GEOSCIENCES
Year:2012 | Volume:21 | Issue:83|Papers Count:26

Ground subsidence in eastern part of Eshtehard, built on the alluvial deposits, is linear and gradual. Preparing geological map and profiles; we studied the structural geology of the area. The sort and situation of aquifer, evolution of ground water levels and hydrochemistry were studied and the presence of ancient channel was detected by geoelectric method. The geotechnical studies suggest that the soils in the area (USCS Classification) belong to Lean clay (CL), Fat Clay (CH) and Silty Sand (SM). The maximum soil settlement is more than allowable settlements and soils recognized to be dispersive to semi-dispersive soils. The possible entrance of waste water from Eshtehard Industrial town into Eshtehard Qanat, from septic wells and transfer water system seems to provide necessary moisture for dispersive soils and have caused the subsidence in the area. Hydrogeology of alluvial aquifer was evaluated and indicates a negative debit. Although the hydrographs of pizometric wells are not compensated but it display any role in linear subsidence. Soils prone to dispersion by infiltration of water from septic wells and urban water system and the presence of ancient Qantas hidden in the depth of 15 meters caused linear ground subsidence. The results of this study show the development of ancient Eshtehard city and the selection of new site was not carried out on the geotechnical basis. Therefore it is recommended that before constructing any projects, geotechnical studies are necessary.

Structural analysis of the NW-SE oriented Alborz fault in north Qom, demonstrates young left-lateral reverse displacement evidence, based on the rake of the striations on young fault planes (45o-53o). Strong structural evidence exists for its previous right-lateral reverse displacement. Young left-lateral displacement evidence in NW-SE oriented oblique and strike-slip faults recently was documented in central-west (eg. Mosha and Talegan faults) and south Alborz mountains (eg. Ipak and Kusk-e-Nosrat faults) due to the compression direction of the south Caspian oceanic crust with Alborz mountains. Replacement of right-lateral reverse mechanism by young left-lateral reverse mechanism in the Alborz fault in north Qom implies that the inversion of the central-west Alborz faults is being transferred through to the same oriented faults in south Alborz mountain up to the Qom area.

The Gunu storm, due to its severe intensity, caused substantial damages to the coasts of Sistan and Baluchestan and Hormozgan provinces. Tropical storms develop in the form of enormous hurricanes which suck the surrounding air towards them. We feel such rapid movement of air as strong winds; In satellite images, it is seen as the movement of clouds (water vapor) towards the core or the eye of the storm. With a velocity of 150 km/h and rain reaching 160 mm, the storm had made considerable gemorphologic changes in the coast of Oman Gulf as well as damages. Such geomorphologic changes were studied using ETM, TM and LISS III satellite data and were compared before and after the Guno storm. Also the early results taken from satellite images were coordinated with field study after the storm. These inquiries show that acute changes have been made in the opening of important estuaries such as Shur, Sargan, Kahir, Bir and Bandini. Also change stream course, due to migration channel on river meander and area of flooded area on coastal plain was determined. Cooperation of satellite data shows, discharge of sediment to the bays such as Pozm, Chabahar that it can be a serious problem for navigation and coastal structures in this area.

In order to obtain more accurate results from application of the method of artificial neural networks, instead of selection of the best network determined by trial and error process, we suitably combine the results of several networks that is called committee machine, to reduce the error, and thus, increasing the accuracy of the output results. In this research, ensemble combination of single artificial neural networks has been used in order to estimate the effective porosity of Kangan gas reservoir rock in South Pars hydrocarbon field. To achieve this goal, well logging data of 4 wells in the area at the depth interval corresponding to Kangan formation were used. Acoustic, density, gamma ray and neutron porosity well log data were assigned as the input of the networks while the effective porosity data were considered as the output of the networks. Back- propagation single neural networks having different structures were trained using regularization method and their results were assessed. Then, the networks with the best results, i.e. contained minimum mean of squares of errors in the test step, were selected for making ensemble combinations. To determine the weighting coefficients of the networks in the linear ensemble combinations, we applied three methods of simple averaging, Hashem’s optimal linear combination and non-analytical optimal linear combination employing genetic algorithm, and their results were compared. The best ensemble combination, in which we had the maximum reduction in mean of squares of errors of the test step compared to the best single neural network, was an optimal linear four-network combination obtained by using genetic algorithm optimization method. This best ensemble combination, compared to the best single neural network, reduced the mean of squares of errors in the training and test steps 3.6% and 11.2%, respectively.

