Tectonic style and strain distribution in the Zagros organic belt: new approaches and their hydrocarbon implication

The Zagros fold and thrust belt of Iran is a key part of the collision zone , and represents the deformed part of the Arabian plate, SW of Arabia-Eurasia suture. This paper discusses the main styles of tectonic elements in the Zagros organic belt, and their origin in terms of pre-existing basement fabrics. In particular, it is concerned with the formation of fold structures, since these form the major hydrocarbon traps. Convergence between the Arabian and Eurasian continents is accommodated by different kinematic regimes in the Zagros orogenic belt, identified from structural geometries and strain analysis. In the northwestern part of the belt (Lurestan), NNW-SSE convergence is partitioned onto NW-trending right-lateral strike slip and NE-SW shortening structures.

Keywords:

Tectonic Style , Zagros< Deformation bands , Kinematic model , Simple shear