HALUL AND SHARAO ISLANDS, OFFSHORE QATAR:

REMNANTS OF THE GREAT INFRACAMBRIAN HORMUZ SALT BASIN

'Fadhil N. Sadooni, 2HamadAl-Saad, and 2Sobhi 1. Nasir

'Department ofGeology, United Arab Emirates University, PO Box 17551, A I-Ain, United Arab Emirates
'Department ofGeology, University ofQatar, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar

ABSTRACT: Halul and Sharao islands, offshore Qatar, are among more than 200 islands in the Gulfregion, which are believed to have
formed by salt diapirism sourced in the Infracambrian Hormuz Salt Series. The islands are composed of dolomite, anhydrite and igneous
materials that were brought to the surface by the rising salt. A model is proposed to explain the presence of relatively undisturbed large
slabs of the Hormuz, and the lack of inclusions of any rock materials from the penetrated overlying rocks. It is suggested that whereas
the competent overlying rocks are broken and laterally displaced by the salt, the mobile Hormuz suite rocks were transported upward
between two pillows of salt.

INTRODUCTION supergiant oilfields that probably formed by folding of the

The extreme mobility of the Infracambrian Hormuz
Salt Series is probably the most significant factor in the
structural evolution of major parts of the Arabian Plate,
including southwest Iran and the Gulf region. This
influence is manifested in three main features: the famous
tongue-like salt glaciers of Iran; the salt diaper related
islands scattered throughout the Gulf waters including
Halul and Sharao islands, offshore Qatar; and the giant and
Mesozoic rocks as a result of salt plugging (Fig. 1).
The Hormuz salt basin originally covered extensive areas
including the present-day Iran, some parts of Pakistan
and the eastern parts of the Arabian Plate, notably south
and central Iraq (Fig. 1). Buday (1980) suggested that
the folding of the foreland area of north Iraq might be the
result of thick mobile salt beds. He suspected the presence
of Hormuz Salt in southern Iraq, based on anomalous

- Oilfield
• Saltdome
1r Saltinduced island

34

32 o, lqo 290 3QO

KM
IRAQ

The Gulf

-28
• Halul Island

26

\ UmmSaid •Sharao Island

46"E
• sss

Figure 1A. Location map showing the distribution of the Hormuz Salt Series sediments and the geology of the studied
islands (compiled and modifiedfrom Shell, 1964; Coleman-Sadd, 1978 and satellite images).

Carbonates and Evaporites, v. 19, no. 1,2004, p. 17-27.

 HALUL AND SHARAO ISLANDS, QATAR: REMNANTS OF HORMUZ SALT BASIN

Figure 1E,C. Location map showing

\ the distribution of the Hormuz Salt

Series sediments and the geology of
the studied islands (compiled and
modifiedfrom Shell, 1964; Coleman-
Sadd, 1978 and satellite images).

EJj Dolomite
Ed limestone 50
,
E:J VokaOO
[!J Sabkha
ＬＢ ｾｵｬ ａｮｲ
o Saod, Sandston. and<OIal ｾ＼｢･､ .....,,8ea<h d<posi1s.l'robIes oIHonnuz lodmmentt!d
.......111 imesand.l.arge O)'SIa$and tfoken<OIals Jlll1lIi"
S<ale:l:10.ooo

ｾ r:::3Gyplumand ｾ､･ｲ
E ｾｕｧｨｬｲ･ｯｮＬ｡ｭｹ､ｫｩ rhyOOte
ｾ ｣ｬｉｩｭｏ ､ＮＡ ｬ Ｇｴｋ ｩＦＬ ｲｯｉｳ･ｬ ｩｾｹ Ｚｇｄ HALUL ISlAND
ｾｯ ｵｦｊｴｨｬｩｷＡ ｭ･ｨ

