Microseismicity of the Tehran Region based on the data recorded in a local monitoring network: 2004-2010

Abstract

Evaluation of the seismicity of a region depends on records of earthquakes. This article assesses the microseismicity of Tehran region, bounded by the coordinates 34.43°-36.87° N and 49.07°-53.13° E. This was investigated by the Tehran Disaster Mitigation and Management Organization (TDMMO) network from 2004 to 2010. The main purpose of this study was to substantiate the current tectonic activity of the region. We checked whether the observed faults in the region are active or not. Some active trends were found with the strongest activity in the eastern part of the region, especially associated with the North Tehran fault. In addition, records exist of strong historical earthquakes in this zone. These confirm that the area east of Tehran is more active than the west. The magnitude of completeness in the E, NE and SE is Mc=2. Major faults criss-crossing Tehran are located in the foot of the Alborz mountain belt. The released seismic energy map of the region demonstrates that the main active zones with high energy values for microearthquakes are in the east of the region.