Petrology
Reza Jamal Omidi; Saeid Hakimi Asiabar; Shahrooz Haghnazar; Mansour Vosoghi Abedini
Abstract
Tarom mountains are located at the southwestern end of the Alborz mountain range with an approximate northwest-southeast direction. Tashvir region is a part of the northern margin of the Tarom mountains. Most igneous rocks in this area include basalt, andesitic basalt, and interlayers of tuff. Enrichment ...
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Tarom mountains are located at the southwestern end of the Alborz mountain range with an approximate northwest-southeast direction. Tashvir region is a part of the northern margin of the Tarom mountains. Most igneous rocks in this area include basalt, andesitic basalt, and interlayers of tuff. Enrichment of LIL elements with positive anomalies of Ce, P, Sm, and depletion of Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, and Th, elements and also K2O/Na2O and Ba/Rb ratios in the rock samples of Tashvir area, indicate magma contamination with the lower crust. The evidence of crustal contamination and the ratio of Nb/Y and Zr/Y in the samples indicate that the basalts of the Tashvir region belong to the source of the plume. Alkaline, shoshonitic, and peraluminous nature, REE enrichment (i. e. Ba, Rb, and Sr), low titanium content, origin, and depth of magma indicate they're belonging to the rift environment. In this study, in addition to determining the characteristics of igneous rocks in the Tashvir area, the results of several previous studies are plotted on the map of the Tarom mountains. Accordingly, the tectonic setting of the Tarom range is divided into two parallel sub-regions with magmatic arc and rift-type eruptions, which expansion of this rift zone has stopped before it evolve as a back-arc basin.
Remote Sensing
Mahya Nazarian; Mohammad Lotfi; Arash Gourabjeripour; Majid Ghasemi Siani
Abstract
The Chomalu Polymetallic deposit is located in western part of Alborz magmatic belt (Alborz-Azarbaijan) and central part of Tarom-Hashtjin metallogenic province. Eocene volcanic settings in the Chomalu deposit consist of basic rocks (olivinebasalt), intermediate (andesite basalt, andesite to trachyandesite) ...
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The Chomalu Polymetallic deposit is located in western part of Alborz magmatic belt (Alborz-Azarbaijan) and central part of Tarom-Hashtjin metallogenic province. Eocene volcanic settings in the Chomalu deposit consist of basic rocks (olivinebasalt), intermediate (andesite basalt, andesite to trachyandesite) and acidic rocks (dacite to rhyolite) which is intruded by quartz monzodiorite, monzosyenite and quartz monzonite intrusive rocks of Eocene. The main texture of volcanic rocks is more porphyritic. Olivine and plagioclase are the main phenocrysts in the olivinebasalt, andesite rocks compose of plagioclase and clinopyroxene and dacite to rhyolite consist of plagioclase, alkali feldspar and quartz. On the basis of AFM diagram, Chomalu volcanic rocks located in the high- K calc- alkaline to shoshonitic affinities in relation to subduction zone magmatism. Primitive mantle-normalized of volcanic rocks indicate that LILE enrichment and HFSE depletion in consistent with subduction zone magmatism. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns show LREE/HREE enrichment. Geochemical results suggesting primary source magmas source for volcanic rocks were generated by partial melting of the metasomatized lithospheric mantle-wedge in relation to subduction arc and were subsequently affected by both fractional crystallization and crustal contamination during magmatic evolution.
Sedimentology
Hadi Amin-Rasouli; N. Haghighat jou; Mehdi Moradi
Abstract
Karaftu Cave is located in the 67 km northwest of Divandareh, Kurdistan province. It includes four floors, which the bottom of the second floor, in the bat’s hall, is covered by thick guano deposits. In this study, the distribution of trace elements plus rare earth elements, as well as age determination, ...
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Karaftu Cave is located in the 67 km northwest of Divandareh, Kurdistan province. It includes four floors, which the bottom of the second floor, in the bat’s hall, is covered by thick guano deposits. In this study, the distribution of trace elements plus rare earth elements, as well as age determination, based on 14C, of guano was investigated. Fresh guano decays through bacterial and fungal metabolism and can release organic and inorganic acids. Interactions between these acidic solutions with guano were caused by leaching and changing the distribution and ratios of elements. The rate of leaching is determined by changes in the patterns of distribution of elements and the ratios of Th/U and LREEs/HREEs. The Eu/Eu* and Ce/Ce* ratios are applied to obtain information about the paleoredox conditions of guano deposition. Based on this study, three different climatic conditions, including dry, wet, and dry terms, have been recognized. Geochemical data of guano samples on the La/Th-Hf and Th-Sc diagrams represent intermediate-mafic source rocks. Plot the samples on the Th-Sc-Zr/10 and La/Th-Sc/Ni diagrams, suggesting that their source rocks evolved in a continental island arc tectonic setting. Based on 14C dating, the onset of guano production is about 14260 ± 50 BP after the Last Glacial Maximum recorded worldwide and close to the study area in Zaribar Lake, Zagros Mountains, and Alpine Mountains. The average accumulation rate of guano deposits has been 3.7 mm/year in Karaftu Cave.
