Sirjan Zone Research Articles

Jurassic igneous rocks of the central Sanandaj–Sirjan zone (Iran) mark a propagating continental rift, not a magmatic arc

AbstractJurassic igneous bodies of the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone (SaSZ) in SW Iran are generally considered as a magmatic arc but critical evaluation of modern geochronology, geochemistry and radiogenic isotopes challenges this conclusion. There is no evidence for sustained igneous activity along the ~1,200 km long SaSZ, as expected for a convergent plate margin; instead activity was brief at most sites and propagated NW at ~20 mm/a. Jurassic igneous rocks define a bimodal suite of gabbro‐diorite and granite. Chemical and isotopic compositions of mafic rocks indicate subcontinental lithospheric mantle sources that mostly lacked subduction‐related modifications. The arc‐like features of S‐type granites reflect massive involvement of Cadomian crust and younger sediments to generate felsic melts in response to mafic intrusions. We conclude that Jurassic SaSZ igneous activity occurred in a continental rift, not an arc. SaSZ igneous rocks do not indicate that subduction along the SW margin of Eurasia began in Jurassic time.

Petrology of Spinel-Gedrite-Cordierite Symplectites Replacing Andalusite in Migmatites from the Sarabi Area, Hamedan, Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone, Iran

Metapelitic migmatites in the Hamedan area of Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone, Iran, contain spinel + gedrite + cordierite (± biotite, ± staurolite, ± ilmenite) symplectite, replacing andalusite in metatexite and diatexite. P-T conditions of metamorphism for cordierite-hornfels, andalusite-cordierite-hornfels and migmatites were estimated as 600°C, 2.2 kbar; 645°C, 2.9 kbar and 760°C, 3.7 kbar respectively, using calculated pseudosections for an average composition in the NCKFMASH system. Calculated pseudosection is in accordance with field and petrographic observation, except that symplectite minerals does not appear in the model, suggesting that formation of symplectite was affected by effective bulk compositions (EBC), rather than whole-rock composition. So EBC model was calculated using modal abundance and average composition of symplectite minerals. In pseudosection calculated for EBC, spinel + gedrite + cordierite is stable over wide range of P and T. Peak metamorphic condition for symplectites are estimated as 750°C at 4.1 kbar. Staurolite-bearing symplectites appeared during retrograde isobaric path at 600°C and 4.1 kbar. Based on calculated pseudosections and estimated P and T, an isobaric retrograde anticlockwise P-T path is proposed for the Sarabi migmatites. Metamorphism and migmatization in the area is linked to the major plutonism phases of the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone in Middle-Jurassic under high T-low P conditions, during the evolution of Neo-Tethys.

The Eastern Khoy metamorphic complex of NW Iran: a Jurassic ophiolite or continuation of the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone?

The Khoy complex in NW Iran has been widely regarded to consist of both Jurassic and Cretaceous ophiolites, but whereas the western Late Cretaceous ophiolite is unequivocal the nature of the eastern Jurassic body has been unclear. Field observations show that the presumed eastern meta-ophiolite has no similarities to an ophiolite sequence. Here, we report geological and zircon–rutile–titanite U–Pb data for rocks from the presumed Jurassic ophiolite obtained to verify whether these are real ophiolitic units and to understand their relations either to the Late Cretaceous Zagros–Bitlis ophiolites in western Iran–southern Anatolia or to the Sevan–Akera (northern Armenia) and Izmir–Ankara (southern Pontides) complexes. The new U–Pb ages show that the ‘presumed’ ophiolite is in fact a collage of Ediacaran to Cambrian ( c. 606–517 Ma) and Jurassic ( c. 160 Ma) meta-igneous rocks, similar to ages obtained for igneous rocks of the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone, which has been interpreted as a Jurassic continental rift. The Jurassic igneous rocks contain abundant Ediacaran, Ordovician–Silurian and Carboniferous–Permian inherited zircons, further suggesting involvement of pre-existing continental crust. Our results indicate that Jurassic continental rifting provided a lithospheric weakness along which a new subduction zone formed in Late Cretaceous times.

