Figure-6 - uploaded by Sirwan Ahmed
Content may be subject to copyright.
Tiran map of Surdash, Azmar and Piramagroon anticlines. Stratigraphic correlation show the Early Cretaceous lateral facies change. The photo in the right show disappear facies of Qamchuqa Formation toward East. The Age of the Formation are from Ahmed et al. (2016), Bellen et al. (1959) and Buday (1980).
Source publication
Iraq is located in the Western Asian continent particularly in the northern Arabian promontory. Iraq approximately lies in center of Middle East. The area of investigation cover northern and northeastern parts of Iraq-Kurdistan Region. Iraq and Kurdistan region are located in the northern Arabian Platform. The study area includes the northwestern e...
Similar publications
The X Formation, which dates from the Late Cenomanian to the early Turonian, is the largest carbonate reservoir in Iraq's South Mesopotamian Basin. There are two shallowing-up depositional periods in it, which begin with deep water mudstone associated with wackestone, which gradually shallows into rudist and is dominated by big foraminifera shoals...
Petrophysical rock typing plays a major role in carbonate reservoir characterization and geological modeling for reservoir simulation. In this study, based on 1120 samples of mercury-injection capillary pressure data, we have analyzed the contributions to rock permeability for the thick Cretaceous carbonate reservoir of Mishrif Formation in H Oilfi...
Stylolites are commonly observed in the carbonate reservoirs in various oilfield of Iraq including those of upper Cretaceous successions from northwestern Iraq, where they are characterized by stylolite-rich zones in the Cenomanian-early Turonian Gir Bir Formation and to a lesser extent in the Turonian-Santonian Wajna and early Campanian Mushorah f...
This research is an attempt to solve the ambiguity associated with the stratigraphic setting of the main reservoir (late Cretaceous) of Mishrif Formation in the Dujaila oil field. This was achieved by studying a 3D seismic reflection post-stack data for an area of 602.62 Km2 in the Maysan Governorate, southeast of Iraq. Seismic analysis of the true...
Stylolites are commonly observed in the carbonate reservoirs in various oilfield of
Iraq including those of upper Cretaceous successions from northwestern Iraq, where
they are characterized by stylolite-rich zones in the Cenomanian-early Turonian
Gir Bir Formation and to a lesser extent in the Turonian-Santonian Wajna and early
Campanian Mushor...
Citations
... While the southeast plunge is located in Rawanduz town, it interferes with the Korek anticline and is an en-echelon with the Handrin anticline (Balaki and Omar, 2019). The Gali Rukuchk is formed from the cutting (dissection) of the Shirin and Bradost anticlines (Ahmed, 2019). The majority of the research area is situated at the Shirin Anticline's south-eastern plunge. ...
Rock slope, slope height, rock discontinuity orientations, and undesigned excavated slopes are the primary contributing factors to the instability of the road in the mountain area. The eight rock slopes in Mergasur town, NE-Iraq, were chosen to be assessed for stability using the kinematic approach with DIPS v6.008 software to determine the type of slope failure and the Q-slope system applied to determine the stability condition. This is an efficient approach for classifying rock slope engineering. According to the kinematic results, stations 1–5 and 7 may have planar sliding, whereas stations 4–8 may experience wedge sliding, stations 1, 2, and 7-8 may experience flexural toppling, and station 3 may have direct toppling. In accordance with the Q-slope system results, stability conditions are determined by projecting the Q-slope and slope angle values on the Q-slope chart.
... Zebari [27] studied the geometry and evolution of the folds in ZFTB using geomorphic criteria and showed that lateral growth of the folds is caused by the presence of NE-SW oriented strike-slip basement faults. Ahmed [28] studied anticlines in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and concluded that Cretaceous pre-tilting extensional normal faults become barriers in front of growing the anticlines longitudinally for example in Kosrat and Shakrok anticlines. Zebari et al. [29] studied the relative timing of uplift along the Zagros Mountain Front Flexure using geomorphic indices and landscape evolution modeling. ...
... The Safeen anticline is double plunging, and trending NW -SE (Fig. 3). Normal faults dissect both plunges of the anticline ( Fig. 10) [28]. Bretis [35] described the Safeen anticline to be composed of four individual fold segments which joined together during lateral propagation of the anticline. ...
... Many previous studies highlighted the influences of tectonics in the development of anticlines, faults, effects on the vergency of the plunges, and their geometry related to paleo stresses, and stratigraphic sequences, however, none has focused specifically on how to detect tectonic activity through morphometric indices [31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43]. ...
