Sources and review

How to read the labels

Measured

A dated or measured result reported in the cited source.

Published interpretation

An accepted interpretation published by geologists.

Simplified model

An educational illustration — not a measured section or map.

Draft learning plan

A learning objective or activity design for schools and visitors. It teaches the cited principles and is reviewed like everything else.

Draft · pending geologist review

Prepared from the sources but not yet approved by a qualified geologist.

106 items · 0 approved · 106 awaiting review

Sources

1. Cohen, K.M., Finney, S.C., Gibbard, P.L. & Fan, J.-X. (2013; updated). The ICS International Chronostratigraphic Chart. Episodes 36, 199–204. International Commission on Stratigraphy (IUGS) — current chart at stratigraphy.org.

   Used for: Names and boundary ages of geological periods on the Time Machine.

   Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

2. Anonymous (1972). Penrose Field Conference on ophiolites. Geotimes 17, 24–25.

   Used for: Definition of the standard ophiolite sequence (mantle peridotite, gabbro, sheeted dykes, pillow lavas, sediments).

   Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

3. Glennie, K.W., Boeuf, M.G.A., Hughes Clarke, M.W., Moody-Stuart, M., Pilaar, W.F.H. & Reinhardt, B.M. (1974). Geology of the Oman Mountains. Verhandelingen van het Koninklijk Nederlands Geologisch Mijnbouwkundig Genootschap 31.

   Used for: Regional framework of the Oman Mountains, carbonate platform (Hajar Supergroup) and Tertiary cover.

   Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

4. Robertson, A.H.F., Searle, M.P. & Ries, A.C. (eds) (1990). The Geology and Tectonics of the Oman Region. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 49.

   Used for: Geological Society of London reference volume on the tectonics of the Oman region.

   Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

5. Searle, M.P. (2019). Geology of the Oman Mountains, Eastern Arabia. Springer (GeoGuide).

   Used for: Modern overview of Oman Mountains geology, field localities and tectonic history.

   Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

6. Searle, M.P. & Cox, J. (1999). Tectonic setting, origin, and obduction of the Oman ophiolite. Geological Society of America Bulletin 111(1), 104–122.

   Used for: Formation and emplacement (obduction) of the Samail/Semail ophiolite.

   Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

7. Rioux, M., Bowring, S., Kelemen, P., Gordon, S., Dudás, F. & Miller, R. (2012). Rapid crustal accretion and magma assimilation in the Oman–U.A.E. ophiolite: High precision U–Pb zircon geochronology of the gabbroic crust. Journal of Geophysical Research 117, B07201.

   Used for: Measured U–Pb zircon ages of the ophiolite crust (about 96–95 million years).

   Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

8. Rioux, M., Bowring, S., Kelemen, P., Gordon, S., Miller, R. & Dudás, F. (2013). Tectonic development of the Samail ophiolite: High-precision U–Pb zircon geochronology and Sm–Nd isotopic constraints on crustal growth and emplacement. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 118, 2085–2101.

   Used for: Timing of ophiolite crust formation across Oman.

   Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

9. Rioux, M., Garber, J., Bauer, A., Bowring, S., Searle, M., Kelemen, P. & Hacker, B. (2016). Synchronous formation of the metamorphic sole and igneous crust of the Semail ophiolite. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 451, 185–195.

   Used for: Metamorphic sole formed at about the same time as the ophiolite crust.

   Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

10. Nicolas, A., Boudier, F., Ildefonse, B. & Ball, E. (2000). Accretion of Oman and United Arab Emirates ophiolite — discussion of a new structural map. Marine Geophysical Researches 21, 147–179.

    Used for: Structure of the ophiolite mantle and crust sections.

    Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

11. Searle, M.P., Waters, D.J., Martin, H.N. & Rex, D.C. (1994). Structure and metamorphism of blueschist–eclogite facies rocks from the northeastern Oman Mountains. Journal of the Geological Society, London 151, 555–576.

    Used for: High-pressure (blueschist and eclogite) rocks of the Saih Hatat area, including As Sifah.

    Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

12. Warren, C.J., Parrish, R.R., Searle, M.P. & Waters, D.J. (2003). Dating the subduction of the Arabian continental margin beneath the Semail ophiolite, Oman. Geology 31(10), 889–892.

    Used for: Age of eclogite-facies metamorphism (Late Cretaceous, about 80 million years).

    Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

13. Searle, M.P., Warren, C.J., Waters, D.J. & Parrish, R.R. (2004). Structural evolution, metamorphism and restoration of the Arabian continental margin, Saih Hatat region, Oman Mountains. Journal of Structural Geology 26, 451–473.

    Used for: Folding (including sheath folds) and metamorphism of the Saih Hatat region near Muscat.

    Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

14. Allen, P.A. (2007). The Huqf Supergroup of Oman: Basin development and context for Neoproterozoic glaciation. Earth-Science Reviews 84, 139–185.

    Used for: Neoproterozoic (Cryogenian) glacial deposits and carbonate rocks of Oman, including Jabal Akhdar.

    Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

15. Grotzinger, J.P. & Knoll, A.H. (1999). Stromatolites in Precambrian carbonates: evolutionary mileposts or environmental dipsticks? Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences 27, 313–358.

    Used for: What stromatolites are and how they form.

    Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

16. Kelemen, P.B. & Matter, J. (2008). In situ carbonation of peridotite for CO2 storage. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 105(45), 17295–17300.

    Used for: Travertine and carbonate veins forming today where water reacts with Oman peridotite.

    Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

17. Le Métour, J., Michel, J.C., Béchennec, F., Platel, J.P. & Roger, J. (1995). Geology and Mineral Wealth of the Sultanate of Oman. Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals, Directorate General of Minerals, Muscat.

    Used for: Official national overview of Oman’s geology (with the national geological map series).

    Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

18. Grotzinger, J. & Jordan, T.H. (2014). Understanding Earth, 7th edition. W.H. Freeman, New York.

    Used for: General geological principles used in field-trip explanations and challenges (superposition, fossilisation, folding, metamorphism, pillow lavas).

    Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

19. Al Kindi, M. (leader) (2017). AAPG–GSO Structural Styles Field Trip to Wadi al Mayh and Old Ghala, 10 May 2017. Field guide, Geological Society of Oman / AAPG. Supplied by GeoAstro Oman.

    Used for: Saih Hatat structure, the Permian Saiq Formation folds and sheath folds of Wadi Al Mayh, and the As Sifah eclogite conditions and age (as summarised from published studies).

    Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

20. Al Rawahi, H. (2017). Geology of Muscat — field guide, December 2017. Geological Society of Oman. Supplied by GeoAstro Oman.

    Used for: The Semail ophiolite in Muscat, the Late Paleocene–Eocene Jafnayn Formation and fossil-rich Paleogene limestones, and Miocene deformation.

    Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

21. Al-Kindy, M. & Al-Belushi, J. (2010). Geological Excursion in Jebel Akhdar and Salakh Arch, 11–12 January 2010. Field guide, Geological Society of Oman (after earlier guides by Heward, Al-Siyabi, Droste and others). Supplied by GeoAstro Oman. A 2011 version for IFP School students (Al-Kindy) has the same Saiq Plateau content.

    Used for: Saiq Plateau geology: Precambrian glacial and carbonate rocks, the Permian Saiq Formation, the angular unconformity between them, spring travertine, and the Jebel Akhdar anticline.

    Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

22. Al-Wardi, M. (c. 2015). Structural evolution of Oman — student course material (presentation). Supplied by GeoAstro Oman.

    Used for: Summary timeline of the tectonic evolution of Oman, used only as a cross-check.

    Citation not yet checked by our reviewing geologist

23. Natural Earth, Admin 0 – Countries, 1:50m, version 4.1.0 (public domain), redistributed as TopoJSON by world-atlas 2.0.2 (ISC licence).

    Used for: Outline of Oman on the map. Not a geological map.

    Citation confirmed

24. GeoAstro Oman — original company website (GeoAstro Oman.html) and Sky Lab place list (GeoAstro_Oman_Phase2.html).

    Used for: Tour routes, stop names and descriptions, approximate area locations and photographs. A company source, not a scientific one.

    Citation confirmed