GEOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF NODULAR CHROMITES IN THE FORUMAD OPHIOLITE, NE OF IRAN

The Forumad ophiolite in the northwestern part of the Sabzevar region has embraced the large depleted harzburgites and dunitic bodies associated with podiform chromitites. In some deposits, chromite grains have segregated as nodules. The stretched shape along with high Cr2O3 and TiO2 contents are the characteristics of the nodules. Compared to the other Tethyan nodular chromites, the Forumad nodular chromites show high Cr content. The nodules formation seems to be the result of turbulent picritic magma flows accompanied by the water rich fluids.