Kinematics of Transpressional Deformation Zones in the Urmia Fault Zone, Northwest Iran

Abstract

<span>Metamorphic and various intrusive rocks in the Urmia area are located in a transpressed active continental margin. These complexes in the Zagros orogen were deformed during an oblique convergence scenario between the Arabian and Sanandaj–Sirjan blocks in NW Iran. The Urmia area contains both NW-SE striking dextral strike-slip and SW verging NE dipping ductile reverse shear fabrics. Ductile shear fabrics are overprinted by subsequent younger thrust and strike-slip fault systems. Abundant syn-tectonic granitoides have been intruded into the Urmia area during convergent. Shear deformation fabrics are well identified in both deformed intrusive and metamorphic rocks. The geometry and kinematics of shear fabrics indicate a deformation partitioning in both ductile and brittle conditions during a progressive transpression tectonic regime.</span>