Moho depth variations and Vp/Vs ratio in the Zagros (Iran)

In this study, we calculated the crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratio of the Zagros

using 3 years of data recorded in 20 permanent broadband seismic stations of

the Iranian Seismological Center (IRSC). To do this end we analyzed receiver

functions by the iterative deconvolution in the time domain applying to the

teleseismic records. Our results show the crustal thickness near the Iranian

plateau and in the Arabian plate edge is about 35 - 40 km in the northern part of

Zagros. Toward NE, In the main Zagros zone, Moho depth has a higher value

(45 Km). The moho thickness was increased to a mean of 50 km in the

Sanandaj-Sirjan zone (SSZ). Due to over thrusting Iranian plateau to continental

Arabian shield and the existence of massive volcanic rocks, SSZ is the thickest

part of Zagros. In the Southern Zagros crustal thickness is about 30-40 km. We

show that the Vp/Vs ratio decreases with the increasing Moho depth.