Iran-Iraq Border Research Articles

Relocation and Stress Analysis of the 2018 Mandali-Sumar Earthquake Sequence, Iraq-Iran Border

The 2018 Mandali-Sumar earthquake sequence started in January 2018 at the Iraq – Iran border within the Low Folded Zone of the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt. To study the fault that is responsible for this earthquake sequence, the relocation of 32 earthquakes was conducted. In addition, moment tensor solutions of 9 large earthquakes were collected to know the fault motion and stress regime in the study area. The Computer Programs in Seismology (CPS) was used to analyze waveform data taken from 33 seismic stations located in Iraq and Iran to relocate earthquakes. The location of the earthquake sequence based on the IRSC bulletin shows a scattered spatial distribution, but the results of the relocations show that the earthquakes of the sequences are aligned in a longitudinal feature parallel to an anticline limb located in Ilam and Kermanshah provinces near the Iraqi border. The moment tensor solutions indicate that the sequence is related to a thrust fault with a 342º strike direction, 35º NE dip angle, and 76º rake angle. The TENSOR program was used to perform formal stress inversion of moment stress axes, which revealed that the azimuth of the maximum horizontal stress axis is 63º. The epicenters of the sequence are located between the Mountain Front Fault to the NE and the Zagros Foredeep Fault to the Southeast. We believe that the 2018 Mandali-Sumar earthquake sequence is related to displacement on the surface of the Zagros Foredeep Fault within the uppermost basement and the lowermost Phanerozoic cover.

The landform Deformation at the Iraq-Iran Border due to Earthquakes in the Period (2017-2018)

The study targets to assess the potential of Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) in detecting ground distortion caused by earthquakes. The inSAR technique integrates Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and interferometry to reveal the slightest changes on the earth's surface through a specified period, impregnable to climate or time of day. The research analyses some scholarly articles to demonstrate the interest of InSAR in examining earthquakes and their outcome. These articles demonstrate the practical application of InSAR in enhancing fault slip analysis, ground deformation assessment, and early post-seismic changes in earthquakes. InSAR is beneficial with measurements from other tools, such as GPS and time series analysis, but it still offers valuable insights into earthquake characteristics and associated effects. The insights from these methodologies can help devise solutions to mitigate the impacts of earthquakes. In addition, the paper presents information about three earthquake swarm events and their corresponding fault types. The first event occurred on November 12th, 2017, while the second happened on November 25th, 2018. Despite their differences in magnitude and location, the second event was associated with a strike-slip fault. InSAR provides extensive practical applications, from natural hazard monitoring to infrastructure projects and topographic mapping.

Estimating the severity of landscape degradation in future management scenarios based on modeling the dynamics of Hoor Al-Azim International Wetland in Iran-Iraq border

Temporal and spatial changes in land cover in wetland ecosystems indicate the severity of degradation. Understanding such processes in the past, present, and future might be necessary for managing any type of development plan. Therefore, this research has monitored and analyzed the Hoor Al-Azim International Wetland to determine the orientation of its changes in various future scenarios. Wetland status modeling was conducted using developed hybrid approaches and cellular automata along with evaluating the accuracy of the modeled maps. The dynamics of the landscape were simulated using a higher accuracy approach in three scenarios—Water Conservation, Water Decreasing, and Business-as-Usual- to get the level of degradation of the wetland. The results showed that the amount of water in the wetland has decreased in all three periods, and the salt lands and vegetation have undergone drastic changes. The water bodies experienced a reduction of 148,139 ha between 1985 and 2000, followed by a decrease of 9107 ha during the 2000–2015 period. However, based on the results, these developments are expressed better by the developed hybrid approach than the CA-MC approach and are more reliable for future simulation. The figure of merit index, which assesses the hybrid model's accuracy, yielded a value of 18.12%, while the CA-MC model's accuracy was estimated at 14.42%. The assessment of degradation in hexagonal units showed the least degradation in the water conservation scenario compared with the other two scenarios in 2030.