Sedimentology
Javad Anjerdi; Mahdi Jafarzadeh; Adel Najafzadeh; Rahim Mahari
Abstract
In this research, a combination of petrography, geochemistry and heavy minerals analysis methods are implemented for investigating the provenance of quartzarenitic and subarkosic sandstones of Ilanqareh Formation with Late Devonian age in Azerbaijan, south of Jolfa. Investigation of the quartz types ...
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In this research, a combination of petrography, geochemistry and heavy minerals analysis methods are implemented for investigating the provenance of quartzarenitic and subarkosic sandstones of Ilanqareh Formation with Late Devonian age in Azerbaijan, south of Jolfa. Investigation of the quartz types in the studied sandstones, geochemical characteristics of sandstones and shales of Ilanqareh Formation including Al2O3/TiO2 ratio and La/Sc against Co/Th ratios, illustrates that the dominant parent rocks of most of these deposits are granitic igneous ones. The presence of granitic parent rock along with the presence of euhedral zircon and tourmaline among the well-rounded indicate the erosion of uplifted blocks of Iranian basement in the rifted basin of Paleotethys as effective factor in providing sediments. However, geochemistry and heavy mineral assemblages confirm the recycling of sediments from older formations as another source of sediment. The petrography, geochemistry and heavy minerals also indicate the craton provenance and passive margin tectonic setting at the deposition time of the Ilanqareh sediments. According to the present study, one can consider a combination of uplifted source rock (Cadomian basement) and sedimentary recycling of older formations as main sources and Arabian craton as a subsidiary source in the supply of detritus sanstones of Ilanqareh Formation.
Economic Geology
Ali Rajabzadeh; Hossein Kouhestani; Mir Ali Asghar Mokhtari; Afshin Zohdi
Abstract
In this study, petrography and major and minor elements geochemical data are presented for sandstone layers of the Upper Red Formation (URF) in the Chehrabad Pb-Zn deposit (NW Zanjan) to investigate sandstone composition, tectonic setting and their source rock. In this area, URF has 980 m thickness and ...
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In this study, petrography and major and minor elements geochemical data are presented for sandstone layers of the Upper Red Formation (URF) in the Chehrabad Pb-Zn deposit (NW Zanjan) to investigate sandstone composition, tectonic setting and their source rock. In this area, URF has 980 m thickness and is conformably overlies the Qom Formation limestones. Based on the microscopic studies, these sandstones mainly composed of fine- to coarse-grained clastic fragments including sedimentary and metamorphic rock fragments (45 %), quartz (38 %) and feldspar (17 %). Based on petrographic studies, these sandstones are feldspathic litharenite and litharenite (mainly chertarenite). Based on the main components and major and minor elements geochemical data, the tectonic setting of these sandstones is an active continental margins and foreland basins. These data represent an intermediate to felsic source rock for these sandstones which was affected by the semi-humid to semi-arid climate and a low chemical weathering.
Petrology
Leili Bastami; Reza Moussavi; Mahboobeh Hosseini-Barzi; Bahaedin Hamdi Hamdi
Abstract
The sandstones of the Dorud Formation (Early Permian) have been subjected to petrographic and geochemical studies in order to investigate provenance, tectonic setting, source rock and paleoclimate conditions in Khur section, Central Alborz. The Dorud Formation with a thickness of 360 m is mainly composed ...
