Comparing the Impact of Climate on Tectonic and Seismic Controls of Sediment Yield: Cold-Humid vs. Hot-Dry Regions of Iran

Authors
Z. Shoaei 1
A. Sotoodeh 2
S. Shadfar 2
M. Arabkhedri 2
A. Jafari Ardekani 2
H. Peyrovan 2
A. A. Norouzi 2
M. Tabatabaei 2
J. Poesen 2
M. Vanmaercke 2
M. Zare 2
1 Academic Staff
2 SCWMRI, Shafiee st., Asheri St., Karaj Special Highway, Tehran Iran, Post Cod: 1389817635
10.22034/ECOPERSIA.13.3.305
Abstract
Aims: Over the past decades, extensive research has been conducted on basin-scale erosion evaluation models. A persistent challenge in this field is the significant discrepancy between model-estimated sediment yield (SY; t.km⁻².y⁻¹) and observed values at hydrometric stations. While various factors have been explored, the role of tectonic activity in controlling SY has received limited attention despite evidence highlighting its substantial influence. However, to date, no study has systematically examined how climatic conditions modulate the relationship between tectonic activity and sediment yield. This study aims to investigate the impact of tectonic indices on sediment yield across contrasting climatic regimes.

Materials & Methods: The analysis was conducted across 74 fifth-order sub-basins, distributed between two distinct climatic zones: cold-humid and hot-dry. Selected tectonic indices were correlated with measured sediment yield using regression analysis to assess their interrelationships within each climatic context.

Findings: The results reveal a significant positive linear relationship between tectonic indices and sediment yield in both climatic regions. Notably, the slope of this relationship is considerably steeper in cold-humid basins, suggesting a higher sensitivity of sediment yield to tectonic activity under these conditions compared to hot-dry environments.

Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that tectonic indices account for 44.11% to 67.48% of the variability in sediment yield in cold-humid climates, in contrast to 15.23% to 33.54% in hot-dry climates. Furthermore, the overall influence of climate on sediment production reaches up to 55% in cold-humid regions and up to 25% in hot-dry regions, indicating a stronger control under humid conditions.
Keywords
Erosion-Sediment
climate condition
Regression models
Sediment Yield
Tectonic Indices

Subjects

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