TY - JOUR A1 - Omrani, Hadi A1 - Moazzen, Mohssen A1 - Oberhänsli, Roland T1 - Geodynamic evolution of the Sabzevar zone, northern central Iranian micro-continent JF - Mineralogy and petrology N2 - The Northern Central Iranian Micro-continent (CIM) represents Neotethys-related oceanic crust remnants, emplaced due to convergence between CIM and Eurasia plates during Eocene. Mafic and ultramafic units are exposed along the northern part of the CIM in the Sabzevar area. The geology and field relation of Sabzevar ophiolite indicate northward subduction of the Sabzevar basin. The average whole rock chemistry of mafic (gabbros) and ultramafic samples (lherzolite, harzburgite and dunite) is characterized by a range of MgO of 11.16-31.88, CaO 5.22-11.53 and Al2O3 2.77-14.57, respectively. Low LREE/HREE ratio of ultramafic samples is accompanied by enrichment of large ion lithophile elements (LILE) such as Sr, Pb and K. Mafic samples show two distinct groups with low and high LREE/HREE ratios. The spider diagram of mafic samples indicates enrichment in Sr, Pb and K and depletion in REE. Petrological and geochemical evidence and field relations show that the mafic rocks formed in a supra-subduction zone setting. Petrological studies reveal the role of fractional crystallization and assimilation effect by released fluids during subduction related generation of the Sabzevar mafic rocks. We suggest that the studied mafic rocks likely represent the basement of an initial island arc, which was generated in a supra-subduction zone setting within the Neotethys branch of the Sabzevar Ocean at the north of CIM. Copper, gold and chromite mineralizations are studied in relation to island arc setting and supra-subduction environment. Similarities in lithology, ophiolite age and mineralization between Sabzevar ophiolite and Bardaskan-Torbat Heydariyeh ophiolites testify for their separation due to rotation (or faulting) of the Central Iranian Micro-continent. KW - Supra-subduction zone KW - Ophiolite KW - Island arc KW - Mineralization KW - Neotethys KW - Iran Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-017-0505-3 SN - 0930-0708 SN - 1438-1168 VL - 112 IS - 1 SP - 65 EP - 83 PB - Springer CY - Wien ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Omrani, Hadi A1 - Moazzen, Mohssen A1 - Oberhänsli, Roland A1 - Altenberger, Uwe A1 - Lange, Manuela T1 - The Sabzevar blueschists of the North-Central Iranian micro-continent as remnants of the Neotethys-related oceanic crust subduction JF - International journal of earth sciences N2 - The Sabzevar ophiolites mark the Neotethys suture in east-north-central Iran. The Sabzevar metamorphic rocks, as part of the Cretaceous Sabzevar ophiolitic complex, consist of blueschist, amphibolite and greenschist. The Sabzevar blueschists contain sodic amphibole, epidote, phengite, calcite +/- A omphacite +/- A quartz. The epidote amphibolite is composed of sodic-calcic amphibole, epidote, albite, phengite, quartz +/- A omphacite, ilmenite and titanite. The greenschist contains chlorite, plagioclase and pyrite, as main minerals. Thermobarometry of a blueschist yields a pressure of 13-15.5 kbar at temperatures of 420-500 A degrees C. Peak metamorphic temperature/depth ratios were low (similar to 12 A degrees C/km), consistent with metamorphism in a subduction zone. The presence of epidote in the blueschist shows that the rocks were metamorphosed entirely within the epidote stability field. Amphibole schist samples experienced pressures of 5-7 kbar and temperatures between 450 and 550 A degrees C. The presence of chlorite, actinolite, biotite and titanite indicate greenschist facies metamorphism. Chlorite, albite and biotite replacing garnet or glaucophane suggests temperatures of > 300 A degrees C for greenschist facies. The formation of high-pressure metamorphic rocks is related to north-east-dipping subduction of the Neotethys oceanic crust and subsequent closure during lower Eocene between the Central Iranian Micro-continent and Eurasia (North Iran). KW - Central Iranian micro-continent (CIM) KW - Neotethys Ocean KW - Glaucophane schist KW - Sabzevar KW - Iran Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-013-0881-9 SN - 1437-3254 VL - 102 IS - 5 SP - 1491 EP - 1512 PB - Springer CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Saki, A. A1 - Moazzen, Mohssen A1 - Oberhänsli, Roland T1 - P-T evolution of the precambrian metamorphic complex, NW