Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Home
    • Series home
    • Lyell Collection home
    • Geological Society home
  • Content
    • Online First
    • Current volume
    • All volumes
    • Collections
    • Supplementary publications
    • Open Access
  • Subscribe
    • GSL fellows
    • Institutions
    • Corporate
    • Other member types
  • Info
    • Authors
    • Librarians
    • Readers
    • Access for GSL Fellows
    • Access for other member types
    • Press office
    • Accessibility
    • Help
  • Alert sign up
    • eTOC alerts
    • RSS feeds
    • Newsletters
    • GSL blog
  • Propose
  • Geological Society of London Publications
    • Engineering Geology Special Publications
    • Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis
    • Journal of Micropalaeontology
    • Journal of the Geological Society
    • Lyell Collection home
    • Memoirs
    • Petroleum Geology Conference Series
    • Petroleum Geoscience
    • Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society
    • Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
    • Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society
    • Scottish Journal of Geology
    • Special Publications
    • Transactions of the Edinburgh Geological Society
    • Transactions of the Geological Society of Glasgow
    • Transactions of the Geological Society of London

User menu

  • My alerts
  • Log in
  • My Cart

Search

  • Advanced search
Geological Society, London, Memoirs
  • Geological Society of London Publications
    • Engineering Geology Special Publications
    • Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis
    • Journal of Micropalaeontology
    • Journal of the Geological Society
    • Lyell Collection home
    • Memoirs
    • Petroleum Geology Conference Series
    • Petroleum Geoscience
    • Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society
    • Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
    • Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society
    • Scottish Journal of Geology
    • Special Publications
    • Transactions of the Edinburgh Geological Society
    • Transactions of the Geological Society of Glasgow
    • Transactions of the Geological Society of London
  • My alerts
  • Log in
  • My Cart
  • Follow gsl on Twitter
  • Visit gsl on Facebook
  • Visit gsl on Youtube
  • Visit gsl on Linkedin
Geological Society, London, Memoirs

Advanced search

  • Home
    • Series home
    • Lyell Collection home
    • Geological Society home
  • Content
    • Online First
    • Current volume
    • All volumes
    • Collections
    • Supplementary publications
    • Open Access
  • Subscribe
    • GSL fellows
    • Institutions
    • Corporate
    • Other member types
  • Info
    • Authors
    • Librarians
    • Readers
    • Access for GSL Fellows
    • Access for other member types
    • Press office
    • Accessibility
    • Help
  • Alert sign up
    • eTOC alerts
    • RSS feeds
    • Newsletters
    • GSL blog
  • Propose

Chapter 1 Introduction and tectonic framework

Andreas Scharf, Frank Mattern, Mohammed Al-Wardi, Gianluca Frijia, Daniel Moraetis, Bernhard Pracejus, Wilfried Bauer and Ivan Callegari
Geological Society, London, Memoirs, 54, 1-10, 1 March 2021, https://doi.org/10.1144/M54.1
Andreas Scharf
1Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 36, PC 123, Al-Khod, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
  • For correspondence: scharfa@squ.edu.om
Frank Mattern
1Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 36, PC 123, Al-Khod, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
Mohammed Al-Wardi
1Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 36, PC 123, Al-Khod, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
Gianluca Frijia
2Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 1, 44122, Ferrara, Italy
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
Daniel Moraetis
3Department of Applied Physics and Astronomy, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, PO Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
Bernhard Pracejus
1Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 36, PC 123, Al-Khod, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
Wilfried Bauer
4Department of Applied Geosciences, German University of Technology GUtech, PO Box 1816, PC 130, Halban, Sultanate of Oman
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
Ivan Callegari
4Department of Applied Geosciences, German University of Technology GUtech, PO Box 1816, PC 130, Halban, Sultanate of Oman
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
PreviousNext
  • Article
  • Figures & Data
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF
Loading

Abstract

The extraordinary outcrop conditions provide a unique opportunity to study the geology and tectonics of the Oman Mountains, which record a geological history of more than 800 million years. We provide a summary of the geological evolution of the Oman Mountains with the emphasis on the Jabal Akhdar and Saih Hatat domes. This Memoir comprises seven chapters. This first chapter summarizes the former studies and the tectonic framework. This is followed by a comprehensive description of all geological formations/rock units (Scharf et al. 2021a, Chapter 2, this Memoir) including the famous Semail Ophiolite, the fault and fold pattern (Scharf et al. 2021b, Chapter 3, this Memoir) and the overall structure (Scharf et al. 2021c, Chapter 4, this Memoir). Chapter 5 (Scharf et al. 2021d) explains the varied tectonic evolution of the study area, ranging from the Neoproterozoic until present, while Chapter 6 (Scharf et al. 2021e) contains the conclusions and a catalogue of open questions. Finally, Chapter 7 (Scharf et al. 2021f) provides two over-sized geological maps (1 : 250 000 version available online) and a correlation chart, providing an overview of the geological units/formations. This volume is of interest for all geoscientists, geoscience students and professionals studying the Oman Mountains on the surface as well as in the subsurface because it represents a comprehensive and detailed reference.

The Oman Mountains at the northeastern margin of the Arabian Plate display an impressive geological record in terms of phenomenological diversity and significance since the Precambrian. This record includes (1) the ‘Snowball Earth’ glaciation (e.g. Leather et al. 2002; Kilner et al. 2005), (2) the Ediacaran ‘Shuram Excursion’ (e.g. Burns and Matter 1993; Le Guerroué et al. 2006a, b), (3) the enigmatic Hercynian Unconformity (‘Hercynian Orogeny’; e.g. Glennie et al. 1974; Beurrier et al. 1986b; Rabu et al. 1986; Faqira et al. 2009), (4) the Permo-Carboniferous glaciation (e.g. Heward and Penney 2014), (5) the Pangaea rifting and spreading of the Neo-Tethys Ocean during the Late Paleozoic (e.g. Blendinger et al. 1990; Béchennec et al. 1991), (6) the iconic obduction of the Semail Ophiolite (e.g. Glennie et al. 1974; Searle and Malpas 1980; Lippard et al. 1986; Goffé et al. 1988; Hacker and Mosenfelder 1996; Hacker et al. 1996; Cowan et al. 2014; Rioux et al. 2012, 2013, 2016), (7) high-pressure/low-temperature metamorphism of the continental margin (e.g. Lippard 1983; Le Métour et al. 1986b; Goffé et al. 1988; El-Shazly et al. 1990; Warren et al. 2003, 2005), (8) formation and exhumation of the large Jabal Akhdar Dome (JAD) and Saih Hatat Dome (SHD) which shape the Oman Mountains (e.g. Poupeau et al. 1998; Saddiqi et al. 2006; Hansman et al. 2017; Grobe et al. 2019), (9) Upper Cretaceous rudist limestones (e.g. Skelton et al. 1990; Wyns et al. 1992; Philip et al. 1995) and organic-rich intrashelf basin environments (e.g. van Buchem et al. 2002), (10) surface analogues of subsurface petroleum source and reservoirs rocks (Grantham et al. 1988; Koehrer et al. 2011; Pöppelreiter et al. 2011; Bendias et al. 2013; Heward and Penney 2014; Grobe et al. 2016), (11) Neogene to active tectonics (e.g. Fournier et al. 2006; Mattern et al. 2018; Moraetis et al. 2018) and (12) a palaeoclimate record for the past 325 ka based on speleothems from cave systems developed in Mesozoic carbonate formations (e.g. Burns et al. 1998, 2001). The Semail Ophiolite, as the world's largest and best preserved ophiolite (e.g. Searle and Cox 1999), and the Oman Mountains, as the unique case of an obduction orogen, have been the focus of much research interest from the international geoscientific community during the past decades (e.g. Nicolas et al. 1996, 2000).

Due to the massive improvement of Oman's road system during the last few decades and the excellent outcrops, the country became a field laboratory for tectonometamorphic, sedimentological and stratigraphic studies (e.g. Glennie et al. 1973, 1974; Robertson et al. 1990; Hacker et al. 1996; Saddiqi et al. 2006; Rollinson et al. 2014) with a research focus on ophiolites and ophiolite obduction (e.g. Lippard et al. 1986; Nicolas et al. 1996; Gregory et al. 1998; Searle and Cox 1999, 2002). We compiled these and many other studies to put forward an overview of the geology, tectonostratigraphy and tectonic evolution of the Oman Mountains, as well as a description of their large-scale structures. We concentrate on the eastern part of the Oman Mountains from the western tip of the JAD to the eastern end of the SHD (fig. A.1 (Scharf et al. 2021f, Chapter 7, this Memoir)). To assist the international research community, we provide a newly compiled geological map of the eastern part of the Oman Mountains with the JAD and SHD in order to standardize the compiled tectonic units within a single map. This map is largely based on the geological maps of Oman at the scale of 1:250 000 (Béchennec et al. 1992a, b; Le Métour et al. 1992; Wyns et al. 1992). The map is accompanied by text which is an update on the geological knowledge of the Oman Mountains with some emphasis on the region's geodynamic history. Moreover, we provide a detailed topographic map and several simplified geological cross-sections, as well as an extensive tectonostratigraphic chart (fig. A.2 (Scharf et al. 2021f, Chapter 7, this Memoir)).

The JAD consists of autochthonous rocks and is divided into the WNW-striking main dome (c. 85 km × 35 km) and NNE-oriented subdome attached to the NE of the main dome (25 km × 10 km; fig. 2.1 (Scharf et al. 2021a, Chapter 2, this Memoir)). This NNE-oriented subdome is parallel to the Semail Gap and is known as the Nakhl Subdome (fig. A.1 in Scharf et al. 2021f, Chapter 7, this Memoir). In the NE, the Nakhl Subdome sharply bends towards the ESE and extends for c. 8 km until Fanja. The overall shape of the JAD is not circular, as expected for a tectonic dome, and may be attributed to the reactivation of faults within the subsurface during doming (see ‘Post-obduction deformation’ in Chapter 5 (Scharf et al. 2021d)).

