Iran

Open Access Article

1 - Morphotectonics and Paleoseismology investigation on Sahlan Fault Fragment, NW segment of the North Tabriz Fault
الهه احمدزاده Samane Aliakbar Nazari Talebian Solaymani Azad Marzieh Faridi Masouleh

The North Tabriz Fault is one of the major strike-slip faults (trending NW-SE) in NW Iran, that trends from Sofian to Bostan Abad. Generally, the fault consists of two main fault segments. In present research, to study the last active tectonics at the North Tabriz Fault More

The North Tabriz Fault is one of the major strike-slip faults (trending NW-SE) in NW Iran, that trends from Sofian to Bostan Abad. Generally, the fault consists of two main fault segments. In present research, to study the last active tectonics at the North Tabriz Fault region, evaluated young morphotectonical features and paleoseismology of northwestern fault segment evaluated. On the basis of morphotectonic approaches on this region, horizontal slip last event (MW = 7.4, 1780 AD) are found in the ranges 3.5 ±0.5 m and vertical slip between 0 and 0.5 m. However, by attention to H/V ratio can propose that NW segment of North Tabriz Fault act as pure strike slip which confirm by new GPS data on this part of Iran. On the basis of paleoseismological researchs, by examining a wall perpendicular to the North Tabriz Fault in North Sahlan Village, four old paleoearthquakes with relative magnitude of MW = 6.4 has been detected. A young magnitude of the event, recorded in deposits of the paleoseismologic trench of the study area, close to 7 have been estimated that according to geographic and stratigraphic location, this event can be associated with historical earthquakes since 1780 AD (MW = 7.4). Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

2 - ‍Calcareous algae of the Shah Kuh Formation (Early Cretaceous) in southwest of Khur (Central Iran)
hamid mirmohammadsadeghi Adabi

A complete succession of the Shah Kuh Formation with the age of Early Cretaceous is exposed in southwest of Khur, in Central Iran. In order to study and describe calcareous algae the Shah Kuh Formation a stratigraphic section was selected, sampled and studied in Kuh- e More

A complete succession of the Shah Kuh Formation with the age of Early Cretaceous is exposed in southwest of Khur, in Central Iran. In order to study and describe calcareous algae the Shah Kuh Formation a stratigraphic section was selected, sampled and studied in Kuh- e Tangal- e Bala, 80 Km southwest of Khur city. Association of calcareous algae consist of Delloffrella quercifoliipora belongs to Triploporellaceae, Montiella elitzae, Neomeris cretacea, Salpingoporella sp. and Terquemella sp. related to Dasycladacea and Permocalculus cf. minutus belongs to Gymnocodiacea. Also 2 genera of Udoteaceae (Arabicodium and Boueina) and 1 species of Solenoporaceae (Marinella Lugeoni) were identified. A species of algae ascribed to uncertain affinities (Lithocodium aggregatum) accompanied by skeletal fragments of colonial octocorals were identified in this research. In studied microfacies, ‍calcareous algae were observed in sediments of lagoon and bar environments. Based on ‍calcareous algae and benthic foraminifera association, the age of Late Barremian- Early Aptian was assigned for the succession of the Shah Kuh Formation in studied section. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

3 - Mineral chemistry and P-T estimation of formation of garnetschist Mount Argon (west of Angoran Mine)
Moazzen Izadyar

The Mount Argon garnet schists contain mineral assemblages of quartz, feldspar, mica and garnet. The chemical composition of, plagioclase, biotite, muscovite and garnet in the studied sample shows that plagioclases are albite-rich, white mica flakes are rich in muscovit More

