Investigation of the Natural Zeolite Ore Deposit of The Sabzevar Ophiolite Belt

The Sabzevar ophiolite is rich in natural zeolite deposits, which occurred in the Sabzevar region as a result of basalt eruptions, the formation of new oceanic crust, and the thrusting of oceanic crust to the eastern Iranian zone in the Cretaceous about ۱۰۰ million years ago. The existing zeolite masses, which are the result of alteration and hydrothermal processes of geochemical origin, are of very high quality and are pure white in color. The reserve of white zeolites in Sabzevar is estimated to be about ۴۵ million tons. Geological evidence, especially the study of the chemistry of these complexes in terms of Sr ۸۶/Sr ۸۷ isotopic ratios and the distribution of rare earth elements, indicates that their chemical composition is similar to the oceanic lithosphere. Therefore, it is accepted that the ophiolite complexes of Iran are the remnants of intracontinental derivations that were formed as a result of rifting and were deposited as a result of drift and during the movement of continents and microcontinents in the location and extension of the ancient Paleotethys seams.

Keywords:

Sabzevar , Ophiolite , Zeolite , Ore Deposit