New kinematic constraints of the western Doruneh fault, north-eastern Iran, from interseismic deformation analysis

Abstract

We used the SBAS DInSAR analysis technique to estimate the interseismic deformation along the western part of the Doruneh fault system (DFS), northeastern Iran. We processed 90 ENVISAT images from four different frames from ascending and descending orbits. Three of the ground velocity maps show a significant interseismic signal. Using a simple dislocation approach we model 2-D velocity profiles concerning three InSAR data set relative to the western part of the DFS, obtaining a good fit to the observations. The resulting model indicates that a slip rate of ∼5mmyr−1 accumulates on the fault below 10 km depth, and that in its western sector the Doruneh fault is not purely strike-slip (left-lateral) as in its central part, but shows a significant thrust component. Based on published geological observations, and assuming that all interseismic deformation is recovered with a single event, we can estimate a characteristic recurrence interval between 630 and 1400 yr.