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      • Open Access Article

        1 - Evaluating the abundance and variations of platinum and palladium elements in pyroxene and chromite minerals of pyroxenites from Neyriz area
        حسن  میرنژاد  Bazamad
        Neyriz ophiolite in Fars Province which formed as the result of the closure of Neo-Tethys ocean and Arabian-Iranian plate collision in Late Cretaceous, has high potential for ore deposits, in particular chromite. Pyroxenite is one of the main constituent units of ophiol More
        Neyriz ophiolite in Fars Province which formed as the result of the closure of Neo-Tethys ocean and Arabian-Iranian plate collision in Late Cretaceous, has high potential for ore deposits, in particular chromite. Pyroxenite is one of the main constituent units of ophiolites and electron microprobe analysis (EMP) shows that clinopyroxene (diopside), orthopyroxene (enstatite) and olivine (cherysolite) are the most abundant minerals. The abundances of MgO, Fe2O3, Al2O3, Cr2O3 and TiO2 in chromites of Neyriz pyroxenites show affinities with the podiform chromites which formed from magma with bonititic composition with high Cr# (100 Cr/(Cr+Al)) and low content of TiO2. The results of Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses accompanied with the fire assay precon-centration demonstrate that platinum group elements in Neyriz ophiolite are more enriched relative to those of the primitive mantle. In addition, the concentrations of Pt and Pd in chromites within pyroxenites are higher than those of the pyroxene phases. In general, the amounts of these elements in Neyriz pyroxenites are much less than of economic threshold (5 ppm). Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        2 - Geochemical and Tectonomagmatic analysis of dibasic dikes and basaltic lavas in the Noorabad ophiolite (North-West Lorestan)
        Ahmad Ahmadi Khalaji mehrdad kiani Zahra Kamali Hadi Shafaei Moghadam asadollah kordnaeij
        The Noorabad ophiolite is a part of Eastern Mediterranean-Zagros-Oman Tethyan ophiolites, cropping out in south-southwest of the Main Zagros Thrust fault. In this sequence of the ophiolite rocks, diabase dikes and basaltic lavas are widespread. The chemical composition More
        The Noorabad ophiolite is a part of Eastern Mediterranean-Zagros-Oman Tethyan ophiolites, cropping out in south-southwest of the Main Zagros Thrust fault. In this sequence of the ophiolite rocks, diabase dikes and basaltic lavas are widespread. The chemical composition of these rocks comprise sub-alkaline basalts, andesitic basalt and andesite. According to normalized REE diagrams to the chondrite and trace elements normalized to the primitive mantle, these rocks show calc-alkaline series, the enrichment of LREE and LILE and depletion of HFSE elements. The characteristics of these ophiolites are similar to other exposed Tethyan ophiolites along Bitlis-Zagros suture zone, and their formation is associated with supra-subduction zones. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        3 - Structural style of the eastern part of Dehsheikh peridotite massif, Esfandagheh ophiolitic mélanges, Southwest of Iran
        Sahra Jalalat Vakil-Kandi Majid Shahpasandzadeh Mahdi Honarmand Hamid Ahmadipour
        The Dehsheikh peridotite massif, as a part of the Esfandagheh ophiolitic mélanges, is located in the south of Baft, Kerman province. Structural analysis of the ophiolitic complexes play an important role in understanding geodynamics of the orogenic belts. In this resear More
        The Dehsheikh peridotite massif, as a part of the Esfandagheh ophiolitic mélanges, is located in the south of Baft, Kerman province. Structural analysis of the ophiolitic complexes play an important role in understanding geodynamics of the orogenic belts. In this research, structural elements of the eastern part of the Dehsheikh peridotite massif as well as prevailing deformational patterns of the area and its relation to the Zagros orogenic belt was studied. The chromitite folds, dunitic/pyroxenitic dykes and ductile to brittle shear zones (faults and magnesite veins) constitute the principal structures of this area. Structural evidence indicate two successive tentional/transtentional and dextral transpressional deformational phases. The early D1 deformation took place in a back-arc basin during ascending of the Dehsheikh Peridotite massif. This caused emplacement of the lithospheric mantle in the low crust level, and was accompanied by deformation of the chromitites and intrusion of the dunitic/pyroxenitic dykes. The next D2 right-lateral transpressional deformation with development of the brittle-ductile shear zones accommodated emplacement of this massif in the high pressure-low tempretaure Sanandaj-Sirjan metamorphic zone. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        4 - 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
