Economic Geology
Hossein Ali Tajeddin; S Hassankhanlou; Mohammad Mohajjel
Abstract
Abdossamadi barite deposit is located 80 km northeast of the city of Marivan in the northwestern part of the Sanandaj–Sirjan metamorphic zone. The rocks in the deposit area predominantly consist of Cretaceous volcanosedimentary sequences of metamorphosed andesite, calcareous shale and limestone, ...
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Abdossamadi barite deposit is located 80 km northeast of the city of Marivan in the northwestern part of the Sanandaj–Sirjan metamorphic zone. The rocks in the deposit area predominantly consist of Cretaceous volcanosedimentary sequences of metamorphosed andesite, calcareous shale and limestone, metamorphosed under greenschist facies grade. The deposit is composed of stratiform ore and stringer zone. The stratiform ore consists of a lens-like barite body associated with sulfide minerals which are underlain by metamorphosed (and altered) andesite (stringer zone) and was under the calcareous shale. Sulfide mineral assemblages of the deposit are simple and consist of pyrite, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, and tetrahedrite-tennantite. Massive, bedded, colloform, framboidal and disseminated structures and textures are common in the stratiform ore and indicate deposition of the deposit on the sea floor. The stringer zone that forming footwall of the stratiform ore is altered andesite that cut by sulfide-bearing quartz-barite veins and veinlets. Fluid inclusion studies indicated that barite samples in the stratiform ore homogenized between 115° and 215°C. Salinities of the fluid inclusions show a range from 0.21 to 5.86 wt.% NaCl equivalent. Cooling of the ore-bearing hydrothermal fluid is an important process in the stratiform ore deposition. This study shows that the barite deposit is an immature Kuroko type massive sulfide deposit, which contains only black ore. The deposit underwent metamorphism and deformation after the ore deposition and therefore, shows significant changes in ore structures and textures.
R. Samadi Moghadam; R. Nozaem; M. Dehbozorgi; M. Mohajjel
Abstract
Derenjal Mountains with NE-SW trend, is located in Central Iran, in northwest of Tabas block and in eastern block of Kalmard fault. In this region, the Paleozoic formations (Cambrian to Devonian) have been exposed and surrounded by Neogene and Quaternary deposits. Volcanic rocks of Cambrian limited to ...
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Derenjal Mountains with NE-SW trend, is located in Central Iran, in northwest of Tabas block and in eastern block of Kalmard fault. In this region, the Paleozoic formations (Cambrian to Devonian) have been exposed and surrounded by Neogene and Quaternary deposits. Volcanic rocks of Cambrian limited to Diabasic Rocks Dominated in Kalshaneh Formation and Middle Jurassic (?) lens-shape Andesite massive that covered uncomfortably with Cretaceous non metamorphosed limestone. Kalmard Fault as an old basement and active fault in Central Iran as Principal Displacement Zone (PDZ) and adjacent deformed Deranjal Mountains, have a complex deformation history with respect to rotation of the Compressional Incremental Kinematic Axis during Geological time scale since late Paleozoic to late Cenozoic. Rotation in Central Iran blocks, changing of the convergence direction of Afro-Arabian plate with respect to Iran and also structural interaction between the Central Iran blocks, during tectonic evolutions, imposed the rotation of the Incremental Kinematic Axis (P-T-B) directions with respect to Derenjal Mountains and Kalmard Fault. These process made progressively new structures and also made changes in old structures since post Devonian. In this study, based of Field observation and geometric - kinematic structural Analysis of the more the 150 fault data, the architecture of fault assemblage of Derenjal area demonstrate Synthetic faults (P, R), antithetic faults (X, R’), compression faults (C2) faults and folding in F1 Class in Derenjal Area. These structures represent that the Compressional Incremental Kinematic Axis trend has been changed in anticlockwise direction from perpendicular to parallel with respect to Kalmard Fault since post Devonian to Late Cenozoic and finally superimposition of the strike slip tectonics on the contraction tectonics.
M Biralvand; M Mohajjel; M.R Ghassemi
Abstract
In this study, brittle deformation in Takab complex is discussed. Deformation in the Takab area has been controlled by two sets of major faults. The first set is characterized by NNW-SSE trending steeply-dipping dextral strike-slip faults with reverse component. The second set includes WNW-ESE trending ...
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In this study, brittle deformation in Takab complex is discussed. Deformation in the Takab area has been controlled by two sets of major faults. The first set is characterized by NNW-SSE trending steeply-dipping dextral strike-slip faults with reverse component. The second set includes WNW-ESE trending moderately-dipping reverse faults which have been obviously displaced by the first set. The basement metamorphic rocks are exposed in the hangingwall of the faults indicating thick-skinned type of deformation and exhumation in the area. The major strike-slip reverse faults have resulted in dextral inclined transpression in the Takab complex area. Fault-related folds in hangingwall and footwall of the faults especially in the Cenozoic sediments indicate young activity and uplift in the area. Development of normal faults and local folds, as well asthe occurrence of earthquakes in the area imply that it is tectonically active. Structural analysis in this area reveal that the major steeply-dipping strike-slip reverse faults have controlled deformation and changedthe homogeneous strain to partitioned strain.Deformation of Cenozoic rocks overlying the basement metamorphic rocks indicate a dextral inclined transpression. Deformation in the younger sedimentary cover (Cenozoic sediments) is related to thick-skinned deformation in the basement metamorphic rocks.
M Boveiri Konari; E Rastad; M Rastad; A Nakini; M Haghdoost
Abstract
Tappehsorkh Zn-Pb-(Ag) deposit, hosted by Lower Cretaceous siltstone, tuff and dolomite, is located in the northern part of the Irankuh mountain range, south of Esfahan. Sulphides in this ore have a relatively simple mineralogy including sphalerite, galena, tetrahedrite, pyrite and to a lesser extent, ...
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Tappehsorkh Zn-Pb-(Ag) deposit, hosted by Lower Cretaceous siltstone, tuff and dolomite, is located in the northern part of the Irankuh mountain range, south of Esfahan. Sulphides in this ore have a relatively simple mineralogy including sphalerite, galena, tetrahedrite, pyrite and to a lesser extent, chalcopyrite, marcasite and bornite. Gangue minerals are predominantly dolomite, quartz and barite. Based on zoning in the sulphide mineralization, texture and structure and location of ore facies relative to syn-sedimentary normal faults, theses ore facies are classified as vein-veinlet, laminated and massive. Dolomitic-silicic alteration is among the major processes concomitant with sulphide mineralization. The greatest degrees of alteration and related ore mineralization occur at the vicinity of the normal faults and decrease away from it. Geochemical studies indicate that the ore-bearing fluids were of oxidized composition, which were reduced once reaching favorable host rocks and consequently deposited sulphide minerals. Minor and trace element studies in the various sulfide ore facies demonstrate that the ore-bearing fluid in all the ore facies has a similar composition. Textures such as framboidal pyrite, contemporaneous folding of organic matter along with sulphide lamination in the laminated ore facies, and diagenetic structures such as load casts in the host siltstone indicate that sulphide mineralization has occurred in the sedimentary-diagenetic stage. However, sulphide mineralization in the regional dolomite is considered to have occurred in a shallow diagenetic environment because of replacement of regional dolomite by hydrothermal dolomite. Based on features of ore mineralization such as the extensional tectonic setting, siltstone and carbonate host rocks, and occurrence of various sulphide facies such as vein-veinlet, laminated and massive, the Tappehsorkh deposit is very similar to Sedex-type deposits.
M Mohajjel; S Houshmand, Ma
Abstract
A NW-SE trending ductile shear zone has been generated in the metamorphic rocks of the southwest Golpaygan. Different pellitic and psammitic schists, meta-carbonates and igneous rocks were strongly deformed in this ductile shear zone and produced mylonites and ultra-mylonites. Structural analysis indicates ...
