Early-diverging Titanosauriform(Dinosauria,Sauropoda)Teeth from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Southeastern Inner Mongolia,Northeast China

Three eusauropod teeth(SDUST-V1064,PMOL-AD00176,PMOL-ADt0005)are reported from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Ningcheng,southeastern Inner Mongolia,China.Two of them(SDUST-V1064,PMOL-AD00176)are assigned to early-diverging titanosauriforms in having slightly mesiodistal expansion at the base of the tooth crown,a slenderness index value>2.0 and<4.0,and D-shaped cross section.Furthermore,SDUST-V1064 and PMOL-AD00176 are referred as an Euhelopus-like titanosauriform on the basis of having a sub-circular boss on the lingual surface and an asymmetrical crown-root margin which slants apically,respectively.CT scan data of SDUST-V1064 reveals new dental information of early-diverging titanosauriforms,for example,the enamel on the labial side thicker than that on the lingual side,an enamel/dentine ratio of 0.26 and a boss present on the lingual side of the dentine of the crown.

Organic matter enrichment model of fine-grained rocks in volcanic rift lacustrine basin:A case study of lower submember of second member of Lower Cretaceous Shahezi Formation in Lishu rift depression of Songliao Basin,NE China

Based on sedimentary characteristics of the fine-grained rocks of the lower submember of second member of the Lower Cretaceous Shahezi Formation(K_(1)sh_(2)^(L))in the Lishu rift depression,combined with methods of organic petrology,analysis of major and trace elements as well as biological marker compound,the enrichment conditions and enrichment model of organic matter in the fine-grained sedimentary rocks in volcanic rift lacustrine basin are investigated.The change of sedimentary paleoenvironment controls the vertical distribution of different lithofacies types in the K_(1)sh_(2)^(L)and divides it into the upper and lower parts.The lower part contains massive siliceous mudstone with bioclast-bearing siliceous mudstone,whereas the upper part is mostly composed of laminated siliceous shale and laminated fine-grained mixed shale.The kerogen types of organic matter in the lower and upper parts are typesⅡ_(2)–Ⅲand typesⅠ–Ⅱ_(1),respectively.The organic carbon content in the upper part is higher than that in the lower part generally.The enrichment of organic matter in volcanic rift lacustrine basin is subjected to three favorable conditions.First,continuous enhancement of rifting is the direct factor increasing the paleo-water depth,and the rise of base level leads to the expansion of deep-water mudstone/shale deposition range.Second,relatively strong underwater volcanic eruption and rifting are simultaneous,and such event can provide a lot of nutrients for the lake basin,which is conducive to the bloom of algae,resulting in higher productivity of typesⅠ–Ⅱ_(1)kerogen.Third,the relatively dry paleoclimate leads to a decrease in input of fresh water and terrestrial materials,including TypeⅢkerogen from terrestrial higher plants,resulting in a water body with higher salinity and anoxic stratification,which is more favorable for preservation of organic matter.The organic matter enrichment model of fine-grained sedimentary rocks of volcanic rift lacustrine basin is established,which is of reference significance to the understanding of the organic matter enrichment mechanism of fine-grained sedimentary rocks of Shahezi Formation in Songliao Basin and even in the northeast China.

Influences of burial process on diagenesis and high-quality reservoir development of deep-ultra-deep clastic rocks:A case study of Lower Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation in southern margin of Junggar Basin,NW China

Taking the Lower Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation in the southern margin of Junggar Basin as an example,the influences of the burial process in a foreland basin on the diagenesis and the development of high-quality reservoirs of deep and ultra-deep clastic rocks were investigated using thin section,scanning electron microscope,electron probe,stable isotopic composition and fluid inclusion data.The Qingshuihe Formation went through four burial stages of slow shallow burial,tectonic uplift,progressive deep burial and rapid deep burial successively.The stages of slow shallow burial and tectonic uplift not only can alleviate the mechanical compaction of grains,but also can maintain an open diagenetic system in the reservoirs for a long time,which promotes the dissolution of soluble components by meteoric freshwater and inhibits the precipitation of dissolution products in the reservoirs.The late rapid deep burial process contributed to the development of fluid overpressure,which effectively inhibits the destruction of primary pores by compaction and cementation.The fluid overpressure promotes the development of microfractures in the reservoir,which enhances the dissolution effect of organic acids.Based on the quantitative reconstruction of porosity evolution history,it is found that the long-term slow shallow burial and tectonic uplift processes make the greatest contribution to the development of deep-ultra-deep high-quality clastic rock reservoirs,followed by the late rapid deep burial process,and the progressive deep burial process has little contribution.

