Facies Analysis, Depositional Environments and Geochemistry of the Late Ladinian-Early Carnian Ashin Formation, (Central Iran)

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the petrographic, geochemical features, and depositional facies of the Late Triassic Ashin Formation (Nakhlak Group, central Iran). For this purpose, 100 thin sections, and 13 samples of fine-grained sedimentary rocks were analyzed for their petrographic and geochemical characteristics, taken from a 330-m thick section of this formation. The petrographic types identified in this formation include sandstone, siltstone and limestone. This study suggests limestone facies are deposited in upper parts of the distal submarine fan towards the shore, sandstone facies are deposited in the middle part of the distal submarine fan, and the shale facies are deposited in lower parts of the distal submarine fan towards the abyssal plain by turbidity currents. The plotting of petrographic data on ternary diagrams for compositional classification illustrate their composition as litharenites, sub-litharenites, and a few litharenite-feldspathic and shales. Discrete diagrams refer to a tectonic setting of a continental arc complex and the active continental margin. The results of the modal analysis and geochemical data indicate the orogenic re-cycling for these deposits. CIA and CIW indexes indicate moderate weathering of the source area under semi-arid to semi-humid climates.