The Mount Argon garnet schists contain mineral assemblages of quartz, feldspar, mica and garnet. The chemical composition of, plagioclase, biotite, muscovite and garnet in the studied sample shows that plagioclases are albite-rich, white mica flakes are rich in muscovite end-member, phlogopite-annite is the dominant constituent in biotite and chemical composition of the analysed garnets shows that they are almandine and spessartine-rich. Maximum and minimum pressure and temperature of the studied rocks were estimated by using common calculation methods. The minimum and maximum temperature of metamorphism was calculated using Mg-Fe exchange between garnet and biotite. Considering a nominal pressure of 4 kbar, the highest calculated temperature was 615C and the lowest temperature was 380C. These were 644C and 392C for pressure of 8 kbar respectively. Also using multi-equilibria calculations, temperature of 800C and pressure of 9kbar were obtained for the peak of the metamorphism and temperature of 450C and pressure of 7kbar was calculated for the lower part of the metamorphism. . Two phases of metamorphism and deformation affected these rocks. The second deformation was associated with the peak of metamorphism. A decrease in temperature about 351°C with reduced pressure of about 2 Kbars is observed in the metapelitic rocks. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

4 - Determination of relationship between sedimentological parameters and morphology of linear sand dunes in north of Ahangaran, east of Iran
Benyamin Rezazadeh Arash Amini Gholamreza Mirabshabestari

Field studies and satellite images confirmed the existence of linear sand dunes in the north of Ahangaran region, located in Zirkouh (southern Khorasan province), east of Iran. In evaluation of sand dunes, totally 21 sand dunes from 5 stations in different geographical More

Field studies and satellite images confirmed the existence of linear sand dunes in the north of Ahangaran region, located in Zirkouh (southern Khorasan province), east of Iran. In evaluation of sand dunes, totally 21 sand dunes from 5 stations in different geographical locations were studied. The obtained sedimentological evidence revealed that Ahangaran sand dunes can be classified into two simple and composite groups morphologically. Results of sedimentological analysis also indicated a positive correlation between particle size and morphology of dunes; i.e. with changes in sedimentological parameters, the morphology of sand dunes grades from simple to composite forms in central and western part of the studied area. The fine-grained pattern of crest is another characteristic which were introduced for the studied linear sand dunes. The comparison of the sedimentological parameters of these sand dunes with the other places of the world such as Kalahari, Namibia, Australia and Egyptian Sinai indicate that the Ahangaran sand dunes with an average of 2.34φ in grain size is similar to the other regions, but have lower sorting in the range of 0.79 which is more outstanding than the other parts of the world. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

5 - The Study of alteration, mineralization, and fluid inclusion in the Howz-e-Sefid zinc-lead deposit (Central Iran)
Mansor Adelpour godratollah Rostami Paydar

The Howz-e-sefid zinc-lead deposit is located 17 km northeast of Ardakan town in the central Iran tectonic zone. Host rock of this deposit is lower Cretaceous dolomitized carbonate rocks. In this area there are three major rock units. The Sangestan Formation as the lowe More

The Howz-e-sefid zinc-lead deposit is located 17 km northeast of Ardakan town in the central Iran tectonic zone. Host rock of this deposit is lower Cretaceous dolomitized carbonate rocks. In this area there are three major rock units. The Sangestan Formation as the lowest unit, is composed of shale and siltstone with calcarenitic interbeded layers. This unit is overlain by ankeritic massive dolomite and dolomitic limestone of the Taft Formation. The Abkouh Formation at the top, is composed of cherty or argillaceous limestone with massive reefal limestone. The host rock of deposit in the lower Cretaceous carbonate horizon along with other geological evidence indicate that this deposit has been primarily formed similar to the Mississipi Valley-type deposits. This conditions include carbonate and evaporatic sequences, special hydrothermal dolomitized horizons, lack of the effects of igneous intrusions and the presence of the important controling faults. Based on the observations, it can be concluded that the primary ores have been of the sulphide type including sphalerite, galena and pyrite. Due to their exposure to superficial oxidizing conditions and undergoing changes, the primary sulphide ores, have been converted into nonsulphide ore body. As a result, the primary sulphide ores have been changed into secondary minerals such as hemimorphite, smithsonite, cerusite and anglesite. In many cases, the nonsulphide minerals established in the structural fractures and fissures, shows the colloform texture. Therefore, it can be accepted that this type of minerals were formed under the effect of low temperature hydrothermal fluids.There are two types of fluid inclusions (type I: L and type II: L+V) in the carbonaceous ore bearing veins. On the basis of microthermometric study, the homogenization temperatures is between 150-260 °C. The salinity of fluid inclusions is low to intermediate (0.33-14.26 wt. % NaCl equivalent). Heating depressurization due to reduced pressure to boiling with low CO2 bearing fluid (0.62-0.98 gr/cm3) is the main mechanism of deposition. Based on evidence such as the nonhomoginity in filling degree of fluid inclusions, existence of a few vapor-rich phase shows boiling of ore fluid in faulted and fracture zones. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