Natural gas exploration potential and favorable targets of Permian Fengcheng Formation in the western Central Depression of Junggar Basin,NW China

Based on the organic geochemical data and the molecular and stable carbon isotopic compositions of natural gas of the Lower Permian Fengcheng Formation in the western Central Depression of Junggar Basin,combined with sedimentary environment analysis and hydrocarbon-generating simulation,the gas-generating potential of the Fengcheng source rock is evaluated,the distribution of large-scale effective source kitchen is described,the genetic types of natural gas are clarified,and four types of favorable exploration targets are selected.The results show that:(1)The Fengcheng Formation is a set of oil-prone source rocks,and the retained liquid hydrocarbon is conducive to late cracking into gas,with characteristics of high gas-generating potential and late accumulation;(2)The maximum thickness of Fengcheng source rock reaches 900 m.The source rock has entered the main gas-generating stage in Penyijingxi and Shawan sags,and the area with gas-generating intensity greater than 20×10^(8) m^(3)/km^(2) is approximately 6500 km^(2).(3)Around the western Central Depression,highly mature oil-type gas with light carbon isotope composition was identified to be derived from the Fengcheng source rocks mainly,while the rest was coal-derived gas from the Carboniferous source rock;(4)Four types of favorable exploration targets with exploration potential were developed in the western Central Depression which are structural traps neighboring to the source,stratigraphic traps neighboring to the source,shale-gas type within the source,and structural traps within the source.Great attention should be paid to these targets.

Fossil Association from the Lower Cambrian Yanjiahe Formation in the Yangtze Gorges Area,Hubei,South China

Apart from previously reported Small Shelly Fossils （SSFs）, a macroscopic fossil assemblage, comprising abundant algae, cone-shaped tubular fossil forms, and probable impressions of a megascopic metazoan, comes from the Lower Cambrian Yanjiahe Formation in the Yangtze Gorges area of western Hubei Province, south China. The visible fossils are preserved in thinlaminated siltstone or muddy siltstone intercalated between 8-15 ram-thick carbonate deposits, probably representing sedimentary settings of a constrained local depression in the shallow water carbonate platform during the Early Cambrian Meishucunian Stage. The macroscopic fossil association provides significant fossil evidence about the evolution of life from the late Precambrian to the ＇Cambrian explosion＇ interval.

Comparison of basic features and origins of oolitic shoal reservoirs between carbonate platform interior and platform margin locations in the Lower Triassic Feixianguan Formation of the Sichuan Basin,southwest China

The oolitic shoal reservoirs of the Lower Triassic Feixianguan Formation carbonates in the Sichuan Basin of southwest China are an important target for gas exploration in the basin.Their occurrence,like other cases worldwide,can be divided into two locations in general,i.e.,platform interior and platform margin locations.Their differences of reservoir features and origins,however,have not been investigated comprehensively due to different exploration degrees.This issue is addressed in this paper,to provide basic data and information for the basin＇s hydrocarbon exploration and for the study of carbonate platform sedimentology and reservoir geology worldwide.We compared the features of these two types of reservoirs in detail,including the depositional and diagenetic features,pore types and petrophysical features.Based on the comparison,the origin of the reservoirs was further discussed.It is shown that the reservoirs in platform interior and platform margin locations differ significantly.The interior carbonates were deposited in moderate to high energy settings and the dominant lithologic type was limestone,which was weakly compacted and intensely cemented and has undergone meteoric dissolution.Pore types include intragranular dissolution and moldic pores,with low porosities（6%） and low permeabilities（0.1 mD）.By contrast,the platform margin carbonates were deposited in relatively high energy settings and mainly consisted of dolostones with some limestones.The rocks were strongly compacted but incompletely cemented.As a result,some primary intergranular pores were preserved.Both meteoric solution and burial solution have taken place.There are various types of pore spaces including intergranular and intercrystalline solution pores and residual intergranular pores.This type of reservoir generally has better petrophysical properties（9% porosity and 0.1 mD permeability） and pore-throat structures than the interior reservoirs.These differences were influenced by both primary depositional features and secondary diagenesis.For the interior carbonate reservoirs,early meteoric dissolution,weak compaction and strong cementation are important controlling factors.By contrast,the factors controlling the formation of the margin carbonate reservoirs mainly include dolomitization,preservation of primary pores and burial dissolution.

