Jurassic to Cenozoic tectonics of the Zagros Orogen in northwestern Iran

A comprehensive analysis of the Jurassic to Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the Zagros Orogen, including Bisotun, reveals a dynamic history marked by early Mesozoic rifting, Jurassic subduction, and subsequent complex tectonic processes. The study identifies three distinct belts: the Zagros Fold and Thrust Belt, the Zagros Suture Zone (featuring Bisotun limestone), and the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone, each with unique geological characteristics. Key findings include the formation of a Middle to Late Jurassic magmatic arc, significant ophiolite emplacement during the Late Cretaceous to Eocene, and the final closure of the Tethyan seaway in the mid-Miocene following continental collision. Radiometric dating and stratigraphic analyses were employed to reconstruct this intricate tectonic narrative.

Mohajjel, M., & Fergusson, C. L. (2013). Jurassic to Cenozoic tectonics of the Zagros Orogen in northwestern Iran. International Geology Review, 56(3), 263–287. https://doi.org/10.1080/00206814.2013.853919