The Jurassic tourmaline–garnet–beryl semi-gemstone province in the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone, western Iran

ABSTRACT Deposits of semi-gemstones tourmaline, beryl, and garnet associated with Jurassic granites are found in the northern Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone (SaSZ) of western Iran, defining a belt that can be traced for about 400 km. Granitic magmas strongly interacted with or were derived from melts of continental crust and/or sediments. Based on morphologies, size, mineral assemblage, and contact relationships with host granite and associated metamorphic aureoles, these deposits are categorized into six types: (1) garnet in skarns, (2) tourmaline, beryl, and garnet in pegmatite and aplitic dikes, (3) disseminations and patches of tourmaline in leucogranites, (4) quartz-tourmaline veins in granite, (5) tourmaline and garnet in metamorphic aureoles, and (6) tourmaline orbicules in aplite. Tourmalines are mostly schorl and dravite, and garnets are mostly almandine, spessartine, and grossular. Tourmaline, beryl, and garnet from pegmatites in the contact aureole of Jurassic granites reflect segregations of Be, B, Mn, and Al bearing melts from the Jurassic peraluminous granites. Quartz-tourmaline veins and hydrothermal garnets in skarns reflect fluids exsolved from the surrounding metasediment and pegmatite melt. In contrast, tourmaline patches and orbicules developed from boron-rich aqueous fluids exsolved from cooling granitic magma. Distribution of semi-gemstones in the SaSZ shows that these are mostly related to pegmatites associated with Jurassic granitic intrusions. Mineral equilibrium considerations indicate that SaSZ semi-gemstones crystallized at P = 3.5–7.5 kbar (11.5–25 km deep) and temperatures of 550–650°C. SaSZ pegmatites fall in the muscovite (MS) and MS-rare element classes. They are Lithium Cesium Tantalum (LCT)-type pegmatites. Fluids responsible for gem mineralization were exsolved from cooling granite bodies and released by metamorphosed sediments. Further studies are needed to better understand the northern Sanandaj–Sirjan tourmaline–garnet–beryl semi-gemstone Province.

New evidence for Jurassic continental rifting in the northern Sanandaj Sirjan Zone, western Iran: the Ghalaylan seamount, southwest Ghorveh

ABSTRACT We address the growing controversy about the tectonic setting in which Jurassic magmatism of Iran occurred: arc or continental rift. In the Ghorveh area of the northern Sanandaj Sirjan zone (SaSZ), the Ghalayan metabasites are interlayered with marble and schist and locally cut by acidic dikes. Zircon U-Pb dating of the metabasitic rocks shows that these crystallized at ca. 145–144 Ma ago in the Late Jurassic (Tithonian). This complex was metamorphosed in the lower greenschist facies, however, some protolithic structures such as pillow lava and primary minerals are preserved. The metabasites are tholeiites with low SiO2 (45.6–50.5 wt.%), moderate Al2O3 (11.3–17.0 wt.%), and high TiO2 (0.7–2.9 wt.%) and Fe2O3 (9.4–14.1 wt.%). The Ghalayan metabasites are enriched in Light rare earth elements (LREEs) without significant Nb, Ta, Pb, Sr and Ba anomalies, similar to modern continental intra-plate tholeiitic basalts such as Afar and East African rifts. The Ghalaylan metabasites show wide ranges for 87Sr/86Sr(i) (0.7039–0.7077) and positive εNd(t) values (+0.1 to +4.6). These isotopic compositions are similar to those expected for slightly depleted subcontinental lithospheric mantle sources. Independently built discrimination diagrams indicate an intra-continental rifting regime for the source of Jurassic metabasites in the northern SaSZ. Geochemical and tectonic evidence suggests that rifting or a mantle plume was responsible for volcanic activity in the Upper Jurassic SaSZ. Considering the variation of ages of basaltic volcanism along the SaSZ, we suggest that Ghalayan basaltic magmatism reflected a submarine volcano that formed as part of the late stage continental rift, similar to Afar in the East African Rift system. Our results indicate that an extensional tectonic regime dominated SaSZ tectonics in the Middle to Late Jurassic.

Warm-water carbonates in proximity to Gondwanan ice–sheets: A record from the Upper Paleozoic of Iran

