Facies Analysis, Sedimentary Environment and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Carboniferous Deposits of Gachal Formation, Eastern Central Iran (Rahdar Section)
Author(s)
Mohammad Javad Javdan1,
Mohammad Nabi Gorgij2,
Javad Shahraki3*,
Seyed Mahmood Pahlavan Hashemi3,
Seyed Mohsen Kalvandi3,
Seyed Mohammad Kalvandi3,
Eshagh Bandani3
Affiliation(s)
1 Department of Geology, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran. 2 Department of Geology, Siatan and Baluchestan University, Zahedan, Iran. 3 Department of Geology, Zahedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran.
1 Department of Geology, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran. 2 Department of Geology, Siatan and Baluchestan University, Zahedan, Iran. 3 Department of Geology, Zahedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran.
ABSTRACT
Early carboniferous deposits of the Kalmard block, with various characteristics in different outcrops, are recognized by Gachal Formation. Generally speaking, this formation comprises of four different members (A, B, C and D), consisting of carbonate and evaporative rocks. Gachal Formation is composed chiefly of 55 meters sandstone and limestone interbedded with shale. According to the lithological and microscopic studies, Gachal Formation is deposited in beach, semi-restricted and open lagoon, shoal and open marine environments. Vertical changes of microfacies and the curve of its depth changes account for the high thickness of the facies of shoal and bar sub-environments and the low thickness of the facies of lagoon and open marine sub-environment as well. Gachal Formation rocks in Rahdar section are deposited in a low-angle homoclinal ramp located in southern Paleothysis Ocean. The carbonate-sandstone sequence in Gachal Formation in Rahdar section is composed of a depositional sequence separated from each other by type 1 sequence boundaries. Deposits of this formation are separated from lower deposits by type 2 sequence boundary and from Khan Group by unconformity. The sedimentary sequence identified in this formation points to the age of late Visean, conforming to Kaskaskia IV. The erosional boundary between Gachal and Khan Formations is relatively compatible with drop in sea level at Late Kaskaskia global scale.
Early carboniferous deposits of the Kalmard block, with various characteristics in different outcrops, are recognized by Gachal Formation. Generally speaking, this formation comprises of four different members (A, B, C and D), consisting of carbonate and evaporative rocks. Gachal Formation is composed chiefly of 55 meters sandstone and limestone interbedded with shale. According to the lithological and microscopic studies, Gachal Formation is deposited in beach, semi-restricted and open lagoon, shoal and open marine environments. Vertical changes of microfacies and the curve of its depth changes account for the high thickness of the facies of shoal and bar sub-environments and the low thickness of the facies of lagoon and open marine sub-environment as well. Gachal Formation rocks in Rahdar section are deposited in a low-angle homoclinal ramp located in southern Paleothysis Ocean. The carbonate-sandstone sequence in Gachal Formation in Rahdar section is composed of a depositional sequence separated from each other by type 1 sequence boundaries. Deposits of this formation are separated from lower deposits by type 2 sequence boundary and from Khan Group by unconformity. The sedimentary sequence identified in this formation points to the age of late Visean, conforming to Kaskaskia IV. The erosional boundary between Gachal and Khan Formations is relatively compatible with drop in sea level at Late Kaskaskia global scale.
KEYWORDS
Kalmard, Lower Carboniferous, Gachal Formation, Rahdar Section, Homoclinal, Paleothysis, Kaskaskia, Khan Group
Kalmard, Lower Carboniferous, Gachal Formation, Rahdar Section, Homoclinal, Paleothysis, Kaskaskia, Khan Group
Cite this paper
Javdan, M. , Gorgij, M. , Shahraki, J. , Hashemi, S. , Kalvandi, S. , Kalvandi, S. and Bandani, E. (2015) Facies Analysis, Sedimentary Environment and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Carboniferous Deposits of Gachal Formation, Eastern Central Iran (Rahdar Section). Open Journal of Geology, 5, 623-636. doi: 10.4236/ojg.2015.59055.
Javdan, M. , Gorgij, M. , Shahraki, J. , Hashemi, S. , Kalvandi, S. , Kalvandi, S. and Bandani, E. (2015) Facies Analysis, Sedimentary Environment and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Carboniferous Deposits of Gachal Formation, Eastern Central Iran (Rahdar Section). Open Journal of Geology, 5, 623-636. doi: 10.4236/ojg.2015.59055.
