Surface deformation attributed to the ۱۲ November ۲۰۱۷ Mw ۷.۳ Sarpol Zahab earthquake (Iran–Iraq border region)

An unexpected destructive earthquake with moment magnitude of ۷.۳ in the border region of Iran and Iraq on November ۱۲, ۲۰۱۷ strongly affected Sarpol Zahab region of western Iran. The focal mechanism solutions suggest that this earthquake occurred on a northeast dipping thrust fault with a slight dextral motion. In this study, we show some of the surface deformations (surface cracks and landslides) associated with this earthquake as the secondary near-fault surface deformations that occurred on the hanging wall of the causative fault. Based on the geometry and spatial distribution of ground deformations we suggest a decollement structure for the causative fault.

Keywords:

Sarpol Zahab earthquake , Secondary surface deformations , hanging wall , Western Iran