Geological Studies Conducted in Iran
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Annex: Geological Studies Conducted in Iran A.1 Introduction Most of the geological activities in Iran are carried out by governmental organi- zations particularly Geological Survey of Iran, and National Iranian Oil Company (Exploration Directorate), and the papers, M.S., and Ph.D. thesis published by individual researchers. Atomic Energy Organization deals with the uranium exploration, and most of water resources including surface and groundwater studies conducted by Ministry of Energy. Also, the topographical and geographical survey conducted by the Geographical Survey of Army and National Cartographic Center of Iran. The topographical produced maps in different scales are the basis for geological studies. The aerial photographs and satellite images are produced by Satellite Center of Iran. The activities of these organizations related to the geology of Iran briefly are as follows. Geological Studies by Geological Survey of Iran. Geological studies to determine the events of Earth’s crust are the main aims and objectives of the Geological Survey of Iran. So, the production of geological maps and related reports on different scales are the main task of this organization as follows: Geological maps with a scale 1:250,000. After the foundation of Geological Survey of Iran, in order to obtain compre- hensive information about the general geological structure of Iran, rock and mineral potential, the main priority and efforts focused on geological mapping of scale 1:250,000 to comply with the strict international standards. The results are complete coverage of the country. Each geological quadrangle map (1:250,000) is published with a descriptive report. Each quadrangle area of approximately 15,000 square kilometers encompasses the range of 1.5° latitude and 1° longitude. 121 quadrangle maps (1:250,000) cover the entire surface of the country. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019 277 M. Ghorbani, Lithostratigraphy of Iran, Springer Geology, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04963-8 278 Annex: Geological Studies Conducted in Iran The National Iranian Oil Company conducts the geological maps (1:250,000) in oil-rich regions of southwestern Iran, so, the geological projects of the mentioned areas eliminated from the rest of country, and Geological Survey of Iran is responsible for the rest of areas of the country. Till now, all the field geological studies and maps preparation (1:250,000) of the entire country has been completed and published (Fig. A.1). Each geological map (1:250,000) has a descriptive report which, is published separately. Regarding the regional and global application, most of these reports have been written in English. The report of some of these geological maps has not been finished yet. Fig. A.1 The final guideline of Geological Maps of Iran (1:250,000) Annex: Geological Studies Conducted in Iran 279 A.2 Geological Maps Scale 1:100,000 Along with the geological mapping (1:250,000), the other surveys and geological studies (1:100,000) have been conducted in the areas with high potential for the occurrence of mineral deposits to solve the key geological problems and devel- opment the national projects. The entire country is covered by 659 geological quadrangle maps (1:100,000). Each map is about 2500 km2 located between two latitude and two longitudes encompasses half degree. A brief descriptive geological report printed on the marginal side of each geological map (1:100,000). The pub- lished and under preparation maps is shown in Fig. A.2. As Fig. A.2 shows, almost all 1:100,000 maps are prepared in priority sectors. Those quadrangle maps which are not in priority, have not been prepared include mostly desert zones. Fig. A.2 The latest status of maps 1:100,000 280 Annex: Geological Studies Conducted in Iran A.3 Geological Maps Scale 1:25,000 Geological Survey of Iran plans to cover the entire country by geological maps at scale 1:25000, to provide with information about the geological rock units, their age, structural elements, environmental information, and seismo-tectonic data in a GIS system. Conducting the program is based on the priority areas, where have the specific characteristic including mineral potential and environmental matters. A.4 Airborne Geophysical Maps In order to obtain more comprehensive information on regional geology and tec- tonics, as well as identifying areas for detailed exploration, especially hidden mineral deposits, Geological Survey of Iran plans to survey Airborne Geophysical Maps. To further ease the integration of geophysical and geological data, Airborne Geophysical Maps of 1:250,000 have been published in three colors. In addition to the above maps, the maps of the Magnetic Total Intensity 1:100,000 and Magnetic Anomaly maps 