The SHD has an overall elongated shape and is aligned NW–SE from Fanja for c. 95 km towards the SE. The NE–SW extent ranges between 25 and 50 km. We define the SHD as the area consisting of (par-)autochthonous rocks that are surrounded by the Hawasina nappes and/or Semail Ophiolite to the NW and SW, as well as the ocean to the NE. Its southeastern margin is blanketed by Cenozoic shallow-marine sedimentary rocks near Tiwi (fig. A.1). The southeastern border or margin of the SHD is therefore not well defined. Between both domes near Fanja, a WNW–ESE-oriented structural and topographic depression is exposed (‘Fanjah Saddle’ of Coffield 1990). The autochthonous rocks west and east of the saddle rise 1.3 km above the saddle surface, which consists of allochthonous rocks. The fold axes of the JAD and SHD plunge below the 10-km-wide Fanjah Saddle at an angle of 20–40° (Coffield 1990). Roughly N–S-striking high-angle normal faults with dip directions towards the centre of the saddle cut the flanks of the JAD and SHD (Coffield 1990).

Lees (1928) introduced the Semail Nappe and recognized the allochthonous nature of the Hawasina nappes (see Heward 2016 for a summary of the pioneering expedition of Lees and others during the 1920s). The first descriptions of the Semail Ophiolite after the introduction of plate-tectonic theory were by Reinhardt (1969) and Allemann and Peters (1972).

The entire Oman Mountains were first mapped at a scale of 1:500 000 by Glennie et al. (1974). They introduced the main rock units of the Oman Mountains, the pre-Permian metasedimentary successions, the Arabian Platform sediments, the Hawasina nappes, the Semail Ophiolite and the post-obduction sedimentary rocks. Further mapping was carried out by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in the vicinity of the SHD (Bailey 1981). Geologists of the Open University (UK) mapped the Semail Ophiolite (Lippard et al. 1986). French workers of the Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM) mapped the Central and Southeastern Oman Mountains at a scale of 1:100 000 (Béchennec et al. 1986a, b; Beurrier et al. 1986a, b; de Gramont et al. 1986; Hutin et al. 1986; Janjou et al. 1986; Le Métour et al. 1986a, b; Rabu et al. 1986; Villey et al. 1986a, b, c; Roger et al. 1991; Wyns et al. 1992). This map series was extended by the sheet of Ibra (Southeastern Oman Mountains) at a scale of 1:100 000 (Peters et al. 2005). Detailed mapping of the entire Semail Ophiolite was carried out and summarized by Nicolas et al. (2000). Eight geological maps of the Muscat-Seeb area have been published at a scale of 1:25 000 (Kajima and Ishii 2012; Kajima and Otake 2012; Kajima et al. 2012a, b, c, d, e, f).

Two important compilations of the subsurface stratigraphy and nomenclature were produced by Hughes Clarke (1988) and Forbes et al. (2010). The latter provided a comprehensive chart showing the subsurface stratigraphy of Oman (Forbes et al. 2010, their enclosure 1). Two Special Publications of the Geological Society of London (Robertson et al. 1990; Rollinson et al. 2014) represent significant advancements to the understanding of the geology and tectonics of the Oman Mountains. A summary booklet describing the geology and origin of the Oman Mountains was published by Glennie (1995). His work was the first step in understanding the geology of northern Oman for geologists, non-geologist scientists and engineers from the oil industry. This booklet became so famous and in such demand that a second edition was released (Glennie 2005). Searle (2007) wrote a review article about the Permo-Mesozoic evolution of the eastern Arabian Platform and margin with the adjacent Hawasina Basin. This work also targets the obduction of the Semail Ophiolite as well as the post-obduction evolution of parts of the Oman Mountains.

Many informative popular science and geoguide books, including the most recent and well-illustrated work of Al-Kindi (2018) and Searle (2019), have been published during the past decades, outlining the unique and spectacular geology of the Sultanate. With its description of numerous fascinating outcrops, the geological field guide of Hoffmann et al. (2016) could be used as a companion document to this book.

The formations at the surface in our study area may have different names to coeval deposits in the subsurface. The latter are commonly used by researchers in the oil industry (e.g. Hughes Clarke 1988; Sharland et al. 2004; Forbes et al. 2010). We use the surface names in our manuscript, but will also provide the subsurface names for clarity (Chapter 2 and fig. A.2 (Scharf et al. 2021a,f, Chapters 2 and 7, this Memoir)).

We first describe in detail all major geological formations and tectonic units (Scharf et al. 2021a, Chapter 2, this Memoir), provide the regional fault and fold pattern (Scharf et al. 2021b, Chapter 3, this Memoir) and characterize the large-scale structure of the study area (Scharf et al. 2021c, Chapter 4, this Memoir). This is followed by a comprehensive description of the entire tectonic evolution of the Oman Mountains from the Neoproterozoic until present (Scharf et al. 2021d, Chapter 5, this Memoir). This chapter includes a lithospheric scale series of cross-sections, depicting the kinematics and dynamics of the different deformation events with a tectono-metamorphic synthesis. The conclusions and a catalogue of open questions, based on the available literature complete this memoir (Scharf et al. 2021e, Chapter 6, this Memoir). A compiled geological map at a scale of 1:250 000 and a tectonostratigraphic chart are enclosed in the appendix, providing a handy comprehensive overview (figs A.1 and A.2 (Scharf et al. 2021f, Chapter 7, this Memoir). Note that in the literature the transcription of proper Arabic names into English commonly results in different spellings of the same feature; for example, the vowels in the name ‘Semail' as in ‘Semail Ophiolite' may be transcribed as ‘Samail' or ‘Sumail’.

Tectonic framework

The eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula (Fig. 1.1) was the site of several tectonic events. Recently, Callegari et al. (2020) documented the first evidence of the Cadomian Orogeny in northern Oman. This event is documented by tight to isoclinal folds with an amplitude of a few to tens of metres in the Hajir Formation of the JAD. The shortening direction during this event was NE–SW-aligned (in present coordinates). The age of deformation was at some time after deposition of the Fara Formation and before the Angudan event, that is, between c. 540 and 525 ± 5 Ma (Callegari et al. 2020; section ‘F1 folds’ in Scharf et al. 2021b, Chapter 3, this Memoir). The Cadomian Orogeny was followed (and probably overlapped) by the Neoproterozoic–Early Cambrian East African Orogeny (sensu Stern 1994), resulting in the Angudan Unconformity that coincides with the final stage of the East African Orogeny (c. 550–510 Ma; Loosveld et al. 1996; Al-Husseini 2000; Immerz et al. 2000; Koopman et al. 2007; Forbes et al. 2010; Al-Kindi and Richard 2014; Droste 2014, fig. 6a). This orogeny is associated with the continent–continent collision of East and West Gondwana. Some authors use the term ‘Malagasy Orogeny’ in Arabia as a synonym for the latest part of the East African Orogeny (e.g. Collins and Pisarevsky 2005). We use the phrase ‘East African Orogeny’. We also use the name ‘Angudan Unconformity’ throughout the text.

Fig. 1.1.
  • Download figure
  • Open in new tab
  • Download powerpoint
Fig. 1.1.

Tectonic overview map of the northeastern Arabian Peninsula. Because of the scale, the metamorphic sole (black) below the ophiolite is only visible in certain areas. All arrows indicate the movement direction of the Semail Ophiolite during the Cenomanian–Maastrichtian. HW, Hawasina Window; JAD, Jabal Akhdar Dome; SHD, Saih Hatat Dome. Map modified after the Geological Map of Oman, 1:1 000 000, Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals (Béchennec et al. 1993). Batain Mélange after Shackleton et al. (1990), Schreurs and Immenhauser (1999) and Immenhauser et al. (2000). Orientation of sheeted dykes and movement direction of the Semail Ophiolite is after Hacker et al. (1996). The Makran– and Minab–Zendan thrusts are from Regard et al. (2005). The Ja'alan and Qalhat faults are drawn after Fournier et al. (2006) and the Maradi Fault is drawn after Filbrandt et al. (2006). Parts of the northern Oman Mountains are drawn after the geological map from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (British Geological Survey 2006). The box outlines the main figure A.1 (Scharf et al. 2021f, Chapter 7, this Memoir). Inset shows the greater study realm and the occurrence of the Masirah Ophiolite.

The Hercynian Orogeny in Europe was caused by the convergence of Gondwana and Laurasia. The ‘Hercynian Orogeny’ in the northwestern Arabian Plate is manifested in the regional pre-Carboniferous uplift and erosion as well as arch formation (see Faqira et al. 2009). Additionally, Abbo et al. (2018) concluded that the ‘Hercynian’ event in the Arabian Plate was not a significant deformation event, but rather a thermal event. The same authors suggested that the large-scale Paleozoic arches and basins across NE Africa and Arabia formed due to a mantle disturbance. Terminologically, we are following Faqira et al. (2009) and use the term ‘Hercynian’ (in quotes), but we are not suggesting that the Hercynian Orogeny (sensu lato) and related deformation and/or folding took place in Oman; rather, it seems to have been a thermal event (Abbo et al. 2018). In the subsurface of Oman, a significant truncation of Lower Paleozoic strata below the mid-Carboniferous exists. This truncation is related to salt movements and reactivation of basement trends (Droste 1997, fig. 3; Konert et al. 2001; Svendsen 2004). The ‘Hercynian’ event in Oman is only evidenced by ‘Hercynian’ K/Ar crystallization ages in pre-Permian formations of the SHD at 327 ± 16 Ma (Glennie et al. 1974) and of the JAD at 329 ± 11 and 321 ± 10 Ma of chlorite samples from the Mu'aydin Formation. (Beurrier et al. 1986b). Moreover, pre-‘Hercynian’ rocks commonly display NE-trending fold axes in the JAD (Mann and Hanna 1990). The NE-trending folds are unconformably overlain by sedimentary rocks of the Haima Supergroup in the subsurface south of the Oman Mountains. The deformation is therefore Early Cambrian in age and not related to an ‘Hercynian’ event (Droste, H. 2018, pers. comm.). A pre-Amdeh age for the folding and thrusting in the Huqf area has been suggested by Le Métour et al. (1995). There is a major erosional gap with an angular unconformity between the pre-Permian rocks and the Permian Saiq Formation in the JAD and SHD (Le Métour et al. 1986b; Villey et al. 1986c). The age of the youngest rocks below the unconformity of the JAD and SHD is c. 540 Ma (Fara Formation) and c. 460 Ma (Amdeh Formation), respectively. These two aspects have been linked to the ‘Hercynian’ movements in the JAD area (Beurrier et al. 1986b, fig. 14; Rabu et al. 1986, fig. 16). Furthermore, block faulting has been attributed to the ‘Hercynian’ movements by Beurrier et al. (1986b), Le Métour et al. (1986b), Rabu et al. (1986) and Villey et al. (1986c). The trend of the aforementioned fold axes is in line with the trend of ‘Hercynian’ arches (Faqira et al. 2009, fig. 2). The ‘Hercynian Unconformity’ is also known as the ‘pre-Permian unconformity’ (e.g. Chauvet et al. 2009), the ‘mid-Carboniferous tectonic event’ (Al-Husseini 2004) and the ‘Pre-Unayzah unconformity’ in Saudi Arabia (Al-Husseini 2004; Fig. 1.1).

