Provenance and depositional history of silisiclastic sediments of Dahu Formation (Early Cambrian) at NW Kerman, Iran

Two stratigrphic sections from Dahu Formation (Early Cambrian), at Gezuieh and Dahuieh (type section) in E and SE Zarand, NW Kerman, with thickness of 227 and 240 meters respectively, were measured. These data have been used for interpretation of provenance of these siliciclastic sediments. Lithofacies, architectural elements and petrofacies analysis show that Dahu Formation has been deposited in meandering river system when the river was flowing from south toward the north. Provenance studies and depositional history, using petrography frameworks characteristics, paleocurrent analysis and tectonic setting (using the triangle diagram Qt-F-L and Qm-F-Lt), show that the sediments of Dahu Formation may have been derived from alkali granite related to Pan-African orogeny from Saudia Arabian train. These sediments may have been deposited as post rift sediments in Kerman region. We hope that this information can be used for paleogeographical reconstruction of the Early Cambrian time in local and regional scales.