The relationship between dolomite textures and their formation temperature: a case study from the Permian-Triassic of the Sichuan Basin and the Lower Paleozoic of the Tarim Basin

Study of dolomite texture can contribute to understanding the process of dolomitization.This research reports textures and homogenization temperatures of dolomites from the Permian-Triassic strata in the Sichuan Basin and the Lower Paleozoic strata in the Tarim Basin,which provided insights into relationships between dolomite textures and their formation temperatures.Our results are summarized as follows：1） dolomites with well-preserved texture indicate low dolomitization temperature.However,in certain diagenetic environments,the hydrothermal dolomitization may completely or partially preserve the original texture of dolomites.2） The formation temperatures of non-planar dolomites are always higher than those of planar dolomites.3） The formation temperatures of dolomite cements are generally higher than those of replacive dolomites.4） Although the formation temperatures of saddle dolomite cements have a wide range,they show higher values than those of the planar subhedral to euhedral dolomite cements.Thus,saddle dolomites could generally be an indicator of high precipitation temperature.5） The fluid Mg/Ca ratio is another element controlling dolomite morphology.Micritic dolomites,which precipitate from hypersaline fluids with a high Mg/Ca ratio in a subaerial environment could also have features of non-planar anhedral crystal shape because of rapid nucleation and crystallization during dolomitization.

Trace Fossils from Lower Cambrian Wusongger Formation in Xiaoerbulake Outcrop,Kalpin Area,Xinjiang

Based on the analysis of trace fossils collected from the typical outcrop of the Lower Cambrian Wusongger Formation in the Kalpin area, ten ichnospecies of six ichnogenus were identified in the upper member of the Wusongger Formation, with most of them being found for the first time. The trace fossils are described seriatim. The ichnospecies are mainly represented by such common trace fossils as Ophiomorpha nodosa, Helminthopsis hieroglyphica, Helminthopsis ichnosp., Planolites beverleyensis, Planolites vulgaris, Planolites montanus, Palaeophycus striatus, Palaeophycus curvatus, Cochlichnus anguineus and Rituichnus elongatum. The trace fossils are of high diversity and low abundance, and can be diagnosed as the Cruziana ichnofacies. They can be interpreted as having formed in a shallow water environment.

Sauropod Teeth from the Lower Cretaceous Luohandong Formation of Ordos Basin,Inner Mongolia

The Early Cretaceous Zhidan Group in the northern Ordos Basin, Inner Mongolia, yielded a large number of tetrapods, including turtles, choristoderes, crocodyliforms, psittacosaurs, stegosaurs, theropods and birds. Well-preserved sauropod teeth have been found in the Luohandong Formation, a middle-upper unit of the Zhidan Group. The large V-shaped wear facet, low slenderness index value, labial grooves, lingual ridge and concavity on the tooth crown suggest that these teeth are from titanosauriforms. Moreover, the presence of the prominent bosses on the lingual side of the tooth crown indicates these teeth should be identified as Euhelopus teeth further. The existence of Euhelopus in Ordos Basin （Inner Mongolia）, Shandong Province and western Liaoning Province shows some connections about vertebrate faunas during Early Cretaceous in these areas. Other tetrapod groups such as turtles （Sinemys, Ordosemys）, choristoderes （Ikechosaurus）, psittacosaurs （Psittacosaurus） and birds （Cathayornis） provide more evidences for this viewpoint.

