Tectonically Stable Parts in Iraq Are Not Stable

Abstract

Iraq is located in the extreme northeastern part of the Arabian Plate, which is in collision with the Iranian (Eurasian) Plate. The collision, which is still ongoing has created tens of folds some of which exhibit different types of faults. The exerted compressional forces are believed to be decreasing southwestwards as being far from the collision area (Suture Zone). Accordingly, all the existing tectonic and geological maps compiled by different authors and all the existing published articles, reports and books have considered two main tectonic domains in Iraq. The Stable Shelf and Unstable Shelf or Inner Platform and Outer Platform. The contact between these two main divisions follows almost the Euphrates River; towards the west of the river is the tectonically Stable area and towards the east and north is the tectonically Unstable area, which means the presence of different structural forms. In the current study, we have recognized tens of different Neotectonic evidence in the Stable part indicating that the area is tectonically not stable. Among those indications are abandoned valleys, development of sinkholes along certain lineaments, bending of valleys in right angles, and development of nick-points in valleys along certain lineaments.