In the Makran region, the Arabian Plate subducts beneath the Eurasian Plate at ~2-4cm/yr. This subduction is associated with an
accretionary wedge of sediments which has developed since the
Cenozoic.[1] To the west, the Makran Trench is connected by the Minab Fault system to the
Zagros fold and thrust belt.[2] To the east, the Makran Trench is bounded by the
transpressionalstrike-slip Ornach-Nal and Chaman Faults, which connect to the
Himalayanorogeny. The Makran Subduction Zone is often split into two segments: the east and west. The Sonne fault divides the two. [3] Though largely much quieter than many other subduction zones, studies reveal that the Makran Trench may be capable of very large earthquakes, even extending into the magnitude 9 range. [4]
Fluids, gas and mud volcanoes
The Makran accretionary complex is characterized by a number of features associated with escaping water and
methane.
Mud volcanoes are found onshore in both Iran and Pakistan, and
cold seeps exist offshore. The formation of an island (
Zalzala Jazeera) after the
2013 Balochistan earthquakes is thought to be the result of a mud volcano.[5] An island (Malan island) formed as a mud volcano subsided under water due to gas release and mud extrusion. Heavy rain from monsoon season built pressure to the aquifer, enhancing the release of gas.[6]
^Kopp, C.; Fruehn, E.; Flueh, E.; Reichert, C.; Kukowski, N; Bialas, J.; Klaeschen, D. (2000). "Structure of the Makran subduction zone from wide-angle and reflection seismic data". Tectonophysics. 329 (1–4): 171–191.
Bibcode:
2000Tectp.329..171K.
doi:
10.1016/s0040-1951(00)00195-5.
^Regard, V.; Hatzfeld, D.; Molinaro, M.; Aubourg, C.; Bayer, R.; Bellier, O.; Yamini-Fard, F.; Peyret, M.; Abbassi, M. (2010). "The transition between Makran subduction and the Zagros collision: recent advances in its structure and active deformation". Geological Society, London, Special Publications. 330 (1): 43–64.
Bibcode:
2010GSLSP.330...43R.
CiteSeerX10.1.1.400.1986.
doi:
10.1144/SP330.4.
S2CID10426167.