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Geochemistry of Lower Jurassic Sandstones of Shemshak Formation, Kerman Basin, Central Iran: Provenance, Source Weathering and Tectonic Setting


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1 Department of Studies in Earth Science, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore - 570 006, India
2 Department of Earth Science and Resource Management, Yuvaraja's College, University of Mysore, Mysore - 570 005, India
     

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Lower Jurassic sandstones of Shemshak Formation of Kerman basin, central Iran were analyzed for major and select trace elements to infer their provenance, palaeoweathering of source rocks and tectonic setting. Average modal framework components (Qt: F: L = 67.25: 2.41: 30.48) and chemical composition of the sandstones classify them as litharenites. The sandstones are quartz-rich (∼67% quartz; 75.34 wt.% SiO2) and derived from a recycled orogen composed of quartzose sedimentary rocks. Average CIA, PIA and CIW values (69%, 76% and 80%, respectively) indicate moderate to intense chemical weathering of the source material. The inferred index of weathering/alteration is the sum total of intensities of weathering witnessed by the lithocomponents during atleast two cycles of sedimentation involving (1) chemical weathering of the source rocks («ultimate» granodiorite source and «proximal» quartzose sedimentary source), (2) chemical weathering during fluvial transport of the detritus, (3) chemical weathering of the detritus in depocenters, and (4) chemical weathering during diagenesis. Sandstones exhibit moderate maturity and were deposited under humid climatic conditions. Plots of the chemical analyses data on tectonic setting discrimination diagrams indicate active continental margin setting, which is in agreement with the tectonic evolutionary history of the Central Iran during Jurassic period.

Keywords

Sandstones, Lower Jurassic, Provenance, Palaeoweathering, Tectonic Setting, Shemshak Formation, Kerman Basin, Central Iran.
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  • Geochemistry of Lower Jurassic Sandstones of Shemshak Formation, Kerman Basin, Central Iran: Provenance, Source Weathering and Tectonic Setting

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Authors

S. M. Moosavirad
Department of Studies in Earth Science, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore - 570 006, India
M. R. Janardhana
Department of Earth Science and Resource Management, Yuvaraja's College, University of Mysore, Mysore - 570 005, India
M. S. Sethumadhav
Department of Studies in Earth Science, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore - 570 006, India
K. N. Prakash Narasimha
Department of Studies in Earth Science, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore - 570 006, India

Abstract


Lower Jurassic sandstones of Shemshak Formation of Kerman basin, central Iran were analyzed for major and select trace elements to infer their provenance, palaeoweathering of source rocks and tectonic setting. Average modal framework components (Qt: F: L = 67.25: 2.41: 30.48) and chemical composition of the sandstones classify them as litharenites. The sandstones are quartz-rich (∼67% quartz; 75.34 wt.% SiO2) and derived from a recycled orogen composed of quartzose sedimentary rocks. Average CIA, PIA and CIW values (69%, 76% and 80%, respectively) indicate moderate to intense chemical weathering of the source material. The inferred index of weathering/alteration is the sum total of intensities of weathering witnessed by the lithocomponents during atleast two cycles of sedimentation involving (1) chemical weathering of the source rocks («ultimate» granodiorite source and «proximal» quartzose sedimentary source), (2) chemical weathering during fluvial transport of the detritus, (3) chemical weathering of the detritus in depocenters, and (4) chemical weathering during diagenesis. Sandstones exhibit moderate maturity and were deposited under humid climatic conditions. Plots of the chemical analyses data on tectonic setting discrimination diagrams indicate active continental margin setting, which is in agreement with the tectonic evolutionary history of the Central Iran during Jurassic period.

Keywords


Sandstones, Lower Jurassic, Provenance, Palaeoweathering, Tectonic Setting, Shemshak Formation, Kerman Basin, Central Iran.

References