Seismic strain and b value are used to quantify seismic potential in
the Zagros region (Iran). Small b values (0.69 and 0.69) are related to
large seismic moment rates (9.96×1017 and 4.12×1017) in southern zones
of the Zagros, indicating more frequent large earthquakes. Medium to
large b values (0.72 and 0.92) are related to small seismic moment rates
(2.94×1016 and 6.80×1016) in middle zones of the Zagros, indicating less
frequent large earthquakes. Small b value (0.64) is related to medium
seismic moment rate (1.38×1017) in middle to northern zone of the Zagros,
indicating frequent large earthquakes. Large b value (0.87) is related
to large seismic moment rate (2.29×1017) in northwestern zone,
indicating more frequent large earthquakes. Recurrence intervals of large
earthquakes (M > 6) are short in southern (10 and 14 years) and northwestern
(13 years) zones, while the recurrence intervals are long in the
middle (46 and 114 years) and middle to northern (25 years) zones.