@article{SakiMiriOberhaensli2021, author = {Saki, Adel and Miri, Mirmohammad and Oberh{\"a}nsli, Roland}, title = {Pseudosection modelling of the Precambrian meta-pelites from the Poshtuk area, NW Iran}, series = {Periodico di mineralogia : an international journal of mineralogy, crystallography, geochemistry, ore deposits, petrology, volcanology and applied topics on environment, archaeometry and cultural heritage / Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Universit{\`a} degli Studi di Roma la Sapienza}, volume = {90}, journal = {Periodico di mineralogia : an international journal of mineralogy, crystallography, geochemistry, ore deposits, petrology, volcanology and applied topics on environment, archaeometry and cultural heritage / Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Universit{\`a} degli Studi di Roma la Sapienza}, number = {3}, publisher = {Bardi}, address = {Roma}, issn = {0369-8963}, doi = {10.13133/2239-1002/16632}, pages = {325 -- 340}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Precambrian meta-pelites of the Poshtuk area in northwest Iran contain the prograde mineral assemblage staurolite-garnet-chloritoid-muscovite-biotite that was replaced by the assemblage garnet-staurolite-chlorite-muscovite-biotite at peak metamorphic condition. Whole-rock compositions reveal that high Fe, Al and Mn contents of their protolith rendered them prone to form these assemblages. Pseudosections calculated in KFMASH, MnKFMASH, and MnNCKFMASHO systems were used to investigate the P-T evolution of the samples. They clearly show the significant effect of MnO on the stability of the chloritoid-bearing assemblages and the formation of garnet through consumption of chlorite and chloritoid. The pseudosection in a T- aH(2)O diagram shows that the studied assemblage could be stable only at a(H2O)>0.8. X-Mg isopleths for garnet and biotite point to peak P-T conditions of about 3.75 kbar and 575 degrees C. Chloritoid stability is overstepped with such conditions. This can be attributed to thermal perturbation due to plutonism. It is concluded, metamorphism was primarily controlled by advective heat from magmatic intrusions in the Poshtuk area. The Precambrian basement complexes were extensively overprinted by the Pan-African Orogeny as well as younger magmatic and metamorphic activities associated to Alpine Orogeny during convergence of Arabian and Eurasian plate.}, language = {en} } @article{SakiMiriOberhaensli2020, author = {Saki, Adel and Miri, Mirmohammad and Oberh{\"a}nsli, Roland}, title = {High temperature - low pressure metamorphism during subduction of Neo-Tethys beneath the Iranian plate}, series = {Mineralogy and petrology}, volume = {114}, journal = {Mineralogy and petrology}, number = {6}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Wien [u.a.]}, issn = {0930-0708}, doi = {10.1007/s00710-020-00721-z}, pages = {539 -- 557}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Subduction of Neo-Tethys oceanic lithosphere beneath the Iranian plate during the Mesozoic formed several igneous bodies of ultramafic to intermediate and felsic composition. Intrusion of these magmas into a regional metamorphic sequence (the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone) caused partial melting and formation of migmatites with meta-pelitic protoliths. The Alvand complex (west Iran) is a unique area comprising migmatites of both mafic and pelitic protoliths. In this area, the gabbroic rocks contain veins of leucosome at their contact with pyroxenite and olivine gabbro. These leucosomes are geochemically and mineralogically different from leucosomes of the meta-pelitic migmatites and clearly show properties of I-type granites. Microscopic observations and whole rock compositions of the mafic migmatite leucosomes show that migmatization occurred through partial melting of biotite, hornblende and plagioclase. Thermobarometric calculations indicate 800 degrees C and 3.7 kbar for partial melting, although phase diagram modeling demonstrates that the presence of water could decrease the solidus temperature by about 40 degrees C. Our results suggest an asthenospheric magma upwelling as the source of heat for partial melting of the gabbroic rock during subduction of Neo-Tethys oceanic crust under the western edge of the Iranian plate. The present study also reveals relationships between migmatization and formation of S- and I -type granites in the area.