      • Open Access Article

        5 - Tectono-magmatic setting of diabase and basalt flows in north Makran ophiolite, southeast of Iran
        Azizollah Bazzi Mohammad Mahdi Khatib Mohammadhosein Zarrinkoub
        The north Makran ophiolite in southeast of Iran, as a part of Tethyan ophiolites, is located between Lut and Bajkan-Durkan continental blocks. Among the rocks of this ophiolite sequence, diabase and basalt flows are present more abundant in the outcrops in the eastern p More
        The north Makran ophiolite in southeast of Iran, as a part of Tethyan ophiolites, is located between Lut and Bajkan-Durkan continental blocks. Among the rocks of this ophiolite sequence, diabase and basalt flows are present more abundant in the outcrops in the eastern part of the studied north Makran ophiolite. Structural, petrographic and geochemical evidences suggest distinct geodynamic setting for the formation of these rocks. Based on geochemical characteristics, diabase and basalts fall into two groups: In the first group, tholeiitic diabase and basalt flows represent MORB-like affinity, and the second group include calc-alkaline basaltic to dacitic lavas with arc environment and supra-subduction affinities. These two lava types represent two major magmatic events: 1) MORB-type magmatism resulted from Early Cretaceous rifting/opening between two continental blocks and resulted in the formation of tholeiitic diabase and basalt. LREE enrichment, low La/Yb and relatively high U/Th ratios suggest continental influence in their melt source, and 2) subduction-related magmatism, that formed calc-alkaline basaltic, andesitic and dacitic lavas in Late Cretaceous. LILE, LREE enrichment, Nb and Ta negative anomaly, low TiO2 concentrations and relatively high Ce/Pb ratio document subduction influence in their composition. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        6 - Petrology and geochemistry of Siahjangal ophiolite, northeastern Taftan volcano
        saeideh Nikbakht حبیب بیابانگرد Sasan Baghari
        Siahjangal ophiolite is located in the North and Northeastern part of Taftan volcano in the Sistan Suture Zone (SSZ). This ophiolite (Upper Cretaceous) is exposed in the Flysch rocks (Eocene). Harzburgite, lherzolite, serpentine, spilite and gabbro are major rocks in th More
        Siahjangal ophiolite is located in the North and Northeastern part of Taftan volcano in the Sistan Suture Zone (SSZ). This ophiolite (Upper Cretaceous) is exposed in the Flysch rocks (Eocene). Harzburgite, lherzolite, serpentine, spilite and gabbro are major rocks in this ophiolite. Ultramafic units have olivine, orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene minerals. Mafic units have clinopyroxene and plagioclase. Ultramafic rocks have mainly granular and gabbro rocks have ophitic, sub-ophitic and granular textures. Geochemical verities of major, minor and rare earth elements in the Siahjangal ophiolite revealed that the ultrabasic and basic rocks were formed due to partial melting than crystal differentiation. REE elements diagrams normalized to the Chondrite and MORB and their comparison with the normal and enriched MORBs, chemical differentiation diagrams, the ratios of accessory elements and changes of Zr, Nb, Y, U, Ti elements against Zr / Nb ratio all indicates the similarity to N-MORB. Transition elements diagrams (V, Co, Cr, Ni) against La / Ce ratio and the ratio of (La / Yb) N, La / Yb, La / Ce versus (La / Sm) N, show that these ratios compared with N-MORB and E-MORB represent enrichment and geochemical similarities to N-MORB. Tectonomagmatic diagrams show Siahjangal ophiolite belongs to supra-subduction zone.   Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        7 - Balanced Cross Sections and Determine of Shortening in North Makran Ophiolite Mélange, Southeastern Iran
        Azizollah Tajvar Mohammad Mahdi Khatib Mohamad Hossian Zarinkoub
        The geometrical and kinematic characteristics of structural elements of north Makran have been measured and analyzed in five structural sections. Then, by using of balance cross sections and restoring the structures to their original state, the amount of shortening has More