Sedimentologic and paleontologic proxies recovered from the Alborz Basin, the Sanandaj – Sirjan Zone, and additional Iranian peri–Gondwanan continental blocks near the Arabian margin of northeastern Gondwana record the formation of warm-water, shallow-marine carbonates throughout the Late Pennsylvanian – earliest Permian. This reflects a prevailing favorable climatic and environmental regime that contrasts with the cold conditions of slightly more southerly Gondwanan regions that experienced profound glaciations. The sedimentologic and paleobiologic properties of these Iranian carbonates also differ greatly from coeval cool-water carbonates of Bolivia that developed at equivalent paleolatitudes along the northwestern margin of Gondwana. The complex climatic patterns reflected in the dispersal of marine taxa and their colonization of ecosystems relatively remote to their customary habitats and climate zones are interpreted to record the influence of ocean circulation. Based on these sedimentologic and paleobiologic data, we utilized a climate model (Community Climate System Model Version 3 (CCSM3)) to help resolve the mechanisms responsible for enabling transport of warm water to higher latitudes in northeastern Gondwana. These simulations reveal that spatial variations in sea surface temperatures exerted a strong forcing on Paleo-Tethyan oceanic circulation and thereby governed the distribution, diversity, and abundance of taxa in late Paleozoic marine ecosystems. Based on this outcome, we conclude that the climatic contrasts registered across Upper Pennsylvanian – Lower Permian carbonate platforms of the Paleo-Tethys and Panthalassic Ocean originated through oceanic circulation driven by geographic differences in sea surface temperature.

Petrogenesis and tectonic significance of Sardasht syenite–monzonite–gabbro–appinite intrusions, NW Iran

The Middle Eocene intrusive rocks of Sardasht are located in the north-western part of the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone (SSZ), NW of Iran. The Sardasht complex is a massive or occasionally layered intrusion composed of mafic (gabbro, appinitic gabbro, and appinite) and felsic (syenite and monzonite) units with respective calc-alkaline and alkaline-shoshonite affinities. Mafic mineral constituents are plagioclase, clinopyroxene, olivine, amphibole and opaque minerals which display granular, poikilitic, ophitic, and reaction textures. Amphibole is the dominant mafic mineral displaying an extraordinary variability in texture and chemical composition characterizing the appinite suites. The felsic units are mainly composed of perthitic alkali feldspar along with low abundances of plagioclase, biotite, amphibole and opaque minerals. The occurrence of mafic minerals with felsic minerals in the syenites are typical of agpaitic texture indicating that mafic aggregates and felsic units of the Sardasht intrusions were injected simultaneously. The abundance of major and trace elements show that mafic intrusions were originated from a metasomatized spinel lherzolite mantle with high concentrations of light rare earth elements (LREEs), Ti, Sr and Ba and low contents of Hf, Zr, Nb, and Ta. Mafic and felsic rocks showed the 87Sr/86Sr ratios ranging from 0.7044 to 0.7049 and from 0.7079 to 0.7095 with e(Nd)40.7 Ma ≈ + 4.1–7.6 and + 4.0–4.6, respectively. Combining petrological, geochemical, and isotopic findings, it is suggested that the Sardasht mafic and felsic intrusions were formed as a result of Neotethys slab break-off and transtension along the SE-trending lateral strike-slip fault zones related to oblique subduction of the Neotethys plate underneath east the SSZ in Early to Middle Eocene. The felsic intrusions were resulted from partial melting of the arc crust base due to the injection of hydrous-mafic magma formed in the mantle wedge into the base.

Geochemistry and apatite U–Pb geochronology of alkaline gabbros from the Nodoushan plutonic complex, Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone, Central Iran: Evidence for Early Palaeozoic rifting of northern Gondwana

The Zagros Orogen formed during the Cenozoic collision of Arabia with Eurasia and resulted in the closure of the Neo‐Tethys Ocean. Collision was preceded by a complicated tectonic history involving Pan‐African orogenesis, Late Palaeozoic rifting and the formation of Neo‐Tethys, and subsequent Mesozoic convergence on the northern margin of the ocean contemporaneous with ophiolite obduction on its southern margin. The Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone (SaSZ) is a metamorphic belt within the Zagros Orogen of Gondwanan provenance. U–Pb zircon geochronology has revealed the presence of Pan‐African igneous and metamorphic basement complexes, in addition to minor late Palaeozoic plutons and abundant Jurassic plutonic rocks. This study presents a LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb apatite age of 440.7 ± 3.7 Ma from a gabbroic body on the central north‐eastern margin of the SaSZ (Nodoushan region). Based on petrography and geochemistry, en route fractional crystallization of ascending magma was an important process in the evolution of the intrusive rocks. Geochemical characteristics imply that the south‐west Nodoushan alkaline gabbroic magma was originated from the asthenospheric mantle source, whereas the high ratios of (La/Yb)N and (Dy/Yb)N are related to the low degree of partial melting from the garnet‐bearing mantle source. Enrichment pattern of Nb, Ta, and Ti and depletion of Rb, Th, and Y are similar to the OIB pattern and intraplate alkaline magmatic rocks. High εNd(t) values (+1.29 to +1.50), low initial Sr isotopic ratios (0.703679–0.704098), and trace element ratios (e.g., Nb/La, Ce/Pb, Ba/Nb, and Th/Nb) indicate that crustal contamination was insignificant in its petrogenesis. The petrogenesis of the Nodoushan alkaline gabbroic rocks could be related to the presence of extensional phase, upwelling and decompressional melting of asthenospheric mantle in the rift basin which was associated with the opening of the Paleo‐Tethys Ocean in Late Ordovician to Silurian times.