2.841.000

2.840.000

18
 SADOONI, AL-SAAD, AND NASIR
gravity measurements. Naqib (1970) studied the geology
of Sanam Mountain on the Iraq-Kuwaiti border (Fig. 1)
and interpreted gravity survey data to show the presence
of a salt core of that mountain. It would appear then, that
the Hormuz salts extend at least as far as the southern parts
of Iraq. The Infracambrian rocks of the eastern Arabian
Peninsula are dominated by evaporitic sediments that
accumulated during a period of uplift of the eastern region
of the Arabian Peninsula.
The Hormuz Salt Series is a subsurface unit, named after the
Island of Hormuz in the mouth of the Gulf. In the central
part of this island, the Hormuz salts form huge domes up
to 8 Ian in diameter. Other lithologies include dolomite,
gypsum with anhydrite inclusions, and metamorphic and
igneous rocks (Hurford et al. 1984; Zharkov 1984; Gansser
1992).
The first mention of the Hormuz appeared in Blanford
(1972), whereas, the term Honnuz Salt Series was introduced
for the first time by Pilgrim (1908), in his description of the
geology ofthe Gulfregion. Lees (1931) described a section
of the Hormuz Series from the Al Buza Salt Plug in Iran.
The series consists, in ascending order, of pink and purple
sandstone interbedded with green claystone and gypsum
bands, up to several tens of meters in thickness at the base,
followed by dark, sandy dolomitic limestone and claystone
containing Middle Cambrian trilobites. According to Kent,
(1970, 1979), the series consists, in descending order, of
brown shale and marl (60 m) underlain by green micaceous
sandstone, intercalated with limestone and marl (180 m)
and lower purple and green, saline marl with gypsum (75
m) and rock salt at the base. Other sections of the series
described from elsewhere in Iran include other lithologies.
These variations have been attributed to strong deformation
and solution (Stocklin 1968; 1974).
The thickness of the Hormuz Salt series ranges from 525-
1000+ m in the Zagros Range, to an estimated 2285 m
beneath some anticlines in southern Iran. The Hormuz
Series is probably of Late Proterozoic and Infracambrian or
Vendian age (Stocklin 1968; Edgell 1996).
AIM
The aim of this study is to provide first-hand descriptions
and maps of these two islands. This will hopefully provide
further materials that enhance our understanding of the
Infracambrian Hormuz Salt Basin and the significance of
its salt in the development of the geology ofthe Gulf region
including the super-giants oilfields. The study proposes
also a preliminary model that may explain some of the
problems associated with the salt-intrusion mechanism and
investigate the possibility of finding more potential areas
for hydrocarbons accumulation in salt-induced islands.
19
STRATIGRAPHY OF HALULAND SHARAO
ISLANDS
Halul Island is located in the eastern part of offshore Qatar,
about 100 Ian from Doha City (the capital of Qatar). It
covers an area of 1.5 sq Ian and consists of small hills
with maximum elevation of about 55 m above sea level
(Fig. I). The sediments of the island consist of anhydrites,
carbonates and clastic deposits accompanied by igneous
rocks. Very few papers have dealt with the geology of the
Halul Island. Pilgrim (1908) gave a general description
of the offshore islands of Qatar. The geologists of the
Shell Company (1964) constructed the first geological
map of the Island (scale 1:10,000). Meneisy (1988) dated
volcanic rocks in the island using KJAr, suggesting that the
sediments were formed 33 million years ago.
The Halul Island has a characteristic elongated domal
shape, which like many other similar islands in the Gulf
region represents a surface expression of salt piercement.
The island coincides with a pronounced negative anomaly
on the Bouger map (Shell 1964). It is thought that the
mobility of the Infracambrian Hormuz salt formation
played the crucial role in forming the island. The main
structural feature is an angular unconformity between the
older clastic and carbonates rocks ofthe Hormuz Formation
and the younger Miocene dolomitic limestones. Recent
urbanization of the island has obscured the geology and the
recognition between the Honnuz suite and the overlying
Miocene rocks is no longer possible. The exposed rocks
of the island include dolomite composed of thin, friable
lamina that may be pseudomorphs after gypsum (Fig. 2)
and hard, massive pink and purple anhydrite with intense
iron staining. The cracks within the anhydrite are filled
with bluish, elastic marly or argillaceous materials (Fig.
3).
Sharao Island is a smaller island, which is located at around
98 km to the southeast of Qatar Peninsula (Fig. 1). The
island is around 2km long and 1 Ian wide. Sharao Island
has not been studied before. It has a relatively high rocky
cliff, around 12 m high enclosing a level interior covered
with tectonic breccia, weathered and stained with hematite.
The cliff consists of a basal tectonic breccia overlain by a
succession of dolomite 10-12 em in thickness separated by
thin weathered out layers up to 25 cm in width (Fig. 4). The
material of these layers has been removed by dissolution
and may have been evaporitic. There are no certain
evaporites or igneous materials on this island.
LITHOLOGIC CHARACTERIZATION
Fieldwork conducted on the Halul Island was accompanied
by extensive rock sampling. Two locations were chosen
for stratigraphic section description. The coastal site
incorporates three major lithologic units, beginning with
(Fig. 5):
 HALUL AND SHARAO ISLANDS, QATAR: REMNANTS OF HORMUZ SALT BASIN
Figure 2. Dolomite from the Hormuz Salt Series exposed
in Halul Island. The thin laminations may indicate
pseudomorphs after gypsum (note pen for scale).
Figure 3. Extensively fractured pink anhydrite. The
fractures arefilled with bluish marl. In the inset, a washed
gypsum fragment showing iron staining (note pen and
notebook for scale).
Figure 4. Relatively undisturbed dolomite beds forming
the main rocks of Sharao Island. The weathered out areas
between the beds may indicate dissolved evaporites (note
legs for scale).
20
1. Thin, laminated stromatolitic dolomite (brown in color)
followed by,
2. Pinkish anhydrite with different shades of color, and
green marl filling spaces within the anhydrite, followed
by,
3. A Conglomeratic bed with a variety of rock fragments
including some igneous rocks.
A second sampling location is the main hill ofthe Island. In
this section, the following lithologies were found:
1. Recent sediments, made up of carbonate sand ranging in
color from light brown to white.
2. Thinly laminated dolomite around 3 m in thickness.
3. Pinkish anhydrite, around 4 m in thickness.
4. Laminated dolomite 3-4 m.
5. Conglomeratic bed 10 em in thickness.
6. Laminated dolomite light in color 3-4 m.
7. Laminated dolomite darker in color, either due
to weathering or higher organic material 5-6 m in
thickness.
Due to the complex tectonic configuration of the island and
the extensive urbanization thereon, it is difficult to be sure
that these lithologies are stacked vertically and there may
be repetition of strata.
No significant igneous rocks were discovered in the
studied sections. However, a composite section of the
Island prepared by Shell geologists before the extensive
urbanization of the island records igneous rocks. The
section descriptions and samples are available in the Qatar
Petroleum office on the island. The main lithologies of the
island as sampled by Shell geologists are:
1. Amygdaloidal andesite and basalt with chlorite and
evaporites.
2. Platy, reddish hematite anhydrite with gypsum crystals.
3. Hematitic limey dolomite.
4. Broken, contoured gypsum.
5. Bedded hematitic stained limestone.
6. Interbedded evaporite and grey dolomite.
7. Transparent, crystalline gypsum.
8. Evaporites slightly reddish stained.
Discrepancies between our results and those of the Shell
compiled section are due to the disturbance of the surface
exposures by urbanization. It can be concluded, however,
that the island consists of three main lithologic units:
1. Grey to light yellow hard massive dolomitic limestone
and limestone with minor occurrence of clays.
2. Pinkish and red, locally coarsely crystalline anhydrite
and gypsum.
3. Minor igneous rocks mostly andesite with hematitic
tuffaceous layers.
The Sharao Island consists mainly of dolomite, which may
 SADOONI, AL-SAAD, AND NASIR

