Hello! I am Esmaeil Shabanian. I study active deformation of the Arabia - Eurasia collision. Investigating shallow deformation and surficial processes, I use a combination of detailed geologic – morphotectonic mapping, tectonic geomorphology, fault kinematics (microtectonics), Quaternary dating and seismotectonics.
I am also greatly interested in deep structures of the collision and the related geodynamic processes investigating which I collaborate with geophysicists, petrologists and geodesists
2004 - July 2009
“Active tectonic study in northeast Iran: contribution of the Kopeh Dagh and Binalud mountains to the accommodation of the Arabia-Eurasia convergence”
1995- September 1998
Tarbiat Modarres University , Iran
“Study of deformation pattern of the Pishva - Kuh Sorkh area (SE of Tehran)”
1991- September 1995
- Structural geology (britlle deformation and microtectonics)
- Active tectonics
- Tectonic geomorphology
- Cosmogenic dating (36Cl and 10Be nuclides)
- Seismotectonics and paleoseismology
- Seismotectonic implications of active faulting data in seismic risk assessments,
- Mechanism of defromation in stable continental regions
- Geodynamics
Since 2013
2009 – 2013
1997 – 2005
The study of the relative movements of large parts of the Earth.
Plate tectonics (from the Late Latin: tectonicus, from the Ancient Greek: τεκτονικός, lit. 'pertaining to building') is a scientific theory describing the large-scale motion of the plates making up Earth's lithosphere since tectonic processes began on Earth between 3.3 and 3.5 billion years ago. The model builds on the concept of continental drift, an idea developed during the first decades of the 20th century. The geoscientific community accepted plate-tectonic theory after seafloor spreading was validated in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Seismotectonics is the study of relationships between earthquakes and active tectonics (faults, volcanoes, salt domes, mass forces etc.) of a region.
Active tectonics:
- Active tectonics of a lateral transition between the Zagros-Makran deformation zones (1999 – 2003; IIEES – France).
- Seismotectonics and the deformation pattern of Central-Eastern Alborz, with a special perspective on earthquake-prone zones (2002 – IIEES).
- Active tectonics of the Kazerun Fault system (2002 – 2005; IIEES – France).
- Active tectonics of the Kopeh Dagh and Binalud mountains (NE Iran) – (2005 – 2008; IIEES – France).
- Active tectonics of the transition zone between the Kopeh Dagh and eastern Alborz deformation domains (2006 – 2010; France).
- Active tectonics of the Doruneh Fault System (ENE Iran); strusctural evolution, seismogenic behavior and geodynamic role – (2007 – 2011; France).
- Morphotectonics and fault kinematic analyses in Provence (SE France) – (2010 – 2011; France).
- Evaluation of denudation rates in drainage basins nested in carbonate reliefs through 36Cl cosmogenic nuclide: validation, limits and applications – (2011 – 2013, France).
Structural geology:
- Evolution of the stress field in Tehran region during the Quaternary (1999 – IIEES).
- The present-day state of stress in the southern flank of Central Alborz (N Iran) – (2003 – IIEES).
- Structural geology of the Qomrud (Ghomroud) wter conveyance tunnel - 1:2500 scale mapping (2003 – Sahel Consultant Engineers, Iran).
- Structural geology of the Gotvand dame access tunnel - 1:2500 scale mapping (2003 – Sahel Consultant Engineers, Iran).
- Active tectonics and structural geology of the Karaj water conveyance tunnel – 1:2000 & 1:500 scales mapping (2005 – Sahel Consultant Engineers, Iran).
- Spatiotemporal changes in the plio-quaternary stress state in NE Iran (2006 – 2009; IIEES – France).
- Evolution of the Tertiary stress state in eastern Tunisia (2009 – 2012; France).
- Plio – Quaternary magmatism in north and northeast Iran: interaction between deep-seated strike-slip faults and spot volcanism (2010 – 2011; France – Italy).
Seismotectonics and Paleoseismology:
- Paleoseismological investigations (trenching) along the North Tabriz Fault (NW Iran) – (1999 – IIEES).
