Petrology
Mahboobeh Jamshidibadr; Narges Sadat Faramarzi
Abstract
Hormuz Island, a salt diapir in southern Iran, mostly composed from evaporite-carbonate sediments of Neoproterozoic. So far, no significant studies have been done belong to the petrography and geochemistry of the Hormuz evaporite-carbonate sediments. Moreover, Salt movements made it difficult to distinguish ...
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Hormuz Island, a salt diapir in southern Iran, mostly composed from evaporite-carbonate sediments of Neoproterozoic. So far, no significant studies have been done belong to the petrography and geochemistry of the Hormuz evaporite-carbonate sediments. Moreover, Salt movements made it difficult to distinguish rocks relationship only based on field observations. In the recent study, with the understanding of field evidences (e.g. the salt thickness, type and amounts of enclaves, as well as field relationship between evaporite unit and volcanic rocks), mineralogical studies (such as studying fluid inclusions within evaporite unit, studying enclaves from evaporite-carbonate unit as well as the mineralogy of dolomite, pyrite and rhyolitic tuffs) and doing geochemical analysis (e.g. Inductively coupled plasma- mass spectrometry and Scanning Electron Microscope), not only the evaporite-carbonate sediments, but also the reconstruction of the events occurring in the Hormuz sedimentary basin, have been investigated. The existence of evaporites with different thicknesses, enclaves and interlayers indicate that deposition of evaporites occurred in two separate stages. The island’s rhyolitic volcanism happened in the gap between sedimentation of lower and upper evaporite units. The volcanoclastic rocks are coexistence with deposition of upper evaporite unit. The deposition of both evaporite units occurred during the upper Ediacaran.
Economic Geology
Sanaz Ahmadi; Mohammad Ali Salehi; H Jamali
Abstract
The Hassan Abad Zn-Pb deposits is located in the northeast of Isfahan, Central Iran zone. The host rock of this mineralization is the dolomite of Middle Triassic Shotori Formation. Mineralization included galena, sphalerite, sulfosalts, pyrite and barite which associated with dolomitization. Based on ...
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The Hassan Abad Zn-Pb deposits is located in the northeast of Isfahan, Central Iran zone. The host rock of this mineralization is the dolomite of Middle Triassic Shotori Formation. Mineralization included galena, sphalerite, sulfosalts, pyrite and barite which associated with dolomitization. Based on petrographic studies six types of dolomites (in terms of shape and size of the crystals, the distribution of crystal size and shape of the border crystal) has been identified, that including very fine, medium, coarsely crystalline dolomite, Saddle dolomites and filling pore spaces and veins. The first and second type of dolomites were formed as synsedimentary or diagenetic dolomite with sabkha origin. The third type of dolomite in the late stages of diagenesis was formed in shallow burial conditions due to recrystallization of small crystalline dolomite. Coarse-grained and saddle dolomites have been created under the conditions of deep burial and as hydrothermal dolomites and are related to mineralization. Move over, the origin of magnesium for fine crystalline dolomites were seawater, and for coarse crystalline dolomites are probably the brine fluids of the compacted Sorkh Shale Formation and hydrothermal fluid.
Petrology
Nargess Shirdashtzadeh; Ghodrat Torabi
Abstract
In this study, some mantle lherzolites of Ashin ophiolite are investigated which contain evidence of a geotectonic/metamorphism during exhumation and obduction of oceanic lithosphere on the continental crust, after closure of Neo-Tethys Ocean. Based on petrography, their primary rock-forming minerals ...
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In this study, some mantle lherzolites of Ashin ophiolite are investigated which contain evidence of a geotectonic/metamorphism during exhumation and obduction of oceanic lithosphere on the continental crust, after closure of Neo-Tethys Ocean. Based on petrography, their primary rock-forming minerals are orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, olivine, and chromian spinel. Mineralogy and geothermobarometry indicate that these 4-phase lherzolites were formed in the lithospheric mantle (at pressures ~ 21.6 to 8.6 kbar) by melt/wall rock reactions (at temperatures ~ 1012-1183 °C). Then, they were emplaced and obducted on the continental crust along the fault zone of this region, and consequently deformed. The first ductile deformation event occurred in the depth of lithosphere and resulted in high-temperature mylonitization at temperatures higher than 600 to 800 °C. Mineralogical features confirm pressure decreasing of this stage by subsolidus reaction of pyroxene and spinel and substitution of plagioclase and olivine. Therefore, petrography and thermobarometry data are indicative of the spinel to plagioclase lherzolite facies for these rocks. Finally, they partially underwent brittle and cataclastic deformation at temperatures below 600°C and lower pressures and depth during exhumation. However, most of plagioclases were replaced by with prehnite, pumpellyite, chlorite, hydrogrossular and xonotlite minerals by further alterations.
Pooneh Eshbak; Azadeh Malekzadeh Shafaroudi; Mohammad Hassan Karimpour
Abstract
Jalambadan area is located northwestern Sabzevar, Khorasan Razavi province, and southwestern Quchan-Sabzevar magmatic belt. Geology of the area includes of andesitic-trachyanesitic volcanic rocks, which is intruded by monzodioritic to dioritic subvolcanic intrusive rocks. The texture of igneous rocks ...
