Geology of the Aftabrou Polymetallic Deposit, Saveh, Iran

Aftabrou polymetallic prospect is located at the contact of Oligo-Miocene calcalkaline granodioritic to dioritic and Eocene andesitic to basaltic volcanic complex in middle section of Urumiyeh-Dokhtar volcanic arc in NW of Saveh city. Petrographic study indicated that the volcanic rocks are mostly: lava and tuff. Composition of lavas is mainly andesite and tuffs are mainly composed of dacite to rhyodacite. Major phenocrysts in these rocks are plagioclase, clinopyroxene, hornblende and opac minerals. Petrographic and geochemical studies indicated an I-type granitoid and, calcalkaline magmatism associated with continental margin of subduction zone. This study determined three mineralization subzones of 0.2% - 5.3% Cu, 0.02 - 1.31 ppm Au and 1.2% - 3.9% Zn. Fluid inclusion studies on quartzic veins associated with magmatism, demonstrated that homogenization temperatures of this mineralization fluid are between 170°C to 330°C, the salinity of the system is between 11.7 to 23.5 weight percent, density of this fluid is 0.8 - 1.1 g/cm3 and is occurred in depth of less than 1800 m of surface. Fluid inclusion studies suggested that formation of mineral deposit is simple cooling and mixing with atmospheric water and type of Aftabrou deposit is IOCG. In this base, it is assumed that this IOCG mineralization is occurred associate with magmatism that is formed as a result of Neo-Tethys oceanic subduction beneath the Central Iran zone which is replaced in the Orumieh-Dokhtar magmatic arc.

Economic Geology of the XIV Iron-Oxide Prospect, Bafq Mining District, Central Iran: A Preliminary Approach

This paper presents an overview about the XIV iron-oxide prospect which is located in the Bafq mining district, central Iran. The prospect and its host rocks were investigated by field observations together with mineralogical and geochemical studies. According to these investigations, the XIV prospect is similar to Kiruna-type iron deposits and demonstrates a magmatic source for the ore forming processes with a metasomatic overprinting.

Tectonics and Mineralisation of Copper in the Ardestan-Kahang Area, Central Iran by Remote Sensing

The Ardestan-Kahang area is located in Urmieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Arc. This area is situated in Ardestan, Kouhpayeh, Kajan and Zefreh in 1:100,000 geological maps. In order to extract mineralization zones related to copper mineralization and accessories elements, and also identify Argillic, Prophylitic, Sericitic and Siliceous alteration with major and minor lineaments, various kinds of algorithms, band ratio and personal interpolation have been utilized. The applied methods for extracting alteration consist of LS-Fit (Least Square Fit), Matched Filtering (MF), Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) and Spectral Feature Fitting (SFF), band ratio and visual interpretation. Comparing different outputs of utilized algorithms illustrates that the best algorithm for argillc alteration extraction are Matched Filtering (MF) and Spectral Feature Fitting (SFF), with visual interpretation, and for argillic alterations the visual interpretation with RGB: 468 that has seen pink-red color. For prophylitic alterations the utilized algorithms are Matched Filtering (MF). Lineaments have extracted with visual interpretation on satellite images and it is revealed that in areas where the fracture density is greater, conditions are more suitable for copper mineralization.

Seismic Activity and Fractal Geometry of Kareh Bas Fault System in Zagros, South of Iran

Kareh Bas is one the transverse fault systems in Zagros fold-thrust belt. Kareh Bas Transcurrent Fault System with a total length of 200 Km is situated about 80 Km east of the Borazjan segment (a part of Kazerun fault zone) and 40 Km west of Shiraz. It is a nearly N-S trending right-lateral linked strike-slip fault system, and several anticlinal axes have been displaced by it. Strike separation (109 Km) of Mountain Front Fault/Flexure (MFF) of Zagros is the most important function of Kareh Bas Transcurrent Fault System. According to fractal analysis (Box-counting method) on space image maps (1:50,000) prepared from Spot data, fault related surface ruptures have non-linear patterns and fault segments have nearly plane form fractal dimensions;specially at north and south terminations. It means that, the north and south terminations of Kareh Bas Transcurrent Fault System are active (earthquake fault segments) and latter case is more active, because it is coinciding on Zagros mountain front faults (MFF).