6 - The main effective factors on the mineralization of Sonajil porphyry-epithermal copper-gold deposit, using remote sensing, mineralogical and geochemical studies
Mohammad Maanijou

In order to identify the main effective factors in the Sonajil Cu-Au porphyry-epithermal deposit, remote sensing, mineralogical and geochemical studies were carried on the deposit. After removing vegetation and topographic features by Normalized Difference Vegetation I More

In order to identify the main effective factors in the Sonajil Cu-Au porphyry-epithermal deposit, remote sensing, mineralogical and geochemical studies were carried on the deposit. After removing vegetation and topographic features by Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), solar radiance, instrumental errors and albedo effects by Log Residual (LR), Band Ratio (BR), False Color Composite (FCC), Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Mixture-Tuned Matched-Filtering (MTMF) were used to reveal main alteration zones of the study area. The phyllic, advanced argillic and propylitic altered rocks were identified and the results were validated by field and mineralogical studies. Also, geochemical data showed microdiorite, and shoshonite composition and also post-orogenic tectonic setting of the Sonajil porphyry-copper deposits. Eventually, the faulting density, composition, and the depth of mineralization were the affecting factors on the Sonajil deposit mineralization. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

7 - Late Cretaceous Island-arc subduction magmatism in northern edge of central Iran, SW Sabzevar
Elham Mirzakazemi Habibollah Ghasemi Fardin Mousivand Wilyam Griffin

A thick sequence of Late Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary rocks crops out on the northern margin of Central Iran, in the southwest of the Sabzevar. The igneous rocks include extrusions (trachy-andesite, dacite and rhyolite) and shallow depth intrusions (gabbro, gabbrodior More

A thick sequence of Late Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary rocks crops out on the northern margin of Central Iran, in the southwest of the Sabzevar. The igneous rocks include extrusions (trachy-andesite, dacite and rhyolite) and shallow depth intrusions (gabbro, gabbrodiorite, diorite and granite). These igneous rocks have geochemical signatures of magmatic rocks of island-arc subduction zones and plot within field in different tectonic setting discrimination diagrams. The parental magma of these rocks has island arc tholeiitic nature and was produced via partial melting of a depleted spinel lherzolite mantle source during closing of the Sabzevar Neo-Tethyan oceanic basin in the Late Cretaceous. This depleted mantle source was affected by the metasomatic fluids released from dehydration of the Neo-Tethys subducted oceanic slab. Manuscript profile

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8 - Petrology and geochemistry of basic rocks of the Piranshahr Ophiolitic complex in Zagros belt (NW Iran), compared with the similar rocks from Iraqi Zagros ophiolitic complex
Maryam Yazdani

The Piranshahr ophiolitic complex is located in NW Iran and in the north west of Piranshahr town. Tectonically, the NW Piranshahr ophiolitic complex is severely mingled and the boundary of different units in this complex is indistinguishable. Piranshahr ophiolite includ More

