Meandering of Tributaries of the Tigris River Due to Mass Movements within Iraq

Varoujan K Sissakian,Sven Knutsson,Mawahib F Abdul Jab’Bar,Nadhir Al-Ansari

doi:10.4236/eng.2014.611070

Abstract

Tigris and Euphrates are the main rivers in Iraq. The former has 5 main tributaries while the latter has no tributaries within Iraq. All these rivers exhibit meandering and/or shifting of their courses due to many reasons; such as mass movements and alluvial fan's development. The meandering and shifting of river courses due to mass movements is dealt with in this study. Many examples are given from different parts of Iraq within different rivers and streams. In each case, the geology of the involved area is described; the reasons of the shifting and/or meandering of the river course are given. GIS technique was used to determine the coverage of the involved area. Landsat, Google Earth and DEM images were used to indicate the suffered areas from shifting and meandering of the rivers and streams. When possible, age of the shifting and/or meandering of the river and stream courses was estimated; using exposure age determination; mainly depending on the presence of river terraces, erosional forms, vegetation cover and the maturity of the involved area. Some of the given examples of shifting of river courses were found to be still active; others are inactive. In many cases, indications for very large mass movement phenomena were seen. Moreover, some of the large involved areas are highly populated, others includes few houses and/ or farms. The majority of the meanders are developed due to mass movement phenomena; others are caused by alluvial fans and/or tectonic features, lime plunging of anticlines.

Highlights

IntroductionIt covers an area of 433,970 square kilometers populated by about 32 million inhabitants (Figure 1 and Figure 2) [1] [2]
The aim of this study is to investigate some of the main acute meanders along the Tigris River and some of its main tributaries in different parts Iraq (Figure 1 and Figure 6)
Meanders; are developed due to different types of mass movements, which shift the course of the river and/or stream

Summary

Introduction

It covers an area of 433,970 square kilometers populated by about 32 million inhabitants (Figure 1 and Figure 2) [1] [2]. Iraq is well known by its two main rivers the Tigris and Euphrates, the former has five main tributaries; called Fiesh Khabur, Gretaer Zab, Lesser Zab, Adhaim and Diyala (Sirwan), in addition to tens of sub-tributaries [1] [3] [4]. All of them exhibit acute meanders along their courses. Some of the meanders are formed due to tectonic influence, when the course follows a plunge of an anticline; others are formed due to mass movement phenomena. The braided river system, forms meanders, but are not acute as those formed due to tectonic influence and/or mass movement phenomena

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion