Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

New insights on the Late Miocene (Early Tortonian) paleogeography based on paleocurrent analysis of clastic deposits in the North Tabriz area

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors
Enayatallah Haghfarshi 1
Seyyed Reza Moussavi Harami 2
Peyman Rezaee 1
Mohammad Faridi 3
1 Department of Geology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran
2 Department of Geology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
3 Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration of Iran, Tabriz Center, Tabriz, Iran
10.22071/gsj.2025.511298.2184
Abstract
The siliciclastic sediments studied are exposed in the northwest of Iran, northeast of Tabriz city. These deposits are lithologically composed of sedimentary beds of sandstone, pebbly sandstone, mudstone, claystone, conglomerate and shale. Sedimentary structures include trough and planar, herring bone and hummocky cross stratification, ripple mark, slump fold, parting lineation, gutter structure and flute mark. Microscopic petrological study of sandstones in these deposits reveals petrofacies of Chert arenite, Calcarenite, Feldspathic litharenite, Sub-litharenite, and Lithic arkose. In this study, a thickness of more than 200 meters was studied. The rock facies were identified based on sedimentary features and structures. The study of the facies indicates the shallow marine environment with low energy and storm-induced impacts at time intervals and relevant subenvironments. In order to analyze the paleocurrent, 123 planar and linear structures indicating the direction of current were measured. Related software was used to correct measurements made in inclined beds and a calculation method was used for measurements related to reversed beds.  Rose diagrams were drawn using GeoRose software to show the direction of paleocurrent. Analysis of the paleocurrent in the presented diagrams shows a dominant direction of north to northeast, which, along with the age of the sediments and interpretation of the depositional environment, confirms the possible presence of the Paratethys Sea in the Late Miocene in this area. Also, using the available data, diagrams were drawn to show changes in the direction of paleocurrent in a vertical sequence, which, while showing changes in the direction of paleocurrent over time, reveal anomalous time intervals that indicate tectonic events in the area.
Keywords
Tortonian
Late Miocene
Paleocurrent
Paratethys
Tabriz

Subjects

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Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences
Volume 35, Issue 3 - Serial Number 137
Autumn 2025, vol. 35, Issue 3, Serial no. 137
Summer 2025
Pages 1-18