Tafresh intrusive rocks within the Urumieh‐Dokhtar Magmatic Arc: Appraisal of Neo‐Tethys subduction

Abstract

This paper presents UPb zircon dating and element compositions for Miocene intrusive rocks in NE Tafresh situated in the central Urumieh‐Dokhtar Magmatic Arc. These intrusive rocks, consisting of granodiorite and diorite, were emplaced during the Early Miocene (19.07–20.37 Ma), following extensive submarine volcanic activity in the Eocene. In normalized multi‐element diagrams, all the analysed rocks are characterized by enrichments in large ion lithophile elements (e.g., Ba, Rb, and Sr) and depletions in high field strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, and Hf) and display geochemical features typical of subduction‐related calc‐alkaline arc magmas. The enrichment of light rare earth elements and flat heavy rare earth elements patterns reflect amphibole fractionation from relatively hydrous, calc‐alkalic magmas. The geochemical features and ages of the Tafresh intrusive rocks suggest that the Neo‐Tethys Ocean did not close completely in the region until the Miocene and is consistent with a diachronous collision starting in the NW and closing later in the SE.