STRUCTURAL MATURITY OF BLIND FAULTS IN ZAFROS FOLD AND THRUST BELT

Structural maturity is a determinant parameter in seismic hazard assessment and is less considered. It is qualified by surface rupture conditions (segmentation, rupture length and displacement value on the rupture), earthquake recurrence pattern and the ground motions produced by earthquake. While surface faulting of earthquakes is extremely rare in the Zagros, therefore in this region, we just used strong ground motion to determine the degree of structural maturity of the faults. Our study shows that nearlly N-S trending faults which are the old faults that govern the structure are the most mature faults. Whereas with change in direction of faults toward NW-SE, the degree of maturity is decreased. Reverse faults have a least degree of maturity and they are the young faults that are govern with structure have a more immature structure in depth.