackson and Philippe Vernant for fruitful discussions about the Quaternary geology of the Astaneh fault. This work has been supported by the INSU/3F French program.Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 24222
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20110627-112001875
- Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU) (France)
- Created
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2011-06-27Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-09Created from EPrint's last_modified field