Seismic performance of buildings during the magnitude 7.3 Kermanshah, Iran earthquake

In this paper, the findings and data of a large-scale reconnaissance mission following the November 12, 2017, M7.3 Kermanshah earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border are presented. The earthquake affected multiple cities in both countries and led to widespread damage and notable casualties and fatalities. The highest peak ground acceleration was recorded in Sarpol-e Zahab at 0.7g. As part of two trips, the data on nearly 1200 buildings in eight cities were collected by devising a sampling scheme to maximize the coverage of the survey, which was then employed to compile regional damage statistics. The spatial distribution of damage is presented for the entire region as well as various cities and neighborhoods in each city. The damage statistics are also disaggregated based on structural building, occupancies, and risk categories. The damage sustained by various categories of building components and contents is also assessed. In addition, the damage at the component level is closely examined for the structural and nonstructural components of severely damaged buildings to reveal the underlying causes that root in poor construction practices, lax enforcement of the building code, and inadequate seismic design provisions. Finally, the damage to hospitals in the region is investigated. This data, which can be augmented through a similar approach in the aftermath of probable future earthquakes, is key in calibrating the regional risk and resilience analysis of communities.

Hydromorfomatric of Mandli Basin East of Iraq

Mandli Basin was located in the Iraq-Iran border East of Diyala government. Thearea of basin its abut (491 km2). The basin was covered by recent deposits from theQuaternary age and the greater part of basin was located in the Mesopotamianvalley. The basin was completed study hydromorphomatric and themorphomatricanalysis was explain three stream order. The identical bifurcation 4.43and stream frequency 0.45 and the mass of basin were not good and discharge itsbad. As while as the basin was by far from the roundess and the basin shape wasnearby elongation and the relief was indicated .Quantity of Surface Run off in thebasin 50.8mm that is 19,24% from the precipitation and 7.1% from the precipitationto basin was infiltration to nutrition the ground water

Using InSAR Time Series to Estimate Ground Displacement Resulting From 7.3Mw 12 November 2017, Earthquake, Near the Iraq-Iran Border

Using InSAR Time Series to Estimate Ground Displacement Resulting From 7.3Mw 12 November 2017, Earthquake, Near the Iraq-Iran Border

Predicting the geographical distribution of the Persian leopard, Panthera pardus tulliana, a rare and endangered species

The endangered Persian Leopard, Panthera pardus tulliana, is a top predator and keystone species whose small, fragmented population is still distributed across the Zagros Mountain regions of northeastern Iraq. Their population is under threat from habitat loss and fragmentation, illegal hunting, prey depletion, minefields, and conflicts with humans. Conservation efforts require accurate information on the current and future distribution patterns of this species. Therefore, this study aimed at establishing new baseline data based on the maximum entropy model (Maxent) combined with GIS techniques, field surveys (i.e., camera traps, kill reports, carcasses), and relevant environmental variables obtained from multiple sources. Modeling demonstrated that the current suitable habitat distribution of the species comprises 12.4 % (6318 km2) of the total area of the study area (50971 km2). Of these suitable areas, 0.8 % (431 km2) were categorized as high suitable, 3.8 % (1935 km2) as medium suitable, and 7.8 % (3953 km2) as low suitable. Overall, as demonstrated by modeling under the preselected environmental predictors, the suitable habitat distribution of the Persian Leopard would contract by 1.3 % (666 km2) and 1.7 % (843 km2) in 2070 under the RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 climate change scenarios, respectively. There would be a latitudinal shift, and the distance between the current and future centroids would be around 43.492 km. This spatial shift would be mostly towards the Zagros Mountains in the northeast of Iraq, alongside the Iran-Iraq border. The most important variables that contributed significantly to the distribution of the species across the study area included slope (47.3 %), temperature seasonality (bio4) (27.9 %), land cover (7.7 %), human population density (4.2 %), soil pH (2.7 %), temperature (Bio2) (2.7 %), and NDVI (1.8 %). These results could have great implications for establishing strategic protected areas not only for the target species of this study but for a wide range of plant communities and prey species (e.g., goats, wild boar) across the mountain ecosystem.

