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Finite element modelling of inter-seismic deformation associated with Arabia-Eurasia plate convergence in western Lurestan (Iran)
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  • Matteo Basilici,
  • Stefano Mazzoli,
  • Antonella Megna,
  • Stefano Santini,
  • Stefano Tavani,
  • Alessandra Ascione,
  • Ettore Valente
Matteo Basilici
Università di Urbino “Carlo Bo”
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Stefano Mazzoli
Università degli studi di Camerino
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Antonella Megna
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia

Corresponding Author:antonella.megna@ingv.it

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Stefano Santini
Università di Urbino “Carlo Bo”
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Stefano Tavani
Università di Napoli “Federico II”
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Alessandra Ascione
Università di Napoli “Federico II”
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Ettore Valente
Università di Napoli “Federico II”
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Abstract

The Zagros thrust belt formed due to the convergence between the Arabian and Eurasian plates during the closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean. GPS measurements show that the northward relative motion of the Arabian Plate is still active today. This active drift produces high-magnitude earthquakes along the Zagros thrust belt, such as the Iran-Iraq border seismic event of November 12, 2017 (Mw = 7.3), nucleated along the “Mountain Front Fault”. The aim of this work is to study the inter-seismic and co-seismic deformation that eventually leads to the nucleation of important seismic events in the study area. A 2-D finite element model has been performed starting from published geological sections and relevant seismological datasets, integrated with geo-mechanical parameters of the rocks. The results of finite element modeling (FEM), including predicted uplift pattern and rate along the analysed crustal section, are compared with a tectonic geomorphology analysis in order to unravel the most reliable tectonic scenario for the active tectonic setting of the study area.