Biostratigraphy and paleoecology of Early Miocene deposits in Gefriz section (south west of Kerman) based on benthic Foraminifera

In order to study the biostratigraphy and paleoecology of the Early Miocene in south west of Kerman province, one section (Gefriz) has been chosen, measured and sampled. The thickness of measured section is about 67 m. It consists mainly of thin to thick bedded limestone and marl. At this section, the Early Miocene deposits nonconformably lie between Volcano sedimentary Eocene at the base, and covers with recent alluvium at the top. 40 samples collected and studied from this section led to identification of 22 genera and species of benthic foraminifera. As there is no formal biozonation for the Qom Formation, the schemes erected by Wynd (1965) and Laursen et al. (2009) used here. Based on identified foraminifera, two assemblages recognized as: 1. Austrotrillina howchini, Peneroplis thomasi Assemblage zone 2. Elphidium sp., Miogypsina sp. Assemblage zone Based on foraminifera, the age of strata in the studied section is Early Miocene (Aquitanian). Paleoecological studies showed that a warm and favorable condition, such as light, oxygen and food, has been prevailed during the deposition of the strata.