Structure of the Offshore Obducted Oman Margin: Emplacement of Semail Ophiolite and Role of Tectonic Inheritance

The northern Oman margin is a key area for understanding the emplacement of Semail Ophiolite and obduction processes in general. This study uses grid 2D-multichannel seismic lines tied to well data characterize offshore domain reappraises post-obduction history margin. West Muscat, Sohar basin, late Cretaceous Paleogene tectonic mega-sequence records syn- late-obduction stages deposition erosional products autochthonous Arabian sediments, including major mass transport complex. Syn-obduction thrusting documented this sector only, as fault emplacing distal basement high (likely volcanic) onto Campanian sediments over >10 km. To east, Hatat Tiwi basins are characterized by less-copious Maastrichtian-Paleogene sequence. These developed above equivalent Saih dome later extensional faults. distinctively phase associated with exhumation erosion subducted continental dichotomy between two sectors linked due structural located offshore, continuation Gap transfer fault. We propose that fault, coincident Pan-African structure, affected architecture passive during both rifting Neotethys ophiolite emplacement, is, (continental) subduction obduction.