Pabdeh Formation

The Pabdeh Formation is a Late Eocene to Early Oligocene-aged geological formation in Iran. It outcrops along the Zagros Mountains. It was deposited in a deepwater environment in the upper bathyal zone of the Paratethys Sea, with these abyssal sediments being lifted high above sea level from the uplift of the Zagros fold and thrust belt as part of the Alpide orogeny.

A high number of fossil fishes are known from this formation, the majority of which appear to have pelagic and deepwater affinities. These are mostly known from two localities near Elam and Istehbanat. The age of these localities have been disputed, and have previously been considered to be Early Oligocene, but are now generally thought to be middle to late Eocene in age, most likely Priabonian. Some fossils of migratory insects (a locust and ant alates), as well as fish and birds, are also known from presumed early Oligocene-aged strata near Babaheidar.