The ‘Hercynian’ event was followed by the break-up of Gondwana between Arabia and the Cimmerian continental blocks as well as between Arabian and India (e.g. Blendinger et al. 1990; Robertson and Searle 1990; Stampfli and Borel 2002; Chauvet et al. 2009; D4 in fig. A.2; fig. 5.18c). The timing of continental rifting is Late Carboniferous–Permian (see section on ‘Pangaea rifting and formation of the Neo-tethys Ocean and Hawasina Basin’ in Chapter 5 (Scharf et al. 2021d)). The break-up of Gondwana resulted in the formation of the Batain Basin SE of Oman and the Hawasina Basin NE of Oman during the Early and mid-Permian, respectively (e.g. Béchennec et al. 1992a, b; Immenhauser et al. 2000; see also sections on ‘Hawasina nappes’ in Chapter 2 (Scharf et al. 2021a) and ‘Pangaea rifting and formation of the Neo-Tethys Ocean and Hawasina Basin’ in Chapter 5 (Scharf et al. 2021d)). Divergence between Arabia and the Cimmerian continental blocks continued to form the Neo-Tethys Ocean, while extension between Arabia and India aborted. Mostly deep-sea sediments with some limestone were deposited in the Hawasina Basin from the mid-Permian to the Late Cretaceous (e.g. Glennie et al. 1974). These rocks were thrust onto the Arabian margin and platform and were themselves overthrust by the Semail Ophiolite during the Late Cretaceous (e.g. Glennie et al. 1974; section ‘Intraoceanic thrusting, formation and obduction of the Semail Ophiolite’ in Chapter 5 of this Memoir (Scharf et al. 2021d)).

Large-scale obduction of the prototypical Semail Ophiolite onto the Arabian passive margin during the Late Cretaceous, and the ophiolite sequence itself, have been well researched (e.g. Allemann and Peters 1972; Glennie et al. 1974; Searle and Malpas 1980; Coleman and Hopson 1981; Hacker et al. 1996; Searle and Cox 1999, 2002; Searle et al. 2004; Rioux et al. 2016; Soret et al. 2017; Guilmette et al. 2018). The recent analysis of Guilmette et al. (2018) advocates that initial intraoceanic subduction was induced at c. 104 Ma. At c. 96 Ma the subduction zone matured and a self-sustained subduction started with a supra-subduction zone spreading centre (e.g. Rioux et al. 2016). The newly formed oceanic lithosphere was coevally thrust (obducted) onto Arabian lithosphere. Thrusting lasted until c. 68 Ma (Lippard 1983; Goffé et al. 1988; Hacker et al. 1996; Searle and Cox 1999; El-Shazly et al. 2001; Warren et al. 2003, 2005; Rioux et al. 2016; section ‘Intraoceanic thrusting, formation and obduction of the Semail Ophiolite’ in Chapter 5 of this Memoir (Scharf et al. 2021d)). More than 400–450 km of obduction are considered for the extended part of the Arabian Crust (Cooper 1988; Searle 2007) and another 150 km for the Arabian Platform of more regular thickness as quantified by map analysis. The entire thrust range therefore amounts to > 550–600 km. Thrusting of the ophiolite ensued to the SW (Hacker et al. 1996). Today, the ophiolite covers an area of > 10 000 km2 and is c. 550 km long and c. 150 km wide (Searle and Cox 1999). The ophiolite measures several kilometres in thickness, which decreases towards the south (Al-Lazki et al. 2002; Aldega et al. 2017; Carminati et al. 2019). According to Reinhardt (1969), Glennie et al. (1974), Coleman (1981), Lippard et al. (1986), Nicolas (1989) and Searle and Cox (1999), the Semail Ophiolite is composed of c. 8–12 km of upper mantle peridotites (mainly harzburgite) and c. 2.5–8 km of oceanic crustal rocks; according to Rabu et al. (1986) and Villey et al. (1986b, c), the entire ophiolite thickness measures 8–9 km. Hacker and Mosenfelder (1996) provided an inferred pre-emplacement thickness of the Semail Ophiolite of 15–20 km.

Obduction is linked to plate convergence between Arabia and Eurasia and the closure of the intervening oceanic lithosphere (Dercourt et al. 1993; Stampfli and Borel 2002; Stampfli and Kozur 2006). Convergence was not only expressed by the obduction of the Semail Ophiolite. While the mantle and crust of the future Semail Ophiolite still formed in a supra-subduction zone spreading centre, the northeastern part of the Arabian passive margin was subducted to the NE beneath the future ophiolite (e.g. Lippard et al. 1986; El-Shazly and Coleman 1990; Searle et al. 1994; Searle and Cox 1999; Searle et al. 2004; Saddiqi et al. 2006; Rioux et al. 2012, 2013, 2016; Cowan et al. 2014; for more details on the direction of obduction and rotation during thrusting see van Hinsbergen et al. 2019 and section on ‘Intraoceanic thrusting, formation and obduction of the Semail Ophiolite’ in Chapter 5 of this Memoir (Scharf et al. 2021d)). Eventually, the subducted plate segment was metamorphosed under high-pressure/low-temperature conditions (e.g. Lippard 1983; Le Métour et al. 1986b; Goffé et al. 1988; El-Shazly et al. 1990; Searle et al. 1994, 2004; Warren et al. 2003, 2005), and the Semail Ophiolite was thrust on the Arabian Plate (e.g. Searle et al. 2004). A slab break-off may have triggered rapid exhumation of the Arabian crustal slab with its blueschist and eclogite facies, exposed in the northeastern SHD (e.g. Searle et al. 2004).

A second ophiolite obduction affected the southeastern part of the Oman Mountains. The Masirah Ophiolite (or ‘Eastern Ophiolite Belt’ of Gnos et al. 1997; Immenhauser et al. 1998) is a fragment of oceanic lithosphere thrust onto the easternmost margin of Oman (e.g. Moseley and Abbotts 1979; Mountain and Prell 1990; Ries and Shackleton 1990; Shackleton and Ries 1990; Marquer et al. 1995; Schreurs and Immenhauser 1999; Immenhauser et al. 2000; Fig. 1.1). The sole of the ophiolite is not exposed, which makes it difficult to tectonically interpret its history of thrusting, emplacement and uplift. The Masirah Ophiolite derived from oceanic lithosphere of the ‘Somalia-Mozambique-Madagascar (SoMoMa) Ocean’ with a formation age of latest Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous (e.g. Smewing et al. 1991; Immenhauser 1995; Peters et al. 1995; Gnos et al. 1997; Marquer et al. 1998; Schreurs and Immenhauser 1999). Latest Jurassic ages (c. 150 Ma) are concluded based on U–Pb zircon studies and Ar/Ar dating on plagioclase of gabbro dykes (Peters et al. 1995), K–Ar ages on gabbros (Smewing et al. 1991) and dating of radiolarian cherts (Moseley 1990). The SoMoMa Ocean separated Gondwana into western (Africa and Arabia) and eastern (Madagascar and India) segments (fig. 5.18f). Formation of the ocean resulted in the gentle extension and uplift of the eastern Arabian margin and the Hawasina Basin (D5 in fig. A.2; Rabu 1987; Béchennec et al. 1992a, b; section ‘Arabian Platform’ in Chapter 5 (Scharf et al. 2021d)). Geochemical analyses reveal that the ophiolite represents a young mid-ocean ridge that had formed during early drift between eastern and western Gondwana (Rollinson 2017). Later, the ocean basin underwent transpression as a result of convergence between India and Arabia, and was obducted and/or emplaced to the WNW for a few tens of kilometres as the ‘Masirah Ophiolite’ onto the easternmost tip of the Arabian Platform at the Cretaceous–Cenozoic boundary until the early Eocene (c. 65–55 Ma; Smewing et al. 1991; Peters et al. 1995; Gnos et al. 1997; Peters and Mercolli 1997; Marquer et al. 1998; Schreurs and Immenhauser 1999; Immenhauser et al. 2000; Gaina et al. 2015; fig. 5.18i). The Masirah Ophiolite therefore remained a part of the oceanic lithosphere for c. 80 Ma from its formation to its obduction (e.g. Rollinson 2017). The Hawasina and Haybi Complex were thrust along with the Semail Ophiolite during the Coniacian–Campanian from NE to SW. By contrast, the Masirah Ophiolite was thrust along with the Batain Mélange onto the eastern Oman margin during the Cretaceous–Cenozoic (Schreurs and Immenhauser 1999; Fig. 1.1). The Lower Permian to Upper Cretaceous sediments of the Batain Mélange derived from the Batain Basin, located east of Oman as part of the SoMoMa Ocean (Schreurs and Immenhauser 1999; Immenhauser et al. 2000). The Batain Basin is older (latest Carboniferous to Early Permian; Immenhauser et al. 2000) than the Hawasina Basin (Late Permian). Although the sediments of the Hawasina nappes and the Batain Mélange derived from different basins, the stratigraphy is similar (see Immenhauser et al. 1998, 2000).

