Geomorphology and seismotectonics of the Hojedk 2017 earthquake

Executor of project: Dr. Morteza Talebian
2018 

On  1-12  December  2017  three  earthquakes  (Mw  5.9  -6.1)  shake  Hojedk  region  in  Kerman  province.   We used satellite images, radar interferometry and field investigation to examine the sourceprocesses of these earthquakes in south–central Iran. The epicenter of first two events located near northern boundary of the Miankuh, a major topographic feature of the region. No surface rupture has been seen with these events and InSAR results show semi symmetric uplift of the region. Therefore, two scenarios of faulting with dip to the SW or NE are possible. 
Epicenter of the third event located further north within the alluvial plane. Evidence for coseismic surface rupture associated with this event was first observed on Sentinel satellite image and InSAR analysis. It was then confirmed by field investigation. The event produced a coseismic  scarps with more than 1 m vertical displacement over a total distance of ~6 km, along a fault with reverse mechanism and dip to the SW. Any signs of earlier coseismic ruptures along this fault had been obliterated by the time of the 2017 earthquake, probably by occasional flash floods, so that the fault could not been identified beforehand. However, there is evidence of young alluvial offsets further to the NW along strike of the fault, suggesting existence of active structures in the region. Reactivation of blind faults have caused other major earthquakes such as 1978 Mw 7.4 Tabas, 2003 Mw 6.6 Bam, and 2017 Mw 7.3 Sarpol Zahab earthquakes in the past. The Hojedk earthquakes remind us about importance of recognizing and studying blind faults, especially if they are close to population centers.