Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
6431164 Earth and Planetary Science Letters 2006 12 Pages PDF
Abstract

Fault slip-rates and the recurrence interval between earthquakes can be determined from reliable dating of deformed sediments. We report optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages of alluvial gravels, fine-grained sediments and colluvial deposits associated with the Sabzevar thrust fault in northeastern Iran. Six samples of the late Quaternary deposits were dated by OSL using the single aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) protocol. The OSL ages indicate deposition of alluvial gravels in the study region between ∼ 30 and ∼ 9-13 ka, followed by a period of fluvial incision which is ongoing at the present day. The alluvial deposits have been uplifted by ∼ 9.5 m relative to the river level, indicating a Holocene slip-rate of ∼ 1 mm/yr and a rate of convergence across the fault of 0.4-0.6 mm/yr assuming a maximum fault dip of 60°. The average interval between large earthquakes on the Sabzevar fault will be ∼ 3000 years if the fault dips ∼ 60°, and less if the fault dip is less. The last earthquake to destroy Sabzevar was in 1052 A.D.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Earth and Planetary Sciences Earth and Planetary Sciences (General)
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