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A NW-SE trending ductile shear zone has been generated in the metamorphic rocks of the southwest Golpaygan. Different pellitic and psammitic schists, meta-carbonates and igneous rocks were strongly deformed in this ductile shear zone and produced mylonites and ultra-mylonites. Structural analysis indicates three stages of foliations in the metamorphic rocks. Geometry and kinematics of the fabrics in Nowgan shear zone are divided into two northeastern and southwestern parts (limbs of Nowqan antiform). Mylonitic foliation moderately to steeply dip towards northeast in the northeastern part but dips to the southwest in the southwestern part. Mineral and stretching lineation, are shallowly to moderately plunging to the east-southeast in the northeastern part of the shear zone and, to the west-northwest in the southwestern part. The microstructural indicators of shear sense cleared that the northeastern part dextrally displaced along strike with normal component and the southwestern part sinisterly displaced with reverse component at the present situation. The fabrics evidence clear that this ductile shear zone were originally right-lateral strike–slip shear zone and during its structural evolution it was rotated around its strike during later folding stage. Structural analysis of the surrounded rocks of the shear zone indicates three superposed foliations. The mylonitic foliation in the shear zone and the axial plane foliations of the second stage folding are sub-parallel. Plunge directions of the second stage folds axes and the mineral/stretching lineation are also sub-parallel. Therefore, the initiation and development of the shear zone were synchronous with the second stage folding event.
E Moosavi; M Mohajjel
Abstract
Two main metamorphic events have occurred within Muteh- Golpayegan metamorphic core complexes (including eastern and western complexes) in the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone. Some grain-scale deformations were also happened in relation to these metamorphisms which have produced various deformation microstructures. ...
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Two main metamorphic events have occurred within Muteh- Golpayegan metamorphic core complexes (including eastern and western complexes) in the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone. Some grain-scale deformations were also happened in relation to these metamorphisms which have produced various deformation microstructures. Microfaults are among the microstructures that were formed during brittle conditions. Bulging recrystallization of quartz and rarely feldspar grains, and bookshelf structure of fragmented feldspar porphyroclasts indicate various deformation and formation of shear zones under low-temperature conditions in the eastern complex. Polygonal granoblastic texture of polycrystalline quartz porphyroclasts documents post-mylonitization annealing at medium- grade conditions in shear zones of eastern complex. Chessboard pattern quartz subgrains propose high-grade metamorphic conditions during the first deformation. However, their undulatory extinction reveals low-grade conditions for the second deformation. Polygonal granoblastic texture of chevron folded feldspar grains also accurately supports these conditions during the two mentioned deformations. In general, considering deformation microstructures and conditions, three stages of recrystallization are respectively recognizable in the Muteh-Golpayegan metamorphic complexes including: 1- high-grade static recrystallization subsequent to early metamorphic event, 2- dynamic recrystallization and related mylonitization under low-grade to locally medium-grade conditions, 3-post-mylonitization static recrystallization in medium-grade conditions. The north Golpayegan intrusive bodies can be considered as the heat source for annealing in the western complex but the cause of annealing is not evident in the eastern complex.
M Behyari; M Mohajjel; M Rezaeian; M Moayyed
Abstract
Misho Complex in NW Iran has a remarkable unique high topography surrounded by well known faults, where Precambrian basement rocks were uplifted and exposed. Structural data indicate that the exhumation of the Misho Complex was result of displacements along the North Misho, South Misho and Tasouj faults. ...
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Misho Complex in NW Iran has a remarkable unique high topography surrounded by well known faults, where Precambrian basement rocks were uplifted and exposed. Structural data indicate that the exhumation of the Misho Complex was result of displacements along the North Misho, South Misho and Tasouj faults. Study of structural and thermochronometery and combination of their results show that uplift initiation time was not unique in this Complex. Analysis of 10 AFT samples clear that the western Misho Complex has the high amount of uplifting during early Palaeocene (72.7 10.6) mid Miocene (50.3-3.4) time. But uplifting in central and eastern parts of the Misho Complex was starting later in mid-Miocene (22.5 3.4). Difference in uplifting time in various parts of Misho Complex resulted in variety of basement uplifting and exhumation in different parts of the Misho Mountains. Interpretation of minimum and maximum topography homogenised samples shows that the rate of uplifting was more than that in the western part of the Misho Complex. It is concluded that, displacements variations along the surrounded faults and rotation of existing blocks resulted in variation of the uplifting and exhumation amount in the area.
