Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Geology, Science and Research Campus, Islamic Azad University, Tehran

2 Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

3 Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Tarbiat-e- Moallem University, Tehran

Abstract

      The KopetDaghBasin of northeast Iran formed in the NeotethysOcean after the closure of Paleotethys in the south of Turan plate. A thick sequence of Jurassic to Miocene sediments has been deposited in this basin without any major break. The siliciclastic Kashafrud Formation (Middle Jurassic), overlying unconformably on Triassic rocks and ultrabasic rocks comprises nearly 2 km of turbidite and fluvio-deltaic facies, consists of sandstone, shale and conglomerate. Trace-fossil assemblages are presented in some units with different environments. The most important ichnofossils in this formation are Skolithos, Palaeophycus tabularizes,Belerhaphe, Thalassinoides suevicus, Psilonichnus , Planololites beverleyensis, Rhizocoralium jenese, Scolicia, Conichnus, Lophactenium, Palaeophycus striatus,Taenidium. It is interpreted, based on identified ichnofossils, the Kashafrud Formation may have been deposited in fluvio-deltaic and deep water (turbidity conditions) environment. We hope that these data can help in a better understanding of palaeogeography and tectonic setting of the region during Middle Jurassic.

Keywords

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