The Iraqi Kurdistan Region's landscapes are the product of a complex merging of the effects of the collision between the Arabian and Eurasian plates and various geomorphic processes. A study of the Khrmallan drainage basin in the west of Dokan Lake, based on a morphotectonic study is a significant contribution to our understanding of the Neotectonic activity in the High Folded Zone. This study investigated an integrated method of detail morphotectonic mapping and geomorphic indices' analysis for determining the signal of Neotectonic activity, using the digital elevation model (DEM) and satellite images. The detailed morphotectonic map, along with extensive field data, revealed considerable variation in the relief and morphology of the study area, and eight morphotectonic zones were recognized. The presence of a high anomalous value in stream length gradient (SL) ranges from 19 to 769, increasing the channel sinuosity index (SI) reaching 1.5, and the tendency of basin shifting through the transverse topographic index (T) ranging from 0.02 to 0.5, conclude that the study area is tectonically active. The strong relationship between the growth of the Khalakan anticline and the activation of faulting is concurrent with the collision of the Arabian and Eurasian plates. A hypothesis of an antecedent can be applied to the Khrmallan valley.
... The structure of the entire region is an influential factor in the topography of the earth surface in the study area. As Safen and Permam structurally represent anticlines and Smaqule valley structurally represents a syncline which is in the southwestern limb and Merawa syncline in the northeastern Safen anticline (Ahmed, 2019), Fig. 3., Safen anticline is the main fold, and it is an asymmetrical anticline with NW-SE trend and parallel to the Zagros Thrust Zone. The limb of the Safen anticline dip at 45° towards NE and 57° towards S.W. (Bartle, 2009). ...
This research aims to spotlight abiotic elements of geodiversity in the Smaquli area and value and use as geoconservation through potential geopark. Smaquli area, situated in the southeastern part of Safen anticline, north of Iraq Kurdistan region, has a rich and diverse geological and geomorphological heritage, making it an interesting area for this study. This study aims to present the geodiversity of the Smaqule site as an opportunity to carry out future sustainable socio-economic activities in the geopark. The study includes fieldwork on the area's stratigraphy, structural geology, and geomorphology. Tectonically, the study area lay within the High Folded Zone of the Unstable Shelf of Iraq and was affected by the collision of Arabia-Eurasia Plates which started before 23–25 Ma in northern Zagros. The exposed rock unit formations in the Smaqule area range in age from Cretaceous to Paleogene. The oldest outcrop rock unit is the Qamchuqa Formation. Stratigraphy of the study area includes Qamchuqa, Bekhme, Shiranish, Tanjero, Kolosh, Gercus, and Pila Spi Formations. The study area is a mountainous area with different heights ranging from valleys to high ridges; this is due to structural controlling topography and differential erosion of the structures in the area and their different lithology of the rocks. Many geomorphological landforms are studied in the area, such as ridges, longitudinal and transverse valleys, Sulfur springs, caves, faults, drainage patterns, Badland, and an elongate lake. These features are very attractive landscapes for tourism and balneotherapy. This study highlights the area's geological significance to add to its known cultural value, local products, and tangible and intangible heritage. The study area is suitable for investment by the national and international tourism, creating employment opportunities for local people, and leading to socio-economic development. The Geosites Assessment Model (GAM) has been applied in this study to quantify the Geotourism potential in the four Geosites within the study area.
... The study area is located in the Kurdistan Region in the northern part of Iraq. The Kurdistan region of Iraq constitutes the north-eastern part of the Arabian plate (Ahmed 2019). The Kurdistan region comprises the three governorates of Duhok, Erbil, and Sulaymaniya (KRG 2021). ...
Predicting the effect of climate change on rainfall data is essential to the economic headway of any country. This study investigated changes in rainfall data series due to climate change across ten stations in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq. The Mann–Kendall (MK), modified MK, and innovative trend analysis methods were used to identify trends in the rainfall data series. In addition, the homogeneity of rainfall data has been investigated by the Pettit, Standard Normal Homogeneity, Buishand Range, and Von Neumann Rate tests. Over the 30-year study period, it was found that just three stations out of ten exhibited significant serial correlations in rainfall data series. Annual rainfall has shown an increasing trend at most of the stations, with only four stations reporting statistically significant trends. Seasonally, a noticeable decrease in rainfall values has been observed in the northern part of the region during winter and spring compared with fall season trends. Based on the Pettitt change-point test, it was found that annual rainfall data in the study area is dominated by a positive shift. Moreover, it was found that the study area is dominated by humid rainfall intensity and has the highest concentration of irregular to strong distribution levels in annual rainfall data covering the north-eastern part of the study area. In addition, it was found that most of the annual rainfall data series is dominated by homogeneous trends.
... Korek and Bradost anticlines [1]. ...