Fracture characterization of Asmari Formation carbonate reservoirs in G Oilfield, Zagros Basin, Middle East

The Asmari Formation in the G oilfield on the Iran-Iraq border is a fractured-porous multi-lithology mixed reservoir, for which fracture is an important factor affecting oil productivity and water cut. The characterization and modeling of fractures in the carbonate reservoir of G oilfield are challenging due to weak conventional well log responses of fractures and a lack of specific logs, such as image logs. This study proposes an integrated approach for characterizing and modeling fractures in the carbonate reservoir. The features, formation mechanism, influencing factors, and prediction methods of fractures in the Asmari Formation carbonate reservoirs of G oilfield were studied using core observation, thin section, image log, cross-dipole acoustic log (CDAL), geomechanics numerical simulation (GNS), and production data. According to CDAL-based fracture density interpretation, GNS-based fracture intensity prediction between wells, and DFN-based rock fracture properties modeling, the quantitative fracture characterization for G oilfield was realized. This research shows that the fractures in the Asamri Formation are mainly medium-to high-angle shear fractures. The substantial compression stress during the Miocene played a major role in the formation of the prominent fractures and determined their trend in the region, with primary trends of NNW-SSE and NNE-SSW. The fracture distribution has regularity, and the fractures in zone A dolomites are more highly developed than that in zone B limestones vertically. Horizontally, fractures intensity is mainly controlled by faults and structural location. The results of this study may benefit the optimization of well design during field development. From 2019 to 2021, three horizontal wells pilot tests were deployed in the fractures belt in zone A, and these fractures prominently increased the permeability of tight dolomite reservoirs. The initial production of the wells is four to five times the average production of other wells in the area, showing a good development effect. Meanwhile, the updated numerical simulation validates that the history match accuracy of water cut based on the dual-porosity model is significantly improved, proving the fracture evaluation and prediction results to be relatively reliable and applicable.

Facies Implication of GERCUS Formation with The Bathymetry and Tectonic Activity of Van-Pyrenean Phases in Haibat-Sultan Mountain, Iraqi Kurdistan Region

The Eocene red clastic strata are represented by molasses facies of Gercus Formation and well exposed at Haibat-Sultan Mountain . A sequence of about 88m thick of the formation is located in the middle part of the Mountain. Detailed investigations including field, petrographic investigations which are linked  between bathymetric fluctuation and depositional environment.  The sequence is generally found to be a shallowing upward facies which start from deep marine (Kolosh Formation) to continental environment passing through shallow marine. Petrographic studies revealed the presence of a high rate of terrigenous grains; the most abundant clasts are sedimentary rock fragments such as limestone and chert. There are less abundant clasts derived from igneous and metamorphic rocks like quartz, feldspar, and micain addition to  authigenic  grains of glauconite are also represented. The pore space between grains are filled by  red clay with carbonate cement. The provenance consisted mainly of  Balambo,Tanjiro,Shiranish,and Aqra Formations while the Igneous and metamorphic grains are reworked from ophiolte and metamorphic ource areas that cropped out on the Hinterland near Iraq-Iran border. Gercus Formation in this area is deposited in four  depositional environments: fluviatile environments( river environment ), alluvial fan (shore line) , delta, and shore face environments. The deposition and fluctuation  influenced by  paleo-slope and regional tectonism of Van–Pyrenean phases. The Middle Part of this Formation interfingers with the Avanah Formation (Carbonate Rocks)  which was deposited during the rising of sea level.

Satellite based detection of pre-earthquake thermal anomaly, co-seismic deformation and source parameter modelling of past earthquakes

The presented work brings satellite-based detection of pre-earthquake transient thermal anomaly and coseismic deformation mechanism using InSAR (SAR Interferometry) observations of the two major earthquakes that occurred recently (the Iran-Iraq border earthquake of Nov. 12, 2017 (Mw 7.3) and the New Mirpur, Pakistan earthquake of 24th Sept. 2019 (Mw 5.4)). Near Iran-Iraq border earthquake, a rise of 4–6 ​°C from the normal temperature in both day and night Land Surface Temperature (LST) maps along the SW part of the fault is observed. In case of the New Mirpur, Pakistan earthquake, a rise of 3–5 ​°C from normal temperature in both day and night LST maps around the SSW and NW side of the epicenter is observed. Further, Sentinel-1A microwave satellite data employing InSAR technique have been used to estimate co-seismic ground deformations and fault geometry and slip distribution of both earthquakes. The results show that both events occurred due to blind reverse fault mechanism dipping NE with shallow dip. The weightage of strike slip component and dip slip component is more or less equal to each other in total slip distribution for Iran-Iraq border earthquake. Similarly, New Mirpur, Pakistan earthquake have more strike slip components than dip slip components in the weightage in total slip distribution. Considerable number of aftershocks have also occurred in the regions as estimated by coulomb static stress along the SW side of the fault geometry of Iran-Iraq border earthquake and for New Mirpur, Pakistan earthquake, along the SSW, NW, and east side of the fault geometry. The correlation between high stress regions before and after the occurrence of earthquakes using thermal anomaly map and Coulomb static stress map has been also observed.

Mapping of dust source susceptibility by remote sensing and machine learning techniques (case study: Iran-Iraq border).

A dust storm is a major environmental problem affecting many arid regions worldwide. The novel contribution of this study is combining indicators extracted from RS- and statistic-based predictive models to spatial mapping of land susceptibility to dust emissions in a very important dust source area in the borders of Iran and Iraq (Khuzestan province in Iran and Al-Basrah and Maysan provinces in Iraq). In this research, remote sensing (RS) techniques and machine learning techniques, including multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS), random forest (RF), and logistic regression (LR), were used for dust source identification and susceptibility map preparation. To this end, 152 DSA for the period of 2005-2020 were identified in the study area. Of these DSA data, 70% was assigned to the Dust Source Susceptibility Mapping (DSSM) (training dataset) and 30% to model validation. Consequently, six factors (i.e., soil, lithology, slope, normalized vegetation differential index (NDVI), geomorphology, and land use units) were prepared as DSA's independent and effective variables. The results of all three models indicated that land use had the most impact on DSA. The validation results of these models using the test data showed sub-curves of 0.92, 0.86, and 0.76 for the RF, MARS, and LR models, respectively. Also, results showed that the RF model outperformed MARS (AUC = 0.89) and LR (AUC = 0.78) methods. In all three models, high and very high susceptibility classes generally covered a large percentage of the case study. The highest percentage of dust source points was also in this susceptibility category. Overall, the results of this study can be useful for planners and managers to control and reduce the risk of negative dust consequences.

Unconformity and Paleokarst in the Lower Part of the Qamchuqa Formation; An Example from the Arabian Carbonate Platform in the Zagros Belt NE Iraq

Northeastern Arabian Plate Margin is now part of the Zagros Collisional belt and extends nearly parallel to the Iraq-Iran border. The margin comprised, during the Early Cretaceous, of the Arabian Carbonate Platform which is poorly explored. This margin consists of thick carbonate succession and separates the Neo-Tethys Ocean (present Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone) from the Arabian Plate interior. The carbonate succession, as the Qamchuqa and Balambo formations, consists of more than 600 m of dolomite and reefal limestone. The present study focused on records and discussions of evidence of unconformity and paleokarst (UaPK) inside the Arabian platform in northeast Iraq. The study recorded this evidence inside the lower part of the Qamchuqa Formation and the pieces of evidence include limestone conglomerate, plaeo-solution cavities, erosional surfaces, widespread coarse and fine grain detrital limestones, hardground, extensive burrows of Thalassiniodes, and mineralization. The solution cavities shaped a complex network, developed inside fine-grain limestone and filled with yellow to brown ooid and detrital limestones. Most of these features are observable over more than 500 km2 in the Sulaymaniyah and traceable inside gorges and valley sides. Toward the north and northeast of the studied area, the unconformity changes to correlative conformity in the Neo-Tethys basin of the studied area where the sediments consist of laminated and graded detrital limestone (packstone-wackstone) and are deposited as a thick succession of calciturbidite that stratigraphically designated as the Balambo Formation. The result of the present study debates the previously claimed unconformities and uncovers many processes and features of the Northeastern Arabian Carbonate Platform Margin. Additionally, it reveals tectonic and paleogeographic settings of the Arabian Plate Margin that have application in searches for oil and better reconsideration of the geologic setting of the Zagros Belt in the future.