The huge and historical landslide of Jiroft, being about 53 Km2 in area, is located in 35 Km NW of Jiroft town just adjacent to Jiroft Dam and in coordinates of 28o 45¢   to 28o 53 ¢ N and 57o 20’  to 57o 30¢  E. This slide which has taken place as a result of massive movement of upper reefal part of Qom formation dipping only 6o, 8 cubic kilometers in volume and about 300 meters thickness over the underlying marls, is recognizable based on shattered rocks, anomaly along the course of Halil Roud and the presence of well-rounded igneous boulders in some parts among the shattered rocks. As a result of this slide, the course of Halil was completely blocked and an ephemeral lake was created. Afterwards, the lake overflowed in another place (the present place of the Dam) which was the lowest point in its periphery. Due to this river detour, the Halil Roud incised its fan, created a gorge from the overflowing point to its confluence point, as well as incision of several small fans along its course. The presence of several active faults and low slope of the sliding mass imply the probable influence of earthquake and heavy precipitation as triggering mechanisms. The main characteristics of this slide include very low slope (6o), its size (53 km2 in area and maximum run-out distance of about 7 km), comprising four parts, specific mechanism (like other sturztorms) and its time of occurrence (probably 60000 to 100000 years ago). Depending on the classification of landslides, it may be considered as extremely rapid rock slide, sturzstorm, rock avalanche as well as debris avalanche. The desert varnish of boulders engaged in the slide mass and the solution runnels generated after the slide suggest that the age of the slide is about tens of thousands to several thousands years ago.

Dali porphyry copper-gold deposit is situated geologically incontact of the Urmieh-Dokhtar magmatic belt and the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone in central of Iran and for the first time this deposit was investigated with using the satellite image processing (TM). In this research, the Northern part of the Dali deposit has been investigated in order to recognize the potential copper and gold-bearing target areas. The survey layers include the lithologic units, alteration, geophysical and geochemical results, tectonics, and copper mineralization. As a accurate decision can have a considerable effect on exploration plans, so in this research efforts have been made to make use of new combination methods including index overlay method, fuzzy logic method, and the analytical hierarchy process. These three methods support and complement each other and have revealed highly potential copper and gold mineralization areas. Among these methods, Analytical hierarchy process is the best method for combining the exploration data in this area. The investigations (for instance field evidences of outcrops, mineralization and also sampling of 7 trenches) carried out in the study area confirm this matter. Based on achieved results, geological perspective in central of studied area is appropriate for continuing mining exploration, especially for subsurface exploration in future.

The uppermost layers of the Pabdeh Formation in Kuh e-Asmari section consist of microbial (tufa and stromatolite) facies interpreted to have been deposited in a lacustrine environment. These deposits are unconformably overlain by basal anhydrite and transitional zone of the Asmari and Pabdeh Formations. The transitional zone is correlated with the lower Asmari (with a basal unconformity or correlative conformity) in the Gachsaran No. 31 and Aghajari No. 61 wells and in Kuh e-Mish, Shahzadeh Abdullah, Tang-Sorgh and Rag-Sefid surface sections. Therefore the basal anhydrite and transitional zone should be considered as a part of the Asmari Formation. The drastic facies change near the Pabdeh and Asmari contact is due to thrust-loading, relative sea-level changes and climatic variations close to Ruplian-Chattian boundary.