The Semail and Masirah ophiolites differ in origin, tectonic setting, age of oceanic lithosphere formation (Neo-Tethys Ocean during the Cenomanian compared with SoMoMa Ocean during the latest Jurassic–earliest Cretaceous), time of obduction onto the Arabian Margin (late Cretaceous compared with latest Cretaceous–early Eocene) and direction of obduction (SW-ward compared with WNW-ward). Generation of the Semail Ophiolite is associated with a spreading centre in a supra-subduction zone setting with coeval formation and thrusting (e.g. Rioux et al. 2016), whereas the Masirah Ophiolite formed at a conventional mid-ocean ridge with its emplacement at c. 80 Ma after formation (see Rollinson 2017 for further comparison and discussion).

The Oligocene–Miocene to recent regional tectonic setting of the Arabian Plate is summarized in Figure 1.2. The northeastern plate margin corresponds to the Arabia–Eurasia collision zone, forming the Zagros and Makran mountains (e.g. Glennie et al. 1974; Robertson and Searle 1990; Loosveld et al. 1996; Immenhauser et al. 2000). Deformation in the Zagros Mountain Belt started before c. 25–23 Ma (e.g. Agard et al. 2011), amounts to 440 km of shortening (Monthereau 2011) and is still active (Vernant et al. 2004). Arabia is bounded in the west by the left-lateral Dead Sea Transform Fault that accommodated a displacement of 100–105 km (Walley 1998). The age of the fault is > 14 Ma (Bayer et al. 1988; Makris and Rihm 1991). The southwestern and southern margins of the Arabian Plate are defined by the spreading axes of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, respectively. Continental extension in the southern Red Sea area started during c. 27.5–23.8 Ma (Bosworth et al. 2005; Reilinger and McClusky 2011). Seafloor spreading between the Arabian and African plates (i.e. the Gulf of Aden) commenced at 20 Ma (Fournier et al. 2010). The southeastern boundary of Arabia is marked by the 8-Ma-old Owen Transform Fault. Dextral motion along this fault ensues at a rate of 3 ± 1 mm a−1 (Fournier et al. 2008).

Fig. 1.2.
  • Download figure
  • Open in new tab
  • Download powerpoint
Fig. 1.2.

Present tectonic frame of the Arabian Peninsula slightly modified after Hansman et al. (2017). Plate velocity from GPS information (Sella et al. 2002; McClusky et al. 2003; Reilinger et al. 2006; Vigny et al. 2006; ArRajehi et al. 2010). Forebulge axis in the Oman Mountains is after Rodgers and Gunatilaka (2002). Cross-section for the trace (A-A′) is depicted in figure 5.14 (Scharf et al. 2021d, Chapter 5, this Memoir).

Author contributions

AS: Conceptualization (lead), Writing original draft (lead), Visualization (lead), Supervision (lead), Investigation (lead); FM: Conceptualization (equal), Writing – review and editing (equal), Visualization (equal), Investigation (equal); MAW: Writing – review and editing (equal); GF: Writing – review and editing (equal); DM: Writing – review and editing (equal); BP: Writing – review and editing (equal); WB: Writing – review and editing (equal); IC: Writing – review and editing (equal).

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Data availability

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

  • © 2021 The Author(s). Published by The Geological Society of London
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