- Seismotectonics of the southeastern Zagros, Assalueh petroleum complex (2000 – IIEES).
- Paleoseismological investigations (trenching) along the Mosha Fault (N Iran) – (2004 – 2005; IIEES – UM2; France).
- Seismic source characterization of the Kribi region (SW Cameroon) in the context of a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (2010; CEREGE – BRGM; France).
- Seismic source characterization of the Upper Rhein Graben: Alsace region (NE France) in the context of a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (2010; CEREGE – BRGM; France).
Articles in Peer-reviewed international Journals (ISI articles):
2021:
Niassarifard, M., Shabanian, E., Solaymani Azad, S., and Madanipour, S. (2021). New tectonic configuration in NW Iran: Intracontinental dextral shear between NW Iran and SE Anatoli. Tectonophysics 811, 1-27, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2021.228886.
Aflaki, M., Shabanian, E., Sahami, S., and Arshadi, M. (under review). Post-collisional kinematic history of the 799 Mahneshan-Mianeh area: Implications for the tectonics of NW Iran. Tectonophysics, submitted revision.
2020:
Abdulnaby, W., Motaghi, K., Shabanian, E., Mahdi, H., Al‐Shukri, H., & Gök, R. (2020). Crustal structure of the Mesopotamian Plain, east of Iraq. Tectonics, 39, e2020TC006225. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020TC006225
Motaghi, K., Shabanian, E., Nozad-Khalil T. (2020), Deep structure of the western coast of the Makran subduction zone, SE Iran, Tectonophysics, 776, 228314, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2019.228314.
2019:
Dashti, F., Lucente, F. P., Motaghi, K., Bianchi, I., Najafi, M., Govoni, A., & Shabanian, E. (2019). Crustal scale imaging of the Arabia‐Central Iran collision boundary across the Zagros suture zone, west of Iran. Geophysical Research Letters, 46. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL085921.
Baniadam, F., Shabanian, E., Bellier, O. (2019), The kinematics of the Dasht-e Bayaz earthquake fault during Pliocene-Quaternary: implications for the tectonics of eastern Central Iran, Tectonophysics, 772, 228218, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2019.228218.
Aflaki, M., Mousavi, Z., Ghods, A., Shabanian, E., Vajedian, S. (2019), The 2017 Mw 6 Sefid Sang earthquake and its implication for the geodynamics of NE Iran, Geophysical Journal International 218(2), 1227–1245, https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggz172.
2018:
Motaghi, K., Ghods, A., Sobouti, F., Shabanian, E., Mahmoudabadi, M., and Priestley K. (2018), Lithospheric seismic structure of the West Alborz – Talesh ranges, Iran, Geophysical Journal International 215(3), 1766–1780, https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggy372.
Taghipour, K., Khatib, M., Heyhat, M., Shabanian, E., Vaezihir, A. (2018), Evidence for distributed active strike-slip faulting in NW Iran: The Maragheh and Salmas fault zones, Tectonophysics, 742–743, 15–33, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2018.05.022.
Rastgoo, M., Rahimi, H., Motaghi, K., Shabanian, E., Romanelli, F., Panza, G. F. (2018), Deep structure of the Alborz Mountains by joint inversion of P receiver functions and dispersion curves, Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 277, 70-80.
2017:
Motaghi, K., Shabanian, E., Kalvandi, F. (2017), Underplating Along the Northern Portion of the Zagros Suture Zone, Iran, Geophysical Journal International, 210(1), 375-389.
Motaghi, K., Shabanian, E., Tatar, M., Cuffaro, M., Doglioni, C. (2017), The south Zagros suture zone in teleseismic images, Tectonophysics, 694, 292-301.
Aflaki, M., Shabanian, E., Davoodi, Z., Mohajjel, M. (2017), Reactivation versus reworking of the active continental margin during the Zagros collision: Mahallat–Muteh–Laybid complexes, Sanandaj–Sirjan zone, Iran, Journal of Geodynamics, 1-19.