The Piranshahr ophiolitic complex is located in NW Iran and in the north west of Piranshahr town. Tectonically, the NW Piranshahr ophiolitic complex is severely mingled and the boundary of different units in this complex is indistinguishable. Piranshahr ophiolite includes ultramafic, mafic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Basic rocks with basalt and diabase compositions are exposed in several parts of the region. In this paper, whole rocks geochemistry and petrogenesis of basic rocks were studied in the Piramshahr ophiolite (in the Mashkan and Gerdikavalan areas) and were compared with the geochemistry of basic rocks located in the west of Mawat ophiolite in Iraq (in the Hasanbag, Walash and Neopurdan regions). Composition of basic rocks of Mashkan area in Piranshahr ophiolite and Hasanbag area in Iraq ophiolite is calc-alkaline in nature and depleted with respect to MREE, HREE,Zr, Hf, Y, Ti elements and enriched in Rb, Cs, Ba, U, Th, Pb, LREE elements with negative Ta, Nb anomalies. These geochemical features show that the source of magma was generated in the supra-subduction zone tectonic settings. Composition of basic rocks of Gerdikavalan area in Piranshahr ophiolite and similar rocks in the Walash-Neopurdan areas in Iraq ophiolite represent tholeiitic nature. Tholeiitic nature in these areas show both MORB and volcanic arc affinity. It seems that the tholeiitic magma was probably generated in the lithospheric extension over on subduction zone and these features conform asupra-subduction setting for basic rocks in Piranshahr ophiolite and similar rocks in western continuation of Iraq ophiolitic complex. Manuscript profile

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9 - Geochemistry and petrology of Qareh-Dash rhyolites from Shahindej- NW Iran: Geochemical features of post- collision volcanism
Masoumeh Ahangari معصومه نظری Mohsen Moazzen

20.1001.1.17357128.1399.14.56.4.7

Qareh-Dash rhyolites from the Shahindej area are peraluminous rocks with high SiO2 and K2O contents. These rocks are mainly composed of quartz, K- feldspar and rare plagioclase phenocrysts in a fine-grained K-feldspar rich matrix. Geochemically, Qareh-Dash rhyolites sho More

Qareh-Dash rhyolites from the Shahindej area are peraluminous rocks with high SiO2 and K2O contents. These rocks are mainly composed of quartz, K- feldspar and rare plagioclase phenocrysts in a fine-grained K-feldspar rich matrix. Geochemically, Qareh-Dash rhyolites show enrichment in LREEs and LILEs and depletion in HREEs. Field studies, textural and petrographical relations, along with whole rock geochemistry, demonstrate that the parental magma of the Qareh-Dash rhyolites was originated from the crust. The composition of the parental magma was modified due to fractional crystallization of plagioclase and titanomagnetite evidenced by negative Eu, Sr and Ti anomalies in multielement diagrams. The chemical characteristics of Qareh- Dash rhyolites such as Rb/Nb, K/Rb, Rb/Sr, Rb/Ba and Ga/Al ratios are similar to A-Type granites/ rhyolites associated with post- collision tectonic settings. According to Precambrian age for the Qareh-Dash rhyolites, formation of these rocks might be related to extensional phases which were probably taken place after closure of proto- Thetys Ocean. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

10 - Basic steps in determining the provenance of terrestrial sedimentary sequences, with examples from central and north west of Iran
عبدالحسین امینی

20.1001.1.17357128.1400.15.60.5.3

By stating the fundamental differences between terrestrial and detrital facies, this paper emphasizes on the limitations of provenance studies in terrestrial facies. Considering the presence of coarse-, medium- and fine-grained facies in most of terrestrial sedimentary More

By stating the fundamental differences between terrestrial and detrital facies, this paper emphasizes on the limitations of provenance studies in terrestrial facies. Considering the presence of coarse-, medium- and fine-grained facies in most of terrestrial sedimentary sequences, the differences in textural and mineralogical characteristics, their study methods and possible differences in the provenance of these facies, the basic and necessary steps in studying these facies for determining the sedimentary provenance was investigated. In explaining these steps, some examples from terrestrial formations of Central Iran (Upper Red Formation) and north west of Iran (Zivar Formation) are presented. The role of diagenesis, structural deformation and paleogeography in the provenance study and their importance in this type of studies are explained. Finally, it is discussed how to proof the accuracy of the interpretations for the studied sedimentary sequences. Manuscript profile