}, language = {en} } @article{Oberhaensli2020, author = {Oberh{\"a}nsli, Roland}, title = {Deep-time Digital Earth (DDE) the first IUGS big science program}, series = {Journal of the Geological Society of India}, volume = {95}, journal = {Journal of the Geological Society of India}, number = {3}, publisher = {Springer India}, address = {New Delhi}, issn = {0016-7622}, doi = {10.1007/s12594-020-1420-5}, pages = {223 -- 226}, year = {2020}, language = {en} } @article{DoraniArvinOberhaenslietal.2017, author = {Dorani, Maryam and Arvin, Mohsen and Oberh{\"a}nsli, Roland and Dargahi, Sara}, title = {P-T evolution of metapelites from the Bajgan complex in the Makran accretionary prism, south eastern Iran}, series = {Chemie der Erde : interdisciplinary journal for chemical problems of the geo-sciences and geo-ecology = Geochemistry}, volume = {77}, journal = {Chemie der Erde : interdisciplinary journal for chemical problems of the geo-sciences and geo-ecology = Geochemistry}, number = {3}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0009-2819}, doi = {10.1016/j.chemer.2017.07.004}, pages = {459 -- 475}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The Bajgan Complex, one of the basement constituents of the arc massif in Iranian Makran forms a rugged, deeply incised terrain. The complex consists of pelitic schists with minor psammitic and basic schists, calc silicate rocks, amphibolites, marbles, metavolcanosediments, mafic and felsic intrusives as well as ultramafic rocks. Metapelitic rocks show an amphibolite facies regional metamorphism and contain garnet, biotite, white mica, quartz, albite ± rutile ± apatite. Thermobarometry of garnet schist yields pressure of more than 9 kbar and temperatures between 560 and 675 °C. The geothermal gradient obtained for the peak of regional metamorphism is 19 °C/km, corresponding to a depth of ca. 31 km. Replacement of garnet by chlorite and epidote suggest greenschist facies metamorphism due to a decrease in temperature and pressure through exhumation and retrograde metamorphism (370-450 °C and 3-6 kbar). The metapelitic rocks followed a 'clockwise' P-T path during metamorphism, consistent with thermal decline following tectonic thickening. The formation of medium-pressure metamorphic rocks is related to presence of active subduction of the Neotethys Oceanic lithosphere beneath Eurasia in the Makran.}, language = {en} } @article{AliGiurcoArndtetal.2017, author = {Ali, Saleem H. and Giurco, Damien and Arndt, Nicholas and Nickless, Edmund and Brown, Graham and Demetriades, Alecos and Durrheim, Ray and Enriquez, Maria Amelia and Kinnaird, Judith and Littleboy, Anna and Meinert, Lawrence D. and Oberh{\"a}nsli, Roland and Salem, Janet and Schodde, Richard and Schneider, Gabi and Vidal, Olivier and Yakovleva, Natalia}, title = {Mineral supply for sustainable development requires resource governance}, series = {Nature : the international weekly journal of science}, volume = {543}, journal = {Nature : the international weekly journal of science}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {0028-0836}, doi = {10.1038/nature21359}, pages = {367 -- 372}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Successful delivery of the United Nations sustainable development goals and implementation of the Paris Agreement requires technologies that utilize a wide range of minerals in vast quantities. Metal recycling and technological change will contribute to sustaining supply, but mining must continue and grow for the foreseeable future to ensure that such minerals remain available to industry. New links are needed between existing institutional frameworks to oversee responsible sourcing of minerals, trajectories for mineral exploration, environmental practices, and consumer awareness of the effects of consumption. Here we present, through analysis of a comprehensive set of data and demand forecasts, an interdisciplinary perspective on how best to ensure ecologically viable continuity of global mineral supply over the coming decades.}, language = {en} } @article{MesbahiMohajjelOberhaenslietal.2017, author = {Mesbahi, Fatemeh and Mohajjel, Mohammad and Oberh{\"a}nsli, Roland and Moazzen, Mohsen}, title = {The mafic rocks along the North Tabriz Fault, possible remnants of Neo-Tethys oceanic crust in NW Iran}, series = {Geopersia}, volume = {7}, journal = {Geopersia}, publisher = {Graduate Faculty of Environment, University of Theran}, address = {Tehran}, issn = {2228-7817}, doi = {10.22059/geope.2017.232747.648323}, pages = {301 -- 311}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The North Tabriz Fault is seismologically an active fault with current right lateral strike-slip movements. Restricted mafic to intermediate Fate Cretaceous igneous rocks are exposed along the North Tabriz Fault. Whole rock and clinopyroxene phenocrysts geochemistry were studied in order to characterize the petrogenesis of these mafic rocks and their possible relation to an oceanic