THE GEOLOGY OF SULAIMANIYAH QUADRANGLE SHEET NI-38-03 SCALE 1:250000

Abstract

The map area, Sulaimaniyah Quadrangle, at scale of 1: 250 000, is situated in the northeastern part of Iraq. Stratigraphically, the area is built up by 28 sedimentary formations, ranging in age from Triassic to Pleistocene, their total thickness is about (4375  7073) m; with 13 groups of allochthonous igneous and metamorphic rocks, in form of 11 groups, ranging in age from Triassic to Miocene, their total thickness is about 12320 m; besides different types of Quaternary sediments. Structurally, the area lies within the Arabian Plate, Outer Platform, (Low Folded, High Folded, Imbricate and Zagros Suture Zones.) and Shalair Terrain (Fouad, 2012). The former zones are dominated by series of anticlines and synclines with NW – SE direction, which are influenced by transversal fault system and reverse-slip fault system. These faults have influenced the geological evolution and repeatedly activated during present day in form of earthquakes. Whereas, the Zagros Suture Zone represents piles of eight allochthonous sheets (their total thickness is about 8220 m) derived from Neo-Tethyan Ocean overriding the NE margin of the Arabian Plate, as a result of obduction and collision orogenies, in addition to 4100 m of metamorphic and igneous sheets of the Sanandaj – Sirjan Microplate (Shalair Terrain of the Eurosean Plate). Physiographically, the map area is divided into hilly area, in the southwestern part and mountainous area, in the remaining parts, which are characterized by increases of elevations and ruggedness of topography. It lies within the Extremely Rugged Mountainous, High Amplitude Mountainous and Low Amplitude Mountainous Provinces. Geomorphologically, the landforms of the map area are the result of the influence of the structure, lithology and climate. Five genetic units are recognized in the map area, which are developed under severe erosion and moderate weathering, with many types of mass movement’s phenomina. The units are: Structural – Denudational, Denudational, Fluvial, Solutional and Evaporation Hydrogeologically, the extreme northeastern part is characterized by small aquifers of fissure-karst system, with hydraulic connection, discharging in form of springs of fresh water. While the remaining parts are characterized by large aquifers of different types (confined, semi-confined and unconfined) within synclinal basins, which have hydraulic connections, artly, they discharge in form of springs. The salinity of the groundwater is almost fresh type in the mountainous area and slightly brackish type in the hilly area. The extreme northeastern part of the map area (Zagros Suture Zone and the Shalair Terrain) is rich in metallic mineral showings, such as Fe, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, with non-metallic deposits such as Asbestose, Serpentinite and Marmori (marble, orthomarble and granites). While the remaining parts are characterized by non-metallic mineral and industrial rocks showings; such as building raw materials; including orthomarbles, gravels, rock ballast and riprap, besides enormous quantities of limestone suitable for cement and sugar industries; and claystone for bricks and cement industries.

Remark: This report is amended by the present authors.