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11 - The Iranian Plateau at the end of the Quaternary: new synthesis of geological, archaeological and historical data
Hamid Nazari Elahe Najar Jean franscois Ritz Mohammad Ali Shokri aram fathian fereidon Rezaei Alireza Rahim Hasan Fazali nashli Khalil Baharfirouzi hamed vahdatinasab alireza shahidi mahdi borzooii Elnaz Aghaali

20.1001.1.17357128.1400.15.60.6.4

Via combining the geological, geochronological data with archaeological and historical data synthesis, it is shown that the northern part of the central plateau of Iran corresponded to a large lake, at the very end of the Pleistocene-early Holocene period.The morphologi More

Via combining the geological, geochronological data with archaeological and historical data synthesis, it is shown that the northern part of the central plateau of Iran corresponded to a large lake, at the very end of the Pleistocene-early Holocene period.The morphological and stratigraphic markers of this ancient lake are still visible in some areas of the central plateau of Iran, especially in the Kavir desert, the Qom-Aran desert and the region of Masileh.The Paleo shorelines located at altitude of ~1100 m found in many places around the current Great Kavir depression is one of the most important signs that confirms the existence of an integrated lake, especially during the younger Dryas.Our geochronological data suggest that between the beginning of the Holocene (~11.5 ka) and 8 ka, the lake level gradually decreased by 250 m, to reach the altitude of 850 m.It is suggested that the cause of this lowering is the evaporation due to warmer and drier climate. According to absolute archaeological dating, the northern part of the Central Plateau has been inhabited by human communities for 50,000 years. From early Holocene; the first sedentary communities around 9,000 years ago provided the structure of rural communities in this part of Iran. From an environmental point of view, part of the water resources of these ancient settlements originated from the mountains of southern Alborz. Based on the newly found evidence of the present article, it can be assumed that in the current location of the Great Central Desert in the ancient world, freshwater lake or lakes provided suitable habitat, rich in biological resources, for prehistoric inhabitants. Manuscript profile

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12 - Karst geology of carbonate rocks mass in Abegarm area, south of Qazvin province
P. Armani M. Karimi M. Tajabadi

20.1001.1.17357128.1401.16.62.1.0

Understanding the geological phenomena created by dissolution can be a great help in understanding karst systems. Hence, geology is usually the first step in studying the karstification process. Abegarm is located in the Central Iran structural zone and includes the For More

Understanding the geological phenomena created by dissolution can be a great help in understanding karst systems. Hence, geology is usually the first step in studying the karstification process. Abegarm is located in the Central Iran structural zone and includes the Formations of the Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. The most important carbonate formations in Abegarm are Soltanieh, Ruteh, Elika, Lar and Qom formations. In this study, karstification potential was investigated after field work and sampling of carbonate rock units and comparing them in terms of the development of karst landforms. Sampling of karst springs in both dry and wet periods, as well as measurement of EC, pH and temperature on the ground were performed. Remote sensing studies were performed by ILWIS software on Landsat satellite images for isolation and calculation of the area of carbonate formations. AqQa software was used to review and interpret the findings of chemical analyses and Phree Qc software was used to model water chemistry. The most important karst landforms in the region include karrens, vugs, caves, and karst springs. Based on the combination of field studies and remote sensing data, the intensity of karstification in the Abegarm area graded from high to low, include: Qom, Soltanieh, Lar and Cretaceous formations. Based on karst development classification, Abegarm karstification is merokarst (incomplete) and shallow; and based on the karst cycle classification it is classified as juvenile to young. Manuscript profile

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13 - Petrology of alkaline lavas in North Jirandeh (East of Lushan)
A. Soleimani Sh. Haghnazar M Vosoughi Abedini S. Hakimi Asiabar

20.1001.1.17357128.1401.16.63.7.8

In the north of Jirandeh and east of Lushan, which are located in the mountains south of the central Alborz, a series of volcanic rocks are unconformablly located on the Middle Eocene limestone. These rocks have alkaline affinity of different types of lamprophyre and ar More

