Tsunamigenic seismic sources characterization in the Zagros fold and thrust belt. Implications for tsunami threat in the Persian Gulf

Abstract

Although in the recent history of the Persian Gulf there is no register of relevant tsunamis, there are some historical events that could have generated destructive tsunamis and here historical descriptions of flooding are present. In 978, 1008 and 1871 destructive earthquakes occurred in the northern area of the Persian Gulf. These events where greatly felt by the population, killing hundreds of people, and generating flooding according to descriptions. One problem regarding the historical register is the scarce population in the area of the Zagros coast. In the present, the seismic activity of the area is very high, occurring frequently earthquakes of magnitude greater than 6, specially at the southeastern edge of the Zagros. The active Zagros fold-thrust belt lies on the northeastern margin of the Arabian plate, on Precambrian (Pan African) basement. This is a young (Pliocene) fold-thrust belt currently undergoing 10 4 mm yr