SKS splitting observations across the Iranian plateau and Zagros: the role of lithosphere deformation and mantle flow

We used more than one decade of core-refracted teleseismic shear (SKS) waveforms recorded atmore than 160 broadband seismic stations across the Iranian plateau and Zagros to investigateseismic anisotropy beneath the region. Splitting analysis of SKS waveforms provides two mainparameters, i.e., fast polarization direction and split delay time, which serve as proxies for thetrend and strength of seismic anisotropy beneath the stations. Our observation revealed acomplex pattern of splitting parameters with variations in the trend and strength of anisotropyacross the tectonic boundaries. We also verified the presence of multiple layers of anisotropy inconjunction with the lithosphere deformation and mantle flow field. Our observation andmodeling imply that a combined system of lithosphere deformation and asthenospheric flow islikely responsible for the observed pattern of anisotropy across the Iranian Plateau and Zagros.The rotational pattern of the fast polarization directions observed locally in Central Zagros mayindicate the diversion of mantle flow around a continental keel beneath the Zagros. Thecorrelation between the variation in lithosphere thickness and the trend of anisotropy in the studyarea implies that the topography of the base of lithosphere is also a determining factor for thepattern of mantle flow inferred from the observations.kommande