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The sandstones of the Dorud Formation (Early Permian) have been subjected to petrographic and geochemical studies in order to investigate provenance, tectonic setting, source rock and paleoclimate conditions in Khur section, Central Alborz. The Dorud Formation with a thickness of 360 m is mainly composed of fine to medium grained sandstones with lesser amounts of carbonate and mudstone. In order to achieve the above-mentioned goals, 125 thin sections were subjected to petrographic studies. Modal analysis was performed on 20 thin sections and 13 samples of sandstones were analysed for major and trace elements. Based on petrographic studies the sandstones of the Dorud Formation are classified as quartzarenite with high textural and mineralogical maturity. Plotting point counting data on (Qt99.6, F0.2, L0.2( and (Qm95.9, F0.2, Lt3.9) triangles implies craton interior provenance. Also, major and trace elements based geochemical diagrams indicate that these sandstones deposited in a passive continental margin tectonic setting. According to petrographic and geochemical evidence the sandstones of the Dorud Formation derived from erosion of middle- to high-grade metamorphic, felsic igneous and quartoze sedimentary rocks. High mineralogical maturity, high values of chemical index of weathering (CIW) and chemical index of alteration (CIA) as well as SiO2 (%) versus Al2O3 + K2O + Na2O (%) diagram imply moderate to intense weathering under warm and humid climatic conditions. Passive continental margin tectonic setting and warm and humid paleoclimatic conditions is consistent with paleogeographic position of Iran during the Early Permian.
Sedimentology
Majid Khazaee; Mahbobeh Hosseini-Barzi; Abbas Sadeghi; Hossein Mosaddegh
Abstract
The provenance of Jeirud Formation deposits (upper Devonian) in central Alborz has been investigated from study of siliciclastic sandstones (petrography, modal analysis and Heavy minerals assemblage) and mudstones (major and minor elements geochemistry). An integration of results suggest a mixture of ...
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The provenance of Jeirud Formation deposits (upper Devonian) in central Alborz has been investigated from study of siliciclastic sandstones (petrography, modal analysis and Heavy minerals assemblage) and mudstones (major and minor elements geochemistry). An integration of results suggest a mixture of basic to acidic igneous rocks and recycling of older sedimentary rocks as the provenance that weathered under cold and arid to semi-arid climatic conditions. An integration of modal analysis and heavy minerals results into the geochemical studies including Roser and korsch diagram (Log K2O/Na2O versus SiO2) and Verma and Armstrong-Altrin Functional diagrams, indicate that, siliciclastic rocks of Jeirud, resulted from weathering of acidic-intermediate to basic rocks of collisional tectonic provenances (recycled orogens) and transporting on craton interior and have been deposited on a passive margin basin. Investigations and comparison with McLennan et al., studies, represent that geochemical results and proportions of study area are consistent with those of old upper continental crust (OUC) typical of collisional tectonic settings.
M. Ebrahimi; M. Rafiei
Abstract
Eocene pyroclastic-volcanic rocks, ranging in composition from basic to intermediate and acidic rocks, are widely exposed at north of Zavieh, southwest of Karaj. The pyroclastic-volcanic sequence is composed of basalt, trachy-basalt, basaltic trachy-andesite, andesite, trachy-andesite, trachydacite, ...
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Eocene pyroclastic-volcanic rocks, ranging in composition from basic to intermediate and acidic rocks, are widely exposed at north of Zavieh, southwest of Karaj. The pyroclastic-volcanic sequence is composed of basalt, trachy-basalt, basaltic trachy-andesite, andesite, trachy-andesite, trachydacite, dacite and rhyolite along with various pyroclastic rocks including ignimbrite, welded tuff, crystal tuff, lithic tuff, lithic crystal tuff, ash tuff and lapillistone. The pyroclastic-volcanic sequence contains large amount of ignimbrite. Common textures found in the studied volcanic rocks are porphyritic, glomeroporphyritic, cumulophyric, amygdaloidal and trachytic. Rock fragments and broken crystals are usually found in the pyroclastic rocks. Eutaxitic texture is commonly observed in the ignimbrite. Flow banding is seen in the study rhyolitic rocks. Meanwhile, columnar structure is commonly observed in the lava flows and ignimbrites. Pyroxene, amphibole, biotite, plagioclase and quartz are the major minerals in the volcanic sequence along with K-feldspar, opaque minerals and altered olivine as minor minerals. Calcite, chlorite, epidote and sericite are also present as accessory minerals. According to geochemical data the studied volcanic rocks are mainly calc-alkaline, however few samples plot in the alkaline and shoshonitic fields in some diagrams. Negative anomalies of Nb and Ta, Pb positive anomaly, large ion lithophile elements enrichment, rare earth elements enrichments and depletion in high field strength elements all indicate that the parent magma of the studied rocks has originated from a metasomatized asthenospheric mantel over the Benioff-Waddatti zone. Common existence of sieve texture in plagioclase crystals, corroded crystals of plagioclase and pyroxene and dark rim of Fe-Ti oxides around biotite and amphibole crystals all indicate that a disequilibrium condition existed during crystallization which is most probably due to magma mixing. However, assimilation, decompression and rapid ascend of magma may also produce such textures.
