Strain geometry and structural analysis of the Oshnavieh ophiolite (NW Iran): A new segment of the Neo-Tethys puzzle

Abstract

The closure of the Neo-Tethys ocean associated with the ophiolite obduction and the Oshnavieh ophiolite is the unknown part of the Neo-Tethys suture zone. Three well-known band ratio combinations applied to ASTER satellite image the result shows the ((2+4) /3, (5+7) /6, (7+9) /8) band ratio is the proper combination for the reorganization of rock units in the ophiolite regions. Principal component analysis of the (PC2, PC4 and PC 5) is well discriminated against to the rock unit contacts. The general trend of thrust faults is the NW-SE and dip direction is toward the NE. The rake of slickenline on the fault plane is 80°-90° and the mechanism of movement is the pure thrust. The shear sense indicator such as Z-type parasitic folds or mica-fish and S-C fabrics confirm right-lateral shearing sense in the shear zone. Strain geometry on the obducted slab evaluated by the shape of the mineral grains. In the shear zone strain ellipsoid shape is the prolate type and formed under constrictional regime, the Flinn K-value of these samples changes between 2.71 to 11.67 and lode ratio between -0.42 to -0.63. Most of the samples taken from the thrust fault zone located in the flattening zone and strain ellipsoid are pancake-shaped and formed under contractional regime the k-value varied between 0.44 to 0.80 and Lode ratio range is 0.32 to 0.5. The displacement in the thrust zone and shearing by the shear zone disrupted the ophiolite sequence and created an ophiolite mélange.