In the north of Jirandeh and east of Lushan, which are located in the mountains south of the central Alborz, a series of volcanic rocks are unconformablly located on the Middle Eocene limestone. These rocks have alkaline affinity of different types of lamprophyre and are studied for the first time from the petrology point of view. The texture of these rocks is porphyric to microporphic with microlithic matrix. The phenocrysts and microphenocrysts of the collected samples are generally olivine, alkaline pyroxenes and biotite, which are located in olivine, pyroxene, plagioclase, amphibole, very fine nepheline crystals, apatite and metal ores groundmass. Geochemical studies of these rocks indicate that these rocks are alkaline lamprophyres and the magma is the result of partial melting of an asthenospheric mantle source similar to OIB. They are classified in garnet lherzolite facies and were emplaced in an intercontinental rift tectonic environment. Manuscript profile

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14 - Structural evolution of the southern Natanz region and its role in the distribution and concentration of Pb-Zn mineralization
Firouzeh Shavvakhi Saeed Madanipour M. Tadayon Ebrahim Rastad M.J. Kupaei

20.1001.1.17357128.1401.16.64.7.0

The studied area is structurally located in the western part of the Central Iranian structural zone atthe southwestern termination of the Qom-Zefreh Fault. Our structural data represent the older generation of E-W to NW-SE trending thrust faults that juxtapose Permia More

The studied area is structurally located in the western part of the Central Iranian structural zone atthe southwestern termination of the Qom-Zefreh Fault. Our structural data represent the older generation of E-W to NW-SE trending thrust faults that juxtapose Permian- Triassic (Nayband and Shotori Formations) over younger rock units. Most of the thrust faults have been crossed cut with the younger generation of the strike-slip fault system. Major thrust faulting of the area occurred during post Late Cretaceous time. The final post Oligocene strike slip faulting related to the activation of the Qom- Zefreh fault overprinted and crossed cut older structural features. Our economic geological studies in the south Natanz area represent syngeneic strati bond or Sedex-Like type Pb-Zn epigenetic occurrence of these deposits in Permian-Triassic carbonates and barite developed in the Lower Cretaceous carbonate and clastics. The ore deposit development in Permian-Triassic Carbonates have occurred along thrust faults and then redistributed along strike slip faults with normal component. Therefore, genetically, stratiform deposits developed in the Lower Cretaceous carbonates and clastics (Yazdan and Pinavand Ore deposit) occurred in a regional early Cretaceous extensional regime. However, epigenetic deposits developed in Permian-Triassic carbonates (Changarzeh deposit) were generated during the regional post Late Cretaceous compressional regime and redistributed during post Oligocene strike slip deformation. Manuscript profile

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15 - Geology, mineralization, mineralogy, structure and texture in the Ghezeljeh Cu, Pb-Zn deposit, NW Zanjan
Seyedeh Aliyeh Seyedeh Aliyeh Ghasem Nabatian Afshin Zohdi Armin Salsani

20.1001.1.17357128.1402.17.65.4.6

Ghezeljeh deposit is located in the Central Iranian zone, in the Zanjan province and northeast of the Mahneshan city. The rock units in this area belongs to the Oligo-Miocene, which contain Lower Red, Qom and Upper Red formations. The Upper Red Formation in Ghezeljeh re More

