Chapter 5 Tectonic evolution of the Oman Mountains
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Published:March 01, 2021
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Andreas Scharf, Frank Mattern, Mohammed Al-Wardi, Gianluca Frijia, Daniel Moraetis, Bernhard Pracejus, Wilfried Bauer, Ivan Callegari, 2021. "Chapter 5 Tectonic evolution of the Oman Mountains", The Geology and Tectonics of the Jabal Akhdar and Saih Hatat Domes, Oman Mountains, A. Scharf, F. Mattern, M. Al-Wardi, G. Frijia, D. Moraetis, B. Pracejus, W. Bauer, I. Callegari
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Abstract
The tectonic evolution of the Oman Mountains as of the Neoproterozoic begins with a major extensional event, the Neoproterozoic Abu Mahara rifting. It was followed by the compressional Nabitah event, still during the Neoproterozoic, in Oman but possibly not in the study area. During the earliest Cambrian, the Jabal Akhdar area was affected by the Cadomian Orogeny, marked by NE--SW shortening. It is unclear, whether the Saih Hatat area was exposed to the Cadomian deformation, too. Still during the lower Cambrian, the Angudan Orogeny followed, characterized by NW--SE shortening. An episode of rifting affected the Saih Hatat area during...
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The Geology and Tectonics of the Jabal Akhdar and Saih Hatat Domes, Oman Mountains
CONTAINS OPEN ACCESS

The geology of the Oman Mountains, including the Jabal Akhdar and Saih Hatat domes, is extraordinarily well-exposed and diverse, spanning a geological record of more than 800 Ma. The area is blessed with first-class outcrops and is well known in the geological community for its ophiolite. The Oman Mountains have much more to offer; including, Neoproterozoic diamictites (“Snowball Earth”), fossil-rich Permo-Mesozoic carbonates and metamorphic rocks. The arid climate and deep incision of wadis allow for nearly complete rock exposure which can be investigated in all three dimensions. The diverse geology is also responsible for the breathtaking landscape. New roads and the nature of the friendly Omani people make fieldwork unforgettable.
This Memoir provides a thorough state-of-the-art overview of the geology and tectonics of the Southeastern Oman Mountains, and is accompanied by an over-sized geological map and a correlation chart.