Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

ACTIVE TECTONIC INFLUENCE ON THE EVOLUTION OF COMPRESSED MEANDER IN THE KUH-E-QARAVOL REGION, NW IRAN

Vahid Hosseinitoudeshki

Abstract

The rivers respond to uplift by increasing of sinuosity and development of compressed meanders. Due to the Arabian–Eurasian collision, Central Iran is a tectonically active structural zone which suffer uplift and lateral tilting. The present study examines the Ghezel Ozan River in the Kuh-e-Qaravol region, northwest Iran, to show that the compressed meander within the river system can be indicated to active structures and uplift in the area. Geological maps, satellite images and maps interpreted through DEM and augmented by field observations allow the identification of the compressed meander, knick- point and active structures in the study area. The fluvial features show that disturbance of channel of the river by faulting is caused (1) compressed meander, (2) knick point in longitudinal profile of the river and (3) uplift in the area.