crust. The results indicate a tholeiitic parental magma that formed in an evolved mid-ocean ridge tectonic setting similar to the Iceland mid-Atlantic ridge basalts. The ocean floor basalt characteristics give evidence of an oceanic crust along the North Tabriz Fault. Therefore, the trend of the North Tabriz Fault more likely marks a suture zone related to the closure of a branch of the Neo-Tethys Ocean in the NW Iran. This fault, in addition to the Caucasus and Zagros suture zones, compensates an important part of the convergence between the Arabian and Eurasian plates resulting from the Red Sea divergence. It is concluded that the North Tabriz Fault appears to be possible southeastern continuation of the North Anatolian suture zone.}, language = {en} } @article{OmraniMoazzenOberhaensli2018, author = {Omrani, Hadi and Moazzen, Mohssen and Oberh{\"a}nsli, Roland}, title = {Geodynamic evolution of the Sabzevar zone, northern central Iranian micro-continent}, series = {Mineralogy and petrology}, volume = {112}, journal = {Mineralogy and petrology}, number = {1}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Wien}, issn = {0930-0708}, doi = {10.1007/s00710-017-0505-3}, pages = {65 -- 83}, year = {2018}, abstract = {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.}, language = {en} } @article{KaroOberhaensliAqrawietal.2018, author = {Karo, Nihad M. and Oberh{\"a}nsli, Roland and Aqrawi, Ahmed M. and Elias, Elias M. and Aswad, Khalid J. and Sudo, Masafumi}, title = {New Ar-40/Ar-39 age constraints on cooling and unroofing history of the metamorphic host rocks (and igneous intrusion associates) from the Bulfat Complex (Bulfat area), NE-Iraq}, series = {Arabian journal of geosciences}, volume = {11}, journal = {Arabian journal of geosciences}, number = {10}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {1866-7511}, doi = {10.1007/s12517-018-3571-x}, pages = {11}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The Northern Zagros Suture Zone (NZSZ), formed as a result of the collision between Arabian and Sanandaj-Sirjan microplate, is considered as part of the Zagros orogenic belt. NZSZ is marked by two allochthonous thrust sheets in upward stacking order: lower and upper allochthon. The Bulfat complex is a part of the upper allochthon or "Ophiolite-bearing terrane" of Albian-Cenomenion age (97-105 Ma). Voluminous highly sheared serpentinites associated with ophiolites occur within this upper allochthon. In addition, the Gemo-Qandil Group is characterized by gabbroic to dioritic Bulfat intrusion with a crystallization age spanning from similar to 45 to similar to 40 Ma, as well as extensive metapelites with contact to the Walash-Naupurdam metavolcanic rocks. Due to the deformation in the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone along the eastern side of the Iraqi segment of NZSZ, the Gemo-Qandil Group was regionally metamorphosed during late Cretaceous (similar to 80 Ma). This tectono-compressional dynamics ultimately caused an oscillatory deformation against Arabian continental margin deposits as well. During these events, gabbro-diorite intrusion with high-grade contact metamorphic aureoles occurred near Bulfat. Thus, there is an overlap between regional and contact metamorphic conditions in the area. The earlier metamorphic characteristic can be seen only in places where the latter contact influence was insignificant. Generally, this can only observed at a distance of more than 2.5 km from the contact. According to petrographic details and field observations, the thermally metamorphosed metapelitic units of the metasediment have been completely assimilated, with only some streaks of biotite and relicts of initial foliation. They strongly resemble amphibolite-grade slices from the regional metamorphic rocks in the region. Metapelitic samples far from the intrusion give similar biotite cooling ages as the intrusive rocks. Thus, they may be affected by the same thermal event. Ar-40/Ar-39 dating of biotite in metapelite rocks of Bulfat by step-wise heating with laser gave average weighted isotopic ages of 34.78 +/- 0.06 Ma. This is interpreted as crystallization/recrystallization age of biotite possibly representing the time of cooling and uplift history of the Bulfat intrusion. Cooling and exhumation rates for the Bulfat gabbro-diorite rocks were estimated as similar to 400 A degrees C/Ma and similar to 3.3 mm/year respectively. According to petrographic details, field observations and Ar/Ar dating concerning the contact metamorphism near Bulfat due to the gabbro-diorite intrusion, no significant deformation is visible during exhumation processes after the Paleogene tectono-thermal event, indicating that isotopic ages of 34.78 +/- 0.06 Ma could mark the timing of termination of the island arc activity in the Ophiolite-bearing terrane (upper allochthon).