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'Military Report on South-West Persia, Including the Provinces of Khuzistan (Arabistan), Luristan, and Part of Fars' [‎353] (400/466)

The record is made up of 1 volume (390 pages). It was created in 1885. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: Printed Collections.

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353
lam disposed to tliink that a sudden elevation of the whole bottom of
the ocean took place at the close of the period when the nummulitic limestone
was deposited, by which the species then living were totally extina-uished.
This elevation must have been accompanied and succeeded by the freqm nt
discharge of sulphuric vapours from below, which, acting upon the calcareous
matter held in solution by the water, deposited it in the form of sulphate of
lime. I am the more inclined to adopt this mode of accounting 1 for the origin
of this mineral deposit, because it occupies no fixed position in the marls, but
is stratified and intercalated irregularly among them, generally however in
their lowest part. Where gypsum occurs, it usually spreads over a large sur
face, showing it to be the result of a widely extended cause. The entire
absence of animal life during its deposition has frequently been remarked.
The order of superposition of the beds of this formation, as above de
scribed, differs materially from that observed by Mr. W. J. Hamilton of the
beds of the same formation in Asia Minor generally. That gentleman noticed
the variegated marls and gypsum resting unconformably^ upon underlying
sandstones, which latter were in juxtaposition to the nummulitic limestone.
On the flanks of the Zagros, however, as I have endeavoured to show, the
marls and gypsums are the lower beds, and rest conformably on the limestone,
while the sandstones are superimposed upon them.
I do not think that this inversion of order need be of serious importance,
when the great distance between the deposits (750 geographical miles) is
taken into consideration. It is evident from the very numerous layers in the
various beds that continual changes occurred; and therefore there need be no
difficulty in supposing that, while sandstones were undergoing deposition in
Asia Minor, marls and gypsums might be forming along the Zagros, and vice
versa.
Bituminous products. —Before quitting the subject of the gypsum forma
tion, it is necessary to say a few words on the bitumen and naptha springs
which abound in its lowest deposits in connection with the associated marls
and gypsum. Instances occur in which bitumen springs rise from the num
mulitic limestone; but these are exceedingly rare.
As a general rule, however, where bituminous products appear in Meso
potamia or in the Persian Zagros, we may be assured that they rise from the
gypsum deposits.
The only bitumen springs which I had an opportunity of closely
examining .were in the Bakhtian Mountains, between the curious and
ancient temple called Masjid-i-Sulei'man and the Mountain of Asmari;
these, probably, are the most copious of any. They are situated in a wild
and barren region of much-contorted and highly elevated ridges of sand
stones, marls, and gypsum. Their immediate source is in a narrow ravine
between lofty walls of the earthy and cavernous variety of the last-named
rock, having the strata dipping in every possible direction and furnishing
abundance of sulphur, which is sold in the bazars of Dizful. A small
stream of cold water rises high up the ravine, and is increased as it descends
V streamlets from a multitude of sources, most of which furnish a supply
0 f liquid black bitumen and white naptha, mixed together, some of them
very abundantly. One spring yields yellow naptha alone. These oily sub
stances float upon the surface of the stream, and are conveyed to an arti-
* Quarterly Journal, Geological Society, vol. v, page 373. In another district, however, of
sia Minor Mr. Hamilton observed gypsiferous beds conformable with the red and yellow marl and
sandstone (see Trans. Geological Society of London, 2 ser., vol. v., pages 590 & §§2),—Editor.
45
J

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Military Report on South-West Persia, Including the Provinces of Khuzistan (Arabistan), Luristan, and Part of Fars by Major and Bt. Lieut-Col. Mark S. Bell, V.C., R.E.

Publication Details: Simla: Government Central Branch Press, 1885. Prepared in the Intelligence Branch of the Quarter Master General's Department in India.

Physical Description: 3 maps in end pockets. 41 plates.

Extent and format
1 volume (390 pages)
Arrangement

This volume contains a table of contents giving chapter headings and page references.

Physical characteristics

Dimensions: 245mm x 150mm

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English in Latin script
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'Military Report on South-West Persia, Including the Provinces of Khuzistan (Arabistan), Luristan, and Part of Fars' [‎353] (400/466), British Library: Printed Collections, V 8685, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023694940.0x0000c7> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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