Rule of Structural Factors in Formation of Porphyry Copper Deposits in South Western Part of Kerman Area, Iran

Kerman area is located in southern parts of central Iranian volcanic belt. The area under study is located in the southern part of this complex copper mineralization in the area, which is mainly porphyry type and is associated with extensive hydrothermal alteration. This area has a great potential as far as tertiary porphyry copper deposits are concerned. To the exploration of porphyry copper deposits in study area, we have analyzed the lineaments. The lineaments interpreted out from ETM + (band8) data is recognized as another method for locating porphyry type copper mineralization. There is a close correlation between photo lineament factor values and the known copper mineralization in the area. The relationship between 16 porphyry copper deposits with faults and fractures in the area is studied. Photo lineament factor assessments by using satellite photos indicate a strong relationship between a number of lineation intersection in each cell refer to an amount of average lineation in whole map (c/C ratio). In the study area, ratio of c/C even has more relationship refers to PF factor that has previously described in the papers.

Sedimentary Environments Can Be Changed by Geotechnology (Case Study: A Morphotectonic Idea for Design of Extensive Artificial Bay on the Iranian Plateau)

Iranian Plateau between the Lesser Caucasus-Alborz Mountains on the north and Zagros-Makran Ranges on the south has several inter-mountainous depressions which were filled by Quaternary deposits. Geologic evidence implied that, the last marine conditions in some depressions such as the Dasht-e Kavir, Dasht-e Lut and Jazmourian basins, had been changed to land conditions in middle Miocene. Based on shape and elevation of the Dasht-e Kavir, Dasht-e Lut and Jazmourian plains related to sea level and geomorphology of Iranian plateau, three semi-connective artificial lakes can be constructed upon the mentioned plains by consideration of many geologic and geotechnical parameters. These artificial lakes can feed by pumping of water from Oman Sea and form a triple artificial bay which they must be connected together by two gated straits. Therefore, a possible morphotectonic idea with many advantages has suggested that it can be present as an international geotechnologic design. This design has the important environmental impacts which can be changed desert to lake sedimentary basins.

Evaluation of Structural Patterns and Related Alteration and Mineralization Zones by Using ASAR-ASTER Imagery in Siyahrood Area (East Azarbaijan—NW Iran)

The NW part of Iran belongs to the Iranian plateau that is a tectonically active region within the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt. The intrusion of Oligocene parts in various faces caused the alteration and mineralization such as copper, molybdenum, gold and iron in the Siyahrood area. Granitoidic rocks with component of Granodiorite to alkali have been influenced by hydrothermal fluids. Alteration zones are important features for the exploration of deposits and the ASTER sensor is able to identify the type of alteration and its alteration zoning. This method can be a useful tool for detecting potential mineralization area in East Azarbaijan—Northwest of Iran. The purpose of this study is to evaluate ASTER data for mapping altered minerals in Siyahrood area in order to detect the potential mineralized areas. In this study, false color composite, and band ratio techniques were applied on ASTER data and argillic, phyllic, Iron oxide and propylitic alteration zones were separated. ASAR image processing has been used for lineaments and faults identified by the aid of directional filter. The structural study focused on fracture zones and their characteristics including strike, length, and relationship with alteration zones. The results of this study demonstrate the usefulness of remote sensing methods and ASTER multi-spectral data for alteration, and ASAR data are useful for lineament mapping.

Comparison of Strain Ellipsoid Shape in the South of Ardabil Range (NW), Based on the Results of the Magnetic Susceptibility Anisotropy and Paleostress Methods

In recent years, the method of magnetic survey as one of the new techniques in geological and geophysical studies is known. In this study to determine the shape of the stress field of the two methods, Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) and paleostress?have been used. Paleomagnetism is the characteristics of magnetic rocks. Some issues in associated with the past places of continental and oceanic plates can be solved. AMS is one of the paleomagnetism methods that pay to measurement of parameters (which are reflector of the magnetic fabrics rocks). It is presenting an ellipsoid with three-axis perpendicular to each other that defines magnetic ellipsoid. In this regard, the number of 12 stations in different rocks (Jurassic to Quaternary) in the southern region of Ardebil sampling was conducted. In this connection, the study of magnetic fabrics has shown an elliptical magnetic susceptibility with the prolate shape. For the separation of paleostress phases in the Khalkhal area using the analysis of the paleostress based on the study of heterogeneous fault-slip data and sliding lineaments. Firstly, data were picked from 10 stations, and after their analysis, the elliptical shape (prolate) has been determinated. The shape of the ellipsoid, based on AMS and paleostress methods and their results show that in both methods the shape of the stress field is prolate.