}, language = {en} } @article{SchefflerImmenhauserPourteauetal.2019, author = {Scheffler, Franziska and Immenhauser, Adrian and Pourteau, Amaury and Natalicchio, Marcello and Candan, Osman and Oberh{\"a}nsli, Roland}, title = {A lost Tethyan evaporitic basin}, series = {Sedimentology : the journal of the International Association of Sedimentologists}, volume = {66}, journal = {Sedimentology : the journal of the International Association of Sedimentologists}, number = {7}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0037-0746}, doi = {10.1111/sed.12606}, pages = {2627 -- 2660}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Ancient evaporite deposits are geological archives of depositional environments characterized by a long-term negative precipitation balance and bear evidence for global ocean element mass balance calculations. Here, Cretaceous selenite pseudomorphs from western Anatolia ('Rosetta Marble') — characterized by their exceptional morphological preservation — and their 'marine' geochemical signatures are described and interpreted in a process-oriented context. These rocks recorded Late Cretaceous high-pressure/low-temperature, subduction-related metamorphism with peak conditions of 1·0 to 1·2 GPa and 300 to 400°C. Metre-scale, rock-forming radiating rods, now present as fibrous calcite marble, clearly point to selenitic gypsum as the precursor mineral. Stratigraphic successions are recorded along a reconstructed proximal to distal transect. The cyclical alternation of selenite beds and radiolarian ribbon-bedded cherts in the distal portions are interpreted as a two type of seawater system. During arid intervals, shallow marine brines cascaded downward into basinal settings and induced precipitation. During more humid times, upwelling-induced radiolarian blooms caused the deposition of radiolarite facies. Interestingly, there is no comparable depositional setting known from the Cenozoic world. Meta-selenite geochemical data (δ13C, δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr) plot within the range of reconstructed middle Cretaceous seawater signatures. Possible sources for the 13C-enriched (mean 2·2 per mille) values include methanogenesis, gas hydrates and cold seep fluid exhalation. Spatially resolved component-specific analysis of a rock slab displays isotopic variances between meta-selenite crystals (mean δ13C 2·2 per mille) and host matrix (mean δ13C 1·3 per mille). The Cretaceous evaporite-pseudomorphs of Anatolia represent a basin wide event coeval with the Aptian evaporites of the Proto-Atlantic and the pseudomorphs share many attributes, including lateral distribution of 600 km and stratigraphic thickness of 1·5 to 2·0 km, with the evaporites formed during the younger Messinian salinity crisis. The Rosetta Marble of Anatolia may represent the best-preserved selenite pseudomorphs worldwide and have a clear potential to act as a template for the study of meta-selenite in deep time.}, language = {en} } @article{SheikholeslamiOberhaensliGhassemi2019, author = {Sheikholeslami, Mohammad Reza and Oberh{\"a}nsli, Roland and Ghassemi, Mohammad R.}, title = {Transpression tectonics in the eastern Binalud Mountains, northeast Iran; Insight from finite strain analysis, vorticity and Ar-40/Ar-39 dating}, series = {Journal of Asian earth sciences}, volume = {179}, journal = {Journal of Asian earth sciences}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1367-9120}, doi = {10.1016/j.jseaes.2019.04.014}, pages = {219 -- 237}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Different tectonic episodes from Late Triassic to recent times in the eastern Binalud Mountains have resulted from convergence and transpression between the Turan and Central Iran plates. Heterogeneous deformation and variable portions of pure and simple shear, demonstrated by finite strain and vorticity analysis in the Mashhad metamorphic rocks, indicate strain partitioning during the first tectonic episode. Modern strain partitioning is characterized by reverse and strike-slip faulting along the Neyshabur fault system and Shandiz fault zone in the southern and northern flanks of the eastern Binalud, respectively. Time-transgressive regional deformation migrated from the hinterland of the belt into the foreland basin, from northeast to the southwest of the mountains. Different generations of deformation resulted in obliteration of the subduction-related accretionary wedge, and growth of an orogenic wedge resulted from collision between the Central Iran and Turan plates.}, language = {en} }