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Biofacies and sequence stratigraphy of the Eocene succession, at Hamzeh-Ali area, north-central Zagros, Iran

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Abstract

The predominant biofacies of Eocene deposits at the Hamzeh-Ali area in highlands of Zagros Mountains are: (1) planktonic foraminifera, (2) nummulitid-discocylinid-planktonic foraminifera (3)nummulitid-discocyclinid, (4) Alveolina-Nummulites, (5) Alveolina-Orbitolites-Somalina, and (6) Alveolina-miliolids-bioclasts.

Palaeoecology and sedimentary environments in association with the occurrence of foraminifera suggests an open shelf of carbonate platforms (with ineffective barrier) with emphasis on deep shelf and inner to outer shallow shelf of an open-marine environment during the Eocene.

Three depositional sequences were also recognized in the Eocene succession. Transgressive Systems Tracts are characterized by the occurrence of larger and flat perforated and planktonic forams. Abundance of imperforated forams and presence of smaller perforated forams are associated with Highstand Systems Tracts. Sequence boundaries are characterized by abrupt change in lithology and faunal succession.

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Moghaddam, H.V., Seyrafian, A. & Taraneh, P. Biofacies and sequence stratigraphy of the Eocene succession, at Hamzeh-Ali area, north-central Zagros, Iran. Carbonates Evaporites 17, 60–67 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03175657

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