References

  1. ↵
    Abbo A., Avigad D. and Gerdes A. 2018. The lower crust of the northern broken edge of Gondwana: evidence for sediment subduction and syn-Variscan anorogenic imprint from zircon U-Pb-Hf in granulite xenoliths. Gondwana Research, 64, 84–96, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2018.08.002
    OpenUrl
  2. ↵
    Agard P., Omrani J. et al. 2011. Zagros orogeny: a subduction-dominated process. Geological Magazine, 148, 692–725, https://doi.org/10.1017/S001675681100046X
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  3. ↵
    Aldega L., Carminati E., Scharf A., Mattern F. and Al-Wardi M. 2017. Estimating original thickness and extent of the Semail Ophiolite in the eastern Oman Mountains by paleothermal indicators. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 84, 18–33, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpet.geo.2017.03.024
    OpenUrl
  4. ↵
    Al-Husseini M.I. 2000. Origin of the Arabian Plate Structures: Amar Collision and Najd Rift. GeoArabia, 5, 527–542.
    OpenUrl
  5. ↵
    Al-Husseini M.I. 2004. Pre-Unayzah unconformity, Saudi Arabia. Carboniferous, Permian and Early Triassic Arabian Stratigraphy. GeoArabia Special Publication, 3, 15–59.
    OpenUrl
  6. ↵
    Al-Kindi M.H. 2018. Evolution of Land and Life in Oman: An 800 Million Year Story. Springer, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60152-6
  7. ↵
    Al-Kindi M.H. and Richard P.D. 2014. The main structural styles of the hydrocarbon reservoirs in Oman. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 392, 409–445, https://doi.org/10.1144/SP392.20
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  8. ↵
    Al-Lazki A.I., Seber D., Sandvol E. and Barazangi M. 2002. A crustal transect across the Oman Mountains on the eastern margin of Arabia. GeoArabia, 7, 47–78.
    OpenUrl
  9. ↵
    Allemann F. and Peters T. 1972. The ophiolite-radiolarite belt of the North Oman Mountains. Eclogae Geologicae Helvetica, 65, 657–697.
    OpenUrl
  10. ↵
    ArRajehi A., McClusky S. et al. 2010. Geodetic constraints on present-day motion of the Arabian Plate: implications for Red Sea and Gulf of Aden rifting. Tectonics, 29, TC3011, https://doi.org/10.1029/2009TC002482
    OpenUrlCrossRef
  11. ↵
    Bailey E.H. 1981. Geological map of Muscat-Ibra area, Sultanate of Oman. Journal of Geophysical Research, 86, 2495–2782, https://doi.org/10.1029/JB086iB04p02495
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  12. ↵
    Bayer H.-J., Hötzl H., Jado A.R., Roscher B. and Voggenreiter W. 1988. Sedimentary and structural evolution of the northwest Arabian Sea Margin. Tectonophysics, 153, 137–152, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(88)90011-X
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  13. ↵
    Béchennec F., Beurrier M., Hutin G. and Rabu D. 1986a. Geological map of Barka, sheet NF 40-3B, scale 1:100,000, Explanatory Notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
  14. ↵
    Béchennec F., Beurrier M., Rabu D. and Hutin G. 1986b. Geological map of Bahla, sheet NF 40-07A, scale 1:100,000, with Explanatory Notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
  15. ↵
    Béchennec F., Tegyey M., Le Métour J., Lemière B., Lescuyer J.L., Rabu D. and Milesi J.P. 1991. Igneous rocks in the Hawasina Nappes and the Hajar Supergroup, Oman Mountains: Their significance in the birth and evolution of the composite extensional Margin of the eastern Tethys. In: Peters T., Nicolas A. and Coleman R.J. (eds) Ophiolite Genesis and Evolution of the Oceanic Lithosphere. Proceedings of the Ophiolite Conference, Muscat, Oman. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht/Boston/London, 1990, 593–611.
    OpenUrl
  16. ↵
    Béchennec F., Roger J., Le Métour J. and Wyns R. 1992a. Geological map of Seeb, sheet NF 40-03, scale 1:250,000, with Explanatory Notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
  17. ↵
    Béchennec F., Wyns R., Roger J., Le Métour J. and Chevrel S. 1992b. Geological map of Nazwa, sheet NF 40-07, scale 1:250,000, with Explanatory Notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
  18. ↵
    Béchennec F., Le Métour J., Platel J.P. and Roger J. 1993. Geological map of the Sultanate of Oman, scale 1:1,000,000, with Explanatory Notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
  19. ↵
    Bendias D., Koehrer B., Obermaier M. and Aigner T. 2013. Mid-Permian Khuff Sequence KS6: paleorelief-influenced facies and sequence patterns in the Lower Khuff time-equivalent strata, Oman Mountains, Sultanate of Oman. GeoArabia, 18, 135–178.
    OpenUrl
  20. ↵
    Beurrier M., Béchennec F., Hutin G. and Rabu D. 1986a. Geological map of As Suwayq, sheet NF 40-03A, scale 1:100,000, with Explanatory notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
  21. ↵
    Beurrier M., Béchennec F., Rabu D. and Hutin G. 1986b. Geological map of Rustaq, sheet NF 40-03D, scale 1:100,000, with Explanatory notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
  22. ↵
    Blendinger W., van Vliet A.T. and Hughes Clarke M.W. 1990. Updoming, rifting and continental margin development during the Late Paleozoic in northern Oman. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 49, 27–37.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  23. ↵
    Bosworth W., Huchon P. and McClay K. 2005. The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Basins. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 43, 334–378, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2005.07.020
    OpenUrlCrossRef
  24. ↵
    British Geological Survey. 2006. Geological Map of the Northern Emirates, 1:250,000 Scale. British Geological Survey, Keyworth.
  25. ↵
    Burns S.J. and Matter A. 1993. Carbon isotopic record of the latest Proterozoic from Oman. Eclogae Geologicae Helvetiae, 86, 595–607.
    OpenUrlWeb of Science
  26. ↵
    Burns S.J., Matter A., Frank N. and Mangini A. 1998. Speleothem-based paleoclimate record from northern Oman. Geology, 26, 499–502, https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0499:SBPRFN>2.3.CO;2
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  27. ↵
    Burns S.J., Fleitmann D., Matter A., Neff U. and Mangini A. 2001. Speleothem evidence from Oman for continental pluvial events during interglacial periods. Geology, 29, 623–626, https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0623:SEFOFC>2.0.CO;2
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  28. ↵
    Callegari I., Scharf A. et al. 2020. Gondwana accretion tectonics and implications for the geodynamic evolution of eastern Arabia: first structural evidence of the existence of the Cadomian Orogeny in Oman (Jabal Akhdar Dome, Central Oman Mountains). Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 187, 104070, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2019.104070
    OpenUrl
  29. ↵
    Carminati E., Aldega L., Smeraglia L., Scharf A. and Mattern F. 2019. Obduction and collision tectonics in Oman: constraints from structural and thermal analyses. In: Rossetti F., Blanc A.C., Riguzzi F., Leroux E., Pavalopoulos K., Bellier O. and Kapsimalis V. (eds) The Structural Geology Contribution to the Africa-Eurasia Geology: Basement and Reservoir Structure, Ore Mineralisation and Tectonic Modelling, Proceedings of the 1st Springer Conference of the Arabian Journal of Geosciences (CAJG-1), Tunisia 2018, IEREK Interdisciplinary Series for Sustainable Development, 319–321, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01455-1_70
  30. ↵
    Chauvet F., Dumont T. and Basile C. 2009. Structures and timing of Permian rifting in the central Oman Mountains (Saih Hatat). Tectonophysics, 475, 563–574, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2009.07.008
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  31. ↵
    Coffield D.Q. 1990. Structures associated with nappe emplacement and culmination collapse in the Central Oman Mountains. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 49, 447–458.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  32. ↵
    Coleman R.G. 1981. Tectonic setting for ophiolite obduction in Oman. Journal of Geophysical Research, 86, 2497–2508, https://doi.org/10.1029/JB086iB04p02497
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  33. ↵
    Coleman R.G. and Hopson C.A. 1981. Introduction to the Oman Ophiolite Special Issue. Journal of Geophysical Research, 86, 2495–2496, https://doi.org/10.1029/JB086iB04p02495
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  34. ↵
    Collins A.S. and Pisarevsky S.A. 2005. Amalgamating eastern Gondwana: the evolution of the Circum-Indian Orogens. Earth-Science Reviews, 71, 229–270, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2005.02.004
    OpenUrlCrossRef
  35. ↵
    Cooper D.J.W. 1988. Structure and sequence of thrusting in deep-water sediments during ophiolite emplacement in the south-central Oman Mountains. Journal of Structural Geology, 10, 437–485, https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8141(88)90031-4
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  36. ↵
    Cowan R.J., Searle M.P. and Waters D.J. 2014. Structure of the metamorphic sole to the Oman Ophiolite, Sumeini Window and Wadi Tayyin: implications for ophiolite obduction processes. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 392, 155–175, https://doi.org/10.1144/SP392.8
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  37. ↵
    de Gramont X., Le Métour J. and Villey M. 1986. Geological map of Samad, sheet NF 40-07C, scale 1:100,000, with Explanatory Notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
  38. ↵
    Dercourt J., Ricou L.E. and Vrielynck B. 1993. Atlas Tethys Palaeoenvironmental Maps. Gauthier-Villars, Paris, 307.
  39. ↵
    Droste H. 1997. Stratigraphy of the Lower Paleozoic Haima Supergroup of Oman. GeoArabia, 2, 419–472.
    OpenUrl
  40. ↵
    Droste H. 2014. Petroleum geology of the Sultanate of Oman. American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Memoirs, 106, 713–755, https://doi.org/10.1036/12431870M1063039
    OpenUrl
  41. ↵
    El-Shazly A.K. and Coleman R.G. 1990. Metamorphism in the Oman Mountains in relation to the Semail ophiolite emplacement. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 49, 473–493.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  42. ↵
    El-Shazly A.K., Coleman R.G. and Liou J.G. 1990. Eclogites and blueschists from Northeastern Oman: petrology and P-T evolution. Journal of Petrology, 31, 629–666, https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/31.3.629
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  43. ↵
    El-Shazly A.K., Broker W., Hacker B. and Calvert A. 2001. Formation and exhumation of blueshists and eclogites from NE Oman: new perspectives from Rb-Sr and 40Ar/39Ar dating. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 19, 233–248, https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1314.2001.00309.x
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  44. ↵
    Faqira M., Rademakers M. and Afifi A. 2009. New insights into the Hercynian Orogeny, and their implications for the Paleozoic Hydrocarbon System in the Arabian Plate. GeoArabia, 14, 199–228.
    OpenUrl
  45. ↵
    Filbrandt J.B., Al-Dhahab S. et al. 2006. Kinematic interpretation and structural evolution of North Oman, Block 6, since the Late Cretaceous and implications for timing of hydrocarbon migration into Cretaceous reservoirs. GeoArabia, 11, 97–140.
    OpenUrlWeb of Science
  46. ↵
    Forbes G.A., Jansen H.S.M. and Schreurs J. 2010. Lexicon of Oman Subsurface Stratigraphy. Reference Guide to the Stratigraphy of Oman's Hydrocarbon Basins. Gulf Petrolink, GeoArabia, Special Publication, 5.
  47. ↵
    Fournier M., Lepvrier C., Razin P. and Jolivet L. 2006. Late Cretaceous to Paleogene Post-obduction extension and subsequent Neogene compression in the Oman Mountains. GeoArabia, 11, 17–40.
    OpenUrlCrossRef
  48. ↵
    Fournier M., Chamot-Rooke N., Petit C., Fabbri O., Huchon P., Maillot B. and Lepvrier C. 2008. In situ evidence for dextral active motion at the Arabia-India plate boundary. Nature Geoscience, 1, 54–58, https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo.2007.24
    OpenUrl
  49. ↵
    Fournier M., Chamot-Rooke N. et al. 2010. Somalia plate kinematics, evolution of the Aden – Owen – Carlsberg triple junction, and opening of the Gulf of Aden. Journal of Geophysical Research, 115, B04102, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JB006257
    OpenUrl
  50. ↵
    Gaina C., van Hinsbergen D.J.J. and Spakman W. 2015. Tectonic interactions between India and Arabia since the Jurassic reconstructed from marine geophysics, ophiolite geology, and seismic tomography. Tectonics, 34, 875–906, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014TC003780
    OpenUrl
  51. ↵
    Glennie K.W. 1995. The Geology of the Oman Mountains: An Outline of their Origin. 1st ed. Scientific Press, Beaconsfield.
  52. ↵
    Glennie K.W. 2005. The Geology of the Oman Mountains: An Outline of their Origin. 2nd ed. Scientific Press, Buckinghamshire.
  53. ↵
    Glennie K.W., Boeuf M.G.A., Hughes Clarke M.W., Moody-Stuart M., Pilaar W.F.H. and Reinhardt B.M. 1973. Late Cretaceous nappes in Oman Mountains and their geological evolution. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 57, 5–27.
    OpenUrlAbstract
  54. ↵
    Glennie K.W., Boeuf M.G.A., Hughes Clarke M.W., Moody-Stuart M., Pilaar W. and Reinhardt B.M. 1974. Geology of the Oman Mountains Koninklijk Nederlands Geologisch en Mijnbouwkundig Genootschap Transactions, 31, 423.
    OpenUrl
  55. ↵
    Gnos E., Immenhauser A. and Peters T. 1997. Late Cretaceous/early Tertiary convergence between the Indian and Arabian plates recorded in ophiolites and related sediments. Tectonophysics, 271, 1–19, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-1951(96)00249-1
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  56. ↵
    Goffé B., Michard A., Kienast J.R. and le Mer O. 1988. A case of obduction related high P, low T metamorphism in upper crustal nappes, Arabian continental margin, Oman: P-T paths and kinematic interpretation. Tectonophysics, 151, 363–386, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(88)90253-3
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  57. ↵
    Grantham P.J., Lijmbach G.W.M., Posthuma J., Clarke M.W.H. and Willnik R.J. 1988. Origin of crude oils in Oman. Journal of Petroleum Geology, 11, 61–80, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-5457.1988.tb00801.x
    OpenUrlWeb of Science
  58. ↵
