Origin of limestone conglomerates in the Unit 2 of Deh-Sufiyan Formatrion, Mila Group, Central Alborz, Northern Iran

Carbonate deposits of members 1 to 2 of the Mila Group (Middle Cambrian) in Central Alborz that call the Deh-Sufiyan Formation in this research, were studied in Shahmirzad, Tueh-Darvar, Mila-Kuh and Deh-Molla sections. The Unit 2 of Deh-Sufiyan Formatrion in Central Alborz of Northern Iran consists mainly of shallow marine carbonates and contains a variety of limestone conglomerates. Limestone conglomerate is an important component of Unit 2 of Deh-Sufiyan Formatrion, but its origins remain enigmatic. These limestone conglomerates have a diverse set of characteristics that range clast to matrix supported with scattered flat pebbles. These conglomerates are largely comprised of oligomictic, rounded lime–mudstone clasts of various sizes and shape (equant, oval, discoidal, tabular, and irregular). According to composition and characteristic sedimentary structures and fabric, limestone conglomerates in the Unit 2 of Deh-Sufiyan Formatrion consist of: (1) Intraformational limestone conglomerate beds were formed by depositional processes (2) Limestone pseudoconglomerate beds were produced by diagenetic processes. The common characteristics of the Unit 2 of Deh-Sufiyan Formatrion pseudoconglomerates, such as oligomictic lithology of lime–mudstone clasts, mosaic fabric, disorganized/edgewise fabric, variable and gradational fabric, transitions adjacent or underlying facies and the complete lack of depositional structures, are typical of pseudoconglomerates formed by early diagenetic sediment deformation under shallow burial conditions. These characteristics are different those of intraformational limestone conglomerate showing primary depositional features such as normal or inverse grading, internal stratification, (hummocky) cross-stratification and sharp erosional bases. Diagenetic conglomerates in ribbon rocks resulted soft-sediment deformation of ribbon rocks during early diagenesis. In contrast, the dimension and thickness, sizes of the clasts, clast-rich beds, size ingredient of matrix, tendency to amalgamate with amalgamation scours within depositional conglomerates suggest that high energy and strong erosion above storm wave base was responsible for the disintegration of the carbonate material.