Tectonic evolution of the orogenic belt in the region located between Kerman and Neyriz

Abstract

Tectonic evolution of the orogenic belt in the region located between Kerman and Neyriz is explored within the context of two NE-dipping Neotethyan subduction zones. The northern subduction zone was responsible for formation of the Mesozoic Sanandaj-Sirjan magmatic arc and the Late Cretaceous Shahr Babak-Baft ensimatic back-arc extensional basin. The southern subduction zone was responsible for formation of the reverse primitive Neyriz island-arc, the Central Iranian volcanic belt, and its line of porphyry copper deposits, as well as the Rafsanjan back-arc extensional basin (proto-Rafsanjan depression). Due to the collision of the Neyriz island arc with the Sanandaj-Sirjan active continental margin, the Shahr Babak-Baft back-arc basin was tectonically inverted into the Shahr Babak-Baft ophiolite belt. Finally, the continental collision between the Arabian and the Central Iranian plates took place during the Neogene. This led to the tectonic inversion of the Rafsanjan ensialic basin into the Rafsanjan retro arc basin (the present Rafsanjan depression), and emplacement of the syncollision to late- or post-orogenic granitoid rocks (felsic mass) in the Rafsanjan region.