The Crush Zone of the Iranian Zagros Mountains, and its implications

Abstract

SUMMARYAn early study of part of the Zagros mountains of south-western Iran put forward evidence for extensive overthrusting and nappe formation. A simplified interpretation of the stratigraphy now obviates the necessity for such tectonic complications.The north-eastern limit of Zagros folding is marked by a long narrow belt of structural deformity and stratigraphic discontinuity known as the Crush Zone, which includes basic intrusive rocks contemporaneous with the late Tertiary foldings.It is suggested that the Crush Zone is closely related to the Zagros orogeny, and geophysical evidence is used to speculate on a possible explanation. The general concept of the Crush Zone could prove to be of more widespread application.