Geochemistry and zircon geochronology of the Permian A-type Hasanrobat granite, Sanandaj–Sirjan belt: A new record of the Gondwana break-up in Iran

The Sanandaj–Sirjan metamorphic–plutonic Belt (SSB) in west central Iran is a polyphase metamorphic terrain composed of dominantly greenschist-grade metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks, and felsic to mafic plutons, of Neoproterozoic–Phanerozoic ages. The Hasanrobat granite in central SSB occurs as a single pluton, ~ 20 km2 surface area, with relatively consistent mineralogy and chemistry. Quartz, alkali feldspars (microcline and perthite), sodic plagioclases and biotite are the main constituents, commonly associated with minor amphibole. Accessory phases include zircon, allanite, apatite, and magnetite.The country rocks are Upper Carboniferous–Lower Permian sandstones and dolomitic limestones. Scattered patches of skarn-type assemblages dominated by tremolite and talc occur in the dolomitic limestones, and sandstones are recrystallized to a coarse-grained quartzite at contact with the granite. The granite is metaluminous to slightly peraluminous, and is distinguished by high FeOt/MgO ratios, typical of ferroan (A-type) granites. The A-type affinity is also reflected by high Na2O + K2O, high Ga/Al ratios, high contents of large ion lithophile elements (LILE), high field strength elements (HFSE) and rare earth elements (REE), as well as low contents of Sr, and distinct negative Eu anomalies. The biotites are aluminous, Fe-rich, and plot near the siderophyllite corner in the quadrilateral biotite diagram. They are further distinguished by high fluorine contents (0.61 to 1.33 wt.%). Amphibole is ferrohastingsite in composition. Ion microprobe analyses of zircon grains separated from a representative granite sample yielded concordant U–Pb ages with weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 288.3 ± 3.6 Ma.The granite and the country rocks are cut by a set of mafic dykes with asthenosphere-like geochemical signatures. Such association suggests anorogenic intraplate magmatism in Lower Permian in the region. This provides further evidence for, and significantly constrains timing of, a major extension in Upper Paleozoic in Iran, previously inferred from the rock record. The extension led to the Gondwana break-up and the opening of Neotethys Ocean between Sanandaj–Sirjan and Zagros in Permian.

► This is the first documentation of an A-type granite of Upper Paleozoic age in Sanandaj–Sirjan belt (SSB) of Iran.
► The Hasanrobat granite stands distinct from many other, dominantly Mesozoic, I-type, granitoids in SSB by its A-type nature.
► The zircon U–Pb age of the granite (289 ± 5 Ma) corresponds to a rifting episode in Lower Permian in northern Gondwana.
► Our findings strengthen an earlier view, based on stratigraphy, for a Permian timing for the opening of Neotethys in Iran.
► Our findings further support the view that many A-type granites form in rift settings in the course of continental break-up.