(23 February 2016) “The goal was to look for the remains of the great oceans of the Jurassic and Late Cretaceous, which existed between 160 and 80 million years ago at the edge of the Eurasian plate.” explains Professor Michele Marroni upon his return to Pisa after a brilliant scientific mission in Iranian Baluchistan. Marroni traveled with Luca Pandolfi: both are Professors in the department of Earth Sciences at the University of Pisa. The two geologists, together with Professor Emilio Saccani from the University of Ferrara, conducted research from January 31 to February 14 on the Makran range in the central part of Balochistan, a border region between Pakistan and Iran. “These oceans – continues Marroni – were subsequently closed by the subduction of the oceanic lithosphere, finally disappearing and giving rise to the birth of the Makran chain. Remains of this oceanic lithosphere, however, have been preserved as metamorphic and deformed rocks within this mountainous chain. The study of these rocks, through field and laboratory analysis, – adds the Pisan teacher – will allow us to reconstruct the history of these oceans and therefore know the paleogeography of this area, which is among the least studied in the world.” The mission, which was carried out together with Iranian colleagues Morteza Delavari and Asghar Dolati, stems from the recent agreement signed by the Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Pisa with the Kharazmi University Department of Geology, and is part of the “Darius program”, an extensive research program funded by a pool of oil companies involving numerous researchers both from Europe and the Middle East. The mission in Balochistan marks the beginning of an important scientific collaboration between the two universities, a crucial component in the progressive opening to Iran’s relations with countries of the European community. Research is planned to continue with another field campaign in Balochistan scheduled for the end of 2016. (red)