Ghezeljeh deposit is located in the Central Iranian zone, in the Zanjan province and northeast of the Mahneshan city. The rock units in this area belongs to the Oligo-Miocene, which contain Lower Red, Qom and Upper Red formations. The Upper Red Formation in Ghezeljeh region has about 750 m thickness and mainly consists of brown to green marl intercalations with sandstones. In this area, the alternation of marl and sandstone sequences contain sandstone layers with thickness about 2 to 8 meters, which in two horizons, the copper-lead and zinc mineralization has occurred. Copper mineralization, in addition to being observed inside the sandstone unit. In the Ghezeljeh deposit, the host rocks of the copper ores, are gray sandstones and conglomerates which are intercalated with red and gray marl units. According to field and microscopic studies, the main ore mineral consist of pyrite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite, bornite, galena and sphalerite which associated with the secondary minerals such as serosite, malachite, azurite, covellite, smithzonite and goethite. The ore mineral textures consist of disseminate, framboidal pyrite, solution seams, interparticle cement, replacement and relict. Preliminary fieldwork studies in the Ghezeljeh region also show that organic matter including plant remains and diagenetic pyrite are the effective factors to concentrate and mineralization. It is considerable that the grade of lead, zinc and copper, in Ghezeljeh deposit are 6%, 3% and 1%, respectively. Generally, host rock, tectonic setting, sedimentary environment, mineralogy, texture, mineralization control factors all confirm that the studied mineralization has more similarities with Redbed type copper deposits. Manuscript profile

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16 - Paleoflora and Paleoclimate of Norian (Late Triassic) in Iran
JAVAD SAADATNEJAD

Rock beds containing plant macrofossils of Norian in Alborz region belong to two stratigraphic units of Lalehband and Shahmirzad. The same beds in Kopeh-Dagh area belong to Mian-Kuhi Formation and in Central Iran belong to Qadir submember in Tabas region and Dehroud mem More

Rock beds containing plant macrofossils of Norian in Alborz region belong to two stratigraphic units of Lalehband and Shahmirzad. The same beds in Kopeh-Dagh area belong to Mian-Kuhi Formation and in Central Iran belong to Qadir submember in Tabas region and Dehroud member in Kerman region. In general, plant diversity and vegetative cover during the Norian stage is less than Rhaetian especially Jurassic (Shemshak group) and the highest plant diversity of Norian in the Alborz basin is related to the phyllum of Pteridospermophytes (seed ferns) and in the Central Iran basin is related to the phyllum of Pteridophyta (ferns) indicating the higher humidity of the mentioned time in Central Iran basin and the drier climate in Alborz basin. The highest diversity of vegetation in Norian sediments throughout Iran belongs to the seed ferns (Pteridospermophyta) and the lowest diversity belongs to Ginkgophytes so that they comprise 32% (one third of the vegetation) and 6.5% of the total vegetation, respectively. Plant-covered areas throughout Alborz were interconnected during the Norian period and there was no extensive separation between them. The plant macrofossils assemblage in both Alborz and Central Iran basins confirms the relatively humid subtropical to tropical climate for the Norian but less humidity compared to the Rhaetian. Also, the vegetation of Norian in Alborz was less dense and scattered than Central Iran during Norian. Manuscript profile

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17 - Geochemistry of rare earth elements and radioactive elements in phosphorites of Jeirud deposit, central Alborz, North of Iran
milad najafi Mohammad yazdi khalegh khoshnoodi mehrdad behzadi

Jeirud Phosphorite Mine is located in the phosphate-rich horizon of the Jeirud Formation of the Lower Devonian sediments in central parts of Alborz geotectonic zone, North of Iran. The sediments of this formation are mostly composed of detrital rocks such as sandstone, More

Jeirud Phosphorite Mine is located in the phosphate-rich horizon of the Jeirud Formation of the Lower Devonian sediments in central parts of Alborz geotectonic zone, North of Iran. The sediments of this formation are mostly composed of detrital rocks such as sandstone, sandy shales and sandy limestones. Phosphorite mineralization is mainly concentrated in the shales of middle parts of the Jeirud Formation. In this research, we have studied the concentration and the possibility of exploitation of rare earth and radioactive elements in these phosphorites. Lithogeochemical samples were randomly collected from phosphorite horizons. The samples were analysed by ICP-MS and ICP-OES not only for REE but also for major oxides and radioactive elements. The geochemical data show that the average of P2O5 is 29.60 %. The average of U and Th is 4.97 and 8.64 ppm respectively. Also, this data show that concentration of REEs in these samples are , 3times more than rare earth elements in North American shales (NASC) and 2.6 times more than Past Archaen shales (PAAS). REE concentration of these phosphorites were normalised to North American shales (NASC) and Past Archaen shales (PAAS). The spider diagram shows positive patterns to REE, especially in Ce and Eu. Also, this spider diagram represents the diffrentiation of LREE with respect to HREE. This diffrentiation occurred due to preferential absorption mechanism and during late diagenesis in these sediments. The average concentration of P and REE is realtively high and it seems to be economic for next minning activites. But the average concentration of U and Th is too low and not economic for exploration. Manuscript profile

