Study of the Finite Strain of Bekhme Structure in Shaqlawa Area, Northeastern Iraq

Abstract

This research includes the finite deformation study from five oriented samples of the sandstone rocks for the Injana Formation. in the SW flank of Bekhme Anticline in NE Iraq. Analysis and measurement of the finite deformation were carried out on sandstone beds that are mostly of continental environments. This work is based on the Fry method for strain analysis. The calculated strain was illustrated, in the form of ellipsoids, within three prepared orthogonal single surfaces in a single type, as well as, the method was used to estimate the ratio of the strain for these types of samples. The finite deformation in the study area is not considered high, this was mainly because the sandstone rock samples undergo brittle strain during the faulting and the folding. The computed ratios of strain, (3-D trend for deformation axes) of deformation rocks were equivalence to the Flinn chart that is usually used for plotting deformation ellipsoids, and accordingly method of stereographical projection, the maximum axis for that ellipsoid was parallel to the measured Bekhme Anticline axis and minimum axis was orthogonal to the axis of Bekhme Anticline in the studied region. This trend of those axes was related to the Arabian Plate movement.