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Abstract


Tectonic based deformation of Hirmand (Helmand) river basin in Iran and Afghanistan

Dr. Reza Derakhshani
Address: P. O. Box 1673-71454, College of Sciences, Shiraz University
Shiraz, Iran.
Tel: 00989113411496
e-mail: rezaderakhshani@yahoo.comn

Prof. Godratollah Farhoudi
Professor in Tectonics, Department of Earth Sciences, Shiraz University
Shiraz, Iran.
Tel: 00989117135364
e-mail:farhoudi@geology.susc.ac.ir

Hamid Reza Janbaz
Manager of Water Authority of Sistan and Balouchestan
Zahedan, Iran.
Tel: 00985412429432
e-mail:reza_1217@yahoo.com



Abstract
Hirmand river also spelled Helmand river, with about 1150 Km length, has its rise among the Baba Range in east-central Afghanistan, and flows southwestward across more than half of its length in Afghanistan before flowing northward for a short distance through Iranian territory and emptying into the Helmand (Sistan) swamps on the Afghan-Iranian border. Taking advantage of remote sensing technology, it is detected that Hirmand river has been often deviated and its basin has been changed according to this deviation. Combining geological investigations, geomorphological evidence with field observations, it is concluded that tectonic uplift of the southern parts or subsidence of the northern parts of the study area are responsible for the deviations of Hirmand river courses and ofcourse for the deformation of its basin.