Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Tectonic evolution of Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone

Authors
Mohammad Mohajjel 1
Mohammadreza Sahandi 2
1 Department of Geology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Tarbiat-e-Modarres University, Tehran
2 Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
The Sanandaj -Sirjan Zone is the metamorphic core of the Zagros Orogen in south-western Iran. It is formed in the Late Cretaceous, during closure of the Neo-Tethys, and when Afro-Arabian Continent collided with central Iran. Subdivision is Proposed for the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone is based on the recognition of Late Mesozoic Continental margin arc, being formed during northeastward subduction of Neo-Tethys under Iranian continent. From southwest to northeast the subdivision consists of the following subzones. (1) The radiolarite sub-zone, consisting of Late Triassic to Late Cretaceous shallow to deep-marine rocks. (2) The Bistoon sub-zone, constituting Late Triassic to Late Cretaceous shallow marine carbonates. (3) The Ophiolite sub-zone comprising several Late Cretaceous ophiolites, (4) The marginal sub-zone has a Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous volcanic arc succession deposited in shallow-marine environments, (5) The Complexly-deformed sub-zone has a Late Palaeozoic-Mesozoic Passive margin succession formed at the northeastern side of Neo-Tethys, as well as being overlain by a convergent margin assemblage. Two regional deformations are recognized in the Complexly-deformed sub-zone with the first one related to subduction of Neo-Tethyan oceanic crust and associated with arc volcanism during the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous. The second regional deformation occurred in Late Cretaceous collision and consists of southwest-vergent intense folding in the metamorphic inner sub-zone and imbricate thrusting in the outer sub-zone. Collisional tectonics in a regime of dextral transpression was renewed in the Neogene.
Keywords
Tectonic evolution, Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone

Subjects

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Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences
Volume 8, 31-32
Spring & Summer 1999, vol. 8, No. 31-32
Summer 2000
Pages 28-49