The implications of some paleomagnetic data from Iran for its structural history

Abstract

For palaeomagnetic studies oriented samples were collected from several formations of different ages from various parts of lran. Palaeomagnetic data are presented from four formations with volcanic rocks from the Central Alborz. An outline of the geology of Iran is given, and particularly that of the Alborz Mountains. The palaeomagnetic results from rocks of Late Palaeozoic age -Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous and Middle Permian- indicate that lran, probably with West Afghanistan attached, was located at the edge of Gondwanaland not very far from Arabia's east coast. Palaeomagnetic data of Early Jurassic and Cretaceous age point to a position of Iran that practically coincides with its present location. Iran could have performed its main translation and rotation during the important tectonic phase in Middle and Late Triassic times. The Iranian block is probably bounded in the SW by the Zagros Thrust, and in the N by the Kopet Dagh-Caspian Fault.