Tectonic Provenance of Kahar Formation (Late Neoproterozoic) Using Modal and Heavy Mineral Analyses in Sandstones, Type Locality, Kahar Mountain, Central Alborz

Etemad-Saeed, N; Adabi, M. H; Sadeghi, A.; Hosseini- Barzi, M.

doi:10.22071/gsj.2013.53633

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

¹ Ph.D. Student, Earth Science Faculty, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

² Professor, Earth Science Faculty, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

³ Associate Professor, Earth Science Faculty, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

⁴ Assistant Professor, Earth Science Faculty, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran,

https://doi.org/10.22071/gsj.2013.53633

Abstract

This work is focused on tectonic provenance of the Late Neoproterozoic Kahar Formation in the northern Iran. KaharMountain (type locality) provides valuable information on tectonic events during this time. The Kahar Formation in this area is a well preserved sedimentary sequence and consists of about 1000 meters of predominantly fine grained siliciclastic rocks and minor sandstones, conglomerates and dolomitized stromatolites. Kahar lithic arkose sandstones with low compositional and textural maturity, contain abundant feldspar (plagioclase and K feldspar), quartz, and volcanic lithic fragments and have an average composition of Q₃₈F₄₀L₂₂, Qt₃₉F₄₀L₂₁, Qm₃₂F₄₀Lt₂₈,Qp₂₇Lvm₆₀Lsm₁₃ and Qm₄₄P₃₃K₂₃suggesting a proximal source and a dissected arc setting. The type of lithic fragments in the sandstones show andesitic and felsic volcanic rock sources. Heavy mineral analysis (abundant metastable and unstable minerals such as biotite, and pyroxenes) indicate that Kahar sandstones were derived from unroofing of arc-type magmatic rocks. The low diversity of heavy mineral assemblages in the Kahar sandstones indicates that the source rocks were uniform and localized. Considering the two common tectonic views regarding the Late Neoproterozoic condition of Iran (rift-passive margin and magmatic arc-subduction zone), the results of this study which confirm the magmatic arc tectonic setting of Alborz-Iran at that time seems critical.

Keywords

20.1001.1.10237429.1392.22.88.3.1

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Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Tectonic Provenance of Kahar Formation (Late Neoproterozoic) Using Modal and Heavy Mineral Analyses in Sandstones, Type Locality, Kahar Mountain, Central Alborz

References

References

Zaid, S. M., 2012- Provenance, diagenesis, tectonic setting and geochemistry of Rudies sandstone (Lower Miocene), Warda Field, Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Journal of African Earth Sciences 66-67. 56-71.

Volume 22, Issue 88
December 2013
Pages 3-12

Tectonic Provenance of Kahar Formation (Late Neoproterozoic) Using Modal and Heavy Mineral Analyses in Sandstones, Type Locality, Kahar Mountain, Central Alborz

References

References

Zaid, S. M., 2012- Provenance, diagenesis, tectonic setting and geochemistry of Rudies sandstone (Lower Miocene), Warda Field, Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Journal of African Earth Sciences 66-67. 56-71.

Volume 22, Issue 88December 2013Pages 3-12

Volume 22, Issue 88
December 2013
Pages 3-12