Chapter 4 - Structural Geology and Neotectonics of Iraq, Northwest Zagros

Abstract

Abstract The structural geology and neotectonics of Iraq represent the results of tectonic events during the geological time and mostly the collision between the Arabian and Eurasian plates. The Arabian plate is divided into the shield, inner platform, and outer platform. Iraq is occupied by the inner and outer platforms. The outer platform is unstable and consists of the Zagros fold–thrust belt and the Mesopotamia foredeep. The inner platform is stable and covers the western desert of Iraq. The outer platform has surface anticlines at the Zagros fold–thrust belt and subsurface anticlines at the Mesopotamia foredeep whereas the inner platform has no anticlines. In this chapter, the structural elements (e.g., folds, faults, salt tectonics, and basement blocks) and neotectonics indications (e.g., topographic indications, abandoned river channels, shifting of river channels, alluvial fan activities, and earthquake activities) of the inner and outer platforms are explained.