Quaternary geology, active tectonics and urban development of the Tehran city

The Tehran City have developed on the southern foothills of the Central Alborz over the Neogene and Quaternary alluvial deposits. The foothills and alluvial deposits have undergone morphological change due to the active tectonics of the region. Investigating recent tectonic structures in the greater Tehran region suggests that continued tectonic activity has placed new alluvial fans on top of the ancient alluvial fans, and has shifted major active structures from the mountain front towards southern foothills and plains. Erosion of uplifted alluvial deposits due to folding and faulting has sculpted landforms of the region which are used as infrastructures for growth of the megacity. Incision of the transverse rivers into uplifted structures, and their disequilibrium status provide evidences for the locations and relative rates of activity. Comparison of the urban development of the Tehran city with the classic urban expansion models reveals that different parts of the city have grown as consequence of morphological patterns dictated by the geology and active tectonics of the area.

Keywords:

Urban development , Tehran megacity , active tectonics , geomorphology