Gabbroic–dioritic dykes from the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone: windows on Jurassic and Eocene geodynamic processes in the Zagros Orogen, western Iran

The Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone (SaSiZ) is a magmatic terrane within the Zagros Orogen, western Iran, marking the Tethyan suture zone between the Afro-Arabian Plate and the Central Iran Micro-Continent. Mafic–intermediate dyke swarms with Middle Jurassic (Group 1: hornblende gabbro and diorite) and Late Eocene (Group 2: hornblende–pyroxene gabbro) ages are recognized in the Malayer–Boroujerd Plutonic Complex of the northern SaSiZ. Group 1 dykes have elemental and isotopic signatures consistent with melting of a mantle source modified during Neo-Tethyan subduction. Some Group 1 magmas evolved to intermediate compositions through assimilation and fractional crystallization. Group 2 dykes have within-plate trace element geochemical signatures, modelled as deriving from low-degree melting of asthenospheric mantle without a subduction influence. Published models postulate either a Cretaceous–Eocene Neo-Tethyan flat-slab scenario or a Latest Cretaceous–Paleogene Neo-Tethyan break-off event beneath the SaSiZ. Such models do not reconcile with the Late Eocene presence of within-plate magmatism in westernmost Iran, very close to the Zagros Suture. We argue that a period of flat-slab subduction concluded with sub-parallel subduction of a Neo-Tethyan ridge to the trench. The resulting slab break-off event in the Late Eocene is responsible for generation of the distinct Mesopotamia and Zagros slabs in mantle tomography models. Break-off was followed by small-volume within-plate type magmatism before short-lived re-establishment of Tethyan subduction prior to the final Arabia–Eurasia collision. Supplementary material: Field photographs, photomicrographs, additional geochemical plots, descriptions of analytical methods and tables of geochemical modelling parameters are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4126196

Geochemistry and source characteristics of Dehsard mafic volcanic rocks in the southeast of the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone, Iran: implications for the evolution of the Neo-Tethys Ocean

The Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous Dehsard mafic volcanic rocks crop out in the southeastern Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone (SSZ), composed primarily of basalts and basaltic andesite with subordinate dolerite. They are influenced to some degree by hydrothermal alteration under zeolite-greenschist facies. Using fairly immobile trace elements, the mafic volcanic rocks show subalkaline (tholeiitic) affinities. They commonly have similar designs with somewhat strong enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREEs) and large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and depletion in high field strength elements (HFSEs; e.g., Nb, Ta, Ti) and nearly flat heavy rare earth element (HREE) patterns. The negligible or absence of negative Eu anomalies indicate that plagioclase played an insignificant role during magma evolution. The low La/Nb (1.03-2.31) and Nb/Y (0.12-0.46) ratios, relatively high Zr/Y (4.03-8.18) and Th/Ta (2.25- 9.64) ratios, steady enhanced normalized patterns, and moderate La/Nb ratios hint at an island arc and most likely a back-arc basin environment for the formation of Dehsard mafic volcanic rocks. The arc magma resulted from partial melting of depleted mantle source that experienced assimilation and fractional crystallization and was enhanced by melts of subducted sediments or contribution of slabderived fluids in an intraoceanic subduction environment in the Neo-Tethyan Ocean. Therefore, the presence of an island arc setting (Dehsard island arc) must be investigated in the south of the SSZ prior to the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous as the Neo-Tethys oceanic crust was subducting north beneath the southern margin of the Central Iranian Microcontinents. The later collision of the arc with SSZ led to tectonic proximity of the Dehsard mafic volcanic rocks to SSZ components.

