THE GEOLOGY OF ABU-SAMAK QUADRANGLE SHEET NO.I-38G-SE

Abstract

The map area is located to the northwest of the central part of Iraq, northeast of Haditha town within Al-Anbar Governorate, in Al-Jazira Province. Geomorphologically, the map area is part of the Hadhr Plain, which occupies almost parts of the map area, while the remaining southwestern part is occupied by the incision of Euphrates River with slopes trends towards the river, accordingly, five geomorphological units are developed, these are; Structural-Denudational, Denudational, Fluvial, Evaporational and Solution Origin. Stratigraphically, the map area is covered by sedimentary rocks, of Early and Middle Miocene age with Quaternary sediments. The exposed formations from oldest to youngest are; Euphrates and Fat'ha Formations, furthermore the Quaternary Sediments covered the largest part of the map area, several genetic types can be distinguished; polygenetic sediments, slope sediments, residual soil, gypcrete, valley fill sediments, flood plain sediments and depression fill sediments. Structurally, the map area lies within the Outer platform represented by Mesopotamia Foredeep, Al-Jazira sub zone, without surface structural features. Hydrogeologically, Euphrates, Fat'ha and quaternary aquifers are the main aquifers in the map area. Groundwater in Fat'ha formation is essentially of poor quality (due to high solubility of gypsum). Static water level ranges between 3.8-26.6 m below ground surface and the total dissolved solids range between 2000-10000 mg/L. The groundwater is mainly sulphatic in northeastern part, while it is chloridic in southwestern part of the map area. Economically, there are some raw materials belong to Euphrates and Fatha Formations and Quaternary sediments such as: limestone, dolostone, gypsum and gravel.