E Moosavi; M Mohajjel; N Rashidnejad-Omran
Abstract
Extensive mylonitic fabrics are observed in the north Golpayegan metamorphic rocks in the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone. Earlier researchers did not present any evidence for the relative timing of mylonitic fabrics development. In this paper, the relation between folding and metamorphism events and formation ...
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Extensive mylonitic fabrics are observed in the north Golpayegan metamorphic rocks in the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone. Earlier researchers did not present any evidence for the relative timing of mylonitic fabrics development. In this paper, the relation between folding and metamorphism events and formation of shear zones in the north Golpayegan are documented. The evidence is systematically presented at the microscopic, outcrop (mesoscopic) and map scales in order to study the relative timing of mylonitization event. The evidence at the microscopic scale indicates that the mylonitization occurred after the first stage amphibolite facies high-grade metamorphism, synchronous with the second stage greenschist facies retrograde metamorphism. The evidence at the microscopic and outcrop scales are compatible with each other and show the mylonitization event during the second stage (D2) folding, coeval with the greenschist facies metamorphism. Transposition of mylonitic foliations on the limbs of the second-generation microscopic and mesoscopic folds is documented. At the map scale, concordance of stretching lineations with second-generation fold axes, and folding of mylonitic foliations during the third stage of deformation also indicate mylonitization event during second stage (D2) deformation. Through a correlation of the isotopic ages, an Early Paleocene age is proposed for the mylonitization during D2 event in the north Golpayegan.
A Abdi; M.H Mahmudy Gharaie; M Kariminia; A Karimi Bavandpur; M Mohajjel
Abstract
In Kermanshah Radiolarites, Jurassic to late Cretaceous in age, three sedimentary facies including tempestite, pelagic mudstone, and radiolarian wackestone-packstone were identified. Each of these sedimentary facies accompanies by ichnofacies, which reveal the depth and energy of the environment. In ...
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In Kermanshah Radiolarites, Jurassic to late Cretaceous in age, three sedimentary facies including tempestite, pelagic mudstone, and radiolarian wackestone-packstone were identified. Each of these sedimentary facies accompanies by ichnofacies, which reveal the depth and energy of the environment. In the tempestites (including calclithite bed, flat pebble conglomerate and hummocky cross stratification) the trace fossils with Domichnia such as Thalassinoides can be observed, which indicate the energetic conditions at the time of sedimentation. Trace fossils found in pelagic limestone units have Pascichnia and Fodinichnia. These Trace fossils include Planolites, Chondrites and Helminthopsis, which indicate distal Cruziana ichnofacies and show low energy condition. As a result of increasing of depth in siliceous deposits, the trace fossils with Pascichnia and Chemichnia including Scolicia, Helminthopsis, Gyrochorte and Chondrites, and Thalassinoides become dominant, which are indicative of the transitional zone between the distal Cruziana ichnofacies and the Zoophycos ichnofacies. The sedimentary facies and the present ichnofacies are indicative of the sedimentation of these deposits in the transitional zone between the middle and the outer ramp.
A Nakini; M Mohajjel; A Yarmohammadi
Abstract
Anjireh-Vejin Mines of Tiran are located 60 km west of Isfahan. Exposed rocks in these mines are Early Cretaceous (Early Baremian-Albian) in age. These rock units are exposed in NW-SE trending anticlines plunging shallowly to SE in three Vejin Paein, Vejin Bala and Anjireh-Chekab Mines. Folding in all ...