Active Tectonics of Kangavar Area, West Iran

Kangavar area is located in the Sanandaj-Sirjan belt in the west Iran. Geomorphic indices of active tectonics are useful tools to analyze the influence of active tectonics. These indices have the advantage of being calculated from Arc GIS and remote sensing packages over large area as a reconnaissance tool to identify geomorphic anomalies possibly related to active tectonics. This is particularly valuable that relatively little work on active tectonics based on this method is done, so this method is new and useful. Six geomorphic indices are calculated in the study area. Then, based on index of active tectonics values that calculated by average of six geomorphic indices, two relative tectonic activities levels are revealed. The low class of Iat is mainly in the sub-basins of 3, 4, 15, 16, 17, 19 & 22 while the rest of the study area has moderate active tectonics in the other sub-basins. Our results show that the moderate value is located on faulted area, which shows 3 class of relative tectonic activity.

Folding Style of the Kuh-e Siah Anticline in the Sarvestan Area, Interior Fars, Zagros, Iran

The Kuh-e Siah anticline is located in the Sarvestan area of the Fars province (186 km to Persian Gulf) and Interior Fars sub basin. This anticline is a fault bend fold and is located in the Sarvestan fault zone with Northwest-Southeast trend. The Sarvestan fault zone has caused main deformation by dextral strike slip activity in southern part of the Zagros fold-thrust belt. The main aim of this paper is to determine of fold style elements and folding pattern of the Kuh-e Siah anticline. This paper presents part of the results of a regional study of the Fars province in the Zagros Simply folded belt, based on original fieldwork, satellite images, structural sections, geological maps and well data. In addition, we used some software as Global Mapper and Tectonics FP for prepared some data. Folds, which are close sideways, are neutral and these require special attention. It is remarkable that, in all sections of the Kuh-e Siah anticline, fold type is close and in the middle part of the anticline, fold type is different with other parts. In the middle part, fold type is upright-moderately gently plunging. On the other hand, in northwestern and southeastern parts fold type is similar together. These results maybe show that fold style follow that fold sigmoidal shape that created with two-fault segment of the Sarvestan fault zone in the study area. Therefore, it seems that the Kuh-e Siah anticline has suffered high deformation in the Sarvestan fault zone and this fault zone has created shear zone.

Physiographic-Tectonic Zoning of Iran’s Sedimentary Basins

Base on geological history evaluation using regional stratigraphy, sedimentary environments, magmatic activities, metamorphism and structural trend in Iran, physiographic-tectonic zoning map of Iran’s sedimentary basins has prepared. This map has prepared to point out the basement tectonics role in Iran. It contains twenty-four different provinces. Iran has composed from different plates: Arabian plate in south and west, Cimmerian manipulated in north and east, Eurasian plate in northeast margin. Cimmerian manipulated at least can be divided to the smaller part, East-Central Iran and North-Central Iran microcontinents. There are evidences for thick-skinned tectonics in the border zones of these plates and microcontinents, especially in Sanandaj-Sirjan overthrust belts that it formed by crustal stacking wedges. Also, Neoproterozoic-Phanerozoic Tectonic column in the Arabian, Cimmerian and Eurasian plates under Iran Country area have introduced.

Biostratigraphic Study of the Paleocene–Eocene Boundary in Northern Tunisia, North Africa

A new section at Jebel Gorraa,in northern Tunisia,contains the Paleocene-Eocene transition interval.Sample analysis of the section delivers abundant and diverse microfauna of planktonic and benthic foraminifera.Biostratigraphically,the Acarinina sibaiyaensis index-species is identified for the first time in this region,which allows us to specify the location of the Paleocene-Eocene boundary as well as the first E1 biozone of the lower Eocene.Samples from this biozone contain calcitic tests poorly preserved with an enrichment of iron oxide signifying a period of upheaval in local marine environments linked to the global warming of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum （PETM）,the marker for the P/E boundary.

Earthquake Hazard Zonation and Seismotectonics of the Bandar Abbas Area, Zagros, Iran