Reconstruction of paleo river systems and distribution of sedimentary facies of Shanxi and lower Shihezi formations in southern Ordos basin

The study area is located in the south of Huanxian county,in Yan'an and Puxian counties and to the north of Xi'an.The Shanxi and lower Shihezi formations are important gas-bearing formations.Given our analysis of the direction of rivers,the contents of stable heavy minerals and of feldspar of palaeo river systems,the study area is divided into six palaeodrainage patterns corresponding to six feldspar regions and six sedimentary facies regions.On this basis,the distribution of sedimentary facies was also analyzed.During the Shanxi stage,a delta front was deposited in the Huanxian region and delta plains and fronts were deposited in the Pingliang,Chunhua-Yaoxian and Hancheng-Chengcheng regions.In the Yan'an-Daning region,only a delta front was developed.The distribution of sedimentary facies in the earlier Shihezi stage originated from the Shanxi stage.A delta front was developed in the Huanxian region while a delta plain and front developed in the Pingliang-Zhenyuan region during the same time.Lakes originated only in the Zhenyuan-Huanxian-Huachi-Zhengning and Daning-Jixian zones.This analytical method shows that different palaeodrainage patterns can be effectively distinguished in order to forecast sedimentary facies.

Features and origins of massive dolomite of Lower Ordovician Penglaiba Formation in the northwest Tarim Basin:Evidence from petrography and geochemistry

An integrated petrographical and geochemical study of the massive dolomite of the lower Ordovician Penglaiba Formation of the Tarim Basin,outcropping at Yonganba recognized three dolomite types:very finely to finely crystalline nonplanar-a to planar-s dolomite(D1);medium crystalline planar-s to planar-e dolomite(D2);and coarse crystalline nonplanar-a dolomite(D3).All have been affected by burial.D1 and D2 dolomites developed initially before or during shallow burial and later recrystallized,whereas D3 dolomite replaced the initial limestone entirely during burial.All three dolomites have similar geochemical features.The D2 dolomite tends to have more inter-crystalline pores(inherited from primary pores)and higher porosity due to its outstanding compaction resistance during shallow burial;whereas D3 dolomite does not retain appreciable primary pores due to strong cementation and pressure dissolution before dolomitization.This study provides a useful model for understanding the origin and porosity development of burial dolomite,in particular Paleozoic dolomite.

Source Rock and Cap Rock Controls on the Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation–Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation Shale Gas Accumulation in the Sichuan Basin and its Peripheral Areas

Objective The Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation is one of the priority interval for shale gas exploration in the Sichuan Basin and its peripheral areas, and commercial shale gas has been discovered from this interval in Jiaoshiba, Changning and Weiyuan shale gas fields in Sichuan Province. However, there is no significant discovery in other parts of the basin due to the different quality of black shale and the differences of tectonic evolution. Based on the progress of shale gas geological theory and exploration discoveries, as well as the theory of ＂source rock and cap rock controls on hydrocarbon accumulation＂, of the Upper Ordovician the main controlling factors Wufeng Formation-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation shale gas enrichment in the Sichuan Basin and its peripheral areas were analyzed, and the source rock and cap rock controls on the shale gas were also discussed. The results can provide new insights for the next shale gas exploration in this area.

Formation mechanism of reservoir oolitic dolomite in Lower Triassic Feixianguan formation, northeastern Sichuan Basin, southwest China

A series of marine natural gas fields were recently discovered in oolitic dolomites of the Lower Triassic Feixianguan formation, northeastern Sichuan Basin, southwest China. The mechanism forming these reservoir dolomites is debatable, limiting the ability to characterize these reservoir successfully. Based on the investigation of the representative Dukouhe, Luojiazhai, and Puguang areas, this issue was addressed by examining the distribution, petrology, and geochemistry of the dolomites, the most comprehensive study to date was provided. Dolomitization occurred at a very early stage of diagenesis, as shown by the petrological features of the rock fabric. Vadose silt, which is composed primarily of dolomitic clasts, is found in the primary and secondary pores of the oolitic dolomite. This indicates that the overlying strata were subjected to dolomitization when the Feixianguan formation was located in the vadose zone. Therefore, it may be inferred that the dolomitization which occurred before the formation was exposed to meteoric conditions. The spatial distribution and geochemical characteristics of the dolomite indicate that dolomitization occurred as a result of seepage reflux. The degree of dolomitization decreases with increasing distance from the evaporative lagoon. Furthermore, the type and porosity of the dolomite vary in different zones of the upward-shoaling sequence, with the porosity gradually decreasing from the highest layer to the lowest layer. This reflects a close relationship between dolomitization and seawater evaporation during the formation of the dolomite. Geochemical analysis provided further evidence for the relationship between the dolomitization fluid and the coeval seawater. The 87Sr/86Sr and 813C isotopes, as well as the abundances of trace elements, Fe and Mn, indicate that seawater concentrated by evaporation acted as the dolomitization fluid. These results also show that dolomitization most likely occurred in a semi-closed diagenetic environment. Therefore, the main mechanism of oolitic dolomite formation is seepage reflux, which occurred at an early stage of diagenesis.