N. Sarbaz; A. Mahboubi; R. Moussavi-Harami; M. Khanehbad
Abstract
The Koppeh- Dagh Basin in the northeast Iran formed after closure of the Paleotethys in the south of Turan plate. Kashafrud Formation in the Navia Section (west of Bojnourd) with a thickness of 749 m is composed of silici-clastic rocks (conglomerate, sandstone and shale). In order to interpret provenance ...
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The Koppeh- Dagh Basin in the northeast Iran formed after closure of the Paleotethys in the south of Turan plate. Kashafrud Formation in the Navia Section (west of Bojnourd) with a thickness of 749 m is composed of silici-clastic rocks (conglomerate, sandstone and shale). In order to interpret provenance of this formation in the study section, 12 shale samples have been geochemically analyzed. The samples are rich in quartz and clay minerals, with respect to (UCC) depletion in Na2O, CaO, MgO, Cu, Nb and Sr and enrichment in Ni, Co, V, Y and U. Plotting TiO2 versus Al2O3, Zr versus TiO2, as well as ternary diagram (SiO2/20), (k2O+ Na2O), (MgO+ TiO2+ FeO) and diagram Al2O3, (Cao+ Na2O+ K2O), (FeO + MgO) suggest that the original source of this formation was probably from intermediate igneous rocks. Calculated PIA and CIA indicate high chemical weathering and semi- humid climatic condition in the source area. Prepared discrimation diagram using the major oxides (SiO2 versus K2O/Na2O and ternary diagrams SiO2/20, Na2O+ K2O, TiO2+ MgO+ Fe2O3), shows that the shales of this formation were plotted in the passive continental margin. Paleogeographic reconstruction for this formation, during the Middle Jurassic shows that sedimentation of this formation is mainly controlled by intracontinental subsiding basin and the source of these sediments was from the southeast of the Kopph-Dagh Basin.
Sedimentology
S. A. Moallemi; M. A. Salehi; A. Zohdi
Abstract
In this study, the sandstones of the Razak Formation at the Finu and Hanudun outcrops and at Sarkhun Field north of Bandar-Abbas have been investigated by petrography and geochemistry analyses to discriminate provenance for determination of tectonic setting, parent rock and palaeoweathering and for comparison ...
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In this study, the sandstones of the Razak Formation at the Finu and Hanudun outcrops and at Sarkhun Field north of Bandar-Abbas have been investigated by petrography and geochemistry analyses to discriminate provenance for determination of tectonic setting, parent rock and palaeoweathering and for comparison with the Ahwaz Sandstone of Asmari Formation. The Razak Formation mainly consists of marl, sandstone, conglomerate and sandy limestone. The results of geochemical investigation of major and trace elements indicated that the sedimentation of the Razak Formation took place in an active continental margin. Provenance analysis shows that the siliciclastic sediments of the Razak Formation were largely derived from mafic and intermediate igneous, low- to high-grade metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Chemical weathering indices suggested that their source area underwent a moderate degree of chemical weathering in an arid climate. It seems that the sediments of the Razak Formation are results of erosion from a mixture of ophiolitic-igneous rocks belonging to the Neo-Tethys oceanic crust, metamorphic rocks and other sedimentary strata deposited in Zagros sedimentary basin during foreland basin evolution. Wedge thickness of the Razak Formation changes from the hinterland thrust basin towards the Zagros trough and ridge basin and finally disappears in the coastal Fars region. The presence of polymictic conglomerate and coarse-grained sandstone with abundant rock fragments could be considered as additional evidence for the source of Razak Formation from the Zagros imbricated zone.
M Aghazadeh
Abstract
The Sar Cheshmeh mine, a world-class porphyry copper deposit, is located in the Kerman metallogenic zone. The rock outcrops in the deposit are Eocene basalt, basaltic andesite and andesite, Oligocene granular and porphyry granodioritic intrusions and Miocene Sar Cheshmeh granodioritic porphyry stock, ...
