DIRECTION OF PALEOTETHYS SUBDUCTION IN LESSER CAUCASUS REGION

The tectonic evolution of Caucasus region related to two Tethyan oceanic subduction, Prototethys and Paleotethys. The subduction of Prototethys under Baltic made Great Caucasus and the subduction of Paleotethys under Iran, made Lesser Caucasus. Trans Caucasus or Mid Caucasus is located between Grate and Lesser Caucasus. The sutures caused by the closure of Prototethys and Paleotethys oceans are clear in the region. Direction of prototethys subduction in Grate Caucasus region is northward But about direction of paleotethys subduction in Lesser Caucasus region The authors have several different idieas. Some of them consider direction to South and others consider its to North. The existence of ore deposits in areas of Lesser Caucasus and location of Garadagh – Sevan – Achra ophiolits show that the subduction direction in this region can be considered as Southward. The relation between tectonics and mineralization of Caucasus is emphasized by this fact. The new exploration of porphyry ore deposits (Cu, Mo) and Scarns ( Au, Cu, Fe) in Garadagh of Iran show that direction subduction in Lesser Caucasus is to South.