Fracture Analysis of the Kuh-e Asmari Anticline using Remote Sensing Techniques: A Case Study from Zagros Mountain, SW Iran

要旨

The Kuh-e Asmari anticline is an asymmetrical structure located in the central part of the Zagros fold-thrust belt, SW Iran. Fracture analysis of the Kuh-e Asmari is providing key constraints on any modeling of nearby fractured reservoirs. Whereas, field surveys are not sufficient, Remote Sensing (RS) techniques were used for regional faulting / fracturing characterization of the anticline. The fault / fracture pattern of the Kuh-e Asmari anticline has been extracted based on ASTER and IRS-PAN images, and Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The synthesized lineament map of the anticline indicates many fault / fracture sets with varied lengths and orientations. Statistical analysis of the data shows the most common trend of the lineaments is NE-SW. The other main directions are NW-SE, N-S, and some deal E-W. Structural analysis of the data implied that the NE-SW and NW-SE systems are comparable to fold–related faults / fractures. As well as, the N-S and E-W systems are independent from folding. These systems are attributed to early origin basement trends, which have been reactivated in the later stages of the Zagros orogeny. This research emphasized that ASTER and IRS-PAN images are worthwhile for structural characterization of fault / fracture systems in folded areas. Furthermore, the new structural findings have improved tectonic understanding of the Asmari fractured reservoirs, SW Iran.