Oncolites of the Lower Permian ChuanshanFormation in South China and Their Geologicaland Economic Significance

Abstract: A large amount of oncolites popularly named “Chuanshan balls” occur universally in the Lower Permian Chuanshan Formation in South China. These kinds of oncolites have the following characteristics: wide distribution, huge quantities, large sedimentary thickness and similar characters, which constitute a specific “fashion facies” in geological history. The authors consider that these kinds of oncolites were due to the intense differentiation of the global climate at that time, which resulted in a universal descent of the sea level and breeding of a large amount of algae in sea water over low-latitude areas. According to the distribution and characteristics of the oncolitic, relative relationships between different tectonic blocks may be inferred, diagenetic strength indicated and diagenetic history recovered, and more important, oncolites serve as a favourable reservoir rock, so their study is of great theoretical and economic significance.

Geochemistry and Depositional Setting of Fort Munro Formation,Middle and Lower Indus Basins,Pakistan

Fort Munro Formation represents the products of the Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) in the middle and lower Indus basins. The formation is exposed in the Rakhi Nala (Sulaiman Range), Bara Nala (Lakhi Range) and Naka Pabni (Southern Pab Range) areas. Major and trace elemental geochemistry and petrographic studies of the formation have been carried out to understand the facies trends in the middle and lower Indus basins. A high amount of acid-insoluble fraction, Ca/Mg and Mg vs. Ca/Sr ratio reveal that the formation was deposited in a shallow marine regressive environment. High amounts of clastic reflect abundant influx of terrigenous materials from the east (Indian craton) and west (Bibai volcanic). High Sr content indicates that aragonite was the precursor mineral, which was transformed into stable low-Mg calcite during diagenesis. Enrichment of Cu and Zn contents in the samples of the formation implies the influence of volcanic activity and that they were incorporated into the calcite lattice in the late phase.

Porosity Formation and Evolution of the Deeply Buried Lower Triassic Feixianguan Formation, Puguang Gas Field, NE Sichuan Basin, China

The deeply buried shoal dolomite reservoirs of the Lower Triassic Feixianguan Formation, giant Puguang Gas Field, NE Sichuan Basin, are exceptionally porous. The influences of diageneses on pore evolution are studied. Through petrologic investigation, diagenetic phases are divided into four stages, i.e., near-surface, pre-oil window, oil window, and gas window. The Adobe Photoshop system is used to quantify the rock texture components, porosity constitutions and the influences of diageneses on reservoir porosity. Porosity evolution curves are quantitatively recovered. The Feixianguan reservoir porosities are mainly created by early meteoric dissolution, dolomitization, and organic acids dissolution. Dissolution during deep burial is insignificant. Pores are formed in near-surface and pre-oil window stages and effectively preserved till present. This result may be of great significance to the further exploration of deeply buried carbonate reservoirs not only in NE Sichuan Basin, but also around the world.

Orderly coexistence and accumulation models of conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons in Lower Permian Fengcheng Formation,Mahu sag,Junggar Basin

By using the latest geological,seismic,drilling and logging data,this article studies the basic conditions for the formation of the total petroleum system and the orderly coexisting characteristics and accumulation models of conventional&unconventional reservoirs in the Lower Permian Fengcheng Formation in the Junggar Basin.Controlled by thermal evolution,hydrocarbon generation and expulsion process of the high-quality source rocks in alkaline lake as well as the characteristics of multi-type reservoirs(conglomerate,sandstone,dolomite and shale),conventional structure-lithologic reservoirs and tight oil and shale oil reservoirs controlled by source-reservoir structure have been formed.On the plane,mature conventional reservoirs,medium-high mature tight oil,and medium-high mature shale oil reservoirs coexist orderly from the slope area around Mahu sag to the sag.Based on the orderly coexisting characteristics of conventional and unconventional reservoirs in the Fengcheng Formation,it is clear that oil and gas in the Fengcheng Formation accumulate continuously over a large area in three accumulation models:integrated source-reservoir,source-reservoir in close contact,and separated source-reservoir model.The three accumulation models differ in relationship between source-reservoir structure,reservoir lithology and spatial distribution,hydrocarbon migration,oil and gas type.It is pointed out that the conventional&unconventional oil and gas should be explored and developed as a whole to achieve an overall breakthrough of the total petroleum system.This study is expected to enrich the geological theory of oil and gas enrichment in continental basins and to provide an analogy for exploration and research in other hydrocarbon-rich sags.