Robat Karim manganese deposit is located in 7 km northwest of Robat Karim (southwest of Teharan), within northeastern margin of Orumiyeh-dokhtar volcanic belt. Based on regional geology, the studied area is situated in the northern Saveh Eocene volcanic assemblage, composed of rhyolite, trachyte, andesite and basalt. Manganese mineralization is occurred as veins, in faults, joints and fractures that crosscut the volcanic rocks. According to mineralogical studies, the manganese ore of the studied area is composed of pyrolusite, psilomelane, ramsdelite and hollandite, as well as calcite and quartz. Intergrowths of manganese oxides and quartz (or calcite) associated with various open space filling textures support the epithermal origin of the ore forming fluids in this area. Geochemistry of major and trace elements in Robat Karim manganese ores, similarity of their chondrite normalized REE pattern with volcanic host rocks and other hydrothermal manganese deposits of the world, as well as negative Ce anomaly indicate a probable epithermal origin of the deposit. Ore forming fluids could be originated from meteoric and/or magmatic waters circulating through Eocene volcanic rocks, dissolve manganese and other metals and deposit them in fault planes and major fractures. High pressure of the ore forming fluid has caused the formation of brecciated trachyte.

The Northern Khorasan is one of important active tectonics area. The main faults are strike slip (dextral and sinistral) and minor faults are thrust faults. Many of thrust faults are older than strike- slip faults and some of them are younger and are active now. It is because of bending of strike-slip faults that converts, them into thrust faults. We recognized active faults based on their characteristics. In this area we have two series of tensile joints and two series of shear joints. Principal stresses have the fallowing attitudes (d1=N9oE, 5o)-(d2=S1oW, 86o)-(d3=N81oW, 1o). Strikeslip faults can be sympathetic. For example the 1997 Bojnurd earthquake on the Yekke-shakh fault affects Baba- aman and Gharlegh faults.

In Sanandaj- Sirjan zone a vast outcrops of volcanic rocks, which founded as high terraces, are covered the Pre-Quaternany rocks. The volcanic rocks are appeared in different shapes and morphological features. Based on the Zagros geodynamical evolution, mentioned rocks assumed to be Post- Collissional, that are formed in an extentional system with a NW-SE trend. Three studied complexes in this paper are Ahmad abad, Tahmures and Nadri. The structural investigation of three the sites are complementary data to the geochemical analysis. In this regards, structural investigation done in those 3 mentioned sites. Studied faults shows different trends and age. Mechanism of faults are normal, and their age are either Post- basalt or syn-basalt, that is, Contemporaneous with the last deposition of late-Miocene marls. The age of the oldest faults is late- Miocene, before basalt intrusion.

Better understanding of earthquakes primarily requires more accurate dynamic and kinematic models for fault rupture. There are several methods for ground motion detection; each of them has its own advantages and limitations. The processes, needed for the estimation of displacements by the seismic data, generally increase the noise. Accelerometers, for example, record the details of strong ground motion close to the earthquake source; however it is difficult to transform the measured accelerations into displacement. Broadband seismometers are more sensitive and more accurate than accelerometers but even those may be saturated or clipped in far distances from a large earthquake. InSAR observations can provide good spatial images of some of the surface displacement components in the rupture area. It has, however, drawbacks in some regions, as the InSAR has no sufficient temporal resolution for the analysis of dynamic short period changes during an earthquake. Most of the GPS monitoring systems process the daily or hourly data in order to achieve the station coordinate with millimeter accuracy. But in warning systems, the temporal delay between the natural event and the act of warning must be the least as much as possible. Increasingly more continuous GPS receivers, established primarily for geophysical studies, are now running in seismic frequencies such as 1-Hz. GPS seismology is the unexpected result of the geodetic networks which at first were established to measure the deformation of plates and tectonic plate boundaries. A GPS receiver can accurately measure the movements in the geological time scales (i.e. 1 mm/yr) and that of seismology (i.e. 500 mm/sec). In this paper, the shape of the seismic waves, obtained from thirteen GPS stations, being in 36 to 74 kms of epicentral distances of San-Simeon Earthquake, 2003 are determined. The efficiency of the relative methods of positioning using high rate data has been analyzed; estimated co-seismic displacements have been validated using similar results obtained from the integration of seismic records.

