Scientists uncover 100-million-year-old volcanic system in northwestern Iran
This discovery enhances understanding of ancient tectonic forces shaping modern landscapes and geological history.
Researchers identified a previously unknown volcanic system in northwestern Iran, dating back 100 million years. The system, now obscured by later geological activity, provides new insights into the region's complex magmatic history and tectonic evolution. The findings highlight how ancient volcanic arcs can be hidden by subsequent tectonic processes and sedimentation, offering clues about the formation and closure of ancient oceans.
- International team led by Istanbul Technical University discovered a 100-million-year-old volcanic system in northwestern Iran.
- The Azerbaijan Continental Magmatic Arc formed during the Late Cretaceous and was later obscured by tectonic deformation and sedimentation.
- Researchers used zircon U-Pb geochronology, Hf isotopes, and geochemistry to confirm the volcanic arc's origins and characteristics.
- The study adds a new chapter to Iran's geological history and suggests the Siah Cheshmeh-Khoy-Misho-Tabriz Fault may mark a major tectonic boundary.