Geochemical and geochronological constraints on origin of the Sawlava ophiolite (NW Iran): Evidence for oceanic mantle evolution beneath Iran-Iraq border

The Sawlava ophiolite is situated on the Iran–Iraq border within the Walash-Kermanshah ophiolitic belt and represents remnants of the Cenozoic southern Neo-Tethys Ocean, which was located between the Arabian plate and the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone. It contains a complete ophiolitic sequence started from harzburgites with foliated/discordant dunites, gabbroic bodies, a dyke complex, and pillow as well as massive basaltic lavas. The whole-rock and mineral chemistry of the Sawlava peridotites suggest that they are a mantle residuum after ca. 20–30% partial melting and melt extraction in the suprasubduction zone (SSZ) setting. The volcanic rocks generally range from island arc tholeiite to calc-alkaline affinities. Whole-rock chemistry indicates that volcanic units have compositions akin to depleted- and enriched-types mid-ocean ridge basalts (E-MORB). Layered- and isotropic gabbros show geochemical affinity similar to the normal mid-ocean ridge basalt (N-MORB) and E-MORB compositions, respectively. Their llight rare earth elements (LREE) observed in both N-MORB-like and E-MORB-like rocks, define two main basic geochemical types (LREE-enriched and LREE-depleted), suggesting several magmatic pulses from different mantle compositions that reveal mantle evolution and heterogeneity across the study area. Basaltic lavas weakly depleted in LREE show relatively flat REE patterns and (La/Yb)N values of 0.77 to 1.24, whereas LREE-enriched rocks have a (La/Yb)N mean values of 1.7, and lack an Eu anomaly. These subgroups of basaltic rocks show different extrusion ages – Paleocene–Eocene (59–50 Ma) and Oligocene (29 Ma), respectively. Petrogenetic modeling shows that mafic N- and E-MORB type rocks of Sawlava, which have (La/Yb)N = 0.97 and 1.7 and (Dy/Yb)N = 1.13 and 1.1, respectively, formed due to partial melting of a mantle source less enriched in LREE than an garnet lherzolite ((La/Yb)N = 0.88 and (Dy/Yb)N = 0.94) source or, alternatively, from very low degree (<2%) partial melting of a spinel-bearing DMM. The La/Yb–Dy/Yb systematics of these rocks are interpreted to be compatible with ~2 to 10% and ~ 20% of partial melting of a garnet bearing spinel lherzolite source for the N- and E-MORB type rocks, respectively. The geochemical data and results reveal that magmatic-originated rocks from both Paleocene-Eocene and Oligocene lavas seem to be less heterogeneous compared with the mantle sources of the Walash-Kermanshah ophiolites, likely due to different slab-fluid components and variations of partial melting degrees. The studied volcanic rocks therefore possibly record chemical heterogeneity due to magmatic activity at an oceanic spreading center alongside slab rollback and back-arc extension at the Eurasian continental margin.

Habitat suitability and connectivity implications for the conservation of the Persian leopard along the Iran-Iraq border.

Habitat fragmentation has major negative impacts on wildlife populations, and the connectivity could reduce these negative impacts. This study was conducted to assess habitat suitability and structural connectivity of the Persian leopard along the Iran–Iraq border (i.e., the Zagros Mountains) and compare the situation of identified core habitats and connectivity with existing conservation areas (CAs). An ensemble modeling approach resulting from five models was used to predict habitat suitability. To identify core habitats and corridors along the Iran–Iraq border, factorial least‐cost path analyses were applied. The results revealed that topographic roughness, distance to CAs, annual precipitation, vegetation/cropland density, and distance to rivers were the most influential variables for predicting the occurrence of the Persian leopard in the study area. By an estimated dispersal distance of 82 km (suggested by previous studies), three core habitats were identified (two cores in Iran and one core in Iraq). The largest cores were located in the south and the center of the study area, which had the highest connectivity priorities. The connectivity from these cores was maintained to the core within the Iraqi side. Only about one‐fifth of detected core habitats and relative corridors were protected by CAs in the study area. Detected core habitats and connectivity areas in this study could be an appropriate road map to accomplish the CAs network along the Iran–Iraq border regarding Persian leopard conservation. Establishing transboundary CAs, particularly in the core habitat located in the center of the study area, is strongly recommended to conserve existing large carnivores, including the Persian leopard.