The uniaxial compressive strength and modulus of deformability of intact rocks are highly important parameters for rock engineering and engineering geology projects. Because of the difficulty of measuring these parameters and the need for laboratory equipments for their prediction, indirect methods are often used. In this study, some predictive models using regression analysis and fuzzy inference system have been developed for the Shales cropping out in the Shemshak formation in Siahbishe area. For this purpose, a series of easy measurable parameters such as density, porosity and point load index were applied. Both multiple regression analyses and the fuzzy inference system exhibited good performance in prediction of the uniaxial compressive strength and modulus of deformability. The variation of regression coefficient (R2), performance indices (VAF) and root mean square error (RMSE) were calculated as for the uniaxial compressive strength and the modulus of deformability obtained from the multiple regression model and the fuzzy inference system revealed that the prediction performances and accuracy of the fuzzy model are higher than those of multiple regression equations in prediction of uniaxial compressive strength and modulus of deformability.

The Mobarak Formation with 347.5 m, thickness is well exposed in Valyabad section, at the Karaj-Chalus road. The lower contact with underlying Laloon Formation is disconformable, whereas stratigraphic relation to the overlying Dozdeband formation is transitional. According to the lithological character, the studied section can be subdivided into 11 rock units. The lower part of the fm. consist of dark- gray to black limestone as well as marly limestone, while upper part consist mainly of sandy limestone with interbeds of marlstone. According to the microfossil investigation, 14 genius and species have been recognized, which leads 2 conodont biozones. The both conodont biozones correspond to the international standard conodont biozonation which suggest an Early Tournisian to Middle Visean time interval. in addition, a Namurian age is suggested for deposites of informal Dozdeband formation, based on foraminifers. Received conodont bizones are as:Neopriniodus peracutus-Polygnathus longiposticus Assemblage- ZoneHibbardella roundya-Gnathodus girtyi Assemblage-ZoneMore over, 5 Holotorian species as well as 6 genuse, 72 species Foraminifers in form of 5 biozone have been distinguished. These biozones are as:Eotuberitina retligener-Endothyra spirilloformis Assemblage-ZoneArchaediscus permodiscus-Archaediscus(Paraarchaediscus) mixtus Assemblage-ZoneEndostaffella parva-Brunsina pulchera Assemblage-ZoneTuberitina bulbacea-Kammaena sp. Barren Interval ZoneLipinella notata-Archaediscus planoarchaediscus Assemblage-ZoneThe studied foraminifers support the given age. Conodonts the Color Alteration Index (CAI) correspond 190 to 300oC which indicate dry gas stage or empty of any hydrocarbon.

SAR interferometry has shown its abilities in measuring the surface deformation in various applications. Atmospheric signals as an important factor affecting the interferometric measurements have temporally uncorrelated and complicated behavior. In this paper, a model based on the error source is presented to reduce the atmospheric contributions on the interferometric measurements in Mashhad subsidence area. In this model, the Full-Resolution (RF) MODIS data and meteorological information were used in order to estimate the water vapor and reduce the pressure effect, respectively. Moreover, water drops as well as the clouds effects were considered in the proposed model. Utilizing error propagation, model error was estimated as 7.2 mm. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) as a quantitative comparison between GPS measurements and interferometric results showed an improvement from 9 mm (before atmospheric correction) to 2 mm after applying the correction model.

Granitic rocks of Malayer plutonic complex contain varieties of enclaves with different shapes, sizes, mineralogy and chemical composition. The interpretation of bivariant geochemical diagrams of major oxides and trace elements with respect to higher values of some of oxides such as MnO, TiO2, MgO, CaO & FeOt than host rocks in one groups of enclaves and moreover linear trend of these oxides and some of trace elements such as Ni, Cr, V indicate to different nature and mafic source of these enclaves (Mafic type) than host rocks and other enclaves (Felsic type).The study of chemical composition of this enclaves by using of univariant and bivariant statistical methods (bivariant regression analysis, correlation coefficients, cluster analysis and principle component analysis) indicate clear chemical contrast between mafic enclaves with felsic enclaves and granitic host rocks and in other side chemical affinity of felsic enclaves and their host rocks. Distinctive distribution of the majority of oxides and trace elements of mafic enclaves and host rocks and low values for R2 in regression analysis, low value of correlation coefficient of major element oxides and trace elements between enclaves and their host rocks, separate position of samples in cluster pattern and special direction of variants and samples of vectors in bivariant diagram of principle component analysis (PCA) are outputs of different geochemical characteristics of enclaves and host rocks. Moreover this correlates with different trends of each major oxides and trace elements in bivariant geochemical diagram (Harker diagram).

