Petrology and geochemistry of the amphibolites from Makran accretionary complex, Southeast of Iran

Makran amphibolites are exposed in different locations in the northern Makran ophiolitic belt. Based on lithological studies and mineral assemblages in these rocks, they are containing ordinary amphibolite (oriented and massive), garnet-pyroxene amphibolite, epidote-garnet amphibolite and marble. The minerals that made up ordinary amphibolites (oriented and massive) include amphibole, plagioclase, zircon apatite, quartz and sphene. In addition to these minerals, garnet and pyroxene are found in garnet-pyroxene amphibolites. In addition, epidote, garnet and pyroxene are found in epidote-garnet amphibolites. Also, marbles are containing calcite with a distinct cleavage, quartz and amphibole. Geochemistry of amphibolites shows that these amphibolites are of igneous origin with basaltic protolith that originate from an enriched mantle. Amphibolite samples of the region have relatively similar composition based on the diagrams of changes of normalized rare earth elements to chondrite and N-MORB and are also similar to mid-oceanic ridge basalts (MORB) as well as within plate volcanic zone (WPVZ) basalts in terms of geochemical properties.