Halul and Sharao islands, offshore Qatar: Remnants of the great infracambrian Hormuz Salt basin

Abstract

Halul and Sharao islands, offshore Qatar, are among more than 200 islands in the Gulf region, 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.