Microfacies and depositional environment of the Cenomanian of the Bangestan anticline, SW Iran

Abstract

The Sarvak Formation (Albian to Turonian in age) of the Zagros basin is a thick sequence of shallow-water carbonates. This work focuses on the microfacies and sedimentary environment of the margin of the Cenomanian intrashelf basin. In the study area (southwest of Iran), the Sarvak Formation is subdivided into 12 microfacies that are distinguished by petrographic analysis on the basis of their depositional textures and fauna. In addition, four major depositional environments were identified in the Sarvak Formation. These include shelf lagoon, platform margin, slope and basin environmental settings, which are interpreted as a carbonate shelf without an effective barrier separating the platform from the open ocean. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.