Department of Physical Geography, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
10.22059/jhsci.2026.416040.941
Abstract
Geological structures such as faults, fractures, and other tectonic lineaments are among the key factors controlling the formation and development of dolines. These structures enhance permeability and intensify dissolution processes in carbonate rocks. The Novakoh anticline is located in the Folded Zagros Belt, Kermanshah Province, which is influenced by the convergence of the Turan and Arabian platforms and is mainly composed of the Asmari-Shahbazan limestone unit. The present study investigates the influence of tectonic structures and topographic slope on the formation and morphometric characteristics of dolines in this area. A total of 36 dolines were analyzed using drone-based mapping, and the parameters of area, depth, elongation ratio, and orientation angle were calculated for each doline. Dolines were divided into two groups based on axis orientation: the first group trends northeast–southwest (52.7%), and the second group trends northwest–southeast (36.1%). Dominant elongation trend of dolines (NE–SW) is closely corresponds to the main trend of lineaments of Noakoh anticline (NE-SW). Comparative analysis indicates that the dolines in the first group have higher mean area (5825 m²), depth (6.91 m), and elongation coefficient (1.69) than those in the second group. In addition, rose diagram analysis revealed that the orientations of lineaments, doline axes, the topographic slopes surrounding the dolines, are predominantly northeast–southwest, indicating the effects of fold axis, fractures orientation and topographic slopes on their formation and morphology.
Alavi, M. (2007). Structures of the Zagros orogenic belt. Journal of Earth Sciences, 18, 1–21.
Alemdağ, H., Köroğlu, F., Aydın, Z. Ö., Şeren, A., Babacan, A. E., & Ersoy, A. F. (2024). Deciphering of karst geomorphology and sinkhole (doline) structures using multiple geophysical and geological methods (Trabzon, NE Türkiye). Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 83(7), 286.
Azhdari, A., Shaverdi, T. (2005). 1:100000 geologic map of Kerend (sheet 5258). Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration of Iran.
Bahrami, S. (2012). Morphotectonic evolution of triangular facets and wine-glass valleys in the Noakoh anticline, Zagros, Iran: Implications for active tectonics. Geomorphology,159,160, 37-49.
Bahroudi, A., & Koyi, H. (2004). Tectono-sedimentary framework of the Zagros. Journal of Petroleum Geology,27, 257–271.
Bakalowicz, M. (2005). Karst groundwater: a challenge for new resources. Hydrogeology Journal,13, 148–160.
Berberian, M. (1995). Master blind thrust faults of the Zagros. Geophysical Journal International,123, 805–826.
Bondesan, A., Meneghel, M., & Sauro, U. (1992). Morphometric analysis of dolines. International Journal of Speleology, 21, 1-55.
Concha-Dimas, A., González-Martín, A., & Bach-Plaza, J. (2026). Updated doline inventory and revision of geomorphological aspects that influence karst development at the Garraf Mountain Range, Catalonia, Geological Acta, 24, 1-21.
Day, M.J. (2010). Human interaction with karst landscapes. Acta Carsologica, 39, 11–28.
De Waele, J., Plan, L., & Audra, P. (2009). Recent developments in surface and subsurface karst geomorphology: An introduction. Geomorphology,106, 1–8.
Denizman, C. (2003). Morphometric and spatial distribution parameters of karstic depressions, Lower Suwannee River Basin, Florida. Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, 65:29–35.
Faivre, S. & Reiffsteck, P. (2002). From doline distribution to tectonic movements. Example of the Velebit mountain range, Croatia.- Acta Carsologica, 31(3), 139–154.
Ford, D., & Williams, P. (2007). Karst hydrogeology and geomorphology. John Wiley & Sons.
Ghadimi, M., Keynezhad, A., & Narouei, R. (2024). The effect of karstification on water resource hazards management based on physicochemical factors of water (case study: Valiabad – Hezarcham), Iran. Environmental Hazards Management, 10(4), 335-354. (in Persian). DOI: http//doi.org/10.22059/jhsci.2024.373119.819.
