Detrital zircon provenance record of the Zagros mountain building from the Neotethys obduction to the Arabia–Eurasia collision, NW Zagros fold–thrust belt, Kurdistan region of Iraq

Abstract. Recognition of a new angular unconformity and the synthesis detrital zircon U–Pb (U–Th) / He provenance records, including double dating, from NW Zagros region elucidate basin dynamics foreland wedge-top intermontane units, as well tectonic processes in source terranes response to different geodynamic phases. In this contribution, we present field observations data hinterland basins reconstruct underlying controls area Kurdistan Iraq. Results reveal that deposition suture zone units Red Beds Series (RBS; Suwais Group, Govanda Formation, Merga Group) occurred an on top folded Upper Cretaceous RBS deposits rest with older strata. The point Paleogene Walash–Naopurdan–Kamyaran (WNK) complex imply substantial decrease magmatism by ? 36 Ma, reflected youngest age peaks. New proto-Zagros (the Tanjero, Kolosh, Gercus formations) exhibit exclusive derivation Neotethys ophiolitic terranes, which differs Lower Paleozoic are dominated Neoproterozoic spectra. These shifts between tectonostratigraphic argue for sediment reversal west east ophiolite obduction, arrival WNK complex, commencement Arabia–Eurasia continental collision during latest Eocene (< Ma). According data, incipient was followed fold–thrust belt connection drainages collision-related Neogene basin.