Geological Maps Columns And Sections Of The High Zagros Of South-West Iran

Publisher: The British Petroleum Company Limited
Price: £1250 (post-free in the UK)
Publication Date: 1964
Edition: 1st edition
Format: Colour printed
Condition: In fine condition
Sheet Sizes: 98.6cm x 71.6cm. 
Scale: 1:250000

Condition:

Large quarto binder. Scale 1: 250000. Map sizes: 98.6cm x 71.6cm. Includes notes, index and 16 colour-printed folding maps in individual sleeves. Published to mark the occasion of the 22nd International Geological Congress, Delhi, 1964. Covers from Qasr-E Shirin in the north-west to the Strait on Hormuz in the south-east. Binder in fine condition. Stamp of University of Exeter Geography Department to the notes. Maps in fine condition. A very nice copy indeed. Scarce.

Location: DOBR 002811

The High Zagros Of South-West Iran: A Brief Description

The High Zagros of south-west Iran constitute one of the most striking and geologically significant mountain regions in the Middle East. Forming the elevated and structurally complex core of the broader Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt, this area represents the forefront of the tectonic collision between the Arabian Plate and the Iranian microcontinent. Rugged, remote, and geologically dynamic, the High Zagros are a region of exceptional scientific interest, as well as cultural and ecological importance.

Geographically, the High Zagros stretch across the western margin of Iran, bordering Iraq and trending in a north-west to south-east orientation. They lie immediately north-east of the simply folded zone of the Zagros Mountains and mark the transition into more intensely deformed and uplifted terrain. The region encompasses parts of the provinces of Lorestan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, areas known for their steep terrain, narrow valleys, and high seismicity.

Geologically, the High Zagros are defined by a distinctive structural style characterised by high-angle thrust faults, large-scale nappes, and the uplift and exposure of older, often metamorphosed, rocks. The area is underlain by thick sequences of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic strata, many of which have been severely folded, fractured, and faulted under the influence of compressional tectonics. These deformations are the product of the ongoing convergence between the Arabian and Eurasian plates, a process that has shaped the region over tens of millions of years.

One of the defining geological features of the High Zagros is the presence of the so-called High Zagros Fault Zone, a series of deep-rooted thrusts and reverse faults that accommodate a significant portion of the crustal shortening in the region. These structures often bring older carbonate and clastic rocks of Permian to Jurassic age into contact with younger Cretaceous and Tertiary formations. In some areas, the older basement has been exhumed to the surface, offering a rare opportunity to study the deeper components of the continental crust in a collisional setting.

The stratigraphy of the High Zagros is particularly rich and varied. Carbonate platforms, flysch-type sediments, and evaporitic sequences are all represented, providing insights into the region’s complex palaeoenvironmental evolution. Of particular note are the extensive limestone units that have undergone karstification, forming sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage systems that are ecologically and hydrologically important.

The topography of the High Zagros reflects its geological history. Mountain ridges are sharply defined and separated by deep, narrow valleys that often follow fault lines or zones of weakness. Elevations commonly exceed 3,000 metres, with peaks such as Zard-Kuh reaching above 4,000 metres. These high altitudes, combined with the region’s latitude and climatic setting, give rise to a range of ecosystems from alpine meadows to sub-Mediterranean forests, supporting a diversity of flora and fauna, some of which are endemic.

The region is also known for its seismic activity. Earthquakes are frequent and often destructive, particularly where active faults intersect with population centres. This ongoing tectonic activity is a direct manifestation of the same forces that built the mountains—an interplay of subduction, collision, and crustal deformation that continues to shape the landscape in real time.

In addition to its scientific value, the High Zagros has long supported human habitation. Nomadic pastoralism remains a prominent cultural feature, with tribes such as the Bakhtiari moving seasonally between highland and lowland pastures. Traditional land use patterns are closely adapted to the region’s challenging terrain and climatic variability, and local knowledge of the landscape has been shaped by centuries of experience.

Economically, the High Zagros is important for water resources, biodiversity, and hydrocarbon exploration. While the main oil-bearing structures of the Zagros are typically found in the simply folded belt to the south-west, the High Zagros play a critical role in controlling regional hydrology. Snowmelt from the high peaks feeds major rivers, including tributaries of the Karun and Dez, which are essential for agriculture, hydropower, and domestic water supply downstream.

In summary, the High Zagros of south-west Iran are a region of formidable natural grandeur and geological complexity. They stand as a dynamic interface between tectonic plates, a natural archive of Earth history, and a living landscape shaped by both deep time and human tradition. Their study continues to yield insights into mountain-building processes, seismic risk, and the relationship between geology and society in one of the most tectonically active regions on the planet.

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