Petrology and Rare Earth Elements Mineral Chemistry of Chadegan Metabasites (Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone, Iran): Evidence for Eclogite-Facies Metamorphism during Neotethyan Subduction

The metabasites of Chadegan, including eclogite, garnet amphibolite and amphibolite, are forming a part of Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone. These rocks have formed during the subduction of the Neo–Tethys ocean crust under Iranian plate. This subduction resulted in a subduction metamorphism under high pressuremedium temperature of eclogite and amphibolites facies condition. Then the metamorphic rocks were exhumed during the continental collision between the Afro–Arabian continent and the Iranian microcontinent. In the metabasite rocks, with typical MORB composition, garnet preserved a compositional zoning occurred during metamorphism. The magnesium (XMg) gradually increases from core to rim of garnets, while the manganese (XMn) decreases towards the rim. Chondrite–normalized Rare Earth Element patterns for these garnets exhibit core–to–rim increases in Light Rare Earth Elements. The chondrite–normalized REE patterns of garnets, amphiboles and pyroxenes display positive trend from LREEs to Heavy Rare Earth Elements (especially in garnet), which suggests the role of these minerals as the major controller of HREE distribution. The geochemical features show that the studied eclogite and associated rocks have a MORB origin, and probably formed in a deep–seated subduction channel environment. The geothermometry estimation yields average pressure of ~22 kbar and temperature of 470–520°C for eclogite fomation. The thermobarometry results gave T = 650–700°C and P ≈ 10–11 kbar for amphibolite facies.

Geochemistry and tectonic setting of the Chah-Bazargan sub-volcanic mafic dykes, south Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone (SSZ), Iran

The Chah-Bazargan sub-volcanic mafic dykes (trachybasalt and basaltic trachyandesite) are located in the south of the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone (SSZ), Iran. The dyke mineralogy mostly comprises amphibole, clinopyroxene, olivine, orthopyroxene, and plagioclase as phenocrysts and fine-grained plagioclase and some ferromagnesian minerals in the matrix. The rocks are alkaline and shoshonitic in composition. The mafic melts relate to Neotethys subduction activity beneath the southern SSZ in the ~Eocene–Miocene interval. Markedly positive Ba, U, K, Pb, and Sr and negative HFSE (high field strength elements: Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, P, and Ti) anomalies demonstrate this subduction. The sub-volcanic mafic dykes were produced from a metasomatized upper lithospheric mantle wedge at a depth consistent with the stability field of phlogopite-spinel (or -spinel/garnet) lherzolite. Geochemical studies on the basis of the rare earth elements (REE) and HFSE, and large ion lithophile elements (LILE) display that the mantle wedge underwent degrees of partial melting averaging between 5 and 15% to form the Chah-Bazargan sub-volcanic mafic dykes. It is possible that the chemical composition of the rocks was changed due to fractional crystallization and crustal contamination during emplacement.

Ore facies, mineral chemical and fluid inclusion characteristics of the Hossein-Abad and Western Haft-Savaran sediment-hosted Zn-Pb deposits, Arak Mining District, Iran

The Arak basin in the northern part of the Malayer-Esfahan metallogenic belt (MEMB) of Iran hosts 9 Zn-Pb sulfide deposits within a Jurassic sedimentary succession of black, fine-grained sandstone, siltstone and shale. This succession was deposited in an extensional back-arc environment between the Sanandaj- Sirjan Zone (SSZ) and the Central Iranian microcontinent. Two of the 9 deposits (Western Haft-Savaran and Hossein-Abad) are the focus of study. Here, three ore facies can be distinguished, based on the morphology of the orebodies and the sulfide mineralogy and textures: (a) stockwork, (b) massive, and (c) bedded mineralization. The stockwork and massive mineralization are interpreted to have formed in the subsurface, whereas bedded mineralization was sedimented on the seafloor. The Fe contents of sphalerites from massive and stockwork mineralization from the two deposits, together with the presence of pyrrhotite inclusions, indicate that sphalerite precipitated from relatively low fS2 (<10−11) fluid. Homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions in sphalerite, quartz and siderite in massive mineralization range from 105 to 309 °C, and average 208 °C, with salinities between 4.03 and 11.1 wt% NaCl eq., and averaging 5.77 wt% NaCl eq. These widely ranging salinities and homogenization temperatures reflect mixing of shallow connate water with venting metalliferous fluid that is of deep basinal origin, and deposition of mineralization predominantly below the seafloor. Collectively, the host rock types, ore facies and textures, deposition in an reduced ambient environment, fluid inclusion temperatures and salinities, and mineralizing fluid behaviour at the seafloor are all compatible with a vent-proximal sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX) origin for the Western Haft-Savaran and Hossein-Abad deposits.