Keller, E.A., & Pinter, N. (2002). Active Tectonics. Prentice Hall.
Mobasher, K., & Babaie, H.A. (2008). Kinematic significance of fold- and fault-related fracture systems in the Zagros mountains, southern Iran. Tectonophysics,451, 156–169.
Öztürk, M.Z., Şener, M.F., Şener, M., & Şimşek, M. (2018). Structural controls on distribution of dolines on Mount Anamas (Taurus Mountains, Turkey). Geomorphology,317, 107–116.
Palmer, A.N. (1991). Origin and morphology of limestone caves. Geological Society of America Bulletin,103, 1–21.
Plan, L., & Decker, K. (2006). Quantitative karst morphology of the Hoch schwab plateau, Eastern Alps, Austria. Zeitschrift für Geomorpholgie Suppl, 147, 29–54.
Şener, M. F., Şimşek, M., Utlu, M., Öztürk, M. Z., & Sözbilir, H. (2023). Morphotectonic development of surface karst in Western Taurus (Türkiye). Carbonates and Evaporites, 38(4), 78.
Siska, P.P., Goovaerts, P., & Hung, I. K. (2016). Evaluating susceptibility of karst dolines (sinkholes) for collapse in Sango, Tennessee, USA. Progress in physical geography, 40(4), 579-597.
Telbisz, T., Látos, T., Deák, M., Székely, B., Koma, Z. & T. Standovár, (2016). The advantage of lidar digital terrain models in doline morphometry compared to topographic map based datasets – Aggtelek karst (Hungary) as an example. Acta Carsologica, 45, 1,
Veress, M. (2017). Solution DOLINE development on GLACIOKARST in alpine and Dinaric areas. Earth Science Reviews,173, 31–48.
Waltham, T., Bell, F., & Culshaw, M., (2005). Sinkholes and Subsidence: Karst and Cavernous Rocks in Engineering and Construction. Springer.
White, W.B., (1988). Geomorphology and Hydrology of Karst Terrains. Oxford University Press.
Williams, P. (1972). Morphometric analysis of polygonal karst in New Guinea. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 83(3), 761–796.
Cheraghi, A. , Bahrami, S. , Khaleghi, S. and Nosrati, K. (2026). The Role of Structural Controls in the Formation and Development of Dolines: )A Case Study of the Noakoh Anticline, Kermanshah Province, Iran(. Environmental Management Hazards, 13(1), 67-80. doi: 10.22059/jhsci.2026.416040.941
MLA
Cheraghi, A. , , Bahrami, S. , , Khaleghi, S. , and Nosrati, K. . "The Role of Structural Controls in the Formation and Development of Dolines: )A Case Study of the Noakoh Anticline, Kermanshah Province, Iran(", Environmental Management Hazards, 13, 1, 2026, 67-80. doi: 10.22059/jhsci.2026.416040.941
HARVARD
Cheraghi, A., Bahrami, S., Khaleghi, S., Nosrati, K. (2026). 'The Role of Structural Controls in the Formation and Development of Dolines: )A Case Study of the Noakoh Anticline, Kermanshah Province, Iran(', Environmental Management Hazards, 13(1), pp. 67-80. doi: 10.22059/jhsci.2026.416040.941
CHICAGO
A. Cheraghi , S. Bahrami , S. Khaleghi and K. Nosrati, "The Role of Structural Controls in the Formation and Development of Dolines: )A Case Study of the Noakoh Anticline, Kermanshah Province, Iran(," Environmental Management Hazards, 13 1 (2026): 67-80, doi: 10.22059/jhsci.2026.416040.941
VANCOUVER
Cheraghi, A., Bahrami, S., Khaleghi, S., Nosrati, K. The Role of Structural Controls in the Formation and Development of Dolines: )A Case Study of the Noakoh Anticline, Kermanshah Province, Iran(. Environmental Management Hazards, 2026; 13(1): 67-80. doi: 10.22059/jhsci.2026.416040.941
)