References
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http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojg.2015.58049 [11] Shahraki, J., Mousavi-Harami, R., Mahboubi, A. and Jahani, D. (2014) Facies Analysis, Depositional Environment and Cyclostratigraphy of the Lower Permian Deposits Chili Formation in the Kalmard Block, East Central Iran (Godar-e-Gachal Section). Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 7, 1588-1602. http://www.indjst.org [12] Basso, D., Nalin, R. and Nelson, C.S. (2009) Shallow-Water Sporolithon Rhodoliths from North Island (New Zealand). Palaios, 24, 92-103. http://dx.doi.org/10.2110/palo.2008.p08-048r [13] Nebelsick, J.H., Rasser, D. and Lwmpp, J. (2012) Tracking Paleoenvironmental Changes in Coralline Algal-Dominated Carbonates of the Lower Oligocene Calcareniti di Castelgomberto Formation (MontiBerici, Italy). Facies, 59, 133-148. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10347-012-0349-6 [14] Sahraeyan, M., Bahrami, M. and Arzaghi, S. (2013) Facies Analysis and Depositional Environments of the Oligocene-Miocene Asmari Formation, Zagros Basin, Iran. Geoscience Frontiers, 5, 103-112.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10347-005-0018-0 [24] Ali, Y.A. and West, I. (1983) Relationships of Modern Gypsum Nodules in Sabkhas of Loess to Compositions of Brines and Sediments in North Egypt. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 52, 1151-1168. [25] Butler, G.P., Harris, P.M. and Kendall, C.G.S.C. (1982) Recent Evaporites from the Abu Dhabi Coastal Flats. In: Handford, C.R., Loucks, R.G. and Davies, G.R., Eds., Deposition and Diagenetic Spectra of Evaporites—A Core Workshop, SEPM Core Workshop No. 3, 33-64.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2110/cor.82.01.0033 [26] Kendall, C.G. and Warren, J.K. (1989) Peritidal Evaporates and Their Sedimentary Assemblage. In: Schreiber, B.C., Ed., Evaporates and Hydrocarbons, Columbia University Press, New York, 66-138. [27] Fridman, G. (1995) The Arid Peritidal Complex of Abu Dhabi: A Historical Perspective. Carbonates and Evaporites, 10, 2-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF03175237 [28] Bromley, R.G. (1990) Trace Fossils: Biology and Taphonomy. Unwin Hyman Ltd, London, 280 p. [29] Wetzel, A. (1991) Ecologic Interpretation of Deep Sea Trace Fossil Communities. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 85, 47-69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0031-0182(91)90025-M [30] Ghosh, A.K. and Sarkar, S. (2013) Facies Analysis and Paleoenvironment Interpretation of Piacenzian Carbonate Deposits from the Guitar Formation of Car Nicobar Island, India. Geosience Frontiers, 4, 755-764. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2013.01.010 [31] Amirshahkarami, M., Vaziri-Moghaddam, H. and Taheri, A. (2007) Sedimentary Facies and Sequence the Asmari Formation at Chaman-Bolbol, Zagros Basin, Iran. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 29, 947-959. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2006.06.008 [32] Lasemi, Y. (1995) Platform Carbonates of the Upper Jurassic Mozduran Formation in the Kopet Dagh Basin, NE Iran—Facies, Palaeoenvironments and Sequences. Sedimentary Geology, 99, 151-164. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0037-0738(95)00041-6 [33] Burchette, T.P. (1993) Mashrif Formation (Cenomanian-Turonian), Southern Persian Gulf: Carbonate Platform Growth along a Cratonic Basin Margin. In: Simo, J.A.T., Scott, R.W. and Masse, J.-P., Eds., Cretaceous Carbonate Platforms, AAPG Memoir No. 56, 185-200. [34] Read, J.F. (1985) Carbonate Platform Facies Models. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 69, 1-21. [35] Bachmann, M. and Hirisch, F. (2006) Lower Cretaceous Carbonate Platform of the Eastern Levant (Galilee and the Golan Heights): Stratigraphy and Second-Order Sea-Level Change. Cretaceous Research, 27, 487-512. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2005.09.003 [36] Boudagher-Fadel, M.K. and Lokier, S.W. (2005) Significant Miocene Larger Foraminifera from South Central Java. Revue de Paléobiologie, 24, 291-309. [37] Alonso-Zarza, A.M. and Tanner, L.H. (2010) Carbonates in Continental Setting: Facies, Environments and Processes. Developments in Sedimentology, 61, 225-267. [38] Sloss, L.L. (1963) Sequence in Cratonic Interior of North America. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 74, 93-114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1963)74[93:SITCIO]2.0.CO;2