Cyclostratigraphy across a Mississippian carbonate ramp in the Esfahan–Sirjan Basin, Iran: implications for the amplitudes and frequencies of sea-level fluctuations along the southern margin of the Paleotethys

The Tournaisian–Visean carbonate successions of the Esfahan–Sirjan Basin (ESB) from Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone, Iran, have been used to generate a sequence stratigraphic model that enhances facies characterization and improves paleoenvironmental interpretation of shallow marine successions deposited along the southern margin of the Paleotethys. Detailed facies analysis allowed to differentiate seven facies, which, in order of decreasing abundance, are: (1) shaly and marly, F1; (2) peloidal mudstones/wackestones, F2; (3) peloidal/bioclastic packstones, F3; (4) intraclastic/bioclastic packstones/grainstones, F4; (5) oolitic/bioclastic packstone/grainstone, F5; (6) sandy intraclastic/bioclastic grainstones, F6; (7) sandy oolitic/bioclastic grainstones, F7. The different facies can be grouped into three facies associations that correspond to different environments of a carbonate platform with ramp geometry (homoclinal), from outer ramp (F1 and F2), mid-ramp (F3, F4 and F6) to inner ramp areas (F5 and F7). Meter-scale cycles are the basic building blocks of shallow marine carbonate successions of the Tournaisian–Visean ramp of the ESB. Small-scale cycles are stacked into medium-scale cycles that in turn are building blocks of large-scale cycles. According to the recognized facies and the stacking pattern of high-frequency cycles across the ramp, five large-scale cycles in the southeastern outcrops (Tournaisian–Visean) and three large-scale cycles in the northwest outcrops (Visean) related to eustatic sea-level changes can be recognized. The overall retrogradational nature of the carbonate ramp, illustrated by both vertical facies relationships and the stacking patterns of high-frequency cycles within the third-order cycles, implies that the deposition of the Tournaisian–Visean successions mainly took place under a long-term transgressive sea-level trend. The stratigraphic architectural style of the sequences, characterized by the lack of lowstand deposits and exposure surfaces, associated with the evidence of progressive increase in the proportion of backstepping of facies belts across bounding surfaces and predominant subtidal characteristics, is in accordance with the long-term transgressive sea-level trend and greenhouse conditions during the Tournaisian–Visean. The continued transgression on this broad shelfal platform could lead to the shutdown of the shallow water carbonate factory, reduction in sediment supply or sediment transport towards the offshore setting and the development of give-up sequences. The association of transgressive events with the deposition of thick open-marine marls/shales is a common feature in Tournaisian to Visean times of the southern margin of the Paleotethys.

Jurassic granitoids in the northwestern Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone: Evolving magmatism in response to the development of a Neo-Tethyan slab window

Voluminous Jurassic granitoids within the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone (SSZ) provide insight into the magmatic arc formed in the active margin of Eurasia. Here, we present new in situ zircon U–Pb, whole-rock major and trace element, and Sr–Nd isotopic data for the Gorveh Plutonic Complex (GPC) of the northwestern SSZ in Iran. Six samples from the plutons within the GPC yielded zircon U–Pb ages that range from 151 to 146Ma. These plutons can be subdivided into two groups based on their geochemistry. Group 1 rocks (the Mobarak Abad diorites and the Gorveh gabbros and diorites) contain relatively high concentrations of the high field strength elements (HFSE; Nb, Ta, Zr, and Ti) and have low Th/Nb (0.20–0.56) and moderate Sm/Yb ratios (1.51–2.32), low (87Sr/86Sr)i values (0.70354–0.70622), and high εNd(t) values (2.3–5.4). These features indicate that the Group 1 rocks formed from magmas derived from a subduction-modified region of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle. The Group 2 plutons (the Bolban Abad granites and the Gorveh quartz monzonites) have A-type granites affinities, including high K2O+Na2O and Zr+Nb+Ce+Y concentrations, and high FeOtot/MgO and 10,000×Ga/Al ratios. These A-type rocks are enriched in Rb, Th, and K, and depleted in Ba, U, Nb, Ta, Sr, P, and Ti. The Group 2 plutons have different Sr–Nd isotopic compositions to each other, indicating they were derived from different sources and record different igneous processes. The Gorveh quartz monzonites have high (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios (0.70552–0.70617), negative εNd(t) values (−1.1 to −5.4), and extremely low concentrations of MgO (0.32–0.35wt%), suggesting they were derived from an igneous quartzo-feldspathic crustal source. In comparison, the Bolban Abad granites have positive εNd(t) values and contain high concentrations of SiO2 and low concentrations of MgO, suggesting that they formed from Group 1 magmas that subsequently underwent assimilation and fractional crystallization processes. Combining these new data with the results of previous research, we conclude that this Jurassic magmatism was the result of the formation of a slab window within the subducting Neo-Tethys slab, a process that caused the partial melting of overlying continental lithospheric material.