Large-Sized Ankylosaur(Dinosauria) from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of Western Liaoning,China

Two incomplete bones referred to ankylosaur scapulocoracoid and humerus are described, which were discovered from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of Dachengzi Town, Kazuo County, Liaoning Province. Ankylosaur dinosaurs have ever been found in the Lower Cretaceous Yixian, Fuxin and Sunjiawan Formations of western Liaoning. The occurrence of ankylosaurs within Jiufotang Formation improves our knowledge on the ankylosaur stratigraphic distribution. Based on the length of scapulocoracoid, the new dinosaur is estimated to exceed 6.0 meters long, representing the largest ankylosaur in western Liaoning.

Developmental characteristics and geological significance of the bentonite in the Upper Ordovician Wufeng – Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in eastern Sichuan Basin, SW China

Based on the Qiliao section of the Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation – Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Shizhu, Chongqing city, the development characteristics of bentonite in eastern Sichuan Basin was examined systematically, and its geological significance and scientific value were analyzed. The main understandings are as follows:(1) Six bentonite dense layers were found in the Qiliao section, mainly occurring in 6 graptolitic belts of the Katian, Rhuddanian and Aeronian. Most of the bentonite dense layers showed obvious increase in clay, peak response of GR curve, and indistinct relationship between volcanic ash and total organic carbon(TOC).(2) The bentonite dense layers of Longmaxi Formation were widely distributed in eastern Sichuan Basin and its periphery, and generally showed GR peak, which can be an important reference interface for dividing the bottom boundary of the Coronograptus cyphus belt and the top boundary of the Rhuddanian in eastern Sichuan Basin and western Hubei province.(3) Taking the bentonite dense layers as the stratification basis of the Rhuddanian and Aeronian, it was determined that the sediment thickness of the Rhuddanian in the eastern Sichuan depression was generally 10–40 m, but only the upper part of the Coronograptus cyphus belt was deposited in the hinderland of Yichang Uplift, and the sedimentary thickness was only 3–7 m.(4) In the hinderland of the Yichang Uplift, at least five and a half graptolitic belts were missing in Wufeng Formation – Rhuddanian, and the deposition time of Rhuddanian was less than 0.4 Ma.(5) The bentonite dense layers were important sedimentary responses to the strong deflection of the Yangtze basin at the turn of the Ordovician–Silurian, which suggested that four tectonic activity periods existed in the eastern Sichuan depression, including the early stage of the depression, the middle-late stage of the depression, the early stage of the foreland flexure and the development stage of the foreland flexure. The high-quality shale was mainly developed from the early stage to the middle-late stage in the depression.

Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy of the Mobarak Formation (Lower Carboniferous) in Kiyasar Area,SE Sari,Northern Iran

The Mobarak Formation is near the town of Kiyasar in the south-east of Sari city, northern Iran. This formation conformably overlies the Geirud Formation （Upper Devonian）. The lower part of the Mobarak Formation consisting of shales and thin- to medium-bedded limestone toward the top of these sequences changes into alternations of dark limestone and interbedded gray to black shales. Weathered yellow thick-bedded shales are observed at the top of the section. This formation is covered unconformably by sandstones attributed to the Dorud Formation （Lower Permian）. The thickness of the formation in this region is 250 m. Four rock units have been recognized in this section. Foraminiferai biostratigraphy shows that the age of the Mobarak Formation in the Kiaysar region ranges from Lower Tournaisian to Early Middle Visean. The foraminifer Zones FAZ1 and FAZ2 are correlated with the Lower Tournaisian and Upper Tournaisian, whereas Zones FAZ3 and FAZ4 correlate with the Visean. Affinities exist between specimens recorded in the Kiyasar section with species known from other regions in eastern and Central Alborz, but there are important differences in their appearance.