Iran a study of metapelitic rocks JF - Geological journal N2 - The Mahneshan Metamorphic Complex (MMC) is one of the Precambrian terrains exposed in the northwest of Iran. The MMC underwent two main phases of deformation (D-1 and D-2) and at least two metamorphic events (M-1 and M-2). Critical metamorphic mineral assemblages in the metapelitic rocks testify to regional metamorphism under amphibolite-facies conditions. The dominant metamorphic mineral assemblage in metapelitic rocks (M-1) is muscovite, biotite I, Garnet I, staurolite, Andalusite I and sillimanite. Peak metamorphism took place at 600-620 degrees C and similar to 7 kbar, corresponding to a depth of ca. 24 km. This was followed by decompression during exhumation of the crustal rocks up to the surface. The decrease of temperature and pressure during exhumation produced retrograde metamorphic assemblages (M-2). Secondary phases such as garnet II biotite It. Andalusite II constrain the temperature and pressure of M, retrograde metamorphism to 520-560 degrees C and 2.5-3.5 kbar, respectively. The geothermal gradient obtained for the peak of metamorphism is 33 degrees C km(-1), which indicates that peak metamorphism was of Barrovian type and occurred under medium-pressure conditions. The MMC followed a 'clockwise' P T path during metamorphism, consistent with thermal relaxation following tectonic thickening. The bulk chemistry of the MMC metapelites shows that their protoliths were deposited at an active continental margin. Together with the presence of palaeo-suture zones and ophiolitic rocks around the high-grade metamorphic rocks of the MMC, these features suggest that the Iranian Precambrian basement formed by an island-arc type cratonization. KW - Mahneshan Metamorphic Complex KW - Iran KW - metapelitic rock KW - bulk chemistry KW - Barrovian-type metamorphism KW - clockwise P-T path Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/gj.1236 SN - 0072-1050 VL - 46 IS - 1 SP - 10 EP - 25 PB - Wiley-Blackwell CY - Malden ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Omrani, Hadi A1 - Moazzen, Mohssen A1 - Oberhänsli, Roland A1 - Moslempour, Mohammad Elyas T1 - Iranshahr blueschist: subduction of the inner Makran oceanic crust JF - Journal of metamorphic geology N2 - The Makran accretionary prism in SE Iran and SW Pakistan is one of the most extensive subduction accretions on Earth. It is characterized by intense folding, thrust faulting and dislocation of the Cenozoic units that consist of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Rock units forming the northern Makran ophiolites are amalgamated as a melange. Metamorphic rocks, including greenschist, amphibolite and blueschist, resulted from metamorphism of mafic rocks and serpentinites. In spite of the geodynamic significance of blueschist in this area, it has been rarely studied. Peak metamorphic phases of the northern Makran mafic blueschist in the Iranshahr area are glaucophane, phengite, quartz +/- omphacite+epidote. Post peak minerals are chlorite, albite and calcic amphibole. Blueschist facies metasedimentary rocks contain garnet, phengite, albite and epidote in the matrix and as inclusions in glaucophane. The calculated P-T pseudosection for a representative metabasic glaucophane schist yields peak pressure and temperature of 11.5-15kbar at 400-510 degrees C. These rocks experienced retrograde metamorphism from blueschist to greenschist facies (350-450 degrees C and 7-8kbar) during exhumation. A back arc basin was formed due to northward subduction of Neotethys under Eurasia (Lut block). Exhumation of the high-pressure metamorphic rocks in northern Makran occurred contemporarily with subduction. Several reverse faults played an important role in exhumation of the ophiolitic and HP-LT rocks. The presence of serpentinite shows the possible role of a serpentinite diapir for exhumation of the blueschist. A tectonic model is proposed here for metamorphism and exhumation of oceanic crust and accretionary sedimentary rocks of the Makran area. Vast accretion of subducted materials caused southward migration of the shore. KW - back arc basin KW - Bajgan/Durkan KW - HP-LT metamorphic rocks KW - Iran KW - Lut Blocks KW - Northern Makran KW - subduction and exhumation Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1111/jmg.12236 SN - 0263-4929 SN - 1525-1314 VL - 35 SP - 373 EP - 392 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER -