The Arabian continental margin formed in the early Paleozoic and possibly the late Proterozoic. After that the thrust sheets are from low to high structurally: the autochthonous units, and the allochthonous units. The allochthonous units, from low to high structurally, are the Sumeini group, the Hawasina complex, the Haybi complex, the Ophiolite, and the Batinah complex. From the Sumeini group to the Haybi Complex make up the continental slope with an age range from Middle Triassic to Late Cretaceous. The ophiolite formed in the Late Cretaceous and consists of a basal metamorphic sole, peridotite tectonic, igneous peridotite and gabbro, sheeted dikes, and lavas. The Batinah complex containing continental margin sediments came from beneath the ophiolite during late-stage extensional faulting and then slid into the ophiolite late in the emplacement history.
Tectonic models
There are three different models that may explain how the Semail Ophiolite could form and overthrust a continental margin:
The gravity sliding model: A 7 to 20 km thick ophiolitic terrane could slide onto a continental margin. This requires an elevated source region, which presents difficulties.
The suprasubduction model: The obduction of an arc-trench gap ophiolite due to the collision of a volcanic arc and a passive continental margin. Figure 2-A, older than 101 to 95 Ma the mid-ocean ridge is spreading and the oceanlithospheresubducted under the continental lithosphere on the right while the other side is overriding the oceanic lithosphere on the left. Also, that is where the proto Semail Ophiolite and volcanism starts to form a volcanic arc. Figure 2-B, from 95 to 87 Ma the mid-ocean ridge is spreading and a volcanic arc has formed. Figure 2-C, from 87 to 76 Ma the mid-ocean ridge is spreading and the ocean lithosphere being pushed and over thrusted the continental lithosphere by the help of the volcanic arc.
The obducting model: The oceanic lithosphere over thrust continental lithosphere. Figure 3-A, older than 101 to 95 Ma the mid-ocean ridge is spreading and the oceanic lithosphere subducted under both continental lithosphere. The Semail Ophiolite initial place is marked on the right oceanic lithosphere. Figure 3-B, from 95 to 87 Ma the mid-ocean ridge stopped spreading and the intra-oceanic thrusting started. Where the left oceanic lithosphere subducted under the right oceanic lithosphere with the Semail Ophiolite, which are accreted at amphibolite facies conditions at the base of the Semail Ophiolite. Figure 3-C, from 87 to 76 Ma the Semail Ophiolite over thrusts the continental lithosphere and is emplaced onto the craton, which are accreted at greenschist-facies conditions at the base of the Semail Ophiolite. This model is more supported by geologists.
