Evidence of a Paleo-ring Ocean around the Central Iranian Micro-continent

Ophiolite complexes are interpreted as remnants of oceanic lithosphere that have emplacement along the edges of continents after an oceanic basin close. Iranian ophiolites, considered as remnants of closure of the Tethys (or Neo-Tethys) Ocean and its branches. These ophiolites are outcrop in two distinct regions: 1) Ophiolites coeval with the Zagros orogenic belt, and 2) Ophiolitic assemblages surrounding the Central Iranian Microcontinent. The comparison of these two ophiolite complexes indicates noticeable differences between them. Therefore, in order to understanding the tectonic sitting of their formation, initially, the geological, petrological, geochemical features, and the age of these rock units were examined and compared. Subsequently, to delineate the boundary between the two mentioned ophiolite complexes, field surveys were conducted, and geological maps of the region were prepared.Based on results, the ophiolite complexes surrounding the Central Iranian Microcontinent include the Sabzevar ophiolites in the north, the Neyriz-Dehshir-Baft ophiolites in the west, the Kahnuj ophiolites in the southwest, the Makran ophiolites in the south, and the Turbat Heydariyeh - Tchehel-Kureh ophiolitic belt in the east demonstrate similar features and it seems they have formed in a same tectonic environment. They exhibit fundamental differences from the Zagros ophiolites and have formed at different geological time, too. The ophiolites around the Central Iranian Microcontinent mark remnants of oceanic lithosphere that formed as a result of the opening of a rift basin between two continental blocks and its expansion into an intracontinental oceanic basin that known as a branch of Tethyan Ocean. This Ring Ocean existed during late Mesozoic, and as a result of its closure, these ophiolite complexes were formed