Lithofacies Study of Bai Hassan Formation Sequence (Upper Pliocene) in Bekheir Anticline, Zakho Area Northern Iraq

Abstract

The current study included the Bai Hassan Formation (Upper Bakhtiari) in the Zakho area of northern Iraq. Depending on the grain size class, structures, degree of rounding, sorting, and some other detailed field observations. This formation was divided into eleven lithofacies which are matrix-supported conglomerate, clast-supported conglomerate, laminated sandstone, sandy gravel, planar cross-bedded conglomerate, interbedded siltstone-mudstone, gravely sandstone, interbedded sandstone-conglomerate, lime matrix-supported conglomerate, and caliche lithofacies. These lithofacies are distributed into six coarsening-upward cycles consisting of complete and incomplete cycles, and these lithofacies include sedimentary structures such as imbrication pebbles, bedding plain, load cast, and gravely cross-bedding. The environment of the Bai Hassan Formation represents conjunctive alluvial fan with possible internal lake environments. The study includes the determination of source areas such as sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks.