Geochemistry, petrogenesis, and tectonic setting of volcanic rocks in the SW of Torud (Shahrood)

The study area is located in the south of Damghan, 160 km south of Shahrood, and 17 to 30 km south of Torud village. The area geologically, lies in the Cenozoic magmatic belt, a part of the Alpine-Himalayan belt, in the north of the structural zone of Central Iran (Aghanabati, 2004). The Cenozoic magmatic belt has been studied by many researchers (e.g., Ghorbani, 2005; Khajehzadeh, 2009; Mardani-Beldaji, 2011; Tayefi, 2014; Yousefi, 2017). The volcanic rocks in the southern part of the Torud area have not been comprehensively studied. Therefore, it requires a detailed study. So, for the purpose of this study attempt has been made to investigate and to study the nature of magma, tectonic setting, and the petrogenesis of the volcanic rocks using the geochemical data of the whole rock. Also, the results of this study have been compared with some areas belonging to the Cenozoic Era located in the north of the structural zone of Central Iran.Regional GeologyThe area under study in the Torud-Moalleman magmatic belt belongs to the Chah-Shirin-Sabzevar-Khaf magmatic complex, located in the western part of this magmatic complex. In this magmatic belt, the Eocene volcanic rocks, including the main volume of igneous rocks are basic to acidic in composition. The predominant rocks are basaltic to intermediate rocks. The Torud-Moalleman magmatic belt is mainly composed of volcanic rocks with a lithological composition consisting of olivine-basalt, basalt, andesite, and dacite rocks and their pyroclastic equivalents, as well as plastic and limestone interlayers.Analytical methodsDuring field surveying, 50 samples of the volcanic rocks with the least alteration were collected. From these samples, 30 thin sections were prepared for microscopic studies and 11 samples were selected for ICP-MS geochemical analyses for minor elements and XRF for major elements and were sent to ACME Laboratory in Vancouver (Canada). GCDkit, Excel, and Corel Draw software were used to check the results obtained from the whole rock chemistry analyses and drawing diagrams.PetrographyThe study rocks include volcanic rocks ranging from andesite to basalt. The basalts are dark gray to black in color with glomeroporphyritic, microlithic, sieve, and trachytic textures containing plagioclase and clinopyroxene as the main minerals. These minerals along with olivine and magnetite can also be seen in the form of microcrystals in the background of the rock, and their accumulation have created the glomeropor