Geology of Bajalia Anticline of the Low Folded Zone of Iraq

Bajalia Anticline is located about 60km northeast of central Amarah city in Al-Teeb area near Iraq-Iran border. Field and laboratory works were conducted to study topography, geomorphology, stratigraphy, and structural geology of Bajalia Anticline. The Anticline has a longitudinal shape with about 29km in length and 5-7km in width. Injana, Mukdadiya, and Bai Hassan formations are the three formations that were recognized in the study area. The geometrical structural analysis depicts that the Anticline is non-cylindrical, asymmetrical, close, sub-horizontal, steeply inclined, and linear fold. Most of the fractures in the Anticline are joints. These joints were classified based on the tectonics axes, which are a, b, and c, into ac, bc, and hol. A major reverse fault is located at the margin of the southwestern limb parallel to the fold axis with about 25km length. This fault is responsible on the vergence of the Anticline and overturned part of the southwestern limb. The Anticline was formed as a result of the collision between the Arabian and Iranian plates during the Late Tertiary. The maximum stress axis, which is caused by collision, is perpendicular to the hinge line. The geometrical and genetic classification indicates that the Anticline was formed by the high folding intensity and with a role of evaporites layers.

Discriminating the Multi-Frequency Microwave Brightness Temperature Anomalies Relating to 2017 Mw 7.3 Sarpol Zahab (Iran-Iraq Border) Earthquake

A Mw 7.3 earthquake occurred near the Iran-Iraq border on November 12, 2017, as the result of oblique-thrust squeezing of the Eurasian plate and the Arabian plate. By employing the spatio-temporally weighted two-step method (STW-TSM) and microwave brightness temperature (MBT) data from AMSR-2 instrument on board Aqua satellite, this paper investigates carefully the spatiotemporal features of multi-frequency MBT anomalies relating to the earthquake. Soil moisture (SM), satellite cloud image, regional geological map and surface landcover data are utilized to discriminate the potential MBT anomalies revealed from STW-TSM. The low-frequency MBT residual images shows that positive anomalies mainly occurred in the mountainous Urmia lake and the plain region, which were 300 km north and 200 km southwest about to the epicenter, respectively. The north MBT anomaly firstly appeared 51 days before the mainshock and its magnitude increased over time with a maximum of about +40K. Then the anomaly disappeared 3 days before, reappeared 1d after and diminished completely 10 days after the mainshock. Meanwhile, the southwest MBT anomaly firstly occurred 18 days before and peaked 3 days before the mainshock with a maximum of about +20K, and then diminished gradually with aftershocks. It is speculated that the positive MBT anomaly in the Urmia lake was caused by microwave dielectric property change of water body due to gas bubbles leaking from the bottom of the lake disturbed by local crust stress alteration, while the southwest MBT positive anomaly was caused by microwave dielectric constant change of shallow surface due to accumulation of seismically-activated positive charges originated at deep crust. Besides, some accidental abnormal residual stripes existed in line with satellite orbit, which turned out to be periodic data errors of the satellite sensor. High-frequency MBT residual images exhibit some significant negative anomalies, including a narrow stripe pointing to the forthcoming epicenter, which were confirmed to be caused by synchronous altostratus clouds. This study is of guidance meaning for distinguishing non-seismic disturbances and identifying seismic MBT anomaly before, during and after some large earthquakes.

Determination of spectral decay parameter and Quality factor in Kermanshah region, NW Iran

Among important parameters in simulation of earthquake data in high frequencies are the high frequency spectral amplitude decay and the Quality factor. Amplitude spectral decay is determined by the Kappa parameter (K) and the Quality factor (Q) which is usually expressed by a power relation of frequency (f) as Q = Q0 f n, where Q0 is Q at 1 Hz. The 2017 Sarpol-e-Zahab earthquake with magnitude Mw = 7.3 in Kermanshah province near the Iran-Iraq border caused extensive destruction and heavy human loss. Thus, the study of different aspects of this event is of high importance. In this paper an attempt is made to partly explain the attenuation properties of this region in Zagros suture zone by determining the Kappa and the Quality factors in this region. In this study, accelerograph records of aftershocks of the above-mentioned earthquake have been analysed. The best linear fit for the Kappa, based on the distance (R) in km, is estimated as: K = 0.0005 R + 0.034 for the horizontal component, which exhibits increase with increasing epicentral distance. The correlation of the Quality factor was also found as Q = 88.6 f 0.8, which is in accordance with an active tectonic region.