The High Folded and Imbricated zones are the formalized name represent the part of the Tectonic subdivision of Iraq and Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The study of compressional deformation and Stratigraphy are the keys to identify thrust faults structures and define the sequence of thrusting in High Folded and Imbrication zones as a part of Zagros Fold and Thrust Belts. Through this study, we try to describe the compressional thrust faults and stratigraphical unit description. Thrust faults make repetition of the sequences of Jurassic-Triassic Cretaceous sequence over thrust above Cretaceous sequences. In Iran-Iraq border close to Sirwan valley the large thrust faults (Sirwan-Sazan Thrust faults) identify. The fault system makes Triassic formations over-thrust the Valanginian-Albian Balambo Formations. In Balakayati area serious thrust fault exists, which creates twice repetition of Jurassic-Cretaceous formations forming imbrication thrusting system and fault propagation fold. In Bradost-Korek anticlines the Jurassic-Cretaceous formations over-thrust Cenozoic formations. In Kamosk anticline the thrust faults are in the Cretaceous formations. The dimension and the style of the thrust faults are different but generally, most of the decollement layers of the thrusting are the Early Triassic and Middle-Late Jurassic formations. The collection of all these results constrain geological cross-section in Imbricate Zone and restore to obtain the 7.5 km distance of Shortening due to folding and faulting.
This study focuses on the Upper Cretaceous system in the Zagros fold and thrust belt in the Kurdistan Region / Iraq. The impression of this study is created by the variety of formations, facies change, and age of the Cretaceous formations, as well as the different consequences of the contact situation between the formations, particularly the Qamchuqa-Bekhme and Kometan-Shiranish contacts formations. Through investigation, evaluation, and combination of results from Lithostratigraphy and Microfacies of seven sections in various locations of KRI/ Iraq, new paleogeography of the Late Cretaceous of Northern Iraq is constrained. The microfacies of entire Late Cretaceous formations in different sections outcome 16 sub-microfacies types demonstrating open marine deep shelf environment of Shiranish Formation, the entire reef (back-reef, fore-reef, reef body) environment of Bekhme Formation and pelagic open marine ramp depositional environment of Kometan Formation. The output results of stratigraphy and microfacies of Late Cretaceous depositional successions in the Kurdistan Region are paleogeography maps reconstruction. During the Turonian to Early Santonian periods, the Kurdistan Region and northern Iraq were pre-subduction basins due to the presence of open marine outer ramp carbonate of the Kometan Formation in the east (Sulaimaniyah province exceeding Hizop area) and inner shelf of Tanuma and Khasib formations in the center and west (Erbil province). Major regression and unconformities covered the West of the study region during the Middle-Late Santonian; the result of this regression degraded the entire inner shelf facies that deposited during Turonian-Early Santonian periods. During the Early-Middle Campanian, a foreland basin emerged in the extreme northeastern and the Kurdistan Region, which was covered by open marine of the Shiranish Formation and reef platform of the Bekhme Formation. The Kurdistan Region was an active foreland basin margin in the Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian, with a greatly expanded Tanjero Formation, an Aqra reef in the north, and an open marine Shiranish Formation in the center and west.
Visual interpretation of satellite images is a very significant technique to recognize and interpret structural features, which indicate lateral growth of folds, the origin of folds, and dating of folds using the exposure dating method. In this study, Landsat 8 (ESSRI) and Google Earth images are used to recognize structural features at Pira Magroon, Surdash, and Azmar anticlines in the Sulaimaniyah vicinity, Kurdistan Region, north of Iraq. The mentioned anticlines are outstanding geomorphological and structural features in the Sulaimaniyah vicinity. The recognized and interpreted structural features include: en-echelon folding, domes, and Neotectonic indication. All these features are discussed in detail with many images to show the discussed cases, most of the interpreted data and presented figures are never mentioned previously.
Safeen anticline is one of the most complicated anticlines in Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR), with NW–SE trend. Structurally, the anticline is truncated by different types of faults; some of them are deep-seated faults, which have complicated the subsurface form of the anticline. The anticline includes two domes with two parasitic anticlines and synclines along both limbs. Moreover, two hanging synclines exist northeastwards and one southwestwards. Six possible deep seated transversal faults may occur along the anticline, dissecting the anticline in NE–SW trend and extending northeastwards and southwestwards. Moreover, the deep-seated faults dissect many anticlines on both sides of the Safeen anticline. The deep-seated faults have contributed to the complexity of the anticline, as compared to other anticlines in the Zagros Fold–Thrust Belt, especially inside IKR, and have negative impact to the oil exploration activities in the anticline. Therefore, the drilled Safeen Oil well 01 has missed the target. We have used satellite images from land viewer website + Terraincognita app to study the structural style of the anticline, and to recognize different structural features. Field investigation was carried out to check the interpreted data.
