Tectonic and stratigraphic evolution of Zagros and Makran during the Mesozoic–Cenozoic, edited by P.Leturmy and C.Robin. Geological Society Special Publication, London, 330. No. of pages: 355. Price UK£95.00. ISBN 978‐1‐86239‐293‐9 (cloth).

Abstract

This volume is welcomed, given the recent ‘warming’ of relationships between Iran and the ‘western’ world that is resulting in more requests for geological cooperation in both directions. Most articles relate to the fruition of an international mega-project carried out during an intense period activity in the previous thawing of relations with Iran between 2003 and 2006. Leturmy and Robin commence their volume with an introduction that adequately sets the scene for the subsequent technical papers. Eight of these are structurally focussed, with the last five being related to stratigraphic and petroleum geological issues. In a brief review, such as this, I have chosen to mention just a few of these papers. Hatzfeld et al. outline recent advances in understanding the kinematics of the Zagros Mountains by use of GPS and Quaternary geological features, notably with reference to the Kaizerun Fault Zone, showing that deformation includes both basement and cover sediments. Regard et al. detail the structural and stratigraphical lateral transition between the Zagros orogenic belt and the Makran accretionary prism/trench subduction zone complex. A right-lateral motion is identified in which the Makran is thrust over the Zagros, along a crustal plane that dips to the NE. Navabpour et al. outline the evidence for Mesozoic extensional brittle tectonics in Interior Fars, of particular relevance when combined with an appreciation of palaeogeographic evolution of the same interval. Aubourg et al. present new magnetic fabric data from the Fars province that relate to the Neogene compression of the Zagros margin. They identify, in addition to the Late Miocene–Pliocene event, an earlier Early Miocene age event where many structures were initiated. Emami et al. examine the regional structure of the Mountain Front Flexure in Lurestan, notably the S-shaped Pusht-e-Kuh Arc with constituent Anaran anticline and its subvertical forelimb. They identify a significant collapse of the anticline with development of deep and narrow half-graben within the fold belt system. Robin et al. focus on the Mesozoic deepwater carbonates from the southern Tethyan passive margin. This contains a detailed synthesis of data from radiolarian assemblages, in addition to comprehensive logging of outcrop stratigraphy and integration of results, into an elegant synthesis of one of the unusually long-lived areas of deepwater deposition along the NE margin of the Arabian Plate. Piryaei et al. are more stratigraphically selective and discuss the influence of Late Cretaceous tectonic processes in Fars Province, showing the evolution from passive margin into an active, compressional one. Bordenave and Hegre present a masterful review of the impact of the multiple (five) petroleum systems of the Zagros and its foreland on the distribution of oil and gas fields. The first four are long-lived and have long migration paths, pre-dating the main late Cenozoic compression and trap development, with the fifth being syn-orogenic and characterized by much more localized and vertical, fracture-fed migration. Criticisms of the volume are few. The main omission, no doubt due to inaccessibility during the main phase of research, is the absence of any synthesis of the remaining third of the Zagros fold belt within Iraq and its relationship to the Taurides. Otherwise, writing is clear and concise, and there is a reasonable balance of papers. I recommend the volume as a comment on the state of our knowledge of both the Iranian Zagros and Makran (pre-2010), which will be exceedingly useful as and when opportunities to work arise in this fantastic and legendary part of the world.