Lithologic section of Halullsland

Coglomerate bed made upof different rock

fragments including igneous rocks
(thickness: 6m).

Gypsum with different shades ofthe pinkish

color (4-Sm in thickness) witha unitof
marl (30cm inthickness).

Thin-laminated, stromatolitic, brown

dolomite (thickness: 3-4m).

Figure 5. General lithologic section ofthe Halul Island in the coastal section.

correlate with the dolomite suite described from Halul. The
weathered and fragmented breccia forming the base blanket
ofSharao Island has not been described from Halul but may
represent remains of the weathered pinkish evaporites of
Halu!.
PETROGRAPHY
Dolomite
Dolomite is the major lithologic component on both
islands. The dolomite beds are generally brown in color
and thinly-laminated. The thin laminae, the association
with stromatolites, the presence of weathered-out layers of
21
friable material and the presence of a dissolution residue of
breccia, indicate strong association with evaporites. These
dolomites are part of the Hormuz suite of rocks.
Petrographic study indicates a 4-20 micron grain size for
the dolomite rhombs. Some of the rhombs crystallized
in an evaporitic groundmass, and show overgrowth rims
and cloudy centers. Textures like these are consistent
with crystallization from or alteration by hydrothermal
fluids (Fig. 6). The finer-grained dolomite is stromatolitic
with silt-sized quartz grains and argillaceous matrix. The
coarser portion consists of dolomite rhombs interlocking
with quartz grains. The presence of stromatolites and
clastic materials may indicate a sabkha depositional setting,
 HALUL AND SHARAO ISLANDS, QATAR: REMNANTS OF HORMUZ SALT BASIN
Figure 6. Dolomite rhombs in evaporitic groundmass with
secondary overgrowth rims and cloudy centers. These
dolomites may be induced or modified by hydrothermal
fluids.
Figure 7. Well-developed sanidine crystals filling a large
fracture in aphanitic dolomite and replacing also parts of
the dolomitic groundmass.
Figure 8. Extensively fractured anhydrite. The dark block
in the middle ofthe photo is aphanitic dolomite.
22
similar to those found in the middle Miocene Gachsaran
(Lower Fars) Formation ofIran and Iraq.
In Halul, the finer-grained dolomite is pervaded by
microscopic veins filled with sanidine, quartz crystals and
some calcite or dolomite crystals along the margins of the
fractures. The sanidine crystals (probably as adularia) have
formed both within the veins and in the vein walls within
the dolomitic groundmass. These veins probably pre-date
the salt movement and may have been sourced by the local
igneous rocks. Large crystals of opaque minerals probably,
iron oxides, are found with this dolomite (Fig. 7).
Evaporites
There two types of anhydrite in the studied thin sections
of Halul Island. The first type consists of large laths and
angular crystals replacing the anhydritic groundmass.
Some of the anhydrite groundmass is extensively fractured
but the fractures do not pass through the newly formed
crystals, indicating that these fractures predate the crystal
growth (Fig. 8). In some cases, gypsum crystals have also
formed within the anhydritic groundmass. The texture of
this type of evaporite has been complicated by a wide range
of diagenetic processes and further investigation is beyond
the scope of this paper.
The second type of anhydrite is in the form of thin laths
replacing an argillaceous dolomitic groundmass. This is
also interrupted by large veins filled with quartz and other
silica material. Some of the latter shows wavy texture,
which is probably the result of silica growth under stress.
Limestone
From Halul Island a single example of algal boundstone
with algal and echinoderm debris was recovered. This
sample probably belongs to the middle Miocene carbonates
that were reported to be exposed on islands in the Gulf
region. Gansser (1991) described similar facies from
some Iranian salt domes. The authors are unable to relate
this sample to any known formation, but it is probably of
Tertiary age.
Igneous Suite
The igneous materials of Halul Island have been treated in
a separate paper (Nasir et aI., in review). Below is a short
summary of the petrographic characters of the igneous
materials found on Halul Island. Most of the igneous
materials are basalt; however, no fresh basalt lavas were
recovered from the Hormuz Complex at Halul Island, as
the original mineralogy has been invariably replaced by
secondary weathering assemblages. Fhe felsic rocks are
light green in color and are highly sericitized. The mafic
rocks are gray in color and extensively chlortized and
epidotized. Sanidine phenocrysts show simple twinning and
 SADOONI, AL-SAAD, AND NASIR
are sericitized also. Sparse vesicles are filled with epidote.
The volcanic rocks also show evidence for hydrothermal
alteration, associated with specular hematite crystals filling
fractures and cavities. Abundant euhedral megacrysts of
fluorite and quartz are found also. The porphyritic textures,
which are frequently found in the felsic assemblages, are
consistent with the volcanic nature of these rocks. All
samples include spherical amygdules filled with calcite and
minor zeolite.
