Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Stratigraphy, Paleobiogeography and Paleogeography of the "Middle Cretaceous Strata" (Barremian-Albian) in Central Iran

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Author
Kazem Seyed-Emami
Department of Mining Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tehran University, Tehran
Abstract
Middle Cretaceous Sedimentary rocks are widely distributed in Central Iran. They constitute a more or less continuous sequence, being bounded by two events, one at the base (i.e. late Cimmerian) and the other at the top (i.e. Austrian). The sequence attaining thicknesses of several hundred meters up to 1000m and more. It can be roughly divided into three lithostratigraphic units: a basal unit of pink sandstones and conglomerates (? Hauterivian/ Barremian), a middle unit of predominantly cliff- forming Rudist- Orbitolina- bearing limestones (Barremian- Aptian) and an upper unit of dark glauconitic claystones and shales (upper Aptian- Albian).
The basal pink and vari- coloured sandstones and conglomerates (few meters to 500m) transgress everywhere upon an eroded paleorelief. The latter is established by the late- Cimmerian and or probably, even mid- Cimmerian (Lutian) orogenic movements. Upwards the detrital sequence gradually passes into well- bedded to massive and cliff- forming limestones (Rudist- Orbitolina- bearing limestones) in Urgonian facies (300m to 1000m thick).
The peak of the Urgonian facies in Central Iran is reached during Barremian and early Aptian, where extensive shallow- water carbonate platforms were established on the middle and late Cimmerian Paleorelief.
Many sea- level fluctuations characterize the middle and upper Aptian rocks, which are indicated by several siliciclastic and marly intercalations. The Urgonian facies ceases rather abruptly, around the Aptian- Albian boundary. It is followed by dark claystones and calcareous shales (150- 200m).
Cenomanian Stage is once again of transgressive nature everywhere. It consists of glauconitic sandstones, limestones and marls, transgressing on a partly eroded Albian or older strata (Austrian event).
Variations in thickness and lithology, with occasional metamorphism and volcanic activity may reflect an active, synsedimentary tectonic (riftings) environment.
The paleobiogeographic relationships of the ammonite faunas allow determination of the paleogeographic position in Central Iran for the Middle Cretaceous.
As a result of prevailing Urgonian facies, in Barremian and Aptian times ammonites are very scarce. The fauna consists of more of less cosmopolitan generas belonging to the families Deshayesitidae, Cheloniceratidae and Parahoplitidae.
In the early Albian the boreal ammonites i.e. Leymeriellidae and Hoplitidae show close relations to the East Caspian Area as well as North Europe.
as Brancoceratidae and in the middle Albian, besides cosmopolitan families, such Lyelliceratidae the boreal Hoplitidae are present as well. During late Albian besides scarce Hoplitidae, the dominance of the Desmoceratidae and Hamitidae is remarkable. Thus, these show clear relationship to the Meditteranean area (Hamites- Beudanticeras Province) of Wiedmann (1988).
Keywords
Middle Cretaceous, Central Iran

Subjects

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Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences
Volume 6, 21-22
Autumn & Winter 1997, vol. 6, No. 21-22
Winter 1997
Pages 50-69