Stratigraphic Record of Tectonic Deformations Between the Latest Cretaceous to the Early Miocene around the Arabian Plate : Learnings from Outcrop Data

Summary The stratigraphic series from the Late Cretaceous to the Lower Miocene that outcrop along the edges of the Arabian Plate show several episodes of deformation between the major phases of obduction (Oman, Iran) during the Late Cretaceous and collision (Zagros) during the Miocene-Pliocene. These episodes of regional deformation affect, to varying degrees, the convergent margins of the northeast of the plate (Iran – Oman Mountains), the transform margin to the east of the plate (Oman), and the divergent margins to the south and west of the plate (Gulf of Aden, Red Sea). The Late Cretaceous–Paleocene time interval is marked by the flexure of the northern and eastern edges of the plate, followed by vertical movements at Cuisian–Early Lutetian times. The Upper Eocene and Lower Oligocene coincide with the initiation of rifting in the Gulf of Aden, while still recording vertical movements on the northern and eastern edges of the plate. Finally, the Upper Oligocene – Lower Miocene records the initiation of the Zagros collision, a phase of rift-post-rift transition in the Gulf of Aden, and a rifting episode in the Red Sea.