L. Aghajari; S. A. Alavi; M. R. Ghassemi; M. A. Kavoosi
Abstract
Different geological, structural and morphological characteristics of the eastern Kopeh-Dagh Province in NE Iran resulted in identification of several morphotectonic domains separated by major basement faults. Based on various field surveys, seismic reflection data, satellite images and cross-sections ...
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Different geological, structural and morphological characteristics of the eastern Kopeh-Dagh Province in NE Iran resulted in identification of several morphotectonic domains separated by major basement faults. Based on various field surveys, seismic reflection data, satellite images and cross-sections construction we introduce the fault-bounded deformed areas with different characteristics as the structural domains. These domains are the Hezar-Masjed, Darreh-Gaz- Sarakhs, and the Kopeh-Dagh foredeep from southwest to northeast, respectively. They are bounded by the Kashafrud, Mozduran, and the North Kopeh-Dagh faults. The domains were formed on the Turan plate since Middle Jurassic times when the extensional phase commenced in the Kopeh-Dagh Province. The bounding faults were initially of normal mechanism which generated grabens and half-grabens within the sedimentary basin. The maximum extension and subsidence in the basin occurred during Middle Jurassic, synchronous with the deposition of the Kashafrud Formation. Differential subsidence and configuration of the basin resulted in lateral lithofacies variations and thickness changes of the Kashafrud Formation throughout the basin. The main compression event in the Kopeh-Dagh Province started following the closure of the Neo-tethys ocean between the Iranian and Arabian plates in the Late Eocene, which caused inversion tectonics and reactivation of pre-existing normal faults as well as folding of sedimentary cover.
M Mirzaei Souzani; A Shahidi; R Ramezani; F Alizadeh Sevari
Abstract
In order to survey the extensional forces dominated in central Alborz since Late Triassic (Norian) to Middle Jurassic (Early-Bajocian), synsedimentary normal and strike-slip fault systems in Balladeh valley which contains significant distribution of Shemshak Group have been studied. Analysis of σ3 ...
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In order to survey the extensional forces dominated in central Alborz since Late Triassic (Norian) to Middle Jurassic (Early-Bajocian), synsedimentary normal and strike-slip fault systems in Balladeh valley which contains significant distribution of Shemshak Group have been studied. Analysis of σ3 orientation for 404 fault planes in 35 normal fault systems, show two major extension directions at NNE (020°) and NE (070°) trends during sedimentation of Shemshak Group. Also, the presence of a minor extension direction trending WNW (300°) which is coincident with extension direction of synsedimentary strike-slip fault systems implies the existence of transtentional basins in the Shemshak basin at that time. The southward movement of southern edge of Eurasia (from latitude of 30° to 15°) and its clockwise rotation for some 40°-50° during Triassic-Jurassic periods led to domination of N-S extension in early times of Shemshak Group sedimentation, and as soon as the Eurasian plate rotated, the extension direction was changed into a NE-SW trend. These separated records of paleostress axis trends are also due to the high sedimentation rates and subsidence in Norian-Rhaetian and Toarcian-Aalenian during Shemshak Group sedimentation. The minor extension trending WNW-ESE (278°-307°) is due to σ2/σ3 permutation between N-S σ3 direction of stress tensor and its σ2 axis. Low values of Φ (less than 0.4) generally correspond to situation characterized by σ2/σ3 permutation; therefor it causes multidirectional extension in extensional stress regimes. About 80 percent of sites which show WNW-ESE paleostress extension trend have low Φ values. This issue explains σ2/σ3 permutation of N-S major extension trend. The areas of mentioned stations and also those ones with strike-slip fault systems σ3 directions of which are directed WNW-ESE had high basin crustal anisotropy.
L. Ebadi; S.A. Alavi; Sh. Shafiei
Abstract
Hydrothermal vein and porphyry copper deposits are notable within Eocene volcanic rocks of Shahr-e-Babak area. In this paper, the structural patterns within Shahr-e-Babak area as well as the relationship between structural elements and the emplacement of dikes and hydrothermal vein and porphyry copper ...
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Hydrothermal vein and porphyry copper deposits are notable within Eocene volcanic rocks of Shahr-e-Babak area. In this paper, the structural patterns within Shahr-e-Babak area as well as the relationship between structural elements and the emplacement of dikes and hydrothermal vein and porphyry copper deposits have been discussed. Three fault trends of WNW-ESE and N-S are recognized in northeastern Shahr-e-Babak according to satellite images and field observations. The WNW-ESE and N-S trending faults are normal faults, while the NE-SW trending faults are sinistral faults with normal component. Two trends are recognized for the dikes in Shahr-e-Babak area namely, WNW-ESE(T2) and N-S (T1) following the trends of preexisting fractures in the area. The existence of an extensional system is recognized by the pattern of tension gashes and Pennant and the presence of extensional joints in the area. The shift in s1 direction from NE-SW to N-S, confirm the presence of some rotation in the area. The rotation in a transpressional regime caused the development of extensional structures in the Shahr-e-Babak area; the extensional structures provided the space for the passage of ore fluids and the emplacement of polymetallic vein and porphyry copper deposits in northeastern Shahr-e-Babak
Alireza Shahidi; E. Barrier; M.-F. Brunet; A. Saidi
Abstract
In northern Iran the Eo-Cimmerian orogeny resulting from this collision is associated with a regional unconformity and a major change in sedimentation. From Norian to middle Bajocian (Shemshak group), 030° trending extension is indicated by syndepositional normal faults. We assign this extensional ...
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In northern Iran the Eo-Cimmerian orogeny resulting from this collision is associated with a regional unconformity and a major change in sedimentation. From Norian to middle Bajocian (Shemshak group), 030° trending extension is indicated by syndepositional normal faults. We assign this extensional tectonics to the rifting phase preceding the oceanic opening of the South Caspian Basin. Dalichai and Lar formations, late-Bajocian to Neocomian in age, conformably cover the Shemshak in central Alborz. They are contemporaneous with the opening of the South Caspian marginal basin. In Alborz, the lower part of the Cretaceous sequence is associated with E-W to WNW-ESE trending normal fault systems associated with magmatism related to an N-S to NNE-SSW trending extension during this period. The Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary is marked by a major regional unconformity. This unconformity is related to a major inversion of the southern margin of the South Caspian basins. During the early-middle Eocene, southern Alborz is characterized by a rapid subsidence of the Karaj basin. Syndepositional E-W to WNW-ESE trending normal faults are common in the Karaj Formation. They are associated with a well-determined N-S to NNE-SSW extension. We assign the Karaj basin to a back-arc basin related to the NE subduction of the neo-tethyan oceanic lithosphere beneath the southern margin of Eurasia.