Palynostratigraphy of Devonian sediments in Houtk area, Northern of Kerman city

The Devonian strata are well- exposed in Houtk area, approximately 30 Km, northern Kerman city. The Devonian deposits of studied area, in ascending stratigraphical order are divided into the Padeha and Bahram formations. Total thickness of Devonian strata is 614 m in the studied area. 140 surface samples were prepared from the whole thickness and treated in the palynological laboratory of Exploration Directorate of National Iranian Oil Company, in order to determine the age relationships of these two rock units. In this study, 12 acritarch species (11 genera) and 20 miospore species (16 genera) were identified. These were arranged in 8 local miospore and acritarch assemblage biozones. Based on stratigrahic potential of both miospore and acritarch taxa as well as microfouna, a Late Devonian (Frasnian-Famennian) age is suggested for the Padeha and Bahram formations in the Houtk area. Likewise, some microfouna were identified from these rock units consisting of Umbella bella, Umbella rotunda, Umbella ovata, suggesting a Late Devonian for these two formations.On the other hand, most acritarch and miospore species of Devonian sediments of (Padeha and Bahram formations) Houtk area are quite similar to those of Devonian sediments of Central Iran, Alborz Mountain Ranges and Zagros Basins. This similarity suggests that the Alborz Mountain Ranges, Central Iran and Zagros Basins have formed an union continent during the Late Devonian. Moreover, based on quantity of marine elements (acritarch and foraminifer taxa) and continental elements (miospores) a shallow marine environment prevailed on the Iranian platform during the Late Devonian time.