Devonian-Carboniferous boundary sections in Iran

Many sections are known from Iran which exhibit sediments across the Devonian-Carboniferous (D-C) boundary. In contrast to the majority of published D-C sections worldwide from pelagic/hemipelagic environments, successions in Iran are mainly composed of shallow-water sediments. Correlation with hemipelagic or pelagic palaeoenvironments remains difficult due to biostratigraphic uncertainties in most sections and/or hiatuses. On the other hand, a limited number of sections dealing with shallow-water facies settings in Iran at this particular time period are known and further research is necessary. Several sections in the Alborz Mountains provide an excellent opportunity to study successions across the D-C boundary in shallow-water facies. In Iran, protognathoids are represented byProtognathodus meischneriandProtognathodus collinsoni. The two biostratigraphically important protognathoids (Protognathodus kuehniandProtognathodus kockeli) were not reported or did not occur for the first time in the Late Tournaisian. Early siphonodellids were described instead. In the frame of an Iranian/German research project, we study different palaeoenvironments to reduce serious palaeoenvironmental and palaeogeographical sampling bias which may limit our knowledge on the Hangenberg Event particularly in shallow-water facies. We present a summary on published D-C sections in Iran (Ghale-Kalaghu, Howz-e-Dorah 1, Howz-e-Dorah 2 and Shahmirzad) and sections which are under study (Mighan, Chelcheli and Khoshyeilagh) at the time of this writing.

Automated summary

Iranian sections across the Devonian-Carboniferous boundary are mainly composed of shallow-water sediments, contrasting with global sections from pelagic/hemipelagic environments. Biostratigraphic uncertainties and/or hiatuses make correlation with pelagic palaeoenvironments difficult. Further research is needed on shallow-water facies settings in Iran during this time period. The study aims to reduce sampling bias to enhance understanding of the Hangenberg Event in shallow-water facies.