The above-described lithologies, except the reefal
limestone, are probably belonging to the Honnuz Salt
Series. The Hormuz has been described as consisting of
varied suites of lithologies including stromatolitic dolomites
and pinkish anhydrite. The pinkish color may be related to
the volcanic activity that was contemporaneous with the
deposition of the Honnuz sediments. According to Nasir et
al., (in review), the geochemistry of these igneous materials
is similar to those of island arc basalts. They suggested that
the Halul volcanics were most likely formed in a back-arc
basin setting, similar to those of modem subduction zones.
These basins developed into a small proto-oceanic basin
(Proto-Tethys) and hence, they may be related to a period
of crustal shortening and the eventual closure of the Proto-
Tethys during the Cambrian. A similar case to the Honnuz
is described from the Cambrian salinas along the rift and
transforms margins of the Argentine Precordillera and
southern Laurentia by Thomas et al., (2001). The succession
there is described as syn-rift sediments, including thick
evaporites that were formed in graben blocks accessible to
marine circulation.
DEPOSITIONAL SETTINGS
Most of the rocks found on both Halul and Sharao islands
belong to the Hormuz Series as described from other sites
in Iran (Ala 1974) or from other islands in the Gulf region
(Salah and Alsharhan 1986). It is possible to reconstruct
approximately the stratigraphic column of the Honnuz
Series in these islands. It consists of carbonates-evaporites
cycles that start with stromatolitic dolomites, pinkish
anhydrite, salt and red shales or mudstones. This is similar
to the middle Miocene Gachsaran or Lower Fars formation
cycles in northern Iraq and Tran (Ibrahim 1978; Shawkat
and Tucker 1978; Kashf 1980). The dolomite consists of
thin beds with crystal flakes that look like pseudomorphs
after gypsum. The weathered out layers within the dolomite
are probably dissolved away beds of halite.
The middle Miocene Gachsaran (Lower Fars) Formation
was deposited during the near closure of the Nco-Tethys,
where the ocean had narrowed to a strait bordered by wide
sabkhas that receive a considerable amount of clastics (red
mudstone and bluish marl); some of it probably of eolian
origin. We propose that the Hormuz Salt series occupied
a similar depositional setting. The only featural difference
between the two is the presence of igneous materials within
23
the Hormuz, The basalts eventually invaded the dolomites,
providing hot solutions filling the fractures within the
dolomite with well-developed sanidine crystals. This may
suggest that at least some of the igneous activity was
contemporaneous with the deposition ofthe Hormuz.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH SALT
DIAPIRISM MECHANISM
There are around 200 islands along the coast ofsouthwestern
Iran and in the Gulf that are believed have been formed
by salt intrusion (Ala 1974, Talbot 1998). There are
overwhelming data in support of this mechanism coming
from structural modelling as well as gravity and magnetic
surveys (Kent 1979; Kashfi 1983; Talbot and Jarvis 1984;
Koyi 1988; Husseini 1989; Khattab 1995, Talbot 1998).
There are, however, many unsolved problems associated
with the diapirism mechanism. Ala ｾＱＹＷＴＩ and Gansser
(1992) pointed out to two major problems. These are:
I. The absence of any debris from other Mesozoic rocks
through which the salt has penetrated, in several
thousands of exposed sections. Gansser (I992) correctly
pointed out that "a [rock] cylinder several kilometers in
diameter and 5-10 kilometers in depth, are absent within
the salt domes" (page 828).
2. The presence of Hormuz sediments and basic volcanics
in the form of relatively intact section evincing no
major deformation despite the extensive uprising and
penetration of salt. In the Cha Benu salt dome, a raft of
well bedded Honnuz dark dolomite nearly 5 km long has
transported internally undisturbed about 8 km from its
original location (Gansser 1992).
A Proposed Model
In order to resolve these two major problems related to salt
diapirism. We begin by reconsidering the division of the
whole rock succession into a "competent" group (including
all the Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks overlying the Hormuz
Salt series), and an "incompetent" group including all the
strata above the Gachsaran Formation. The Hormuz Salt
Series and the Gachsaran (Lower Fars) Formation have
been designated as the Lower and Upper Mobile groups
respectively (O'Brien 1950, 1957; Dunnington 1968;
Colman-Sadd 1978) (Fig. 9).
We propose a model, where the Hormuz suite and the
overlying succession are divided into two packages. The
lower is a mobile package consisting of alternations of salt
with other lithologies such as dolomite or limestone and
anhydrite and this includes mainly the Hormuz Salt Series.
The second package is the competent one. It consists of any
possible lithologies including anhydrite but not halite and
includes most of the Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks of the
penetrated section.
 HALUL AND SHARAO ISLANDS, QATAR: REMNANTS OF HORMUZ SALT BASIN

