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Fractal analysis and structural mapping for copper exploration in Veshnavah area, central part of Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Arc (UDMA), Iran

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Abstract

Geological structures play an important role in deposition of ore mineralization during hydrothermal activities. In this study, the relationship between fault systems and location of copper mineralization was investigated using fractal analysis in the Veshnavah area, Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Arc (UDMA), Iran. A copper anomaly map was generated by implementing fractal analysis of concentration-area (C-A) and concentration-number (C-N). Geochemical anomalies were mostly found in the northern, central, and southern parts of the study region that categorized to high and very high anomaly zones for copper mineralization. Well correlation of high- and medium-grade Cu anomalies with fracture density indicates a genetic relationship between Cu mineralization and fault and fracture systems particularly for NW-SE orientation. Besides, the andesitic-basalt lava lithologies, volcanic breccia, mega porphyritic andesite-basalt lava, micro-quartz diorite, and micro-quartz monzonite show a relevant correlation with the identified copper anomalies in the study area. This study recommended that the application of fractal analysis for identifying the relationship between fault systems and location of copper mineralization is a significant phase for copper exploration in metallogenic provinces.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to appreciate and thank Dr. Omrani, Laboratory Manager of the Geological Survey of Iran (GSI), Dr. Najafi, senior exploration advisor of the GSI, and Dr. Straby as well as Mr. Mohammadi Asl for his cooperation in this research. We are also thankful to the Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), for providing facility for rewriting and editing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Sciences and Research Unit, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Zahra Mohammadyasl & Mahdi Mohammadiasl

  2. Earth Sciences Research Institute, Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, Iran

    Abdollah Saidi

  3. Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Department, Lorestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Khorramabad, Iran

    Taher Farhadinejud

  4. Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

    Amin Beiranvand Pour

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  1. Zahra Mohammadyasl
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Correspondence to Zahra Mohammadyasl.

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Mohammadyasl, Z., Saidi, A., Farhadinejud, T. et al. Fractal analysis and structural mapping for copper exploration in Veshnavah area, central part of Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Arc (UDMA), Iran. Arab J Geosci 14, 1568 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08100-4

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