| Iranian Ophiolite
Project |
| Geochemistry and
geochronology of Iranian ophiolites as a key to Tethyan plate
tectonics and evolution of the Alpine- Himalayan orogenic belt |
| PIs: Ghazi, A. M., Babaie,
H., GSU; R.A. Duncan, Oregon St. U; J.J. Mahoney, U. of Hawaii; E.
Passagnio, UT-Dallas; A.A. Hassanipak, U. Tehran; and Dr. Ahmadzadeh, Geological Survey of Iran |
| Ophiolites are slices of oceanic
crust that are emplaced onto continents and are present in many of
the orogenic belts. The Bitlis-Zagros Suture Zone marks a congenital tectonic collision zone in the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt. The ophiolites of this zone form a discontinuous linear belt of Tethyan oceanic fragments which form a bridge between the Semail Ophiolite in Oman and the Troodos ophiolite in Cyprus. The Iranian ophiolites of the Bitlis-Zagros Suture Zone include complexes at Neyriz, Kermanshah and possibly at Khoy. Currently there is an immense gap in our knowledge about many fundamental aspects of genesis of these ophiolites (e.g., the mantle sources, the petrogenetic origin, the tectonic environment and timing of formation, timing and mechanism of emplacement) and thus in our understanding of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic geology of the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean regions as well as of Tethyan paleogeography. |
|
| Ultimately, we hope to
generate a modern, high-quality geochemical database and evaluate
ancient tectonomagmatic processes in this little-studied region. We intend to share this database with a number of other colleagues who also have abiding interests in answering some of the fundamental questions about Tethyan and Indian Ocean magmatism, timing and tectonics of ocean closure and the evolution of geochemical domains within the upper mantle, and ophiolite genesis in general. Finally, this project is intended to further strengthen our collaborative academic and logistical platform with the Iranian scientists who have shown great enthusiasm for and willingness to facilitate first-class geological studies in Iran. | |
| A. Mohamad
Ghazi |
| Department of
Geology |
| Georgia State
University |
| Atlanta, GA
30303 |
| 404-463-9556 |