1:250,000; the Base Magnetic Map, and Magnetic Isopach Maps are prepared and published. Also, Geological Survey of Iran plans to conduct Magnetic and Radiometric survey by intervals of 500 m and Electromagnetic survey by intervals of 250 m for priority zones of the country. A.5 Geological Research Studies In order to solve some of the key issues and developing the exploration geology, some parts of geological research has been allocated in this matter. Although some of these studies are not directly related to the objectives and tasks of Geological Survey of Iran, but could be helpful to provide increasing quantitative and quali- tative studies, especially on Engineering Geology and have an important role for geological hazards investigation. In this regard, a significant part of the researches and reports are the result of the geological exploration, and research studies in the framework of the current pro- grams or in the form of regional and international cooperation. A.6 Exploratory Studies The most geological exploration program focuses on prospecting and exploration of Metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits. At the beginning of the activity, according to the needs of industrial markets and economic importance, most of the Annex: Geological Studies Conducted in Iran 281 exploration programs were subjective exploration, but later exploration projects focused on industrial needs and economic necessities. In other words, it was nec- essary to concern, in addition to the thematic exploration, the systematic explo- ration program which, is of greater importance widely for the long-term development of the country. Therefore, the current aim of geological exploration tendency towards the regional systematic exploration is intended to conduct these studies particularly at 1:100,000 scale. The geological exploration activities in Geological Survey of Iran are focused on three main factors: Mining Exploration: Geological Survey of Iran has been successful to discover a number of valuable resources such as metallic and non-metallic deposits by implementation topical and systematic exploration projects, particularly, phosphate, bauxite, magnesite, alunite, perlite, nepheline syenite, diatomaceous earth, asbestos, feldspar, sand casting, refractory soil, celestite, and vermiculite as non-metallic deposits and Copper, Iron, Gold, Lead and Zinc, and other metallic ones that some of them have significant economic value. It should be noted that since 1998 Geological Survey of Iran has been respon- sible for the exploration of the entire country. So the geological exploration and the systematic exploration increased widely. Geochemical Explorations in Iran: Applying the geochemical exploration technique, along with the foundation of Heavy Minerals and Atomic Absorption Laboratories, goes back to the late 1962. In early 1970s, in order to explore the mineral resources geochemical explo- ration have been done for copper, lead, zinc and molybdenum, particularly in forested areas in Northern Iran, west of Qazvin, Northeastern Khorasan province, central Iran, Azarbaijan and Zahedan. The final results are presented as prospecting, semi-detailed and detailed characteristics phases. During the same decade, the geochemical exploration program in central Iran in the range of 42,000 km2 and eastern Iran (270,000 km2) took place by cooperation of several foreign consulting engineers and companies. In late 1980s, according to the economic policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran in understanding the mineral potential of the country, more emphasis was given to the Regional (1:100,000) Geochemical Exploration in, Tarom, Zanjan, Manjil, Ghareghosh, Ahar, Kharvana and other areas. In addition, the subjective studies of copper deposits in Sungun and Nojamyr were continued. In 1990s the systematic geochemical studies in the Varcheh, Aran, Nofal-Lou Chateau, Khoy, shazand, Mahallat, and other areas were carried out, which only the results of Golpaiegan, Aligoodarz, Jebale-barez, Hana and other areas published during this period. At the present time, the entire geochemical maps of the entire country have been done and published. Geological Survey of Iran plans to revise the previous geochemical maps, and conduct the hydro-geochemical maps at 1:100,000 scale. The Geochemical Exploration Department of Geological Survey of Iran, with highly sophisticated facilities, equipment and advanced software, is active in the following areas: 282 Annex: Geological Studies Conducted in Iran 1. Research and identify all valuable heavy minerals such as precious minerals (gold, silver), radioactive minerals (monazite), copper minerals (chalcopyrite, covellite, etc.), base metal minerals, lead and zinc, iron ore group, etc. 2. Qualitative and quantitative content of heavy minerals grades. 3. Determine the