    Gregory R.T., Gray D.R. and Miller J.M. 1998. Tectonics of the Arabian margin associated with the emplacement of the Oman margin along the Ibra transect: new evidence from northeast Saih Hatat. Tectonics, 17, 657–670, https://doi.org/10.1029/98TC02206
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  59. ↵
    Grobe A., Urai J.L., Littke R. and Lünsdorf N.K. 2016. Hydrocarbon generation and migration under a large overthrust: the carbonate platform under the Semail Ophiolite, Jebel Akhdar, Oman. International Journal of Coal Geology, 168, 3–19, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2016.02.007
    OpenUrl
  60. ↵
    Grobe A., von Hagke C., Littke R., Dunkl I., Wübbeler F., Muchez P. and Urai J.L. 2019. Tectono-thermal evolution of Oman's Mesozoic passive continental margin under the obducting Semail Ophiolite: a case study of Jebel Akhdar, Oman. Solid Earth, 10, 149–175, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-10-149-2019
    OpenUrl
  61. ↵
    Guilmette C., Smit M.A. et al. 2018. Forced subduction initiation recorded in the sole and crust of the Semail Ophiolite of Oman. Nature Geoscience, 11, 688–695, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-018-0209-2
    OpenUrl
  62. ↵
    Hacker B.R. and Mosenfelder J.L. 1996. Metamorphism and deformation along the emplacement thrust of the Semail ophiolite, Oman. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 144, 435–451, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0012-821X(96)00186-0
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  63. ↵
    Hacker B.R., Mosenfelder J.L. and Gnos E. 1996. Rapid emplacement of the Oman ophiolite: thermal and geochronical constrains. Tectonics, 15, 1230–1247, https://doi.org/10.1029/96TC01973
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  64. ↵
    Hansman R.J., Ring U., Thomson S.N., den Brock B. and Stübner K. 2017. Late Eocene uplift of the Al Hajar Mountains, Oman, supported by stratigraphic and low-temperature thermochronology. Tectonics, 36, 3081–3109, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017TC004672
    OpenUrl
  65. ↵
    Heward A.P. 2016. G.M. Lees (Abu'l Jabal): a pioneering geologist in Oman. Al Hajar, 22, 15–27.
    OpenUrl
  66. ↵
    Heward A.P. and Penney R.A. 2014. Al Khlata glacial deposits in the Oman Mountains and their implications. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 392, 279–301, https://doi.org/10.1144/SP392.15
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  67. ↵
    Hoffmann G., Meschede M., Zacke A. and Al Kindi M. 2016. Field Guide to the Geology of Northeastern Oman. Schweizerbart, Geological Field Guides, 110, 283.
    OpenUrl
  68. ↵
    Hughes Clarke M.W. 1988. Stratigraphy and rock unit nomenclature in the oil-producing area of interior Oman. Journal of Petroleum Geology, 11, 5–60, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-5457.1988.tb00800.x
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  69. ↵
    Hutin G., Béchennec F., Beurrier M. and Rabu D. 1986. Geological map of Birkat Al Mawz, sheet NF 40-07B, scale 1:100,000, with Explanatory Notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
  70. ↵
    Immenhauser A. 1995. The Autochthonous Mesozoic Sediment Record on the Masirah Island Ophiolite (Sultanate of Oman). PhD thesis, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
  71. ↵
    Immenhauser A., Schreurs G., Peters T., Matter A., Hauser M. and Dumitrica P. 1998. Stratigraphy, sedimentology and depositional environment of the Permian to uppermost Cretaceous Batain Group, eastern Oman. Eclogae Geolgica Helvetica, 91, 217–235.
    OpenUrl
  72. ↵
    Immenhauser A., Schreurs G., Gnos E., Oterdoom W. and Hartmann B. 2000. Late Paleozoic to Neogene geodynamic evolution of the northeastern Oman margin. Geological Magazine, 137, 1–18, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0016756800003526
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  73. ↵
    Immerz P.W., Oterdoom H. and El-Tonbary M. 2000. The Huqf/Haima hydrocarbon system of Oman and the terminal phase of the Pan-African Orogeny: evaporite depositions in a compressive setting. 4th Middle East Geosciences Conference, GEO 2000, GeoArabia, Abstract, 5, 113–114.
  74. ↵
    Janjou D., Minoux L., Beurrier M., de Gramont X., Le Métour J. and Villey M. 1986. Geological map of Ibri, sheet NF 40-02F, scale 1:100,000, with Explanatory Notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
  75. ↵
    Kajima M. and Ishii G. 2012. Geological map of Al Ansab, sheet NF 40-3C4/C, scale 1:25,000, with Explanatory Notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  76. ↵
    Kajima M. and Otake M. 2012. Geological map of Yiti, sheet NF 40-4A3/D, scale 1:25,000, with Explanatory Notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  77. ↵
    Kajima M., Goto M., Otake M. and Ishii G. 2012a. Geological map of Halban, sheet NF 40-3C3/C, scale 1:25,000, with Explanatory Notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  78. ↵
    Kajima M., Ishii G. and Goto M. 2012b. Geological map of Ar Rusayl, sheet NF 40-3C3/C, scale 1:25,000, with Explanatory Notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  79. ↵
    Kajima M., Ishii G., Goto M. and Otake M. 2012c. Geological map of Muscat, sheet NF 40-4A3/C, scale 1:25,000, with Explanatory Notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  80. ↵
    Kajima M., Ishii G., Otake M. and Goto M. 2012d. Geological map of Al Khuwayr, sheet NF 40-3C4/D, scale 1:25,000, with Explanatory Notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  81. ↵
    Kajima M. et al. 2012e. Geological map of Al Manumah, sheet NF 40-3C3/A, scale 1:25,000, with Explanatory Notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  82. ↵
    Kajima M. et al. 2012f. Geological map of As Seeb, sheet NF 40-3C3/B, scale 1:25,000, with Explanatory Notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  83. ↵
    Kilner B., Mac Niocaill C. and Brasier M. 2005. Low-latitude glaciation in the Neoproterozoic of Oman. Geology, 33, 413–416, https://doi.org/10.1130/G21227.1
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  84. ↵
    Koehrer B., Aigner T. and Pöppelreiter M. 2011. Field-scale geometries of Upper Khuff reservoir geobodies in an outcrop analogue (Oman Mountains, Sultanate of Oman). Petroleum Geoscience, 17, 3–16, https://doi.org/10.1144/1354-079310-009
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  85. ↵
    Konert G., Afifi A.M., Al-Hajri S.A. and Droste H.J. 2001. Paleozoic stratigraphy and hydrocarbon habitat of the Arabian Plate. GeoArabia, 6, 407–442.
    OpenUrl
  86. ↵
    Koopman A., van der Berg M., Romine K. and Teasdale J. 2007. Proterozoic to Cambrian plate-tectonics and its control on the structural evolution of the Ara Salt-Basin in Oman. Abstract AAPG European Region Conference, Athens, Greece: AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90072.
  87. ↵
    Leather J., Allen P.A., Braiser M.D. and Cozzi A. 2002. A Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth under scrutiny: evidence from the Fiq glaciation of Oman. Geology, 30, 891–894, https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)0302.0.CO.2
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  88. ↵
    Lees G.M. 1928. The geology and tectonics of Oman and parts of southeastern Arabia. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London, 84, 585–670, https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.JGS.1928.084.01-04.24
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  89. ↵
    Le Guerroué E., Allen P.A. and Cozzi A. 2006a. Chemostratigraphic and sedimentological framework of the largest negative carbon isotopic excursion in Earth history: the Neoproterozoic Shuram Formation (Nafun Group, Oman). Precambrian Research, 144, 68–92, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2006.01.007
    OpenUrl
  90. ↵
    Le Guerroué E., Allen P., Cozzi A., Etienne J.L. and Fanning M. 2006b. 50 Myr recovery from the largest negative δ13C excursion in the Ediacaran ocean. Terra Nova, 18, 147–153, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3121.2006.00674.x
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  91. ↵
    Le Métour J., Villey M. and de Gramont X. 1986a. Geological map of Masqat, sheet NF 40-4A, scale 1:100,000, Explanatory notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
  92. ↵
    Le Métour J., Villey M. and de Gramont X. 1986b. Geological map of Quryat, sheet NF 40-4D, scale 1:100,000, Explanatory notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
  93. ↵
    Le Métour J.F., Béchennec F., Roger J. and Wyns R. 1992. Geological map of Muscat, sheet NF40-04, scale 1:250,000, with Explanatory notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
  94. ↵
    Le Métour J.F., Michel J.C., Béchennec F., Platel J.P. and Roger J. 1995. Geology and mineral wealth of the Sultanate of Oman. Directorate General of Minerals. Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral.
  95. ↵
    Lippard S.J. 1983. Cretaceous high pressure metamorphism in NE Oman and its relationship to subduction and ophiolite nappe emplacement. Journal of Geological Society London, 140, 97–104, https://doi.org/10.1144/gsjgs.140.1.0097
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  96. ↵
    Lippard S.J., Shelton A.W. and Gass I.G. 1986. The ophiolite of northern Oman. Geological Society, London, Memoirs, 11, 178.
    OpenUrl
  97. ↵
    Loosveld R.J.H., Bell A. and Terken J.J.M. 1996. The tectonic evolution of interior Oman. GeoArabia, 1, 28–51.
    OpenUrl
  98. ↵
    Makris J. and Rihm R. 1991. Shear controlled evolution of Red Sea: pull apart model. Tectonophysics, 198, 441–446, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(91)90166-P
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  99. ↵
    Mann A. and Hanna S.S. 1990. The tectonic evolution of pre-Permian rocks, Central and Southeastern Oman Mountains. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 49, 307–325.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  100. ↵
    Marquer D., Peters T. and Gnos E. 1995. A new structural interpretation for the emplacement of the Masirah Ophiolites (Oman): a main Paleocene intra-oceanic thrust. Geodinimica Acta, 8, 13–19, https://doi.org/10.1080/09853111.1995.11105269
    OpenUrl
  101. ↵
    Marquer D., Mercolli I. and Peters T. 1998. Early Cretaceous intra-oceanic rifting in the Proto-Indian Ocean recorded in the Masirah Ophiolite, Sultanate of Oman. Tectonophysics, 292, 1–16, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-1951(98)00063-8
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  102. ↵
    Mattern F., Moraetis D. et al. 2018. Coastal dynamics of uplifted and emerged Late Pleistocene near-shore coral patch reefs at Fins (eastern coastal Oman, Gulf of Oman). Journal of African Earth Sciences, 138, 192–200, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afrearsci.2017.11.018
    OpenUrl
  103. ↵
    McClusky S., Reilinger R., Mahmoud S., Ben Sari D. and Tealeb A. 2003. GPS constraints on Africa (Nubia) and Arabia plate motions. Geophysical Journal International, 155, 126–138, https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-246X.2003.02023.x
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  104. ↵
    Monthereau F. 2011. Timing of uplift in the Zagros belt/Iranian plateau and accommodation of late Cenozoic Arabia-Eurasia convergence. Geological Magazine, 148, 726–738, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0016756811000306
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  105. ↵
    Moraetis D., Mattern F., Scharf A., Frijia G., Kusky T.M., Yuan Y. and Hussain I.L. 2018. Neogene to Quaternary uplift history along the passive margin of the northeastern Arabian Peninsula eastern Hajar Mountains, Oman. Quaternary Research, 90, 418–434, https://doi.org/10.1017/qua.2018.51
    OpenUrl
  106. ↵
    Moseley F. 1990. The structure of Masirah Island, Oman. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 49, 665–671.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  107. ↵
    Moseley F. and Abbotts I.L. 1979. The ophiolite mélange of Masirah, Oman. Journal of the Geological Society, 136, 713–724, https://doi.org/10.1144/gsjgs.136.6.0713
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  108. ↵
    Mountain G.S. and Prell W.L. 1990. A multiphase plate tectonic history of the southeast continental margin of Oman. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 49, 725–743.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  109. ↵
    Nicolas A. 1989. Structures of Ophiolites and Dynamics of Oceanic Lithosphere. Netherlands, Kluwer, p. 367.
  110. ↵
    Nicolas A., Boudier F. and Ildefonse B. 1996. Variable crustal thickness in the Oman ophiolite: implications for oceanic crust. Journal of Geophysical Research, 101, 17,941–17,950, https://doi.org/10.1029/96JB00195
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  111. ↵
    Nicolas A., Boudier F., Ildefonse B. and Ball E. 2000. Accretion of Oman and United Arab Emirates ophiolite: discussion of a new structural map. Marine Geophysical Researches, 21, 147–179, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026769727917
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  112. ↵
    Peters T. and Mercolli I. 1997. Formation and evolution of the Masirah Ophiolite (Sultanate of Oman). Ofioliti, 22, 15–34.
    OpenUrlWeb of Science
  113. ↵
    Peters T., Immenhauser A., Mercolli I. and Meyer J. 1995. Geological map of Masirah North and Masirah South. Explanatory notes, scale 1:50,000, sheet K768 North and K768 South. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals, Muscat, Oman.
  114. ↵
    Peters T., Blechschmidt I., Krystyn L., Dumitrica P., Mercolli I., El Amin O. and Al Towaya A. 2005. Geological map of Ibra. Explanatory notes, sheet NF 40-08A, scale 1:100,000. Directorate General of Minerals, Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Oman.
  115. ↵
    Philip J., Borgomano J. and Al-Maskiry S. 1995. Cenomanian–Early Turonian carbonate platform of Northern Oman: stratigraphy and palaeo-environments. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 119, 77–92, https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-0182(95)00061-5
    OpenUrlCrossRef
  116. ↵
    Pöppelreiter M.C., Schneider C.J., Obermaier M., Forke H.C., Koehrer B. and Aigner T. 2011. Seal turns into reservoir: Sudair equivalents in outcrop, Al Jabal al-Akhdar, Sultanate of Oman. GeoArabia, 16, 69–108.
    OpenUrl
  117. ↵
    Poupeau G., Saddiqi O., Michard A., Goffé B. and Oberhänsli R. 1998. Late thermal evolution of the Oman Mountains subophiolitic windows: apatite fission-track thermochronology. Geology, 26, 1139–1142, https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<1139:LTEOTO>2.3.CO;2