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The Sar Cheshmeh mine, a world-class porphyry copper deposit, is located in the Kerman metallogenic zone. The rock outcrops in the deposit are Eocene basalt, basaltic andesite and andesite, Oligocene granular and porphyry granodioritic intrusions and Miocene Sar Cheshmeh granodioritic porphyry stock, granitic late fine-grained porphyry and andesitic to dacitic hornblende, plagioclase, and biotite porphyry dykes. In the spider diagrams, studied rocks show LILE enrichment and HFSE depletion pattern similar to volcanic arc rocks. Eocene volcanic rocks and Oligocene granular and porphyry granodioritic intrusions represent typical magmas characteristics of volcanic arcs whereas Miocene intrusions and dykes have adakitic nature. The (La/Yb)N ratio in the volcanic rocks and Oligocene intrusions varies between 1-5 and 7-11 respectively, while Miocene intrusions and dykes show highest amount of this ratio(20-40). Low aboundancy of HREE in the Miocene intrusions and dykes implies that garnet have been in the source, which has been formed due to increasing crustal thickness during Oligocene and Miocene. According to U-Pb dating, the Sar Cheshmeh porphyry stock and granitic late fine grained have been emplaced in 12.97 ± 0.23 Ma and 12.37 ± 0.1 Ma respectively, while hornblende porphyry dykes has been intruded in 12.16 ± 0.8 Ma. According to trace element characteristics in zircon crystals, Miocene intrusions and dykes originated from same source. Middle Miocene intrusions and dykes have been generated in a post collisional tectonic setting from various degree partial melting of amphibolitic mafic lower crust with variable garnet.
P Gholami Zadeh; M.H Adabi; M Hosseini-Barzi; A Sadeghi; M.R Ghassemi
Abstract
Petrography and geochemistry of the Neyriz Miocene sediments at RoshanKuh and Kuh-e Asaki sections were carried out to determine their provenance, tectonic setting and paleoclimate conditions in the proximal part of Zagros Basin. The Miocene sediments are limited to the Zagros Main Fault at the northeast ...
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Petrography and geochemistry of the Neyriz Miocene sediments at RoshanKuh and Kuh-e Asaki sections were carried out to determine their provenance, tectonic setting and paleoclimate conditions in the proximal part of Zagros Basin. The Miocene sediments are limited to the Zagros Main Fault at the northeast and the Neyrizophiolite zone at the southwest in the Neyriz region. They contain about 700 m red and green sandstone, conglomerate and marl which overlay the Jahrum Formation with a disconformity and covered by Bakhtiari conglomerate with an angular unconformity.Petrography of thin sections indicates that the rock fragments are the most constituent, and then quartz and feldspar respectively. The low compositional and textural maturity of the studied samples (angular grains and poorly sorted sandstones) shows the proximity to the source area. Petrography of the rock fragments and the bulk chemical composition of samples display that their provenance is multiple and the sediments were derived from Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone (Cretaceous limestone- metamorphic rocks- Eocene volcanic) and Zagros Zone (ophiolite sequence- radiolarites- Eocene limestone). Also, point-count data plotted on the QFL and QmFLt triangles indicate the recycled orogen and magmatic arc provenance. Based on geochemical data tectonic setting of Neyriz Miocene sediments is continental island arc and active continental margin. The averages of Cullers' index, CIW΄ (for calculation of the chemical weathering), ICV Index (to determine the maturity source), and SiO2versus Al2O3 + K2O + Na2O diagram for these sediments show a poor weathering and dry climatic condition during their deposition which is supported by the high percentage of calcareous cement and frequency of the rock fragments. The results of this study suggest a sedimentlogical framework for the proximal part of Zagros Basin and the Miocene syn-depositional processes.
GH Abbasi; M Ebrahimi; M Sharifi; N Shirdashtzadeh; J Ahmadian
Abstract
The studied volcanic rocks to the northeast of the Gavkhuni playa lake are composed of rhyolite, trachydacite, trachyandesite and pyroclastic rocks including lithic tuff and volcanic breccia. Rhyolitic rocks have flow structure and hyalophyric texture with glassy to cryptocrystalline ...
