Stratigraphy and Palaeontology
Zahra Hosseini Asgarabadi; Nasrollah Abbassi; Hassan Mohseni; Saeed Khodabakhsh
Abstract
The Pabdeh Formation (Paleocene to Oligocene in age) comprises alternation of marl and limestone with the Purple Shale at the base is well exposed on the flanks of the Kabir-Kuh. Thalassinoides, Rhizocorallium, Planolites, Chondrites, cf. Rosselia, Spirophyton and Zoophycos were found in the limestone ...
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The Pabdeh Formation (Paleocene to Oligocene in age) comprises alternation of marl and limestone with the Purple Shale at the base is well exposed on the flanks of the Kabir-Kuh. Thalassinoides, Rhizocorallium, Planolites, Chondrites, cf. Rosselia, Spirophyton and Zoophycos were found in the limestone beds, among which trace fossils of Zoophycos group (Spirophyton and Zoophycos) are the most abundant. Structural variations of trace fossils of Zoophycos group were utiliized for recognition of five morphotypes including Rhizocorallium-shaped, branched Zoophycos, Spirophyton, short and fan-shaped lobate Zoophycos and long lobate Zoophycos morphotypes. Occurrence of these morphotypes in the studied sections implies an evolutionary trend, i.e. Rhizocorallium-shaped and branched Zoophycos morphotypes are developed in the lower parts of studied sections, whereas Spirophyton morphotype, is arranged in the mid-part of the Pabdeh Formation. Finally, short and fan-shaped lobate and long lobate Zoophycos morphotypes are abundant in the upper part of the formation. Seemingly, these morphotypes variation were adopted with switch of stable and calm water to unstable and relatively high energy environments.
H. Mohseni; S. Khodabakhsh; A. H. Sadr; F. Aliani
Abstract
Bisotun inscription located on the mid-way of Hamedan- Kermanshah road (40 km to Kermanshah city), is carved on limestone cliffs exposed in the area. Dissolution of the inscription caused serious damage to the most important heritage of the country. The area comprises massive gray limestones of the Lower ...
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Bisotun inscription located on the mid-way of Hamedan- Kermanshah road (40 km to Kermanshah city), is carved on limestone cliffs exposed in the area. Dissolution of the inscription caused serious damage to the most important heritage of the country. The area comprises massive gray limestones of the Lower Cretaceous as a part of high Zagros thrust belt. Accordingly, the limestones are extensively tectonized and two main joint sets are developed in the area. Joint study was performed in an area of one km around the inscription. Thereby, it is revealed that these joint sets had impact on the dissolution of limestones. Limestone beds containing inscription are composed of mudstone to bioclastic algal wackestones. Original mineralogy of these algal bioclasts was aragonite. A few foraminifers and pellet also occur in some samples. Extensive jointing and unstable original mineralogy of limestone components lead to the dissolution of limestones in a meteoric condition. Evidences such as moldic, vuggy, canal, and cavern porosity suggest a meteoric diagenetic environment. Vugs up to centimeter scale in the field observations are evidences of karstification in the area. Jointing and dip direction of the bedding plane cut across the middle part of the inscription; conduct the corrosive rainfall precipitation toward the inscription surface. Consequently dissolution pit and holes were developed on it. Apparently the only practical way for remediation is to keep the inscription surface away from these corrosive waters. Considering the dip direction of the bedding plane, jointing on limestones and karstification in the area, it is recommended to drain the waters from bedding plane through a canal in a considerable distance from the inscription surface.