Tectonic and Stratigraphic Evolution of Zagros and Makran during the Mesozoic–Cenozoic

The volume titled “Tectonic and Stratigraphic Evolution of Zagros and Makran during the Mesozoic–Cenozoic” arrives at an opportune time, reflecting the recent improvement in relations between Iran and the ‘western’ world. This diplomatic shift has led to a surge in requests for geological collaboration in both directions. The majority of articles featured herein represent the culmination of an expansive international mega-project that scientists conducted during a concentrated period of activity when relations with Iran were thawing between 2003 and 2006.

Leturmy and Robin set the tone of the volume with an introductory chapter that adeptly establishes the context for the subsequent technical papers. Among these articles, eight possess a structural focus, while the remaining five delve into matters pertaining to stratigraphy and petroleum geology. Within the constraints of this concise overview, I have chosen to highlight a select few of these noteworthy contributions from the volume titled “Tectonic and Stratigraphic Evolution of Zagros and Makran during the Mesozoic–Cenozoic.”

Stretching from Turkey to the Hormuz Strait, the Zagros fold-thrust belt (ZFTB) emerges as a consequence of the Cenozoic collision between the Arabian and Eurasian plates. This event effectively demarcates the Arabian platform from the expansive plateaux of central Iran. Notably, the ZFTB engulfs a stratigraphic succession spanning the Proterozoic to Recent times, which is intricately molded by colossal folds. This region, rife with potential, offers a unique avenue to delve into the stratigraphic and tectonic evolution of the Palaeo-Tethyan margin. However, there has been a scarcity of recent comprehensive data concerning the southern Tethys margin conserved within the Zagros Mountains.

The inception of the Middle East Basins Evolution (MEBE) program presented an invaluable chance to revisit the field and amass fresh data, thereby establishing more precise parameters for deciphering the margin’s evolution. Within this volume, scientists thoroughly examine the structure of the Zagros Mountains, employing various scales and methodologies.

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