Structural Divisions Lithologic Divisions Stratigraphic Divisions

Ｇｾ Ｑｃ｢Ｚ Ｂ ｴｏ ＧＺＡｆＮｾｑ , Bakhtiari Formation Plio-Pleistocene
" . : Ｎｾ
Conolomerate
Upper Fars Formation

ＱｾＨ
Sandstones, marls, and
000 minor conglomerates

Incompetent Pliocene
Group 2000 ,2

ｬｾＺ［ｪＩｦＯＧ ｾ
0
c:
G)
3000
Ａｾ＾ｖＯﾷ o

I'- -
- "- Ｍ ｾ
ＢＭｾ
Gachsaran (Lower Fars) Formation
Miocene
Mudstones, marls, anhydrite with thin
Upper Mobile { 40)nt\ ｲＭｾ ＭＧ Ｚｌ limestones & local salts
Group -+- -+-
I-
ＭｾＭ
- " - ....... ,.1;.,.,.._

5000 Asmari limestone Oliaocene & Eocene

... ..
-- Pabdeh & Gurpi Formations
... .,. Marls & marly limestones
6,000 ---- MassiYelimestones with some thin·bedded
Upper Cretaceous
-- limeslones and calcareous shales o
1----
---- '20
7000 II)

-- Lower Cretaceous Q)
1---- :::iE
----
Competent
800 limestones and dolomites Jurassic
Group
Limestones and dolomites
local anhydrites Triassic
9 000
Permian
._ ..._ , .. ＮｾＧｈ