Geochemistry, petrology and geodynamic setting of the Urumieh plutonic complex, Sanandaj–Sirjan zone, NW Iran: New implication for Arabian and Central Iranian plate collision

The Urumieh plutonic complex, in the northernmost part of Sanandaj-Sirjan zone (SSZ) of Iran, consists of ten basic-acidic units which formed in response to subduction and continental collision of the SSZ with the Arabian plate to the south during Mid-Late Cretaceous times. Geochemically, the plutonic unit is divided into three distinct groups: I-type, S-type and A-type that mainly belong to calc-alkalic series. The I-type intrusions, especially mafic members, are enriched in LREE and LILE and possibly formed from metasomatized mantle wedge during the subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic crust beneath the SSZ. The felsic I-type rocks are depleted in Ba, Sr, Nb, Ta, Ti and Eu, but enriched in Rb, Th, K, Ce, U and La. These data suggest that they formed in deep crustal levels via partial melting of crustal sources by injection of hot mantle magmas. The S-type rocks are characterized by low Na2O (<3.02 wt%), high LILE, relatively high values of molar Al2O3/(MgO+FeO) and K2O/Na2O ratios combined with low CaO/(MgO+FeO*) ratios. These features show that the S-type granites originated from partial melting of a metapelitic to metagreywacke source. The A-type alkali feldspar granites formed through the slab break off after the continental collision in northwestern Iran by decompression melting of crustal protolith. The author's new model implies that collision between Arabian margin and north SSZ initiated in the Late Cretaceous and completed until Late Paleocene. In contrast, in the southeast, subduction was active during this period of time, but collision presumably occurred during the Middle to Late Miocene.

Tectonic significance of Triassic mafic rocks in the June Complex, Sanandaj\u2013Sirjan zone, Iran

This study concentrates on the petrological and geochemical investigation of mafic rocks embedded within the voluminous Triassic June Complex of the central Sanandaj–Sirjan zone (Iran), which are crucial to reconstruct the geodynamics of the Neotethyan passive margin. The Triassic mafic rocks are alkaline to sub-alkaline basalts, containing 43.36–49.09 wt% SiO2, 5.19–20.61 wt% MgO and 0.66–4.59 wt% total alkalis. Based on MgO concentrations, the mafic rocks fall into two groups: cumulates (Mg# = 51.61–58.94) and isotropic basaltic liquids (Mg# = 24.54–42.66). In all samples, the chondrite-normalized REE patterns show enrichment of light REEs with variable (La/Yb)N ratios ranging from 2.48 to 9.00, which confirm their amalgamated OIB-like and E-MORB-like signatures. Enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements and depletion in high field strength elements (HFSE) relative to the primitive mantle further support this interpretation. No samples point to crustal contamination, all having undergone fractionation of olivine + clinopyroxene + plagioclase. Nevertheless, elemental data suggest that the substantial variations in (La/Sm)PM and Zr/Nb ratios can be explained by variable degrees of partial melting rather than fractional crystallization from a common parental magma. The high (Nb/Yb)PM ratio in the alkaline mafic rocks points to the mixing of magmas from enriched and depleted mantle sources. Abundant OIB alkaline basalts and rare E-MORB appear to be linked to the drifting stage on the northern passive margin of the Neotethys Ocean.

Fusulinoids from the Carboniferous–Permian transition beds from the Abadeh Region (Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone, Iran)

The biostratigraphy of the latest Gzhelian‒Asselian fusulinoid fauna from the Banarizeh section located in the Abadeh region of the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone is investigated. The most characteristic species among the fusulinoids are the species of Pseudoschwagerina?, Nonpseudofusulina, and Praepseudofusulina; the last one is represented by four species, namely, Praepseudofusulina kljasmica (Sjomina), P. cf. saratovensis (Chernova), P. incomperta (Scherbovich), and P. cf. impercepta (Jagofarova). A biostratigraphic correlation shows that the latest Gzhelian–Asselian fusulinoid assemblage from the Banarizeh section shares some common species with the contemporaneous assemblages of the Russian Platform and Southern Urals. It can also be compared to those of the Alborz, Tabas Block (East Iran), and Yazd Block (Central Iran).