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18 - Investigation of the relationship between tectonic morphological indices and seismic acceleration in Indes, Aipak, Avaj and Kushk-e-Nusrat fault zones (northwest of Saveh)
bahar Rezaei nahal Mohsen Pourkermani M. Zare M. Dehbozorgi R. Nozaem

The northwest zone of Saveh city is located in the Indes, Kooshk e Nosrat, Avaj, and Aipak fault zones. Indes, Kooshk e Nosrat, Avaj, and Aipak faults are considered the major faults in central Iran, which are also active in the Quaternary, and their last movements are More

The northwest zone of Saveh city is located in the Indes, Kooshk e Nosrat, Avaj, and Aipak fault zones. Indes, Kooshk e Nosrat, Avaj, and Aipak faults are considered the major faults in central Iran, which are also active in the Quaternary, and their last movements are attributed to the present time. Therefore, the estimation of morphometry to identify the effect of active tectonics on the tectonic evolution of drainage basins seems necessary. In this study, six important morphotectonic indices were analyzed including the longitudinal gradient of the river, asymmetry of the drainage basin, hypsometric integral, drainage basin shape, the ratio of the floor width to the valley height, and mountain front. To model the formation of basins in the studied area, Arc Hydro software (Arc GIS add-ins) was used based on data derived from a digital elevation model. Then, 6 morphotectonic indices were compiled and classified on each of the basins. Finally, the Active Tectonic Index (IAT) was calculated, according to which the study area was classified into 4 categories including very high, high, intermediate, and low tectonic activity. According to the IAT index, 5% of the study area shows very high tectonic activity, 25% of the studied area has high tectonic activity, 65% of it has average tectonic activity and about 5% of the tectonic activity is low. Moreover, seismic acceleration was prepared to confirm the result of morphological indices in the estimation and analysis of active tectonics in the region. In this study, the highest level of tectonic activity can be seen in the north-eastern part of the area. In most sectors, the level of activity is high and intermediate, which is related to the activity of Kooshk-e-Nosrat, Aipak, and Avaj faults. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

19 - A new look at the rotation of Central Iran: A case study of the Anar fault, east block of the Yazd
Hamidreza AfkhamiArdakani farzin ghaemi Fariba Kargaran Bafghi Ahad Nouri

The Anar fault in the east of Yazd city, with a north-northwest-south-southeast strike, is a basement fault that separates the Yazd block from the Posht Badam block, and its current activity is a dextral strike-slip with a reverse component. The paleostress analysis was More

The Anar fault in the east of Yazd city, with a north-northwest-south-southeast strike, is a basement fault that separates the Yazd block from the Posht Badam block, and its current activity is a dextral strike-slip with a reverse component. The paleostress analysis was done on this fault in order to obtain the tectonic history of central Iran in the period from Devonian to Cretaceous. After analyzing 110 fault data in 13 stations of 2 tectonic phases, it was determined that the maximum stress obtained is between the azimuths of 90 to 110 and 190 to 220 and the angle of stress direction changes in the period from Devonian to Cretaceous is 130 degrees. Based on the studies on the barite veins and the dextral displacements that were seen on them, the separation of the stress phases was done, which indicates that the NNE stress direction is older. Further, according to the previous studies of sedimentology and tectonics in central Iran, it was concluded that the cause of this change in tension was the movement towards the northeast along with the 130 degree counter-clockwise rotation of central Iran. Manuscript profile

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