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The studied volcanic rocks to the northeast of the Gavkhuni playa lake are composed of rhyolite, trachydacite, trachyandesite and pyroclastic rocks including lithic tuff and volcanic breccia. Rhyolitic rocks have flow structure and hyalophyric texture with glassy to cryptocrystalline matrix in which quartz and feldspar crystal are present. The dominant texture in trachydacitic and trachyandesitic rocks in porphyritic texture in which plagioclase and rarely sanidine phynocrysts are set in a glassy to microcrystalline groundmass containing feldspar microlites. In trachydacites, quartz is present as small crystals and rarely as microphynocrysts. Plagioclase phynocrysts in trachydacitic and trachyandesitic rocks display sieve-texture. Amphibole and biotite are the mafic minerals of the volcanic rocks and they are partialy, at rims, or completely altered to Fe-Ti oxides. All of the studied rocks are high- K calc-alkaline in nature. According to the geochemical data, the volcanic rocks are depleted in high field strength elements such as Nb, Ti and Ta and enriched in large ion lithophile elements like Cs, K, Ba, Rb and Th which are characteristics of subduction related volcanic rocks. Nb negative anomaly is characteristic of continental rocks and indicates the continental crust involvement in the magmatic processes. The rocks are enriched in Cs, Rb, Ba and Pb indicating mantle metasomatism by fluids released from subducting oceanic lithosphere. Therefore, magma contamination and mantle metasomatism have affected the magma from which the volcanic rocks of the Gavkhuni playa lake have were generated. The calc-alkaline magmatism in the study area was associated with the closure of the Neotethyan Ocean.
K Shabani Goraji; R Moussavi-Harami; A Mahboubi; Kh Khosro Tehrani
Abstract
The provenance and tectonic setting of the Eocene turbidite sandstones of the Saravan area in southeast of Iran have been studied based on petrography and geochemistry. These sandstones are very laterally extended and traceable at several kilometers. The sandstones are sharp-based and well-preserved ...
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The provenance and tectonic setting of the Eocene turbidite sandstones of the Saravan area in southeast of Iran have been studied based on petrography and geochemistry. These sandstones are very laterally extended and traceable at several kilometers. The sandstones are sharp-based and well-preserved and generally display Bouma sequences (Tbcde, Tabc, Tbcd, Tabcd) which consist of graded bedding, flute and groove casts, planar cross lamination, current ripples and parallel lamination. The deep water trace fossils (Nereites ichnofacies) are locally abundant. These characteristics support sedimentation by the turbidity current. The petrographical data show that these sandstones are fine to coarse grained, poorly to moderately-sorted, sub-angular to sub-rounded feldspatic litharenite. They contain mono- and poly-crystalline quartz grains, feldspar, volcanic and metamorphic rock fragments and represent Q55F14.7L30.3 proportion. The major, trace and rare earth element concentrations indicate that the source of these sediments were intermediate to felsic igneous rocks. Mean value of chemical index of alteration in analyzed samples (CIA mean ≈ 62) indicate a low to moderate degree of chemical weathering of the source area or during the sediments transportation prior to deposition.The petrographic analysis revealed a recycled orogen and transitional recycled tectonic provenance. Tectonic setting discrimination based on the major, trace and rare earth elements suggest that the Saravan sandstones components derived from an active continental margin and continental arcs.
S. H. Hejazi; M. H. Adabi; S. R. Moussavi Harami
Abstract
The Givetian-Frasnian sandstones in the Kuh-e-Tizi section (25 km NE Kerman), unconformably overlie the Upper Cambrian Kuhbanan and underlie the Lower Carboniferous Hutk Formations respectively, in southeastern Central Iran. Petrographical data show that these sandstones are well-sorted, sub-angular ...
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The Givetian-Frasnian sandstones in the Kuh-e-Tizi section (25 km NE Kerman), unconformably overlie the Upper Cambrian Kuhbanan and underlie the Lower Carboniferous Hutk Formations respectively, in southeastern Central Iran. Petrographical data show that these sandstones are well-sorted, sub-angular to rounded quartzarenite. Diagenetic features include physical and chemical compactions (straight, concavo-convex, sutured grain contacts and pressure solution of quartz grain), reduction of the pore space through rearrangements and cementation (mostly silica, as quartz overgrowth). The provenance and tectonic setting of these sandstones have been interpreted using integrated petrographic and geochemical data. Petrographic analysis using standard methods revealed that mono and poly-crystalline quartz grains have been derived from plutonic rocks of an interior cratonic setting. Trace element analyses and their ratios used for provenance studies (Th/Sc and La/Sc) are similar to sediments derived from weathering of mostly felsic rocks. Values representing chemical index of alteration (CIA) and the plagioclase index of alteration (PIA) range from 44.24 to 83.43, with an average of 69.96, and from 42.98 to 92.56, with an average of 75.8, respectively. However, most samples have values greater than 60, suggesting moderate to high weathering in the source area or during transportation prior to find deposition. Major and trace element concentrations indicated a depositional setting in a passive continental margin.