Barika deposit is the first and only recognized gold (and silver) rich-massive sulfide deposit in Iran which is located at 18 km east of Sardasht city, north western part of Sanandaj-Sirjan metamorphic zone. Rock units outcropped in this area are volcano sedimentary metamorphosed rocks in green schist facies, and include association of metaandesite, metatuffite, phyllite and slate rocks, among which the metaandesitic unit (KMv1) is host rock of the deposit. Ore mineral assemblages in stratiform part of the deposit, which contain massive and banded pyrite and barite associated with subordinary silica bands, are very variable in composition and consist of pyrite, sphalerite, galena, stibnite and a variety of sulfosalt minerals and electrum. Ore mineral assemblage in silicic veins in stringer zone, are simpler and consist of pyrite, galena, sphalerite, tetrahedrite and rare chalcopyrite. Average gold and silver grades in stratiform ore are 4.2 and 260 g/t respectively and in silica stringer veins are 0.7 and 30 g/t. Base metal content in both part of the deposit is less than 1%. Lithotectonic study and trace and rare earth elements diagrams associated with Ce/Pb and Nb/U ratios of the metavolcanic rocks in the deposit area indicate that the rocks were generated from a lithospheric mantle source in the active continental margin of the SSZ. A geochemical study of Barika deposit reveals that distribution patterns and correlation coefficient of ore elements in parts of the Barika stratiform ore and stringer zone are completely in correlation with an undeformed massive sulfide deposit. The geochemical documents indicate that despite the metamorphism and highly deformation on the deposit, the primary distribution patterns and proportion of the ore elements are well conserved, as geochemical characteristics of the Barika deformed deposit is as well as correlated with an undeformed gold- rich volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit. However there is clear textural evidence for remobilization of As, Sb, Ag and Pb minerals together with Au in Barika deposit, but, remobilized constituents of the ores do not appear to have moved beyond the margins of the ore bodies and primary metal zonation.

Oligocene-Lower Miocene sediments at Nareh section, situated in SW Jahrum consists of limestone, argillaceous limestone, marl and evaporatic sediments with a rich association of planktonic and benthonic foraminifera. In lower part of this succession, the Pabdeh sediments with a thickness of 115m is composed of shale, marl and intercalations of argillaceous limestone. The mentioned sediments continue through Late Eocene to Oligocene, which are overlain conformably by the Asmari Formation. The Asmari Formation consists of 250 m limestone and argillaceous limestone of which 210 m belongs to the lower Asmari and 40 m to middle Asmari. Argillaceous limestone and evaporatic-marly sediments of the Gachsaran Formation are overlain by the Asmari Formation. The Gachsaran Formation with a thickness of 510m is composed of three members of Chehel, Champeh and Moll. Pure and thick basal limestones of the Mishan Formation (Guri Member) with a thickness of 302 m, is situated above the Gachsaran Formation. Finally, Bakhtyari conglomerate lies uncomformably over the Mishan Formation. Variety of studied rock units in this section has caused different sedimentary environments, different facies and presence of abundant planktonic and benthonic foraminifera. By studying 203 samples including 193 hard and 10 washed samples, 34 genera and 47 species of benthonic foraminifera and 8 genera and 13 species of planktonic foraminifera, algae, briozoa and different macrofossils fragments were identified. Based on foraminiferal assemblages, the age of the lower part of the Pabdeh Formation is Late Eocene (Priabonian) and the upper part is Early Oligocene and the Asmari Formation is Oligocene (Late Rupelian-Chattian) to Early Miocene (Aquitanian). Also, the Gachsaran Formation belongs to Early Miocene (Aquitanian-Burdigalian) and the age of the Mishan Formation (Guri Member) is Late Miocene (Burdigalian). On the basis of recognized foraminifera association, Nareh stratigraphical section can be correlated with first to fourth Biozones of biozonation of Adams and Bourgeois (1967) and 54, 57, 59, 61, 63 and 64 Biozones of Wynd (1965).

Hydrocarbon potential Evaluation of formations by using DlogR method (a method based on separation of well logging of porosity DT/CN./RHOB) and resistivity well logging (Rt). This method has been today applied as an appropriate method in many of famous wells of the world. The beginning of these methods drew attention of many researchers in 1980. It had organic matters on the well logging based on the influences of layers containing organic matters. Passey et al. (1990) provided away for predicting of rich of organic material in source rock that have a high accuracy and potential for studying extensive rang of maturity condition. The basis of this method is overlapping porosity well logging (sonic, neutron, density) scaled on the resistivity well logging and determining the degree of separation between these two loges and calculation of total organic carbon TOC and S2. Using this method we can gain appropriate relative evaluation of formations without preparing sample during times of exploration. In this study, the areas which have rich organic matter of Gadvan formation in the SP-A well located in the South Pars Area have been deter mind with use of DlogR way and for SP-A well, yielding results of this studies was compared with data relating to Rock-Eval Pyrolysis analysis of core samples and was observed good correlation.

Boket residual horizon is located in ~15 km northeast of Ajabshir, East-Azarbaijan province. This horizon was developed as stratiform lenses along the contact of Ruteh (middle-upper Permian) and Elika (Triassic) carbonate formations. The ores within this horizon display pelitomorphic, micro-granular, micro-ooidic, pseudo-porphyritic, ooidic, pisoidic, pseudo-breccia, and nodular textures. Based on geochemical data, the ores within this horizon are divided into five types, (1) ferritic laterite, (2) bauxitic laterite, (3) kaolinitic laterite, (4) ferritic kaolinite, and (5) laterite. Comparison of distribution patterns of elements across a selected profile indicates the effective role of Al and Ti in distributing and concentrating of Zr, Ga, Nb, Th, V, and HREEs within the ores. Incorporation of data obtained from petrographical and geochemical studies shows that the ores have authigenic origin. Furthermore, factors such as chemical variations of weathering solutions, fixation in neomorphic phases, existing in resistant minerals, heterogeneity of protolith, differences in the degree of weathering intensity, and adsorption processes coupled with weak drainage, diagenesis, dynamic pressures, and fluctuation of underground water table played crucial roles in distribution and development of ores within this horizon. The most notable geochemical characteristics of the ores (except in kaolinitic laterite) is the greater mobility of LREEs relative to HREEs during weathering processes. This abnormal behavior within the horizon could be related to factors such as differences in stability of primary minerals containing REEs, the pH variation (from 6.7 to 7.8) of weathering solutions, and moderate degree of evolution of the profile.

Some of Paleozoic sediments from Alborz and Central Iran subzones from Mid-Iran zone evaluated for distinction of Palaeophycus and Planolites ichnofossils. These sediments include Shale Member of Lalun Formation, Shirgesht Formation, member 5 of Mila Formation and Geiroud Formation. A diverse ichnofauna has been found in these Formations, so Planolites and Palaeophycus are abundant between them. Ichnotaxa diagnosis and some determination problems of these ichnogenera was discussed here. Overall characteristics of Palaeophycus suggest dwelling structure made by predator or suspension-feeder and passive sedimentation in the open burrow. Planolites, on the other hand imply active backfilling structure in ephemeral burrows, which constructed by a mobile deposite-feeder. Planolites include unlined burrows with infilled sediments differ texturally from host rock. Whereas Palaeophycus is lined burrow filled by same sediments of surrounding matrix. Accordingly, Palaeophycus assemblage members made by opportunistic communities with r-selected population strategies in physically-controlled and unstable environment, whereas ichnofossils of Planolites assemblage are related to benthic communities with displaying K-selected or climax strategies in the stable environments and rather predictable conditions. Recognized ichnospecies of Planolites are P. montanus, P. annularis, P. terraenovae and P.beverleyensis. and ichnospecies of Palaeophycus include P. heberti, P. tubularis, P. striatus. P. sulcatus and P. alternates.

Shallow marine gastropod assemblages of the recently discovered marine sequence of the Bakhtiari clastic succession in the Zagros Basin are studied in the Shalamzar area. The systematic studies of the fauna yielded 21 genera and 9 species of gastropods from 20 families distributed in 7 facies. The molluscs are from the following families: Turritellidae, Cerithiidae, Volutidae, Ranellidae, Strombidae, Muricidae, Conidae, Naticidae, Mitridae (?), Olividae, Cancellariidae, Triforidae, Melongenidae, Aclididae, Plesiotrochidae, Cypredae Sorbeoconcha, Trochidae, Turbinidae and Buccinidae (?)indet. The abundant species and genera belong to the families of Cerithiidae, Strombidae, Turritellidae and Turbinidae. Detailed paleoecology interpretation was made based on the trophic habitats of the gastropods. The habitats are distinguished as four types of trophic categories including Carnivores, Herbivores, Omnivores and facultative mobile suspension feeders. The herbivorous gastropods dominate the faunal assemblages due to the high accumulation of detritus and plant organic matters within the sediments. The distribution of the gastropods is controlled by their trophic habitats that directly depend on the environmental changes such as water turbulence, sedimentation and suspension rates, detritus input, and water energy. The gastropod assemblages describe an environment ranging from the higher energy intertidal zone to the deeper and lower stage of an oligophotic zone within a middle ramp. The test size of the molluscs was also controlled by the ecological factors. Abundant nutrients as well as deeper basin conditions decreased the shell size of some groups of gastropods. The larger shells appeared in the shallower depth zones with a lack of nutrients. The occurrence of the mentioned gastropod taxa and Miocene faunistic relationship with adjacent bioprovinces represent a faunal exchange between the Zagros basin and Mediterranean and Parathethys seaway by a shallow pathway trough. A weak marine connectivity with Caribbean Sea and Indian Ocean is also reflected by the faunal groups.

In previous decades, using traditional geodetic observations such as distance and angle measurements was prevalent in the earth surface displacement studies. After accessing to satellite positioning systems with a high precision ability such as GPS, we encountered to an upheaval in the earth surface displacement studies. Indeed using temporal variations of the earth surface deformation, the seismotectonics of the area can be distinguished. Deformation modeling of the area can be accessed using the analyzing of repeated geodetic measurements. In Tehran area the earthquake studies is an important task and in this paper we are going to use GPS measurements for this field. Here 35 GPS stations cover whole of Tehran which consists North Tehran fault. These stations were occupied at least 2 annual epochs and some of them were measured more than 4 times. After processing the acquired data and analyzing the results, the velocity field was obtained. Deformation analysis of the velocity field shows a small left lateral movement about 0.5-2 mm/year and more or less the same value for shortening in the northern band Tehran area. This value is not constant along the northern band and it seems the eastern part where we reach the Mosha fault the deformation is more significant than western part. The observed rate is equal to a total movement of ~5km during 2.5-10 my which is consistent with geological studies carried out in this area.

Geochemical characteristics (Rock-Eval pyrolysis and elemental analysis of kerogen), palynofacies and organic petrography (using light transmitted-reflected-uv microscopy) of the basal black shale from the Shemshak Group (Upper Triassic- Middle Jurassic) in the Tazareh section (Eastern Alborz) have been investigated. The basal black shale is rich in amorphous organic matter with fewer amounts of vitrinite particles that was deposited in lacustrine environment under anoxic to suboxic conditions. According to vitrinite reflectance values (mean VRr=2.1%), organic matter of the basal black shale has experienced high thermal maturity during deep burial. In this study samples residual organic carbon content is 1 wt.% on average. Thermal modeling results using 1D Genex4 software show that the basal black shale of the Shemshak Group became mature during the Middle Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous time and generated hydrocarbon. At the present day, this organic facies in the Tazareh section is thermally over-mature and depleted in hydrogen and is located in the dry gas generation window. Presently, these sediments are considered as shale gas resources.

There is a well-preserved plant macrofossils florizone near the Tiar village, south Amol, Central Alborz, Iran. It contains abundant plant maccrofossils belonging to 9 taxa of various orders, such as Equisetales, Filicales, Bennettitales, Cycadales, Ginkgoales and Coniferales. Based on the occurrence of Equisetites beanii and Elatides thomasii an early Middle Jurassic age is suggested for this assemblage. This florizone can be correlated to the plant macrofossils assemblage of Iva (Baladeh), Rudbarak (NE Semnan), Central Alborz; Golmakan (Binalud, Kopehdagh) and Pabdana and Hashooni (Kerman Basin).