Biostratigraphy, microfacies and sedimentary environment of the Asmari Formation at Somghan area and correlation with other sections in the Zagros basin

The difference in the depositional setting of the Zagros, causes multiple carbonate facies.The Asmari Formation deposited in the foreland basin during Oligo-Miocene time. In this study, biostratiography and microfacies of the Asmari Formation at Nowdan anticline next to Somghan village (39 Km north of Kazerun) are studied. The thickness of the Asmari Formation is 302 meters and its upper and lower boundries are coverd. Field work studies resulted to recognize 4 lithostratigraphic units (unit 1: thin to medium bedded limestone, unit 2: thick and some thin and medium bedded limestone, unit 3: thin and thick bedded nudular limestone, unit 4: thin bedded nudular limestone). Based on microscopic studies, 20 genera and 19 species of benthic foraminifera were identified and two biozones related to the Oligocene were identified. Based on textural and faunal studies, nine microfacies related lagoon and open marine were differentiated. Also in this study, to reconstract geometry and to analyze the role of Qatar-Kazerun fault during Oligocene, 11 sections of the Asmari Formation were examined.