.h.4 .............
' ... ｾｌＧＮＢ
Carboniferous .2
10,000 _......
_._a,._,·.. ·····.u. 0
Devonian N
••••••••••••• h . u

....·.,"...••
..............
... ....... _ ｾＮｵﾷ
---..
Sandstones and shales with minor
carbonates and evaporites Silurian/Ordovician
0
.!!!
«I
." ............
... - ..
.,.......... .....
ｾ｟
Ｎｾ ,
Q.
11,000 ｾ

Cambrian
r::::::::::::::::-::
.. ... ..
-+- -+-
Lower Mobile { 12,000l- -+-
...................
- Hormuz Salt Series
Group .. .. Sail. with gypsum, shale and carbonate rocks Proterozoic
e
«I
l- -+- - 'I:
..0
13.000
Basement { ｾ
I
'\
/'/
-
- \.... :.:.. • __ •
/
ｾ
E
Metamorphic & igneous rocks
,J': ＮＯｾ｜ ｾ
Group ........ - -:.......v: \ Q.

Figure 9. The subdivision of the lithologie column in Iran and the Gulf region into competent, incompetent and mobile
groups (modifiedfrom Colman-Sadd 1978).

There are several mechanisms that have been suggested then these competent strata would gradually be broken and
to trigger the mechanism of salt flow such as faulting, pushed aside to accommodate the rising salt. If, however,
tectonism or temperature (see for example Talbot 1998). the overlying rocks form a mobile package, which contains
It is to be expected that the rising salt will exert pressure salt, then the pressure exerted by the rising salt will be
on the overlying rocks, as it pushes upward against them. accommodated by the lateral squeezing out of the salt
If the rock package immediately above the rising salt layer within the overlying package. The remaining lithologies
is a competent package, lacking salt interbeds (Fig 10), in the overlying package may not be strongly deformed,
24
 SADOON1, AL-SAAD, AND NASIR

Sandstone I;;rv:}ii))\!r'::.]
limestone

Dolomite

----- __'.. '.'-............_..

_. ....
_. ---_._,-,-
JII
.. "
'"._"-, "'"",,,..,,,
Shale "",,', .,.", ......, "'n" Ｌｾ｟ ＬＢＮｾ

Ｗ［Ｚ＿ｾｬＭ
CompetentGroup
Typical Mesozoic - Cenozoic
rocksuccession withno salt
interbE!dding.

No Horizontal Scale

ease 2
MobileGroup
When salt pushes Mh
lockpackages, stress EarthSurface
Dolomite ＢＮｾｾ
isaccomodaled bythe
intl!rbedded sakbeds,
hentl!,the whole pack ｾＱｫ［ｾ ｣Ｇ Halite
islransported belW1!eO II
sail pillows. relatiVl!ly
undeformed l(I the
sulfate
L.lmestone

-16KM ""·".
Gypsum

Mobile Group
EIJ
...
..
"

.
.. ..........
ｾ

"
ｾＬ

... '" ...

'".
.. ..
..
ｾ

,",

Hormuz SaltSeriessuite
contaiM Interbedded halite

Figure 10. A model to explain the absence of any rock materials from the intruded overlying rocks and the presence of
relatively undisturbed large slabs from the Hormuz rock suite in the studied islands.

but will be transported in a relatively undisturbed state
between an upper and a lower pillow of salt. In this model,
the mobility of the salt affects two or more salt pillows with
beds of other lithologies between them. Upon reaching the
surface, the upper salt layer will breach the surface and
begins to flow as a salt glacier. When the upper salt layer is
depleted by flow, another mobile package containing other
lithologies may begin to flow. These rocks of the competent
beds would be extruded along with the salt through the
same surface breach. This may explain the relatively well-
preserved succession of the Infracambrian Hormuz beds
found on these islands.
There is much evidence in support of the transport by salt
flow ofsemi-intact slabs ofrocks to the surface. Kent (1958)
described from Jehani salt plug in Iran, a discontinuous
band of red marl (which is a common component in the
Hormuz cycles) ringing the salt plug near its perimeter.
The salt also shows horizontal stratification. Furthermore,
Ala (1974) described unbroken slabs ofInfracambrian and
Lower Paleozoic strata up to 2 miles long and also a well-
preserved bedded sequence from a salt plug, about 30 miles
from the city of Shiraz, in Iran.