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Anjireh-Vejin Mines of Tiran are located 60 km west of Isfahan. Exposed rocks in these mines are Early Cretaceous (Early Baremian-Albian) in age. These rock units are exposed in NW-SE trending anticlines plunging shallowly to SE in three Vejin Paein, Vejin Bala and Anjireh-Chekab Mines. Folding in all three mines exhibits same style, indicating that the mines are closely structurally related. At the SW side of all the mines, anticlines formed above the hangingwall of a major reverse fault are breached and expose older Cretaceous units. In the trenches of Anjireh-Chekab mines, which cut the steeply-dipping and overturned limb of the anticlines, older rock units are observed. In the trench cutting the Vejin Bala mine, layers in the SW limb are of steeply-dipping to locally overturned attitudes. Structural evidence from these mines clearly indicated that all the three mines are situated in a unique anticline with overturned SW limb and a folding style that consistently characterize “break-thrust fold” model. This anticline plunges gently by 15º to N150º. In btreak-thrust model, as folding progressively advances, a major reverse fault is being generated along the overturned limb of the anticline, which is well observed along the SW part of the mines in the study area. The mines are separated by E-W trending faults producing the present geometry. In addition to presenting a fold style model, we explored the relation between faults and fractures in all the mines using field observations and satellite images. Fractures are dominantly oriented along NW-SE direction sub-parallel with the strike of the axial plane of the anticlines. Structural analysis revealed three types of ore concentrations: 1) parallel to the original stratigraphic layering, 2) along the reverse fault in the overturned limb of the anticline, and 3) in the fracture systems.
F Mesbahi; M Mohajjel; M Moazzen; L Namaki
Abstract
In the east of Tabriz city, south of Eskandar village, Upper Cretaceous rock units are exposed. The structures in these rock units include meso-scale folds inclined towards NNE, and a thrust system which has transported Upper Cretaceous units in three thrust sheets towards NW. This thrust system has ...
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In the east of Tabriz city, south of Eskandar village, Upper Cretaceous rock units are exposed. The structures in these rock units include meso-scale folds inclined towards NNE, and a thrust system which has transported Upper Cretaceous units in three thrust sheets towards NW. This thrust system has cut the NNE-verging folds in Upper Cretaceous units. These deformed rock units are unconformably overlain by the Miocene beds. The vergence of folds in the Miocene units is toward SSW. There are SW-verging thrust faults and right-lateral strike-slip faults parallel to the North Tabriz fault in the study area. We conclude that the N-verging structures in Upper Cretaceous rock units has been formed in the time interval between Upper Cretaceous and Miocene and were cut by the North Tabriz fault. The structural characteristics of the Upper Cretaceous rocks as the remnants of the Upper Cretaceous oceanic crust in the Neotethyan marginal basin indicate that the probable subduction direction of this basin was towards south.
M Nasrabady; F Rossetti; H Moin Vaziri; S.M.H R; M M
Abstract
Some syntectonic tonalitic and trondhjemitic intrusion bodies have been injected into the Soltan Abad (NE Sabzevar) metamorphic complex. The geochemical investigations of these intrusion bodies demonstrated their very obvious adakitic characteristics (very high ratio of Sr/Y and very low contents of ...
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Some syntectonic tonalitic and trondhjemitic intrusion bodies have been injected into the Soltan Abad (NE Sabzevar) metamorphic complex. The geochemical investigations of these intrusion bodies demonstrated their very obvious adakitic characteristics (very high ratio of Sr/Y and very low contents of Y and Yb). According to the field and microscopic evidences and the geochemical characteristics of the whole intrusion bodies, the creation of such adakitic properties originates from the influence of both partial melting and magmatic differentiation processes. The probable scenario is the partial melting of subducted oceanic lithosphere in a hot subduction zone and the generation of adakitic intermediate melt, then amphibole fractionation and enhancing of adakitic indicators of final acidic melt. The resultant residual of partial melting is garnet-hornblenditic blocks that observed adjacent to some intrusion bodies. The primary adakitic intermediate melt accurs as amphibole-rich diorite in the study area. The differentiated cumulate phase and final fractionated melt constitute the hornblenditic dykes and hololococratic tonalitic-trondhjemitic bodies, respectively. The creation of hot thermal regime and partial melting of subducting oceanic lithosphere have been affected by the factors such as subduction velocity variations, mid oceanic ridge subduction or the slab break-off of the subducting oceanic plate and upwelling of the hot asthenosphere.
