چكيده لاتين :
Takhteh Soleiman region is located between 36° 30ʹ 00" and 36° 42ʹ 30" N and 47ʹ 21ʹ 00" and 47° 05ʹ 00" Eʹeast of Takab city on the southern part of west Azerbaijan in Iran. Geologic and climatic characteristics of Takhteh Soleiman region have provided good conditions for generating karstic features. The main carbonate rock of this region is travertine. Travertine has been generated from limestone and dolomite rocks of Cretaceous periods. Therefore, springs of different parts of this region have created travertine by solving carbonate rocks. Tectonic activities in different geologic times have made more then 85 faults in this region. These faults accompanying with cracks and joints have important potential for producing karestic features, especially, karrens in this region. Climatic conditions such as precipitation and relative moisture are important in karren generation. Among karstic features, karrens are found in different forms. The primary and superficial solution of travertine has produced karrens. Internal and external factors contributed to the production of various karrens. Precipitation is an external factor. Rock property is an internal one.
From morphological point of view, karrens of this region can be classified into different types:
1) Circular forms (such as: rainkarren or rainpits, pans and trittkarren).
2) Linear form karrens (such as rillenkarren, solution flutes, grikes or kluftkarrrn).
3) Polygenetic forms.
Rainpits are produced by rain falling on uncovered rocks. In Takhteh Soleir.lan region, this type of microforms occurs on the gentle rather than steep slopes, and give them irregular, carious appearance. Such forms can be observed around Chal Tapeh doline. Pans are similar to rainpits but these are bigger than rainpits. We found this type of karren around Takhteh Soleiman Lake. Trittkarrens are mostly found around northward of Chal Tapeh Mountain and northward of Darya Tower. This type has curved headwall, flat floor, and is inclined toward downslope. Rillenkarrens developed due to channeled flow down steep slopes. Grikes were produced with concentration flow. In total, semi arid region of Takhteh Soleiman region preserved karrens from fast changing and erosion.
Karrens have important role in environmental planning. Karrens have prepared the best conditions for reducing resistance of travertine against morphogenetic factors by creating pits and rills. Therefore, rocks begin to disintegration and erosion. Based on the results of this study, we found out that karrens with controIIing water flow, and its concentration and infiltration caused to be effective in hydrologic cycle and feeding the under ground water table. These processes produce karestic water resources. Soil producing, displacement, and block debris creating are other results of karrens development in this region, which affect the morphology and human activities. In addition, karrens are attractive natural scenery. Thus they are interesting and attractive for tourists and groups of artists.
