Stratigraphic Analysis of Azmir-Goizha anticline by Nannofossils

Abstract

The Azmir-Goizha anticline elongates directly to north and northeast boundary of Sulaimani city, Kurdistan Region, NE-Iraq. The anticline is originally consisted of two main connected anticlines (Goizha and Azmir anticlines) at southwest and northwest respectively with many other smaller ones. The anticline has the length, width and elevation of about 10, 4 and 1.6 kms (amsl) respectively. It elongates from Weladar village, from southeast to Khamza village at the northwest. The anticline is relatively complex and during the last decade, many structural, paleontological and stratigraphical studies were conducted on it but without utilizing them for accurate solving complexity. The present study tries to use the field study and nannofossils aging for simplifying and showing actual geologic setting of the anticline. The previous occurrence of 63m of Dokan Formation and its unconformable lower boundary are refused. On the basis of clear stratigraphic horizon, the geological map of the anticline is completely and new stratigraphic units are shown. The map shows that the anticline is mainly covered by Balambo Formation instead of previous Kometan Formation. Moreover, the Sarmord Formation is identified for the first time in the area and differentiated from Balambo Formation. Sarmord Formation crops out and occupies the core of the anticline which can be seen from Khamza to Weladar villages at the northwest and southeast of the studied area respectively. For the first time, the equivalents of Gulneri and Dokan formations are shown and discussed in the area.

Geology and Critical Review of the Upper Cretaceous Zagros Chalky Limestone (Kometan Formation) From Sulaimani Governorate, Northeastern Iraq

“…The present study does not agree with above timing of the Foreland basin since it had developed after deposition of Kometan Formation (during Campanian-Maastrichtian) ( Figure 15). This timing aided by many paleontological and sedimentological evidences such 500 m boulder and gravel conglomerate with red clastics that deposited during Maastrichtian and studied by Karim (2004), Karim, and Surdashy (2005) and Karim et al (2013).…”

“…Paleontologically, Khafaf, (2014), Karim et al (2013) and Karim et al (2016) concluded that both Dokan and Gulneri Formation are occurring in all area of northeastern Iraq and there is no unconformity in the sequence of Upper Cretaceous (Figure 14, 15 and 16). Baziany (2014) found the radiolarian of Cenomanian inside Qulqula Radiolarian Formation at Chwarta area, which mentioned continuous deposition of radiolarites (very deep facies) up to middle Cenomanian.…”

“…In the literature, all previous studies have indicated that the Kometan Formation is well-bedded succession of pelagic limestone. The most important studies are Bellen et al (1959), Buday (1980), Jassim and Goff (2006), Karim et al (2008), Taha (2008), Taha and Karim, (2009) Al-Badrani et al ( 2012), Karim et al (2012), Ghafor et al (2012), and Karim et al (2013).…”

Strati̇graphy and Structure of the Southeastern Part of Pi̇ramagroon Anti̇cli̇ne, Sulai̇mani̇ Area, Northeast Iraq

“…The latter study concluded that the formation consist of marl and marly limestone without black shale. Karim et al (2013) found both formations on the Azmir and Goizha anticlines and prepared a detail map of the area to the north and east of Sulaimani city which show the outcrops of the two formations.…”

Stratigraphy and Nannofossil Biozonation of Sarmord Formation on the Qaywan Anticline in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Northern Iraq

“…Recently many articles are published that are differentiated the Sarmord Formation from the Balambo Formation on the Azmir and Goizha anticlines directly at the southeast of the Qaywan anticline (Fig. 1), these articles are Karim et al (2013), Karim and Ahmad (2014), Karim and Khanaqa (2016) and Karim et al)2020). The present study focuses on the age, stratigraphy, field mapping and lithology of the formation in the Qaywan valley that is not studied before (Figs.…”