Thomas, F., Godard, V., Bellier, O., Shabanian, E., Ollivier, V., Benedetti, L., Rizza, M., Espurt, N., Guillou, V., Hollender, F. (2017), Morphological controls on the dynamics of carbonate landscapes under a Mediterranean climate, Terra Nova, 29(3), 173-182.
2016 :
Farbod, Y., E. Shabanian, O. Bellier, M. R. Abbassi, R. Braucher, L. Benedetti, D. Bourlès, and K. Hessami (2016), Spatial variations in late Quaternary slip rates along the Doruneh Fault System (Central Iran), Tectonics, 35, doi:10.1002/2015TC003862.
Godard, V., O. Vincent, O. Bellier, C. Miramont, E. Shabanian, J. Fleury, L. Benedetti, and V. Guillou (2016), Weathering-limited hillslope evolution in carbonate landscapes. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 446, 10 – 20, DOI:10.1016/j.epsl.2016.04.017.
Malekzade, Z., O., Bellier, M. R., Abbassi, E. Shabanian, and C. Authemayou, (2016), The effects of plate margin inhomogeneities on the deformation pattern within west-Central Zagros Fold-and-Thrust Belt, Tectonophysics, DOI:10.1016/j.tecto.2016.01.030.
2015 :
Ghods, A., E. Shabanian, E. Bergman and M. Faridi (2015), The Varzaghan-Ahar, Iran, Earthquake Doublet (Mw 6.4, 6.2): Implications for the Geodynamics of Northwest Iran, Geophy. J. Int., 203, 522-540.
2012:
Shabanian, E., O., Bellier, L.L., Siame, M.R., Abbassi, D., Bourlès, Y., Farbod (2012), The Binalud Mountains, a key piece for the geodynamic puzzle of NE Iran, Tectonics, 31, TC6003, doi:10.1029/2012TC003183.
Shabanian, E., V. Acocella, A. Gioncada, H. Ghasemi, and O. Bellier (2012), Structural control on volcanism in intraplate post collisional settings: Late Cenozoic to Quaternary examples of Iran and Eastern Turkey, Tectonics, 31, TC3013, doi:10.1029/2011TC003042.
Pezzo, G., C. Tolomei, S. Atzori, S. Salvi, E. Shabanian, O. Bellier, and Y. Farbod (2012), New kinematic constraints of the western Doruneh fault, northeastern Iran, from interseismic deformation analysis, Geophys. J. Int., 190, 622–628, doi:10.1111/j.1365-246X.2012.05509.x.
2011:
Farbod, Y., O. Bellier, E. Shabanian, and M. R. Abbassi (2011), Geomorphic and structural variations along the Doruneh Fault System (central Iran), Tectonics, 30, TC6014, doi:10.1029/2011TC002889.
Djamali, M., Baumel, A., Brewer, S., Jackson, S.T., Kadereit, J.W., López-Vinyallonga, S., Mehregan, I., Shabanian, E., Simakova, A. (2011). Ecological implications of Cousinia Cass. (Asteraceae) persistence through the last two glacial–interglacial cycles in the continental Middle East for the Irano-Turanian flora, Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 172, 10–20, doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2012.01.005.
Javidfakhr, B., Bellier, O., Shabanian, E., Ahmadian, S., Saidi, A. (2011). Plio-Quaternary tectonic regime changes in the transition zone between Alborz and Kopeh Dagh mountain ranges (NE Iran), Tectonophysics, 506, 86-10.
Javidfakhr, B., Bellier, O., Shabanian, E., Siame, L., Léanni, L., Bourlès, D., Ahmadian, S., (2011). Fault kinematics and active tectonics at the southeastern boundary of the eastern Alborz (Abr and Khij fault zones): Geodynamic implications for NNE Iran, J. Geodynamics, 52, 290-303.
2010:
Shabanian, E., Bellier, O., Abbassi, M., Siame, L.L., Farbod, Y. (2010), Plio-Quaternary states of stress in NE Iran: Kopeh Dagh and Allah Dagh-Binalud mountains, Tectonophysics, 480, 280-304, doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2009.10.022.
