The Elements of Fold Style Analysis in the Khaftar Anticline, Zagros, Iran

Abstract

The Study area is located in the Zagros Simply Folded Belt of Iran and in the interior Fars sub-basin. The Khaftar anticline is located in the West, North-West of Jahrom city in the Fars province (148 km distance from Persian Gulf). The trend of Khaftar anticline has three orientations, consist of North-Northeast, East-West and South-Southwest. This anticline has asymmetric structure and some faults with large strike separation observed in this anticline. In the study area, stratigraphic units are affected by many faults in this area. Also one salt plug cropping out in the middle part of the Khaftar anticline. Maybe this salt plug affected on the stratigraphic units and geometry of structure. Description of fold geometry is important because it allows comparisons within and between folds and allow us to recognize patterns in the occurrence and distribution of fold systems. The main aim of this paper is determination of fold style elements and folding pattern of the Khaftar anticline. This paper presents a part of the results of a regional study of the Fars province in the Zagros Simply folded belt, based on satellite images, geological maps, and well data. Some data, such as geological maps and geological regional data were prepared and provided by the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC). Because of the Khaftar anticline, has complex structure, the analysis of fold style elements is seems necessary. Therefore, in further studies on this structure the changes of fold style elements will be analyzed and investigated from east to west in the different parts of this anticline. The activity of Nezamabad sinistral strike slip fault in the Khaftar anticline causes changes of axial plane characteristics and fold axis. Some of the results such as folding style analysis, how position of salt plug, changes of fold type and main structural changes (rotation of fold axis and 2.5 km displacement in this anticline) show main changes in the middle parts of the Khaftar anticline...