[1] Aghanabati, A. (1983) Major Structural Zone Sedimentary Iran. Geological and Country Mineral Exploration Organization, Iran, 606. [2] Aghanabati, A. (1977) Etudgeologique de la region de Kalmard (W. Tabas). Geological Survey of Iran, 51-63. [3] Tucker, M.E. (2001) Sedimentary Petrology. 3rd Edition, Blackwell, Oxford, 260 p. [4] Miall, A.D. (2006) The Geology of Fluvial Deposists: Sedimentary Facies, Analysis and Petroleum Geology. SpringVerlag, New York, 582. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-03237-4 [5] Therrien, F. (2006) Depositional Environments and Alluvial System Changes in the Dinosaur-Bearing Sanpetru Formation (Late Cretaceous, Romania): Post-Orogenic Sedimentation in an Active Extensional Basin. Sedimentary Geology, 192, 183-205. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2006.04.002 [6] Strand, K. (2005) Sequence Stratigraphy of the Silisiclastic East Puolanka Group, the Palaeoproterozoic Kainuu Belt, Finland. Sedimentary Geology, 176, 149-166.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2004.12.014 [7] Pettijohn, F.J., Siever, R. and Potter, P.E. (1987) Sand and Sandstone. 2nd Edition, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 553 p. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-1066-5 [8] Wilson, J.L. (1975) Carbonate Facies in Geologic History. Springer, New York, 471 p.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-6383-8 [9] Khalifa, M.A., Soliman, H.E. and Wanas, H.A. (2006) The Cambrian Araba Formation in Northeastern Egypt: Facies and Depositional Environments. Journal of Asian Sciences, 27, 873-884.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2005.09.003 [10] Shahraki, J., Javdan, M.J., Hashemi, S.M.P., Jami, M., Nastooh, M. and Kalvandi, S.M. (2015) Facies Analysis, Depositional Environment of the Lower Permian Deposits of Chili Formation in Kalmard Block, Eastern Central Iran (Darin Section). Open Journal of Geology, 5, 539-551.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojg.2015.58049 [11] Shahraki, J., Mousavi-Harami, R., Mahboubi, A. and Jahani, D. (2014) Facies Analysis, Depositional Environment and Cyclostratigraphy of the Lower Permian Deposits Chili Formation in the Kalmard Block, East Central Iran (Godar-e-Gachal Section). Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 7, 1588-1602. http://www.indjst.org [12] Basso, D., Nalin, R. and Nelson, C.S. (2009) Shallow-Water Sporolithon Rhodoliths from North Island (New Zealand). Palaios, 24, 92-103. http://dx.doi.org/10.2110/palo.2008.p08-048r [13] Nebelsick, J.H., Rasser, D. and Lwmpp, J. (2012) Tracking Paleoenvironmental Changes in Coralline Algal-Dominated Carbonates of the Lower Oligocene Calcareniti di Castelgomberto Formation (MontiBerici, Italy). Facies, 59, 133-148. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10347-012-0349-6 [14] Sahraeyan, M., Bahrami, M. and Arzaghi, S. (2013) Facies Analysis and Depositional Environments of the Oligocene-Miocene Asmari Formation, Zagros Basin, Iran. Geoscience Frontiers, 5, 103-112.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2013.03.005 [15] Mahboubi, A., Moussavi-Harami, R. and Lasemi, Y. (2001) Sequence Stratigraphy and Sea Level History of the Upper Paleocene Strata in the Kopet-Dagh Basin, Northeastern Iran. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 85, 839-859. [16] Shinn, A. (1983) Tidal Flat Environment. In: Schlle, P.A., Debout, D.G. and Moore, C.H., Eds., Carbonate Depositional Environment: AAPG Memoir, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Tulsa, 173-210. [17] Briand, C., Izart, A., Vaslet, D., Vachard, D., Makhlina, M., Goreva, N., Isakova, T., Kossovaya, O. and Jaroshenko, A. (1998) Stratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy of Moscovian, Kasimovian and Gzhelian in the Moscow Basin. Bulletin de la Societe Geologique de France, 169, 35-52. [18] Lasemi, Y. (1998) Sedimentary Environment of Iran Ordovician Stones (Same Sequences of Sedimetray, Environment of Rift Formation) and the Formation of Divergent Margins of Paleo-Tethyhs. Seventeen Meeting of Earth Sciences, Geological and Country Mineral Exploration Organization, 158-160. [19] Jamalian, M. (2011) Facies Characteristic and Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction of the Fahliyan Formation, Lower Cretaceous, in the Kuh-e Siah Area, Zagros Basin, Southern Iran. Facies, 57, 101-122. [20] Flügel, E. (2010) Microfacies of Carbonate Rocks, Analysis, Interpretation and Application. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 996 p. [21] Sepkoski Jr., J.J., Bambach, R.K. and Dorser, M.L. (1991) Secular Changes in Phanerozoic Event Bedding and the Biological Overprint. In: Einsele, G., Rieken, W. and Scilacher, A., Eds., Cycles and Event in Stratigraphy, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 298-312. [22] Brandano, M., Frezza, V., Tomassetti, L. and Pedley, M. (2010) Facies Analysis and Paleoenvironmental Interpretation of the Late Oligocene Attard Member (Lower Coralline Limstone Formation), Malta. Sedimentalogy, 56, 1138-1158. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.2008.01023.x [23] Vaziri-Moghadam, H., Kimiagari, M. and Taheri, A. (2006) Depositional Environment and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Oligo-Miocene Asmari Formation in SW Iran. Facies, 52, 41-51.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10347-005-0018-0 [24] Ali, Y.A. and West, I. (1983) Relationships of Modern Gypsum Nodules in Sabkhas of Loess to Compositions of Brines and Sediments in North Egypt. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 52, 1151-1168. [25] Butler, G.P., Harris, P.M. and Kendall, C.G.S.C. (1982) Recent Evaporites from the Abu Dhabi Coastal Flats. In: Handford, C.R., Loucks, R.G. and Davies, G.R., Eds., Deposition and Diagenetic Spectra of Evaporites—A Core Workshop, SEPM Core Workshop No. 3, 33-64.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2110/cor.82.01.0033 [26] Kendall, C.G. and Warren, J.K. (1989) Peritidal Evaporates and Their Sedimentary Assemblage. In: Schreiber, B.C., Ed., Evaporates and Hydrocarbons, Columbia University Press, New York, 66-138. [27] Fridman, G. (1995) The Arid Peritidal Complex of Abu Dhabi: A Historical Perspective. Carbonates and Evaporites, 10, 2-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF03175237 [28] Bromley, R.G. (1990) Trace Fossils: Biology and Taphonomy. Unwin Hyman Ltd, London, 280 p. [29] Wetzel, A. (1991) Ecologic Interpretation of Deep Sea Trace Fossil Communities. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 85, 47-69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0031-0182(91)90025-M [30] Ghosh, A.K. and Sarkar, S. (2013) Facies Analysis and Paleoenvironment Interpretation of Piacenzian Carbonate Deposits from the Guitar Formation of Car Nicobar Island, India. Geosience Frontiers, 4, 755-764. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2013.01.010 [31] Amirshahkarami, M., Vaziri-Moghaddam, H. and Taheri, A. (2007) Sedimentary Facies and Sequence the Asmari Formation at Chaman-Bolbol, Zagros Basin, Iran. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 29, 947-959. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2006.06.008 [32] Lasemi, Y. (1995) Platform Carbonates of the Upper Jurassic Mozduran Formation in the Kopet Dagh Basin, NE Iran—Facies, Palaeoenvironments and Sequences. Sedimentary Geology, 99, 151-164. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0037-0738(95)00041-6 [33] Burchette, T.P. (1993) Mashrif Formation (Cenomanian-Turonian), Southern Persian Gulf: Carbonate Platform Growth along a Cratonic Basin Margin. In: Simo, J.A.T., Scott, R.W. and Masse, J.-P., Eds., Cretaceous Carbonate Platforms, AAPG Memoir No. 56, 185-200. [34] Read, J.F. (1985) Carbonate Platform Facies Models. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 69, 1-21. [35] Bachmann, M. and Hirisch, F. (2006) Lower Cretaceous Carbonate Platform of the Eastern Levant (Galilee and the Golan Heights): Stratigraphy and Second-Order Sea-Level Change. Cretaceous Research, 27, 487-512. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2005.09.003 [36] Boudagher-Fadel, M.K. and Lokier, S.W. (2005) Significant Miocene Larger Foraminifera from South Central Java. Revue de Paléobiologie, 24, 291-309. [37] Alonso-Zarza, A.M. and Tanner, L.H. (2010) Carbonates in Continental Setting: Facies, Environments and Processes. Developments in Sedimentology, 61, 225-267. [38] Sloss, L.L. (1963) Sequence in Cratonic Interior of North America. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 74, 93-114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1963)74[93:SITCIO]2.0.CO;2