Neocimmerian events in Central and Western Afghanistan

Abstract

The Neocimmerian orogenic belt of Afghanistan is about 350 wide and lies between a northern Eocimmerican orogenic belt (which resulted from the closure of the Paleotethys) to the north and the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt (which resulted from the closing of the Neotethys) to the south. This Neocimmerian orogenic belt resulted from the closure of the Waras-Penjaw oceanic realm, at some time between the Neocomian and the Cenomano-Turonian. The Waras-Penjaw oceanic realm opened during or shortly after the Triassic, breaking off from continental Asia where the ascent of the northern Eocimmerian orogenic belt had recently ended. It was located behind an active tectonic and magmatic arc, which resulted from the Neotethyan subduction. During this opening, the adjacent continental blocks were subjected to extension. At that time, the entire region was of the same type as the present Japanese Archipelago-Sea of Japan-Eastern continental Asia system, located behind the Western Pacific subduction zone. When the Waras-Penjaw oceanic realm began to close, its southern margin was activated. The subsequent collision affected a vast region, particularly the remnants of the northern Eocimmerian orogenic belt. This collision continued to act on the region during the Neotethyan subduction. Shortly after these Neocimmerian events, the region was of the same type as the present southern Andean region, located between the South American continent and the Eastern Pacific subduction zone.