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Jalambadan area is located northwestern Sabzevar, Khorasan Razavi province, and southwestern Quchan-Sabzevar magmatic belt. Geology of the area includes of andesitic-trachyanesitic volcanic rocks, which is intruded by monzodioritic to dioritic subvolcanic intrusive rocks. The texture of igneous rocks is porphyry and the main minerals are plagioclase, alkali fldespar, pyroxene, hornblende, and magnetite. Age of intrusive rocks determined 44.7 to 45.2 Ma (Middle Eocene-Lutetian), using zircon U-Pb method. Geochemically, igneous rocks of the area are calc-alkaline and were formed at subduction zone. Relativelly, enrichment in LREE relative to HREE and enrichment of K, Rb, Cs, and Sr relative to Ti and Nb elements are observed in all of samples. Eu anomaly and Sr/Y ratios can be attributed to the presence of residual plagioclase and a few garnet in a source. (87Sr/86Sr)i (0.703708 to 0.704444), (143Nd/144Nd)i (0.512858 to 0..512933), and εNd I (5.42 to 6.88) values of intrusions and geochemical signatures of volcanic rocks indicate magma is drived from partial melting (7-5% for intrusions and 15-25% for volcanic rocks) of spinel lherzolite mantle wedge above subducted slab, which is assimilated slightly with upper continental crust very little.
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
A. Rahimi; M. H. Adabi; A. Nabati; M. R. Majidifard; A. M. Jamali
Abstract
Carbonate sequences of the Shotori Formations (Middle Triassic) with a thickness of 308 m, were deposited in the Kalmard region of the Tabas city in Central Iran basin. The lower contact of the formation gradually and conformably overlies the Sorkhshale Formation and upper contact is faulted. The Shotori ...
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Carbonate sequences of the Shotori Formations (Middle Triassic) with a thickness of 308 m, were deposited in the Kalmard region of the Tabas city in Central Iran basin. The lower contact of the formation gradually and conformably overlies the Sorkhshale Formation and upper contact is faulted. The Shotori Formation is mainly composed of thick to medium bedded fine-coarsely crystalline dolomites with a thickness of 250 m with interbeds of thin bedded limestone and sandstone. The Shotori Formation is mainly composed of fine-coarsely crystalline dolomite. Based on petrographic (size and fabric), and elemental studies (Ca, Mg, Na, Sr, Fe, Mn), five dolomite types were recognized. Variation in dolomite types is mainly related to early to late diagenetic processes, changing the composition of dolomitizing fluids. Geochemical studies also indicate that medium to coarse grain dolomites formed in meteoric diagenesis under reducing conditions. Mechanism of dolomitization for dolomite type 1 is sabkha model, for dolomite types 2 and 3 is mixing zone and is burial model for dolomite types 4 and 5.
N Shirdashtzadeh; Gh Torabi; R Samadi; T Meisel; S.N Hussain Bokhari
Abstract
Picrites are seen within the mantle peridotites in the Darreh Deh area (in the east of Nain ophiolitic mélange). Based on petrography and mineral chemistry, these picrites are composed of olivine (chrysolite), clinopyroxene (diopside) and orthopyroxene (enstatite), showing a cumulate texture, ...
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Picrites are seen within the mantle peridotites in the Darreh Deh area (in the east of Nain ophiolitic mélange). Based on petrography and mineral chemistry, these picrites are composed of olivine (chrysolite), clinopyroxene (diopside) and orthopyroxene (enstatite), showing a cumulate texture, and small amounts (less than 10 volume%) of plagioclase and chromian spinels as accessory minerals. Application of clinopyroxene geothermobarometry methods indicates the equilibrium temperatures of ~1040 to 1205 °C and pressure of 8.6 kbar for the clinopyroxene crystallization in the melt. Amphibole and talc crystallization and the results of amphibole thermobarometry (~675-700 °C, 4.8-6.5 kbar) indicates that these rocks have undergone metamorphismunder amphibolite facies in Jurassic, similar to their host mantle peridotites. Whole rock chemistry and chromian spinel composition confirm high partial melting degrees of mantle and progressive ascending melt/wall rock reactions in a suprasubduction zone in which tholeiitic melts were produced. During the production of this melt, picrites with cumulous texture formed within the mantle peridotites by precipitation of olivine, pyroxenes and minor amounts of intercumulous plagioclase crystals from the primitive melt.
M. Mehdinia; R. Moussavi Harami; D. Jahani
Abstract
The goal of this study is to use petrographic and other sedimentary features to interpret depositional environment of Faraghan Formation (Lower Permian) in one of the wells in Golshan Field. Golshan Gas Field is located at about 180 km South East of Bushehr between South Pars and North Pars and Ferdowsi ...