The study area (Bandar Abbas area) is located in the Zagros fold-thrust belt as part of the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt as seismically active belt. This area is located between the Makran accretionary prism and Oman Mountains from east and the Zagros collision belt from west as transition zone. The Zagros fold-thrust belt from the viewpoint of seismicity, is very active and Iran’s major earthquake-prone area. The study area has main active faults and some high magnitude earthquakes occurred in current century. Because the Bandar Abbas area has high seismic activity, the main goal of this research is prepared to earthquake hazard zonation and identify hazardous seismic zones, based on Decision Support System method for define active seismotectonic in this area. The seismotectonic study has been done in 30 - 100 km radius, for Bandar Abbas area. In this research, we used Decision Support System method by in corporate and combine essential data such as seismic data from 1900-2015, Digital Elevation Model of the study area (DEM), surface geology, seismicity parameters, soil classification and location main faults. In this research the Decision Support System (DSS) base on GIS database is used for calculate seismicity parameters. Based on the relative risk of earthquake zonation map, the Bandar Abbas area is located from the north to the East and from the South to the East, in area with high seismic risk (with Orange color). Some small regions with very high relative seismic risk have been limited to these areas with high risk. Also from north to west and from south to west “the study area” is located mainly in the area with earthquake relative risk of in areas with moderate and low relative risk of earthquakes. In the far southwestern region of the study, the small area is located in an area with high and very high seismic relative risk and this case may be due to the activity of the Mountain Front Fault (MFF) and Zagros Fore deep Fault (ZFF). Finally, the study area has been affected by active faults and it causes high vulnerability of the study area in the face of a possible occurrence of earthquakes. Based on of Seismotectonic investigations, there are existed minor faults of the Zagros fault from East to West and in the middle part. This case has been caused some parts in the study area with low and moderate seismic risk to be considered in the face of possible earthquakes and seismic damages, as an area with high seismic risk.

Tectonic Geomorphology of Atrak River, NE Iran

Atrak River region, northeast Iran is a quaternary tectonically active region. There are many geologic structures that they are formed by the collision of the Arabian and Eurasian plates. This area has extended from north east Iran to the of kope dagh zone. The study area is Atrak river basin and it has been divided to 56 Sub-basin for calculation of 6 geomorphic indices. Finally, this region was classified in 4 relative tectonic activity classes.

Geometric Analysis of Davaran Fault System, Central Iran

One of the main faults of the Central Iran is Davaran Fault system which holds right-lateral strike slip with a pressure component. Contemporary activities of this fault signify the continuity of stresses up to now. Davaran fault system has extended parallel to Davaran Mountains. Most of the drainage networks of this region are located on trend of faults. The faults of this region are classified to 5 groups. These groups include conjugated faults of Riedel and Anti-Riedel (R, R'), normal faults (T), faults parallel with the major fault (Y) and faults approximately parallel with the main fault (P). T Faults are normal faults with tension mechanism. By calculation of sinuosity (Smf) of northeast and southwest mountain fronts of the region and ratio of valley floor width of the rivers flowing in the region to their wall height (Vf), it is specified that this region is active in terms of uplift and tectonics. The rivers have deep valley. Tectonic activity in northeast front is more active than southwest mountain front.

Geochemical assessment, mixing behavior and environmental impact of thermal waters in the Guelma geothermal system,Algeria

A study of thirteen geothermal springs located in the geothermal field of Guelma,northeastern Algeria,was conducted.Samples were collected during the period between January 2014 and February 2016.Geochemical processes responsible for the chemical composition of thermal and mineralized water were evaluated.The hydrochemical analysis shows that the thermal waters are characterized by the presence of two different chemical facies,the first type SO4-Ca in the east,west and south of Guelma,the second type HCO3-Ca in the south.This analysis also attributed to sodium,chlorides,and sulfates to an evaporitic terrigenous origin by the molar ratio Sr2+/Ca2+.The thermal spring waters from Guelma geothermal system have a meteoric origin,and all samples are immature with strong mixing between hot and shallow waters with 19-38.5%rate of mixing.The silica geothermometer shows that these thermal waters have a temperature varying from 84 to 122℃and that the water came from a depth of 2100-3000 m through a fault system that limits the pullapart basin of Guelma.Potential environmental effluent from thermal spas could pollute in both the irrigation and drinking waters,and which imposes danger on the health of the inhabitants of the region.

Neotectonics of Boroujerd Area, SW Iran by Index of Active Tectonics

Boroujerd area has located in the border zone of Zagros mountain and Sanandaj-Sirjan belt in the southwest Iran. Six geomorphic indices were calculated in the study area. Through averaging these indices we obtain index of active tectonics (Iat). The values of the index were divided into classes to define the degree of active tectonics. Therefore, relative tectonic activity was calculated and their values were classified and analyzed in two groups. Regions were identified as low and moderate levels. In analyzing data and combining them with tectonic setting the results were often associated and justified with regional geology. Our results show that the highest value has located along faulted area, which shows 3 classes of relative tectonic activity (moderate level). Also, other values have located along folded area (low level). Therefore, middle part of study area (sub-basin No. 4) is showing the more active uplifting related to surroundings region (sub-basin No. 1, 2 and 3). In other words, sub-basin No. 4 has got the more active uplifting by quaternary movements of several faults such as Doroud fault.

