Morphometric Evaluation of Alluvial Fans Around Salt Diapirs in the Fars Zagros

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D,student, Department of Geomorphology- Faculty of Planning and Environmental Science- University of Tabriz

2 Prof. of Geomorphology, Department of Geomorphology, Faculty of Planning and Environment Sceinces, University of Tabriz,

3 Department of Geomorphology- Faculty of Planning and Environmental Science- University of Tabriz

4 Department of Physical Geography- Faculty of Earth Science- University of Shahid Beheshti

Abstract

In the Zagros Fold–Thrust Belt, particularly in the Fars segment, salt diapirism associated with the Hormuz Formation has played a fundamental role in shaping mountain fronts and adjacent depositional systems. The growth and lateral expansion of salt domes lead to localized uplift, differential erosion, drainage diversion, and spatial confinement of sedimentary environments, which are directly reflected in the morphology and morphometry of alluvial fans and their upstream drainage basins. This study adopts an integrated geomorphometric approach based on remote sensing data, GIS analysis, and quantitative morphometric evaluation. Alluvial fans developed around active salt domes associated with the Hormuz Salt Formation were identified using satellite imagery and topographic data. A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) derived from ALOS PALSAR with a spatial resolution of 12.5 m was used for morphometric extraction and spatial analysis in ArcGIS Pro. The following alluvial fan morphometric indices were calculated: Alluvial fan area (Fa), Fan sweep angle (Sa), Width-to-length ratio (W/L), Fan Conicality Revised Index (FCIR), Alluvial fan slope (Fs), expressed as percentage.In addition, the morphometric characteristics of the upstream drainage basins feeding the alluvial fans were quantified using the following indices:Drainage basin area (Ba), Basin shape index (Bs), Hypsometric integral (Hi), Basin circularity ratio (Cr), Mean basin slope (BS), expressed as percentage.The results indicate pronounced variability in the morphometric characteristics of alluvial fans developed The results confirm that salt dome activity plays a dominant role in controlling the morphometric evolution of alluvial fans and their contributing drainage basins in the Fars segment of the Zagros Mountains.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Hydrogeomorphology
Volume 13, Issue 48 - Serial Number 48
September 2026
Pages 186-156

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History

  • Receive Date: 26 February 2026
  • Revise Date: 23 June 2026
  • Accept Date: 27 June 2026

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