The Babol-Kenar (1971) earthquake and the seismotectonics of the Central Alborz (Iran)

The Babol-Kenar earthquake (9tli August, 1971) was arelatively minor event compared to previous catastrophic earthquakes inthe Central Alborz mountains of northern Iran. It's study however, isimportant for the understanding of the seismicity of a region which hasalready experienced two large earthquakes during this century and whichcould be entering a phase of renewed seismic activity. The p a t t e r n deducedfrom the sequence of all recorded earthquakes in the region outlines thestructural units of the Central Alborz and suggests the existence of seismotectonicprovinces which are alternatively active and quiescent