Lithostratigraphy and Biostratigraphy of the Cheleken Formation Based on Calcareous Nannoplankton in Gorgan Plain (South Caspian Bain)

Based on lithostratigraphy analysis, Cheleken Formation in the studied section of the Gorgan plain, subdivided into lower sandstone and upper mudstone/marl units. Based on petrographic analysis, the sandstone sediments include low textural and compositional maturity litharenite and sublitharenite. Conglomerates are polymictite orthoconglomerate with variables carbonate and chert grains. High percentage of the porosity as vuggy, channels and fractures in the sandstone and conglomerates and even mudstone deposits displays high reservoir potentional for the studied sediments and hence necessitates the exploration studies in the Iranian part of the SCB. Based on the youngest nannofossil species, a late Miocene to middle Pliocene (?) age is defined for the Cheleken Fm. in the studied area. Nannofossils distribution of the studied succession displays the SCB was connected to the Black Sea and Mediterranean Basin in the late Miocene- early Pliocene and the Pleistocene and was isolated in the main part of the Pliocene.