Abstract
Handreen, Zozik and Tanoun are three major anticlines in the northern part of Iraqi Kurdistan Region located NE of Rawandouz town. All anticlines are oriented NW-SE with a steep southwestern limb. The length and width of Handreen, Zozik and Tanoun anticlines are 20.2 km, 23 km, 27 km, and 10 km, 4.7 km and 2.5 km, respectively. The anticlines are separated by very narrow synclines. However, Tanoun anticline is thrusted over Zozik anticline causing the disappearance of the synclinal axis between the two folds. The oldest exposed rocks in Handreen anticline are the Cretaceous age, in Zozik anticline are the Upper Jurassic rocks, whereas in Tanoun anticline, the Lower Jurassic rocks are exposed. The carapace of Handreen and Zozik anticlines is built up by Bekhme and Qamchuqa formations and that of Tanoun anticline by the Qamchuqa Formation. Satellite images and geological maps were used to recognize the geomorphological and structural features which were checked and confirmed in the field. Handreen, Zozik and Tanoun anticlines show clear geomorphological and structural features which indicate their lateral growth. Among those features are water gaps, wind gaps, forked-shaped valleys, curved valleys, inclined (curved) valleys, radial valleys, abandoned alluvial fans, wale-back shape, en-echelon folds and folds with malty domes.
Highlights
The lateral growth of anticlines is a very common phenomenon in tectonically active areas (e.g. Blanc et al, 2003, Bennett et al, 2005, Ramsey et al, 2008) such as the Iraqi Kurdistan territory, which forms the northeastern part of the Arabian Plate
Zozik and Tanoun anticlines exhibit lateral growth with clear indications of interaction between the existing rivers and streams, and tectonic forces; as indicted by different geomorphological features, which are emphasized in the current study
The aim of the current study is to confirm the lateral growth of Handreen, Zozik and Tanoun anticlines using geomorphological and structural features, which are developed in the studied anticlines
Summary
The lateral growth of anticlines is a very common phenomenon in tectonically active areas (e.g. Blanc et al, 2003, Bennett et al, 2005, Ramsey et al, 2008) such as the Iraqi Kurdistan territory, which forms the northeastern part of the Arabian Plate. Zozik and Tanoun anticlines exhibit lateral growth with clear indications of interaction between the existing rivers and streams, and tectonic forces; as indicted by different geomorphological features, which are emphasized in the current study. Sissakian et al (2014) conducted a geomorphological study of the High Folded Zone and attributed the developed gorges in Handreen, Zozik and Tanoun anticlines to the lateral propagation (growth) of the anticlines. Al-Kubaisi and Abdul Jab’bar (2015) conducted a morphotectonic study for two folds (Pera Magroon and Qara Dagh anticlines) in the Kurdistan Region and their effect on the drainage systems. They indicated high tectonic activity and low maturity of the drainage basins in the studied anticlines.
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