Facies analysis in transitional from Ordovician deposits (upper part of Shirgesht formation) to Silurian (lower part of Niur formation) in SW Kashmar, North of Tabas block

The studied section in SW Kashmar located in Tabas block of central Iran sedimentary - structural zone. According to field observations and petrography, two sets of siliciclastic and carbonate facies were distinguished. Three lithofacies were identified based on the field parameters such as lithology, geometry, sedimentary structures, layering surfaces and bedding contacts. Three lithofacies including conglomerate (Gcm, Gp), Sandstone (St, Sr, Sh, Sl, Sm), muddy (Fl), four petrofacies (polymictic orthoconglomerate 1 and 2, arkosic wacke, and subarkose as well as four microfacies associations of open marine, shoal, lagoon, tidal flat were identified based on microscopic features such as grain type, grain size and texture. Based on finning upward Bouma cycles, erosional surface and greywacke composition, siliciclastic sediments of upper part of the Shirgesht Formation are deposited in turbidity conditions. Present of hummocky stratification, finning upward cycles with shellbeds at the base of units revealed that carbonate rocks of lower part of the Niur Formation are deposited in a shallow ramp storm - dominated. The regional tectonic, expansion of glaciers and melting led to environmental changes during Upper Ordovician – Early Silurian transition in the studied region.