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  118. ↵
    Rabu D. 1987. Géologie de l'Autochtone des Montagnes d'Oman: la fenêtre du Jabal Akhdar. La semelle métamorphique de la Nappe ophiolitique de Samail dans les parties orientaler et central des Montagnes d'Oman: une revue. PhD thesis, Pierre and Marie University, Paris 6, France, Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières, Document No. 130.
  119. ↵
    Rabu D., Béchennec F., Beurrier M. and Hutin G. 1986. Geological map of Nakhl, sheet NF40-3E, scale: 1:100,000, with Explanatory Notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
  120. ↵
    Regard V., Bellier O. et al. 2005. Cumulative right-lateral fault slip rate across the Zagros-Makran transfer zone: role of the Minab-Zendan fault system in accommodating Arabia-Eurasia convergence in southeast Iran. Geophysical Journal International, 162, 177–203, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2005.02558.x
    OpenUrlCrossRef
  121. ↵
    Reilinger R., McClusky S. et al. 2006. GPS constraints on continental deformation in the Africa-Arabia-Eurasia continental collision zone and implications for the dynamics of plate interactions. Journal of Geophysical Research, 111, B05411, https://doi.org/10.1029/2005JB004051
    OpenUrlCrossRef
  122. ↵
    Reilinger R. and McClusky S. 2011. Nubia-Arabia-Eurasia plate motions and the dynamics of Mediterranean and Middle East tectonics. Geophysical Journal International, 186, 971–979, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2011.05133.x
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  123. ↵
    Reinhardt B.M. 1969. On the genesis and emplacement of ophiolites in the Oman Mountains geosyncline. Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 49, 1–30.
    OpenUrl
  124. ↵
    Ries A.C. and Shackleton R.M. 1990. Structures in the Huqf-Haushi uplift, east central Oman. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 49, 653–663.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  125. ↵
    Rioux M., Bowring S.A., Kelemen P.B., Gordon S., Dudás F. and Miller R. 2012. Rapid crustal accretion and magma assimilation in the Oman-U.A.E. ophiolite: high precision U-Pb zircon geochronology of the gabbroic crust. Journal of Geophysical Research, 117, B07201, https://doi.org/10.1029/2012JB009273
    OpenUrl
  126. ↵
    Rioux M., Bowring S., Kelemen P., Gordon S., Miller R. and Dudás F. 2013. Tectonic development of the Samail ophiolite: high-precision U-Pb zircon geochronology and Sm-Nd isotopic constraints on crustal growth and emplacement. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 118, 2085–2101, https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrb.50139
    OpenUrl
  127. ↵
    Rioux M., Garber J., Bauer A., Bowring S., Searle M.P., Kelemen P. and Hacker B. 2016. Synchronous formation of the metamorphic sole and igneous crust of the Semail ophiolite: new constraints on the tectonic evolution during ophiolite formation from high-precision U-Pb zircon geochronology. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 451, 185–195, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2016.06.051
    OpenUrl
  128. ↵
    Robertson A.H.F. and Searle M.P. 1990. The northern Oman Tethyan continental margin: stratigraphy, structure, concepts and controversies. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 49, 3–25.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  129. ↵
    Robertson A.H.F., Searle M.P. and Ries A.C. 1990. The Geology and Tectonics of the Oman Regions. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 49.
  130. ↵
    Rodgers D.W. and Gunatilaka A. 2002. Bajada formation by monsoonal erosion of a subaerial forebulge, Sultanate of Oman. Sedimentary Geology, 154, 127–146, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0037-0738(02)00126-4
    OpenUrl
  131. ↵
    Roger J., Béchennec F., Janjou D., Le Métour J., Wyns R. and Beurrier M. 1991. Geological map of Ja'alan, sheet NF 40-08E, scale:100,000, with Explanatory Notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
  132. ↵
    Rollinson H. 2017. Masirah – The other Oman ophiolite: a better analogue for mid-ocean ridge processes? Geoscience Frontiers, 8, 1253–1262, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2017.04.009
    OpenUrl
  133. ↵
    Rollinson H.R., Searle M.P., Abbasi I.A., Al-Lazki A.I. and Al Kindi M.H. 2014. Tectonic Evolution of the Oman Mountains. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 392.
  134. ↵
    Saddiqi O., Michard A., Goffé B., Poupeau G. and Oberhänsli R. 2006. Fission-track thermochronology of the Oman Mountains continental widows, and current problems of tectonic interpretation. Bulletin de la Société Géologique de France, 177, 127–134, https://doi.org/10.2113/gssgfbull.177.3.127
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  135. ↵
    Scharf A., Mattern F. et al. 2021a. Tectonostratigraphy of the eastern part of the Oman Mountains. Geological Society, London, Memoirs, 54, 11–47, https://doi.org/10.1144/M54.2
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  136. ↵
    Scharf A., Mattern F. et al. 2021b. Thrusts, extensional faults and fold patterns of the major units. Geological Society, London, Memoirs, 54, 49–60, https://doi.org/10.1144/M54.3
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  137. ↵
    Scharf A., Mattern F. et al. 2021c. Large-scale structure of the study area. Geological Society, London, Memoirs, 54, 61–66, https://doi.org/10.1144/M54.4
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  138. ↵
    Scharf A., Mattern F. et al. 2021d. Tectonic evolution of the Oman Mountains. Geological Society, London, Memoirs, 54, 67–104, https://doi.org/10.1144/M54.5
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  139. ↵
    Scharf A., Mattern F. et al. 2021e. Conclusions, differences between the Jabal Akhdar and Saih Hatat domes and unanswered questions. Geological Society, London, Memoirs, 54, 105–111, https://doi.org/10.1144/M54.6
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  140. ↵
    Scharf A., Mattern F. et al. 2021f. Appendices to: The Geology and Tectonics of the Jabal Akhdar and Saih Hatat Domes, Oman Mountains. Geological Society, London, Memoirs, 54, 113–116, https://doi.org/10.1144/M54.7
    OpenUrlFREE Full Text
  141. ↵
    Schreurs G. and Immenhauser A. 1999. West-northwest directed obduction of the Batain Group on the eastern Oman continental margin at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary. Tectonics, 18, 148–160, https://doi.org/10.1029/1998TC900020
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  142. ↵
    Searle M.P. 2007. Structural geometry, style and timing of deformation in the Hawasina Window, Al Jabal al Akhdar and Saih Hatat culminations, Oman Mountains. GeoArabia, 12, 99–130.
    OpenUrl
  143. ↵
    Searle M.P. 2019. Geology of the Oman Mountains, Eastern Arabia. Springer.
  144. ↵
    Searle M.P. and Cox J.S. 1999. Tectonic setting, origin and obduction of the Oman ophiolite. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 111, 104–122, https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1999)111<0104:TSOAOO>2.3.CO;2
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  145. ↵
    Searle M.P. and Cox J.S. 2002. Subduction zone metamorphism during formation and emplacement of the Semail Ophiolite in the Oman Mountains. Geological Magazine, 139, 241–255, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0016756802006532
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  146. ↵
    Searle M.P. and Malpas J. 1980. Structure and metamorphism of rocks beneath the Semail ophiolite of Oman and their significance in ophiolite obduction. Earth and Environmental Science, Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 71, 247–262, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0263593300013614
    OpenUrl
  147. ↵
    Searle M.P., Waters D.J., Martin H.N. and Rex D.C. 1994. Structure and metamorphism of blueschist – eclogite facies rocks from the northeastern Oman Mountains. Journal of Geological Society, London, 151, 555–576, https://doi.org/10.1144/gsjgs.151.3.0555
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  148. ↵
    Searle M.P., Warren C.J., Waters D.J. and Parrish R.R. 2004. Structural evolution, metamorphism and restoration of the Arabian continental margin, Saih Hatat region, Oman Mountains. Journal of Structural Geology, 26, 451–473, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2003.08.005
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  149. ↵
    Sella G.F., Dixon T.H. and Mao A. 2002. Revel: a model for Recent plate velocities from space geodesy. Journal of Geophysical Research, 107, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1029/2000JB000033
    OpenUrl
  150. ↵
    Shackleton R.M. and Ries A.C. 1990. Tectonics of the Masirah fault zone and eastern Oman. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 49, 715–724.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  151. ↵
    Shackleton R.M., Ries A.C., Bird P.R., Filbrandt J.B., Lee C.W. and Cunningham C.C. 1990. The Batain mélange of NE Oman. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 49, 673–696.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  152. ↵
    Sharland P.R., Casey D.M., Davies R.B., Simmons M.D. and Sutcliffe O.E. 2004. Arabian Plate Sequence Stratigraphy – revisions to SP2. GeoArabia, 9, 199–214.
    OpenUrl
  153. ↵
    Skelton P.W., Nolan S.C. and Scott R.W. 1990. The Maastrichtian transgression onto the northwestern flank of the Proto-Oman Mountains: sequences of rudist-bearing beach to open shelf facies. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 49, 521–547.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  154. ↵
    Smewing J.D., Abbotts I.L., Dunne L.A. and Rex D.C. 1991. Formation and emplacement ages of the Masirah ophiolite, Sultanate of Oman. Geology, 19, 453–456, https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<0453:FAEAOT>2.3.CO;2
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  155. ↵
    Soret M., Agard P., Dubacq B., Plunder A. and Yamato P. 2017. Petrological evidence for stepwise accretion of metamorphic soles during subduction infancy (Semail ophiolite, Oman and UAE). Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 35, 1051–1080, https://doi.org/10.1111/jmg.12267
    OpenUrlCrossRef
  156. ↵
    Stampfli G.M. and Borel G.D. 2002. A plate tectonic model for the Paleozoic and Mesozoic constrained by dynamic plate boundaries and restored synthetic oceanic isochrons. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 196, 17–33, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0012-821X(01)00588-X
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  157. ↵
    Stampfli G.M. and Kozur H.W. 2006. Europe from the Variscan to the Alpine cycles. Geological Society, London, Memoirs, 32, 57–82, https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.MEM.2006.032.01.04
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  158. ↵
    Stern R.J. 1994. Arc assembly and continental collision in the Neoproterozoic East African Orogen: implications for the consolidation of Gondwanaland. Annual Reviews Earth and Planetary Science, 22, 319–351, https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ea.22.050194.001535
    OpenUrl
  159. ↵
    Svendsen N.B. 2004. The Sahmah Formation of Oman: exploration implications for the Rub’ Al-Khali Basin. GeoArabia, 9, 119–136.
    OpenUrl
  160. ↵
    van Buchem F.S.P., Razin P., Homewood P.W., Oterdoom W.H. and Philip J. 2002. Stratigraphic organization of carbonate ramps and organic-rich intrashelf basins: Natih Formation (middle Cretaceous) of northern Oman. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 86, 21–53.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  161. ↵
    van Hinsbergen D.J.J., Maffione M., Koornneef L.M.T. and Guilmette C. 2019. Kinematic and paleomagnetic restoration of the Semail ophiolite (Oman) reveals subduction initiation along an ancient Neotethyan fracture zone. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 518, 183–196, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2019.04.038
    OpenUrl
  162. ↵
    Vernant P., Nilforoushan F. et al. 2004. Present-day crustal deformation and plate kinematics in the Middle East constrained by GPS measurements in Iran and northern Oman. Geophysical Journal International, 157, 381–398, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2004.02222.x
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  163. ↵
    Vigny C., Huchon P., Ruegg J.-C., Khanbari K. and Asfaw L.M. 2006. Confirmation of Arabia plate slow motion by new GPS data in Yemen. Journal of Geophysical Research, 111, B02402, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JB003229
    OpenUrlCrossRef
  164. ↵
    Villey M., Béchennec F., Beurrier M., Le Métour J. and Rabu D. 1986a. Geological map of Yanqul, sheet NF 40-2C, scale: 1:100,000, with Explanatory notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
  165. ↵
    Villey M., de Gramont X. and Le Métour J. 1986b. Geological map of Seeb, sheet NF 40-3C, scale: 1:100,000, with Explanatory notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
  166. ↵
    Villey M., Le Métour J. and de Gramont X. 1986c. Geological map of Fanjah, sheet NF 40-3F, scale: 1:100,000, with Explanatory notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
  167. ↵
    Walley C.D. 1998. Some outstanding issues in the geology of Lebanon and their importance in the tectonic evolution of the Levantine region. Tectonophysics, 298, 37–62, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-1951(98)00177-2
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  168. ↵
    Warren C.J., Parrish R.R., Searle M.P. and Waters D.J. 2003. Dating the subduction of the Arabian continental margin beneath the Semail Ophiolite. Geology, 31, 889–892, https://doi.org/10.1130/G19666.1
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  169. ↵
    Warren C.J., Parrish R.R., Waters D.J. and Searle M.P. 2005. Dating the geologic history of Oman's Semail ophiolite: insight from U-Pb geochronology. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 150, 403–422, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-005-0028-5
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  170. ↵
    Wyns R., Béchennec F., Le Métour J. and Roger J. 1992. Geological map of Tiwi, sheet NF40-8B, scale 1:100,000, with Explanatory notes. Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.
PreviousNext
Back to top

