Mid-Cimmerian, Early Alpine and Late Cenozoic orogenic events in the Shotur Kuh metamorphic complex, Great Kavir block, NE Iran
Abstract
The Shotur Kuh complex, exposed in the NE part of the Great Kavir block, is composed of amphibolite facies metaigneous rocks and micaschist, and of lower-grade Permian-Miocene cover sequences that experienced four main deformation phases and at least two metamorphic events. The D1 deformation phase is associated with a prograde metamorphism that in the basement reached amphibolite facies conditions.
The D2 event corresponds to post-collisional exhumational upflow of middle crust. The D1 and D2 events are considered as Mid-Cimmerian.
The D3 folding event is characterised by NE-SW shortening. Considering the Late Cretaceous age of this deformation, it is related to the late Cimmerian-Early Alpine orogeny.
The D4 folding event is characterised by NW-SE shortening. This deformation event is associated with Late Cenozoic convergence between Arabia and Eurasia, and it could be combined with a left-lateral activity along the Great Kavir fault-bounding system.