S Ghaderi; E Rastad; N Rashidnejad-Omran; M Mohajjel
Abstract
Tungsten (Cu-Au-Zn) deposits and occurrences in Iran can be divided into two separate categories based on their genesis, tectonic setting, mineral paragenesis and related processes inherent in their formation. The first category contains deposits, which are located in metamorphosed Late Triassic-Middle ...
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Tungsten (Cu-Au-Zn) deposits and occurrences in Iran can be divided into two separate categories based on their genesis, tectonic setting, mineral paragenesis and related processes inherent in their formation. The first category contains deposits, which are located in metamorphosed Late Triassic-Middle Jurassic volcano-sedimentary sequences, and their distribution is indicated by layering. These deposits are located in a specific stratigraphic position and are concentrated in contact of volcanic units with carbonate rocks. The geodynamic setting of this category probably is intracontinental rifting. The second category contains deposits located in metamorphosed sedimentary rocks of the Shemshak group and Jurassic granitoids. These deposits have vein-veinlet geometry and their formation is controlled by faults, fractures and shear zones. The geodynamic setting of this category probably is active continental margins. The mineral paragenesis of the first group generally contains scheelite and Cu-Fe-Zn sulfides, whereas the paragenesis of the second group is wolframite, scheelite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, with gold and specifically bismuth.
M Kazemirad; E Rastad; M Mohajjel
Abstract
The Goshti-Heneshk, Goli and Cheshmeh Esi iron-manganese deposits are located in the northeast of Dehdib (Safashahr), 175 km northeast of Shiraz. These deposits are situated in the Heneshk Shear Zone, which is a part of the ComplexDeformationSubzone of the Southern Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone. The oldest outcrops ...
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The Goshti-Heneshk, Goli and Cheshmeh Esi iron-manganese deposits are located in the northeast of Dehdib (Safashahr), 175 km northeast of Shiraz. These deposits are situated in the Heneshk Shear Zone, which is a part of the ComplexDeformationSubzone of the Southern Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone. The oldest outcrops in the area consist of the metamorphosed Permian shale, sandstone and crystalline limestone. The Middle Triassic dolomite units (equivalent to the Shotori Formation) have been thrusted on the Upper Triassic metamorphic and deformed volcano-sedimentary rocks and chert by thrust faults. The ore-bearing dolomites are often repeated due to imbricate thrust system in the area. The host rock to the ore is only dolomite, and ore bodies formed as lenses concordant by layering. The ore texture is massive, open space filling, lamination, and disseminated. The ore minerals include hematite, magnetite, goethite, kriptomelan, psilomelan and ramsdelite together with dolomite, calcite, quartz and barite. In the geochemical studies to determine the source of mineralization, Mn/Fe, Si/Al and Na/Mg ratios of major elements indicated that Fe-Mn ore formation occurred through the hydrothermal processes in shallow marine volcano-sedimentary environment. The trace element diagrams show low contents of elements such as Ni, Co, and Cu in the Fe-Mn ores. In these diagrams, the deposits of the study area plot in the field of hydrothermal deposits. Rare Earth Element distribution patterns of the deposits are quite similar to those of hydrothermal deposits. Two ore types are distinguished based on geometry and shape of the ore bodies: primary mineralization occurred parallel and concordant with layering of the host rocks. The ore textures of this type include massive, laminated and disseminated occurring in folded chert and dolomite. The vein-type mineralization is associated with the faults and has brecciated or cataclastic texture occurring in the Middle Triassic dolomite and Permian meta-carbonates. Based on the stratigraphic location, layer form of the ore body, texture, paragenetic sequence, ore-bearing chert-dolomite facies and geochemistry, the iron-manganese ores of the northeast Dehbid are stratabound carbonate-hosted deposits, which were precipitated in the shallow marine environment in the dolomites equivalent to the Middle Triasssic Shotori Formation.