25
 HALULAND SHARAO ISLANDS, QATAR: REMNANTS OF HORMUZ SALT BASIN
011. EXPLORATION IMPLICATIONS
Clearly the Gulf islands represent the final stage of salt
diapirism. However, not all salt plugs reach the surface and
disturb the whole overlying succession. In this respect, the
three folds subdivision of salt intrusions into pillow, diapir
and post diapir stages (Abu! Hamd 1990) seems a useful
tool in investigating the potential of salt flow-induced
structures as possible hydrocarbon traps. The pillow stage
is responsible for the development of the major oilfields in
the Gulf region, where these salt sheets are associated with
regional tectonism and have produced the great oilfields of
Arabia (Alsharhan and Salah 1997).
The post diapir stage is the most important, as far as the
oil potentiality of these 200 islands scattered in the Gulf is
concerned. The folding and then breaking of the overlying
competent packages would eventually create changes in the
accommodation spaces and the volume of strata involved.
Oil has been found in some fields, which have been
deformed by similar mechanisms. The offshore fields
of Dalma, Hair Dalma and Mandous in the United Arab
Emirates are found in turtle structures associated with
the Dalma and Sir Abu Nuwair salt diapirs (Salah 1996;
Alsharhan and Salah 1997). These fields produced from
several horizons such as the Pre-Khuff clastics, Arab,
Mishrif and Asmari.
Similar fields can be found around these diapirs in the Gulf
region in Iran or the Arab Gulf states. Seismic surveys may
help finding larger, "failed" diapirs that contain larger oil
traps.
CONCLUSIONS
1. Halul and Sharao islands, offshore Qatar are among more
than 200 islands that are scattered in the Gulf region,
and are believed to have formed by diapirism of the
Infracambrian Hormuz Salt Series.
2. The islands are composed of the Hormuz Salt Series
strata including dolomite, evaporites and igneous
materials with some Miocene carbonates.
3. A model is suggested to explain the absence of any rock
materials from the overlying Mesozoic and Cenozoic
rocks of the intruded succession, in contrast to the
presence of large slabs of relatively undeformed rocks
of the Hormuz.
4. The model suggests that the overlying competent strata
are pushed, broken and displaced by the rising salt,
whereas, the overlying mobile Hormuz beds contain
abundant salt interbeds, which were carried undisturbed
to the surface between an upper and lower pillow of salt.
5. Large oil traps may be found in association with larger,
"failed or immature" salt diapirism in the Gulf region.
26
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Qatar Petroleum provided the logistic support during the
field trip to Halul Island. A. Sadiq (University of Qatar)
helped with the fieldwork. Mohsin Al-Ansi and Jassim
Al-Khyat and the crew of the Sea-Lab ship (Department
of Marine Sciences, University of Qatar) helped so much
during the fieldwork in Sharao Island. Abdel-Rahman
Fowler (UAE University) read the original manuscript and
made many useful amendments.
REFERENCES
ABUL HAMD, M., 1990, Salt related structure-problems and
solution:Proceedingsofthe 4th SPE PetroleumConference,
Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., p. 119-131.
ALA,M.A., 1974,Saltdiapirismin southernIran: AAPG Bulletin,
v. 58, p. 1758-1770.
ALSHARHAN, A.S. and SALAH, M.G., 1997, Tectonic
implications of diapirism on hydrocarbon accumulation in
the United Arab Emirates: Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum
Geology, v. 45, p. 279-296.
BLANFORD, W'L, 1872, Notes on the geological formations
seen along the coasts of Baluchistan and Persia from
Karachi to the head of the Persian Gulf and some of the
islands: Records of the Geological Survey ofIndia, v. 5, P
41-54.
BUDAY, T., 1980, The regional Geology of Iraq, volume 1,
Stratigraphy and Paleogeography. State Organization for
Minerals, 445 p.
COLMAN-SADD, S.P., 1978, Fold development in Zagros
simply folded belt, southwest Iran: AAPG Bulletin, Y. 62,
p.984-1003.
DUNNINGTON, H.V., 1968, Salt tectonic features of northern
Iraq, in R.B. Mattox, ed., Saline deposits: Geological