        The geometrical and kinematic characteristics of structural elements of north Makran have been measured and analyzed in five structural sections. Then, by using of balance cross sections and restoring the structures to their original state, the amount of shortening has been determined in different parts of the area. The Bashagard, Dranar, Abenma, Koh Bahark and Vernach thrust faults with a WNW-ESE trend and 20 to 35 degrees dip towards the NNE are the main deformation controllers in this region and are the main cause of shortening. The excellent fit between N209/09 principal stress axis calculated based on the geometry of thrust faults and compression axis that formed folds, indicates that these structures were formed as a result of the same tectonic regime. The difference in the amount of shortening in different parts of the north Makran ophiolite mélange of is also directly related to the thrust faults. So that, in western part of north Makran, thrust faults caused shortening amount 22.66, 22.85 and 14.32% in structural sections A-A', B-B' and C-C' respectively,. In the eastern parts, due to the lack of thrust faults and the presence of more strike-slip faults, the amount of shortening has decreased to 4.52% and 6.67%, respectively, in the sections D-D' and E-E'. Balanced cross sections and restoring the structures to the pre-deformation stages represent the narrow width of the early oceanic basin in the north of Makran. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        8 - Geochemical study of the soils provenance of The Gysian-Silvana-Urmia ophiolitic region
        zainab sadeghi Hossein Pirkharrati monir modjarrad Reza dehbandi
        Gysian ophiolite is a remnant of the Neotethys, located in the north-west Iran at the intersection of the ophiolite belts of south-eastern Turkey, north-eastern Iraq and north-western Iran. The geochemical comparison of the soils with the average of global rocks and the More
        Gysian ophiolite is a remnant of the Neotethys, located in the north-west Iran at the intersection of the ophiolite belts of south-eastern Turkey, north-eastern Iraq and north-western Iran. The geochemical comparison of the soils with the average of global rocks and the study area led to determination of the composition group of the region soils. The geochemical evidence of the first group of soil samples with low silica percentage by Harker and triangular diagrams is close to the position of ultramafic rocks of the region (serpentenites) and primary mantle and expresses their compositional similarity. The second group of soils ranges in the area between the earth's crust and basalt, and they show more distribution near basalt. The normalized pattern of REE rare earth elements in this group of soils is similar to the mafic rocks pattern in the region, also in the minor elements chart, they classified in the mafic group. Soils with high percentage of silica in the diagram of major and minor element oxides are located near the positiion of meta-plates rocks in the region, in the range between the earth's crust and global shale. So, this suggests the intermediate composition of their origin. Most likely, the tectonic setting of the three soil groups is based on the oxides of the main elements of the active continental margin. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        9 - Geochemistry and mineral chemistry of ultramafic rocks in the Koopan area, south of Bavanat (Fars Province)
        Maryam  Zurmand Sangari Ahmad Ahmadi Khalaji Kamal  Noori Khankahdani Zahra Tahmasbi
        The studied area is located in the high Zagros zone and it is considered a part of the Neyriz ophiolite. In this area, the ophiolitic complex is small coloured melanges include radiolarite cherts and serpentinized ultrabasic rocks. The main lithological unit is serpen More
        The studied area is located in the high Zagros zone and it is considered a part of the Neyriz ophiolite. In this area, the ophiolitic complex is small coloured melanges include radiolarite cherts and serpentinized ultrabasic rocks. The main lithological unit is serpentinized ultrabasic rocks, which have a variety of colors from dark to light brown and dark to light green. These ultrabasic rocks have composed of olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, opaque, serpentine and spinel. Olivines have been highly altered to serpentine and pyroxenes to bastite. Based on whole rock chemistry, the studied rocks are basic and ultrabasic cumulates type (lherzolite-harzburgite) with a composition close to the average composition of the mid-ocean ridge basalt (MAR). Based on mineral chemistry, pyroxenes are calcic type and in the range of diopside and augite, and amphiboles are calcic and actinolite type. Pyroxenes have crystallized under conditions of low oxygen fugacity, temperature higher than 910 °C (1100 - 1200 °C) and pressure more than 2 kbar (2 to 10 kbar). Amphiboles have crystallized at a temperature below 700 °C and a pressure less than 1 kbar. Based on the geochemical characteristics and mineral chemistry, the ultrabasic rocks in the Koopan area were formed in a subduction zone. Manuscript profile