Desert Landscapes and Landforms of Iran (Geography of the Physical Environment)

This book offers a unique and highly illustrated overview of the desert geomorphology of Iran. It describes the different landscapes and landforms of desert areas such as ergs and badlands offering a comprehensive insight into typical fluvial and eolian forms such as playas, alluvial fans, yardangs, salt domes, dunes, hoodoos and many more. The monograph elaborates the interaction of humans with the landscapes and discusses ongoing developments in geotourism, natural heritage sites as well as the potential for geoparks. __Desert Landscapes and Landforms of Iran__ contains many photographs, satellite images, high-resolution aerial photos, maps, charts and tables which build a nice framework for the assessment of the different geomorphological features. It constitutes a comprehensive introduction for researchers and students of many disciplines in the fields of geography, geosciences, tourism and leisure studies, environmental sciences and landscape planning interested in typical physical characteristics of desert landscapes. Acknowledgements 6 Contents 7 1 Introduction to Landscapes and Landforms of Iran 9 Abstract 9 1.1 Introduction 9 1.2 Location of Iran 13 1.2.1 Administrative Divisions of Iran 14 1.3 Geology of Iran 15 1.3.1 Geological and Structural Unit of Iran 16 1.3.1.1 Zagros Sedimentary-Structural Unit 18 1.3.1.2 Folded Zagros 18 1.3.1.3 Zagros Thrust or High Zagros 18 1.3.1.4 Khuzestan Plain 19 1.3.1.5 Sanandaj-Sirjan Unit 19 1.3.1.6 Central Iran 19 1.3.1.7 East and Southeast Iran 19 1.3.1.8 Nehbandan-Khash or Flysch Unit 19 1.3.1.9 Lut Block 19 1.3.1.10 Makran (Mokaran) 20 1.3.1.11 Alborz 20 1.3.1.12 Eastern Alborz and Koppeh Dagh 20 1.3.1.13 Central Alborz 21 1.3.1.14 Western Alborz and Azerbaijan 21 1.3.2 Faults of Iran 22 1.3.3 Geology Evolution of Iran 23 1.4 Climate 24 1.4.1 Air Masses Affecting Iran Climate 25 1.4.1.1 Winter Air Masses 26 1.4.1.2 Summer Air Masses 28 1.4.2 Factors Affecting Aridity of Iran 29 1.4.3 Wind Activities in Desert Areas of Iran 30 1.4.4 Paleoenvironment of Iran (in Quaternary) 30 1.5 Hydrology 37 1.6 Human Settlements and Landscape 41 References 48 2 Introduction to Desert Landscapes and Landforms of Iran 52 Abstract 52 2.1 Introduction to Desert Landscapes and Landforms of Iran 52 References 55 3 Alluvial–Fluvial Landforms 56 Abstract 56 3.1 Introduction 56 3.2 Playa Landforms 57 3.3 Pediment 61 3.4 Alluvial Fans 65 3.4.1 Role of Climate Changes and Active Tectonic on Development of Alluvial Fans 69 3.4.2 Human Settlements and Alluvial Fans 70 3.5 Desert Rivers 74 3.6 Badlands 81 3.7 Hoodoos (Fairy Chimney) and Other Similar Landforms 86 References 92 4 Hydro-aeolian Landforms 94 Abstract 94 4.1 Introduction 94 4.2 Yardang (Kalut) 94 References 105 5 Aeolian Landforms 106 Abstract 106 5.1 Introduction 106 5.2 Sand Sea (Erg) and Dunefield 107 5.2.1 Classification of Erg and Dunefield in Iran 107 5.2.1.1 Classification of Erg and Dunefield in Iran According to &!blank;Geographical Distribution 107 South Alborz and Dasht-e Kavir (Great Kavir) 109 Dunefields Along the Markazi Mountains 112 Eastern Dunefields 114 Lut Desert Sand Sea and Dunefield 117 Jazmuriyan Dunefield 121 Coastal Area Dunefield 122 Sistan Dunefield 122 Khuzestan Dunefield 123 Other Dunefields 124 5.3 Nebkha 125 5.4 Lee Dunes or Shadow Dunes 128 5.5 Sand Ramp 128 5.6 Desert Pavement 130 5.7 Ventifact 133 References 138 6 Other Desert Landforms 140 Abstract 140 6.1 Introduction 140 6.2 Salt Domes (Diapirs) 140 6.2.1 Classification of the Salt Domes in Iran 144 6.2.1.1 Classification of Salt Domes of Iran by Age of Formation 145 6.2.1.2 Classification of Salt Domes of Iran Based on &!blank;Geographical Distribution 148 6.3 Metorites in Desert Areas of Iran 149 References 152 7 Geodiversity of Iran 153 Abstract 153 7.1 Introduction 153 7.1.1 Mountainous and Karstic Landforms 154 7.1.2 Volcanic Landforms 156 7.1.3 Desert Landforms 157 7.1.4 Coastal Landforms 160 7.1.5 Miscellaneous Landforms 163 References 169 8 Geopark and Geotourism Potential in Desert Landforms 170 Abstract 170 8.1 Introduction 170 8.2 Maranjab Area 170 8.3 Tabas Area 172 8.4 Khour and Kala (Jandagh-Khour Area) 176 8.5 Fahraj-Bam Area 177 8.6 Minab-Jask Area 181 8.7 Chabahar 183 8.8 Lut Desert 185 8.9 Varzaneh or Gavkhouni 190 References 201 Index 202 Front Matter ....Pages i-viii Introduction to Landscapes and Landforms of Iran (Mehran Maghsoudi)....Pages 1-43 Introduction to Desert Landscapes and Landforms of Iran (Mehran Maghsoudi)....Pages 45-48 Alluvial–Fluvial Landforms (Mehran Maghsoudi)....Pages 49-86 Hydro-aeolian Landforms (Mehran Maghsoudi)....Pages 87-98 Aeolian Landforms (Mehran Maghsoudi)....Pages 99-132 Other Desert Landforms (Mehran Maghsoudi)....Pages 133-145 Geodiversity of Iran (Mehran Maghsoudi)....Pages 147-163 Geopark and Geotourism Potential in Desert Landforms (Mehran Maghsoudi)....Pages 165-196 Back Matter ....Pages 197-199