Society of AmericaSpecialPaper, no. 88, p. 183-220.
EDGELL, H.S., 1991,Proterozoic salt basins of the Persian Gulf
area and their role in hydrocarbon generation: Precambrian
Research, v. 54, p. 1-14.
EDGELL, HS., 1996, Salt tectonism in the Persian Gulf basin:
Geological Society of AmericaSpecial Publication, v. 100,
p. 129-151.
GANSSER, A, 1992, The enigma of the Persian salt dome
inclusions: Eclogae Geologicae Helvetiae, v. 85, p. 825-
846.
HURFORD, A.I., GRUNAU, H.R., and STOCKLlN, J., 1984,
Fission track dating of an apatite crystal from Hormuz
Island, Iran: Journal of Petroleum Geology, v. 7, p. 365-
380.
HUSSEINI, M.I., 1989, Tectonic and deposition model of Late
Precambrian-Cambrian Arabian and adjoining plates:
AAPG Bulletin, v. 73, p. 1117-1131.
IBRAHIM, G.M.S., 1978, Sabkha sediments of the Lower
Fars Formation, north Iraq. Unpublished M. Sc. thesis,
Departmentof Geology, Universityof Bristol,U.K., 174p.
KASHFI, M.S., 1980, Stratigraphy and environmental
sedimentology of Lower Fars Group (Miocene), south-
southwestIran: AAPG Bulletin, v. 64, p. 2095-2107.
KASHFI, M.S., 1983, Variations in tectonic styles in the Zagros
geosyncline and their relation to the diapirism of salt in
southern Iran: Journal ofPetroleum Geology, v. 6, p. 195-
206.
 SADOONI, AL-SAAD, AND NASIR
KENT, P.E., 1970, The salt plugs of the Persian Gulf region:
Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society Transactions,
v. 64, p. 56-88.
KENT, P.E., 1979, The emergent Hormuz salt plugs of Zagros
mountains, southern Iran: Journal of Petroleum Geology,
v. 2, p. 117-144.
KHATTAB, M.M., 1995, Interpretation of magnetic and gravity
surveys in the southern Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz,
and the north westernmost Gulf of Oman: implications of
pre-Permian basement tectonics: Marine Geology, v. 123,
p. 105-116.
KOYI, H., 1988, Experimental modelling of role of gravity and
lateral shortening in Zagros mountain belt: AAPG Bulletin,
v. 72, p. 1381-1394.
LEES, G.M., 1931, Salt-some depositional and deformation
problems: Journal of Institute of Petroleum, v. 17, p. 259-
280.
MENEISY, M., 1988, New Potassium / Argon ages for the
volcanic rocks of Halul Island (Qatar): Qatar University
Science Bulletin, v. 8, p. 287-295.
NAQIB, K.M., 1970, Geology ofJebel Sanam, south Iraq: Journal
of the Geological Society of Iraq, v. 3.
NASIR, S., AL-SAAD, H., and SADOONI, F., in review,
Chronostratigraphy and geochemical characterization of
volcanic rocks from the Hormuz Complex: Constraints
from the Halul Island, The State of Qatar: African
Geoscience Review.
O'BRIEN, C.A.E., 1950, Tectonic problems of the oilfield belt
of southwest Iran: Proceedings of the 18th International
Geologic Congress, part 6, p. 45-58.
O'BRIEN, C.A.E., 1957, Salt diapirism in south Persia: Geol En.
27
Mijnb, n. s., v. 19, p. 357-376.
PILIGRIM, G., 1908, Geology of Qatar: The Abu Dhabi Well
Evaluation Conference.
SALAH, M.G., 1996, Geology and hydrocarbon potential of
Dalma Island, offshore, Abu Dhabi: Journal of petroleum
Geology, v. 19, p. 215-226.
SHAWKAT, M. and TUCKER, M.E., 1978, Stromatolites and
sabkha cycles from the Lower Fars Formation (Miocene) of
Iraq: Geol. Rundschau, v. 67, p. 1-14.
SHELL COMPANY QATAR, 1964, Geologic notes on Halul
Island (Unpublished report).
STOCKLIN,1., 1968, Structural history and tectonics of Iran: a
review: AAPG Bulletin, v. 52, p. 1229-1259.
STOCKLIN, J., 1974, Possible ancient margin in Iran, in c.A.
Burke and C.L. Drake, eds., The geology of continental
margins. Springer-Verlag, New York, p. 873-887.
TALBOT, C.J., 1998, Extrusions of Hormuz salt in Iran:
Geological Society of America Special Publication, no.
143, p. 315-334.
TALBOT, C.J. and JARVIS, R.J., 1984, Age.budget and dynamics
of an active salt extrusion in Iran: Journal of Structural
Geology, v. 6, p. 521-533.
THOMAS, w.«, ASTINI, R.A., and DENISON, R.E., 2001,
Strontium isotopes, age and tectonic setting of Cambrian
Salinas along the rift and transform margins of the
Argentine Precordillera and southern Laurentia: The
Journal ofGeology, v. 109, p. 231-246.
ZHARKOV, M.A., 1984, Paleozoic salt bearing formations of the
world. Springer-Verlag, New York, 427 p.