Biostratigraphy and microfacies of the Asmari Formation in north flank of Khami anticline (north of Gachsaran)

In the present study, biostratigraphy, microfacies and sedimentary environment of the Asmari Formation in north flank of the Khami anticline in the north of the Gachsaran province is investigated. The Asmari Formation at the study section with a thickness of 276 meters is a thin, medium and thick to massive limestone, nodular limestone, marl, marly limestone, dolomite and dolomitic limestone. In this study 166 thin sections are studied and 23 genera and 24 species of foraminifera have been identified and 3 biozones are introduced. 1- Archaias asmaricus-Archaias hensoni-Miogypsinoides complanatus Assemblage zone. (Chattian) 2- Indeterminate zone (Aqutanian) 3- Borelis melo curdica-Borelis melo melo Assemblage zone. (Burdigalian) Thus, the age of the Asmari Formation at the study area is Chattian to Burdigalian (Oligo-Miocene). Based on study of thin sections and by considering the sediment texture, distribution of skeletal and non-skeletal grains, 12 microfacies are recognized which were deposited in open marine, bar, semi-restricted and restricted lagoon. Four platform types for the Asmari Formation at the study area in comparison with the recent studies on Asmari Formation including: 1-Rupelian-lower Chattian: Distally steepend ramp, 2-middle Chattian-upper Chattian: open shelf, 3-Aqiutanian: homoclinal ramp, 4-lower Burdigalian: carbonate platform.