In this volume

Geological Society, London, Memoirs: 54 (1)
Geological Society, London, Memoirs
Volume 54
2021
  • Table of Contents
  • Table of Contents (PDF)
  • About the Cover
  • Index by author
  • Back Matter (PDF)
  • Front Matter (PDF)
Alerts
Sign In to Email Alerts with your Email Address
Citation tools

Chapter 1 Introduction and tectonic framework

Andreas Scharf, Frank Mattern, Mohammed Al-Wardi, Gianluca Frijia, Daniel Moraetis, Bernhard Pracejus, Wilfried Bauer and Ivan Callegari
Geological Society, London, Memoirs, 54, 1-10, 1 March 2021, https://doi.org/10.1144/M54.1
Andreas Scharf
1Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 36, PC 123, Al-Khod, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • For correspondence: scharfa@squ.edu.om
Frank Mattern
1Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 36, PC 123, Al-Khod, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Mohammed Al-Wardi
1Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 36, PC 123, Al-Khod, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Gianluca Frijia
2Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 1, 44122, Ferrara, Italy
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Daniel Moraetis
3Department of Applied Physics and Astronomy, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, PO Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Bernhard Pracejus
1Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 36, PC 123, Al-Khod, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Wilfried Bauer
4Department of Applied Geosciences, German University of Technology GUtech, PO Box 1816, PC 130, Halban, Sultanate of Oman
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Ivan Callegari
4Department of Applied Geosciences, German University of Technology GUtech, PO Box 1816, PC 130, Halban, Sultanate of Oman
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Permissions
View PDF
Share

Chapter 1 Introduction and tectonic framework

Andreas Scharf, Frank Mattern, Mohammed Al-Wardi, Gianluca Frijia, Daniel Moraetis, Bernhard Pracejus, Wilfried Bauer and Ivan Callegari
Geological Society, London, Memoirs, 54, 1-10, 1 March 2021, https://doi.org/10.1144/M54.1
del.icio.us logo Digg logo Reddit logo Twitter logo CiteULike logo Facebook logo Google logo Mendeley logo
Email to

Thank you for sharing this Geological Society, London, Memoirs article.

NOTE: We request your email address only to inform the recipient that it was you who recommended this article, and that it is not junk mail. We do not retain these email addresses.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
Chapter 1 Introduction and tectonic framework
(Your Name) has forwarded a page to you from Geological Society, London, Memoirs
(Your Name) thought you would be interested in this article in Geological Society, London, Memoirs.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Print
Download PPT
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One
  • Article
    • Abstract
    • Tectonic framework
    • Author contributions
    • Funding
    • Data availability
    • References
  • Figures & Data
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF

Related Articles

Similar Articles

Cited By...

  • Most read
  • Most cited
Loading
  • Chapter 15 Construction of a Paleozoic–Mesozoic accretionary orogen along the active continental margin of SE Gondwana (South Island, New Zealand): summary and overview
  • UK oil and gas fields: an overview
  • Ring Complexes in the Younger Granite Province of Northern Nigeria
  • Chapter 1 Precambrian basins of India: stratigraphic and tectonic context
  • Chapter 1 Introduction and tectonic framework
More...

Memoirs

  • About the series
  • Books Editorial Committee
  • Submit a book proposal
  • Author information
  • Supplementary Publications
  • Subscribe
  • Pay per view
  • Alerts & RSS
  • Copyright & Permissions
  • Activate Online Subscription
  • Feedback
  • Help

Lyell Collection

  • About the Lyell Collection
  • Lyell Collection homepage
  • Collections
  • Open Access Collection
  • Open Access Policy
  • Lyell Collection access help
  • Recommend to your Library
  • Lyell Collection Sponsors
  • MARC records
  • Digital preservation
  • Developing countries
  • Geofacets
  • Manage your account
  • Cookies

The Geological Society

  • About the Society
  • Join the Society
  • Benefits for Members
  • Online Bookshop
  • Publishing policies
  • Awards, Grants & Bursaries
  • Education & Careers
  • Events
  • Geoscientist Online
  • Library & Information Services
  • Policy & Media
  • Society blog
  • Contact the Society

Published by The Geological Society of London, registered charity number 210161

Print ISSN 
0435-4052
Online ISSN 
2041-4722

Copyright © 2021 Geological Society of London