Petrography, geochemistry, and U–Pb geochronology of pegmatites and aplites associated with the Alvand intrusive complex in the Hamedan region, Sanandaj–Sirjan zone, Zagros orogen (Iran)

The Alvand intrusive complex in the Hamedan area in Iran is in the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone of the Zagros orogen. It consists of a wide range of plutonic rocks, mainly gabbro, diorite, granodiorite, granite, and leucogranites that were intruded by aplitic and pegmatitic dykes. At least three successive magmatic episodes generated an older gabbro–diorite–tonalite assemblage, followed by a voluminous granodiorite–granite association, which was then followed by minor leucocratic granitoids. Aplitic and pegmatitic dykes and bodies have truncated both plutonic rocks of the Alvand intrusive complex and its metamorphic aureole. Chemically they belong to peraluminous LCT (Li-, Cs-, and Ta-bearing) family of pegmatites. Mineralogically, they resemble Muscovite (MS) and Muscovite Rare Element (MSREL) classes of pegmatites. High amounts of some elements, such as Sn (up to 10,000 ppm), Rb (up to 936 ppm), Ba (up to 706 ppm), and LREE (up to 404 ppm) indicate the highly fractionated nature of some of these aplites and pegmatites. U–Pb dating of monazite, zircon, and allanite by LA-ICPMS indicate the following ages: monazite-bearing aplites of Heydareh-e-Poshteshahr and Barfejin areas, southwest of Hamedan, give an age range of 162–172 Ma; zircon in Heydareh-e-Poshteshar gives an average age of ~165 Ma and for allanite-bearing pegmatites of Artiman area, north of Tuyserkan, an age of 154.1 ± 3.7 Ma was determined. These overlap with previously reported ages (ca. 167–153 Ma) for the plutonic rocks of the Alvand complex. Therefore, these data reveal that the Jurassic was a period of magmatism in the Hamedan region and adjacent areas in the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone, which was situated at the southern edge of the central Iranian micro-plate (southern Eurasian plate) at this time. Our results also suggest that advective heating in a continental arc setting has caused melting of fertile supracrustal lithologies, such as meta-pelites. These partial melts were then emplaced at much higher crustal levels, but within a thermally anomalous environment, which, therefore, leads to formation of evolved felsic rocks, such as the studied LCT aplite–pegmatite suite and their parental granitic rocks. This is a new result that indicates the role of syn-subduction crustal partial melting in the region as part of Zagros orogeny.

Geochemistry, petrogenesis, and tectonic setting of the Almogholagh batholith in the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone, western Iran

The Almogholagh batholith in the northern Sanandaj-Sirjan magmatic–metamorphic zone comprises three intrusive bodies (gabbroic diorite, quartz syenite, and quartz monzonite) that were generated during the northeastward subduction of Neo-Tethys beneath the Iranian sector of the Eurasian plate. These bodies intruded at different time phases and are related to post-collision magmatism. The quartz syenite and quartz monzonite rocks with specifications of metaluminous, generally ferroan, alkalic to alkali-calcic types, high content of Na2O + K2O, Zr, Ce, Ga, Y, Nb, Ta, and rare earth elements, and depleted in Eu, Sr, and Ti show borderline characteristics between A1 and A2 types granitoids but with more affinity to A2 type. The gabbroic dioritic rocks show borderline specifications between A1 and I types rocks but with more affinity to I type. Distinctive spiked peak patterns in spider diagrams accompanied by (La/Yb)CN values equal to 2.44 to 6.11 and a Ba/La ratio >3 indicate the magmatism activity in the volcanic arc environment. The characteristics (Ba/Rb)PN < 1, (Ba/Th)PN < 1, and Th/Ta ratio from 3.18 to 8.42 suggest the magmatism activity of the continental margin setting. The specifications of post-collision magmatic activities, 143Nd/144Nd > 0.512638 in some samples, εtNd > 0, εtSr > 0, and high content of Nb, Ta, and Zr (589 ppm) demonstrate the involvement of the mantle source, subducted slab fluids, high flux of mantle-derived halogen-rich volatiles, and contamination within the crust during the petrogenesis of intrusions. After the initial collision, the operation of minor subduction (with slab break-off) or foundering of the lithospheric mantle (delamination) occurred because of asthenospheric upwelling and heat flows in the mantle in the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone. Stretch and local disruptions were created by these heat flows; simultaneously, magma was formed and ascended upward.