2009:
Shabanian, E., O. Bellier, L. Siame, N. Arnaud, M. R. Abbassi, and J.-J. Cochemé (2009), New tectonic configuration in Ne Iran: active strike-slip faulting between the Kopeh Dagh and Binalud mountains, Tectonics, 28, doi:10.1029/2008TC002444.
Shabanian, E., L. Siame, O. Bellier, L. Benedetti, and M. R. Abbassi (2009), Quaternary slip rates along the north-eastern boundary of the Arabia-Eurasia collision zone (Kopeh Dagh Mountains, Northeast Iran), Geophys. J. Int., 178, 1055-1077, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2009.04183.x.
Siame, L. L., E. Shabanian, and O. Bellier (2009), Comment to: Extrusion tectonics and subduction in the eastern South Caspian region since 10 Ma, Geology, doi: 10.1130/G25701C.1.
Authemayou, C., O. Bellier, D. Chardon, L. Benedetti, Z. Malekzadeh, C. Claude, B. Angeletti, E. Shabanian, and M. R. Abbassi (2009), Quaternary slip-rates of the Kazerun and the Main Recent Faults: active strike-slip partitioning in the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt, Geophys. J. Int., 178, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2009.04191.x.
Before 2009:
Authemayou, C., D. Chardon, O. Bellier, Z. Malekzadeh, E. Shabanian, and M. R Abbassi (2006), Late Cenozoic partitioning of oblique plate convergence in the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt (Iran), Tectonics, 25, TC3002, doi:10.1029/2005TCOO1860.
Regard, V., O. Bellier, R. Braucher, F. Gasse, D.L. Bourlès, J.L. Mercier, J.-C. Thomas, M.R. Abbassi, E. Shabanian, and S. Soleymani (2006), 10Be dating of alluvial deposits from Southeastern Iran (the Hormoz Strait area). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 242, 36-53.
Regard, V., O. Bellier, J.-C. Thomas, D. Bourlès, S. Bonnet, M. R. Abbassi, R. Braucher, J. Mercier, E. Shabanian, S. Soleymani, and K. Feghhi (2005), Cumulative right-lateral fault slip rate across the Zagros–Makran transfer zone: role of the Minab–Zendan fault system in accommodating Arabia–Eurasia convergence in southeast Iran, Geophys. J. Int., 162, 177–203, doi:10.1111/j.1365-246X.2005.02558.x.
Regard, V., O. Bellier, J.-C. Thomas, M. R. Abbassi, J. Mercier, E. Shabanian, K. Feghhi, & S. Soleymani (2004), The accommodation of Arabia-Eurasia convergence in the Zagros-Makran transfer zone, SE Iran: a transition between collision and subduction through a young deforming system, Tectonics, 23, TC4007, doi:10.1029/2003TC001599.
Hessami, K., D. Panotosti, H. Tabassi, E. Shabanian, M. R. Abbassi, Kh. Feghhi, and S. Solaymani (2003), Paleoearthquakes and slip rates of the North Tabriz Fault. NW Iran: preliminary results, Annals of Geophysics, 46(5), 1-13.
Hessami, Kh., H. Koyi, C. Talbot, H. Tabassi & E. Shabanian (2001), Progressive unconformities within an evolving foreland fold-thrust belt, Zagros Mountains, J. Geol. Soc., London, 158, 969-981.
Papers in proceedings and other:
Farahpour, M., E. Shabanian, and M. R., Abbassi (1998), Rigid blind batholiths controlling the paleostress orientation on the eastern side of Mt. Alvand, Hamadan (Iran), Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering (JSEE), Autumn.
Abbassi, M. R., and E. Shabanian (1999), Evolution of the stress field in Tehran region during the Quaternary, Proceeding of the 3rd International Conference on Seismology and Earthquake Engineering (SEE3). May 17-19, Tehran, Iran, 67-77.
Eshghi, S., M. Zare, E. Shabanian, M. Rafiei, and M. R. Ghaem-Maghamian (1999), Preliminary report on the Kohmareh Sorkhi – Famur earthquake (Fars, SE Iran), Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering (JSEE), Spring.
