THE GEOLOGY OF BALAD QUADRANGLE SHEET NO I-38-I/SW

Abstract

The map area is located in the central part of Iraq. It is characterized by flat terrain without district difference in relief with some scattered hills. The map area is covered completely by Quaternary sediments. The Holocene sediments are relatively thin and they are classified according to their lithology, origin, and geomorphic position to units of Fluvial, Evaporational and Aeolian origin. Geomorphologically, the area is flat, three geomorphological units are developed within the map area; these are: Fluvial, Aeolian and Evaporational units. Structurally, the map area situated within the Mesopotamia plain of Mesopotamia Foredeep, which is characterized by low amplitude structure. Shari Lake considered as the most distinct morphological feature which reflects the influence of the deeper structure on the younger sediments. Hydrologically, the Tigris River, along with the Al-Adhaim River are the main water courses within the area, they joined together to the east of the Adh-Dhuluiyah town, the northern part of the map area is drained to the Shari Lake depression, while the southwestern margin is drained to the Tigris River. Hydrogeologically, waters considered to be highly mineralized sulphatic water. Two aquifers exist in the map area, one being represented by Quaternary gravel accumulations, and the second by Injana Formation. The percentage of Ca++ and SO4= forms more than 75% of the components due to the secondary gypsum content. The depth of water table ranges from (2 – 18) m. The main economic raw materials within the map area are: Gravels and conglomerates, sands, gypcrete, salt and sodium sulphate.