New Insights on the Emplacement Kinematics of the Seymareh Landslide (Zagros Mts., Iran) Through a Novel Spatial Statistical Approach

The giant prehistoric Seymareh landslide in the Zagros Mountains (Iran) is one of largest known landslides on Earth’s surface. debris with an estimated volume 44 km 3 dammed two rivers, generating three lakes, that persisted for about ka after event. post-overflow morphodynamics, characterized by accelerated and intense stream network erosion, obliterated most primary landforms, such as ridges blocks surface, making it difficult scientists to interpret emplacement kinematics landslide. In this regard, a novel spatial statistical approach proposed here zone (original) secondary (modified) regions which are, respectively, attributed original shape reshaped fluvial erosion. zonal computation combines density classes mapped (ridge blocks) (gullies) according assumed conditions representativeness zones. For validating model, 62 soil samples taken from surface were classified Unified Soil Classification System standard, field measurements performed 28 sites. Based classification results, six types soils detected, among 68% them ML. ML aggregated into five subgroups based their relative proximity, each subgroup, four permeability tests performed. results demonstrate high values are associated zones, while low ones, thus confirming zonation approach. study arrangement kinematic evidence landforms allowed deduce was double-step single event, infilled paleo-valley enclosed anticline folds. During emplacement, part dissipated its energy over passing anticlines divergent directions, NW NE, rest swept back SE direction. represents promising tool detection assess landslides.