Abbassi, M. R., E. Shabanian, Y. Farbod, and H. Tabassi (2003), The State of Contemporary Stress in the Southern Flank of Central Alborz, International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology/National Research Council of Islamic Republic of Iran (NRCIRI), Earthquake commission, Report 5004, Tehran, Iran.
Bayer, R., E. Shabanian, V. Regard, P. Vernant, F. Nilforoushan, M. R. Abbassi, J. Chéry, M. Tatar, E. Doerflinger, M. Peyret, M. Daignières, O. Bellier, D. Hatzfeld, and M. Mokhtari (2003), Active deformation in Zagros-Makran transition zone inferred from GPS measurements, Proceeding of 4th international conference on seismology and earthquake engineering, Tehran, paper No ST12.
Abbassi, M., E. Shabanian, S. Soleymani, K. Feghhi, J. Mercier, O. Bellier, V. Regard, and J.-C. Thomas (2001), Neotectonics and stress field investigation on the Zagros-Makran transitional Zone, Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering (JSEE), 4 (winter), 16-21.
Shabanian, E., M. R. Abbassi, and Y. Farbod (2001), Fault controls on the formation of Hezardareh anticlines in the Abbas-Abad hills, Tehran (N Iran), Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering (JSEE), 4(2-3), 38-45.
Regard, V., O. Bellier, M. R Abbassi, J.-C. Thomas, J. Mercier, E. Shabanian, K. Feghhi, S. Soleymani, S. Bonnet, D. Bourlès, R. Braucher, and J. Martinod, (2003), Seismic hazard assessment of the Zagros collision vs. Makran subduction transfer deformation zone (SE Iran), Proceeding of 4th international conference on seismology and earthquake engineering, Tehran, paper No ST14.
Solaymani, S., K. Feghhi, E. Shabanian, M. R. Abbassi, and J.-F. Ritz (2004), Preliminary results of paleoseismologic investigations along the Mosha Fault (Mosha Valley, N Iran), Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering (JSEE), 6(3), 46-61.
Abbassi, M. R., and E. Shabanian (2004), Determination of stress state by inversion of fault slip data in the southern flank of Central Alborz, Scientific Quarterly Journal: Geosciences (Geological Survey of Iran), 12(55), 2-17.
Abbassi, M. R., E. Shabanian, H. Tabassi, and Y. Farbod (2005), Active Tectonics and Deformation Pattern of Central-Eastern Alborz (Iran), ISBN: 964-308-105-2, 190 p.
Authemayou C., O. Bellier, D. Chardon, Z. Malekzade, M. R. Abbassi, and E. Shabanian (2006), The transfer of Strike-slip partitioned motion of oblique convergence across the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt (Southern Iran), Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering (JSEE), 8(1), 17-27.
Malekzade, Z., M. R. Abbassi, O. Bellier, C. Authemayou, and E. Shabanian (2009), Deformation Pattern in Western High Zagros. Scientific Quarterly Journal: Geosciences (Geological Survey of Iran), 18(69), 130-143.
Javidfakhr, B., O. Bellier, E. Shabanian, S. Ahmadian (2011), Active tectonics of the Shahrud region (NE Iran), Proceeding of the 15th Symposium of the Geological Society of Iran, Tehran, 14-15 December, 7 pp.
Aflaki, M., Ghods, A., Mousavi, Z., Shabanian, E., Vajedian, S., Akbarzadeh, M. (2018), Seismotectonic characteristics of the 2017 Sefid Sang (Mw 6) earthquake, 18th Iranian Geophysical Conference–May, 2018, Tehran, pages 1-4.
Khalil M., Shabanian, E. (2018), Deep structure of the Zagros continental collision zone, 18th Iranian Geophysical Conference–May, 2018, Tehran, pages 1047-1050.
Jamalreyhani, M., Ghods, A., Motaghi, K., Shabanian, E., Talebian, M., Chen, L. (2018), Seismicity in the Lurestan Arc of the Zagros Simply Folded Belt, 18th Iranian Geophysical Conference–May, 2018, Tehran.