Neotectonics of Kashaf Rud River, NE Iran by Modified Index of Active Tectonics (MIAT)

Kashaf rud river is located in border zone of East Alborz and Kopet Dagh physiographic provinces in the north east Iran. Geomorphic indices are useful tools to show the neotectonic regimes. These indices have got the advantage of being calculated from Arc GIS and remote sensing packages over large area as a useful tool to identify geomorphic anomalies possibly related to active tectonics. In this research, seven geomorphic indices (stream-gradient index, valley floor width-valley height ratio, mountain-front sinuosity, drainage basin asymmetry, hypsometric integral, drainage basin shape and transverse topographic symmetry factor) were calculated along the Kashaf rud river. Then, based on a new index or modified index of active tectonics (Miat) values that calculated by average of seven geomorphic indices, relative tectonic activities levels were revealed. The low class of Miat is mainly in the sub-basins of No. 6, 10, 13, 14, 21, 22, 23, 24 & 28 while the rest of the study area has moderate tectonic activities in the other sub-basins. Our results show that the moderate value has located along faulted area, which shows 2 class of relative tectonic activity. These faults have been formed above an old suture zone between Cimmerian and Eurasian plates.

Fluid Inclusion Investigations of the Masjed Daghi Copper-Gold Porphyry-Epithermal Mineralization, East Azerbaijan Province, NW Iran

The Masjed Daghi mineralization is located 30 km southeast of Jolfa city at the bank of Araxes River, northwest Iran. This area is situated in the Alborz-Azarbaijan structural zone of Iran. The most widespread rocks in the mineralization area are andesite and trachyandesite, while there are rock units of latite tuff, andesitic agglomerate, and hornblende porphyry basalt in eastern hills and Eocene flysch in the southern part of the area. Several intrusive bodies are present in the study area, from which the dominant intrusive rock hosting the mineralization is diorite porphyry. The mineralized rock units of the area are cut by different diorite ad mafic dikes. The most prevalent texture of mineralization is dissemination, while open space filling textures including veins and veinlets, are common as well. Diverse types of alteration including potassic, phyllic, argillic, silicification, and a little of carbonatization were recognized in the field and microscopic observations as well as by XRD. In addition to thick silica veins and stockwork zones, some silica, barite, sulfide, and calcite veins and veinlets have occurred in the Masjed Daghi mineralization area. In this research, 26 doubly polished thin sections (wafers) were prepared and investigated. Four samples were taken from surface veins, while 22 samples were chosen from core samples (of 6 boreholes) of white and grey-white silica, and silica-barite veins. The fluid inclusion studies on 105 primary fluid inclusions indicated five phases for inclusions including: 1) liquid or gas, 2) liquid and gas, 3) liquid, gas, and solid, 4) liquid, gas, halite, and solid, and 5) liquid, gas, halite, and two types of solids. The data gained from fluid inclusions approved two mineralization fluids which caused porphyry and epithermal mineralizations. The porphyry fluid inclusions were homogenized in temperatures of 122°C to 550°C with a maximum of 700°C and average salinity of 55 wt% NaCl equivalent, while the epithermal inclusions indicated an average homogenization temperature of 186°C with an average salinity of 6.23 wt% NaCl equivalent.

Mineral Chemistry and Thermobarometry of the Upper Eocene Volcanic Rocks in NE Tafresh, Iran

Petrography and chemistry of minerals show that rocks of Upper Eocene in northeast of Tafresh are composed mostly of andesitic basalt, basaltic andesite and andesite volcanic rocks. Mineralogically these rocks are composed of phenocrystals of olivine, clinopyroxene and plagioclase and main texture of them is porphyry with cryptocrystalline or microcrystalline matrix. In addition, aphyric and pitted textures (amygdala) are also observed. According to the results of EPMA, phenocrystals of plagioclase in mentioned rocks include a range of anorthite to albite minerals. Alkali feldspars also contain a range of sodic to potassic minerals. Pyroxene crystals include hedenbergite, augite and hypersthene. Olivine minerals are often of the ferrohornblendite type. Based on thermobarometry it is estimated that to form clinopyroxene crystals of basaltic andesite rocks, temperature between 750°C to 1000°C is needed. Andesitic basalt rocks at higher temperature (1100°C) and andesite rocks at lower temperature (below 750°C) are formed. According to the distribution of aluminum in clinopyroxenes, these minerals at pressures less than 5 kbar and water content between 5% to 10% are crystallized. The mineral composition indicates that these rocks are formed in a tensional environment.