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The goal of this study is to use petrographic and other sedimentary features to interpret depositional environment of Faraghan Formation (Lower Permian) in one of the wells in Golshan Field. Golshan Gas Field is located at about 180 km South East of Bushehr between South Pars and North Pars and Ferdowsi Fields. In this study, 130 thin sections of cuttings have been studied, and 8 petrofacies and 3 microfacies and 2 hybrid arenite fasies were identified in the well. Textural maturity of sediments, such as well- sorted and rounded quartz grains, show that the Faraghan Formation was deposited in coastal and shallow marine environments. The identified Facies has been deposited in sabkha, estuarine, foreshore, shoreface and offshore subenvironments.
F. Gharib; Y. Lasemi; M. H. Emami
Abstract
The clastic facies of Kahar Formation were identified in the studied sections of coastal, deltaic and fluvial and also carbonate facies in shallow marine environments. The vertical displacements of Kahar Formation in these study sections show an overall major transgressive upward cycle. The petrography ...
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The clastic facies of Kahar Formation were identified in the studied sections of coastal, deltaic and fluvial and also carbonate facies in shallow marine environments. The vertical displacements of Kahar Formation in these study sections show an overall major transgressive upward cycle. The petrography of plutonic and semi- plutonic igneous rocks indicate that they consist mainly of monzogabbro- diorite and in some cases, alkaline syenite. According to the results of Kahar Formation's plutonic rocks petrography and studies of related facies, the basin of this formation was a continental rift.
N. Khodaei; M. H. Adabi; S. A. Moallemi; M. Moradpour
Abstract
The Kangan Formation is a carbonate-evaporate sequence that is considered as a part of the largest carbonate reservoir in the South Pars Field at Persian Gulf. Petrography analysis led to the recognition of 5 different dolomite types: such as dolomicrite, dolomicrospar, dolospar, dolomite cement and ...
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The Kangan Formation is a carbonate-evaporate sequence that is considered as a part of the largest carbonate reservoir in the South Pars Field at Persian Gulf. Petrography analysis led to the recognition of 5 different dolomite types: such as dolomicrite, dolomicrospar, dolospar, dolomite cement and saddle dolomite. Elemental studies on dolomicrite and dolomicrospar samples show a relative increase of Sr and Na and relative decrease of Fe and Mn in comparison with the dolomicrosparite samples. It is notable that the oxygen-carbon isotope trend in dolomite samples are due to slight influence of meteoric diagenesis (about dolomites type I, II and III) and burial diagenesis (about dolomites type IV and V). The dolomicrites have been undergone slight meteoric diagenesis, although they have formed in sabkha environment. The source of Mg for dolomicrites is the magnesium of seawater and interstitial waters equilibrium with seawater and on the other hand probably for the coarser grain dolomites in the Kangan Formation is connate waters and basinal brines. Based on the heaviest oxygen isotope in dolomicrite samples, paleotemperature of depositional environment of the Kangan Formation was around 44.5°C.
F. Karimzadeh; M. H. Adabi
Abstract
Carbonate and siliciclastic sedimentary sequences of Sorkh Shale and Shotori Formations ( Lower and Middle Triassic) with a total thickness of 870 m , have a gradational and conformable contacts, at Behabad region of Bafgh in Central Iran. At the beginning of this sequence, shale, ...
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Carbonate and siliciclastic sedimentary sequences of Sorkh Shale and Shotori Formations ( Lower and Middle Triassic) with a total thickness of 870 m , have a gradational and conformable contacts, at Behabad region of Bafgh in Central Iran. At the beginning of this sequence, shale, siltstone and sandstone gradually change into dolomitic carbonates of tidal flat sub-environment. Thick layered or massive sequence of mainly dolomitic rocks of Shotori Formation, are transitionally overlain by a limestone member namely Espahak limestone. Based on petrographic studies, four different types of dolomites (based on shape, crystal size and crystal boundaries), have been recognized. Dolomite type 1 (dolomicrite) formed during the first stage of sedimentation and under surface temperature, this is very early diagenetic dolomite. The other types, having coarse crystal size, formed during shallow to deep burial environments. Change of composition and temperature of dolomitizing fluids at several stages of diagenesis (early to late ) led to formation of different types of Shotori dolomites. On the basis of geochemical studies (elemental analysis such as Ca, Mg, Sr, Na and stable isotopes such as ,), formation of these dolomites occurred in a reducing environment and increasing temperature. The source of Mg is sea water for dolomite type 1, but for the other types of dolomites, Mg provided was by clay minerals diagenesis and basinal brine. The results of XRD and XRF on chlorite and montmorillonite clay minerals of Sorhk Shale Formation show a decrease in MgO content from 36% and 84% respectively compared to standard clay minerals. This reduction is due to diagenesis of clay minerals that exist in shales and Mg was originated from overlain layers. Measurement of organic carbon contents of dolomites and limestones showed that dolomites have several times more organic carbon than limestones. This information confirm that limestones rich in organic matter, are more susceptible to dolomitization. Microbial structures such as stromatolites, in the Shotori Formation have major role in trapping of organic matters. The calculated paleotemperature for the formation of early dolomites is about and for late diagenetic dolomite is .
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.
