Lut, the Living Desert

Contrary to what has been thought about Lut Block, it is considered one of the most active regions of Iran in terms of geology. The dynamism of Lut is more obvious, especially in its eastern edge.In this area, especially at the border of the contact with the flash area of eastern Iran, faulting, thrusting, fragmentation and metamorphism are worthy of attention. Here, Paleozoic rocks, especially Permian, and Mesozoic rocks have a compact and steep shape and have been more or less altered. There are about 40 Quaternary volcanic cones on the level of Lut block. In the past years, Lut Block has been the site of destructive earthquakes and important faults. The post-Neogen folding is relatively complex. But the structural studies show that this block has been subjected to tensions in the northeast-southwest direction from the Neogene onwards. The hardness and stability of this block are questioned, especially in the marginal parts.