Stratigraphy, Geometry, and pattern of Imbricated zones, NW Zagros Fold and Thrust Belt in Iraqi Kurdistan Region

The High Folded and Imbricated zones are the formalized name represent the part of the Tectonic sub-division of Iraq and Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The study of compressional deformation and Stratigraphy are the keys to identify thrust faults structures and define the sequence of thrusting in High Folded and Imbrication zones as a part of Zagros Fold and Thrust Belts. Through this study, we try to describe the compressional thrust faults and stratigraphical unit description. Thrust faults make repetition of the sequences of Jurassic-Triassic Cretaceous sequence over thrust above Cretaceous sequences. In Iran-Iraq border close to Sirwan valley the large thrust faults (Sirwan-Sazan Thrust faults) identify. The fault system makes Triassic formations over-thrust the Valanginian-Albian Balambo Formations. In Balakayati area serious thrust fault exists, which creates twice repetition of Jurassic-Cretaceous formations forming imbrication thrusting system and fault propagation fold. In Bradost-Korek anticlines the Jurassic-Cretaceous formations over-thrust Cenozoic formations. In Kamosk anticline the thrust faults are in the Cretaceous formations. The dimension and the style of the thrust faults are different but generally, most of the decollement layers of the thrusting are the Early Triassic and Middle-Late Jurassic formations. The collection of all these results constrain geological cross-section in Imbricate Zone and restore to obtain the 7.5 km distance of Shortening due to folding and faulting.

Dynamic Response Spectrum of Multi-Story Shear Frame Subjected to Moderate Ground Motion

Design structures to resist natural hazards is a vital issue to mitigate the impact of such threats. Earthquakes could lead to numerous injuries and infrastructure destruction. Specifically, when structures are not designed to resist seismic load. This article presents dynamic analysis of four-story shear frame under moderate ground motion to determine the dynamic response. The proposed location of the considered frame is near Iraq-Iran border due to increase of seismic activities in last years. Structures in the considered seismic zone are essentially either residential or commercial buildings and not designed to resist seismic load, therefore structural system failure is probable. Simplified model is considered to determine response spectrum according to the International Building Code requirements. The algorithm of the analysis is developed using MATLAB® code to get mode shapes, response spectrum acceleration, maximum displacement, maximum shear forces, and modal participation mass at each story. The article develops design response spectra curve of Erbil city. Furthermore, the analysis results showed that first mode shape has more contribution than the other modes because higher percentage of the mass of the shear frame responds to the ground motion, and 88.53% of shear-frame mass is participating responds to the ground motion in the same mode

Analysis of kulbari's economic position in the northwest border villages of Iran (a study of paveh border villages)

One of the most important issues along the Iran-Iraq border (Kurdistan) is the Kulbari phenomenon. The phenomena have forced the inhabitants of these border regions, whether old or young, men or women, to some extent be involved. Problems of life and finances of this phenomenon cannot be ignored by any viewer. The present paper is an attempt to study the economic position of Kulbari’s in the north-western border villages of Iran more specifically the border villages of Paveh. For the same purpose the library documentary and field study methods have been used. A questionnaire was prepared keeping the statistical population in mind, of which 113 questionnaires were answered. Results thus obtained shows that the most important parameter affecting the political dimension of the Kulbari phenomenon in the border villages is the communication policy between the two border states, the ideology, and strategies of the two border states, and the border policy. In the economic dimension, the most important parameter includes the supply of necessities of life, employment and unemployment in the border region, the absence of agricultural and pasture land; and in the geographical dimension the most important parameters affecting the stability of the Kulbari phenomenon is the development level of the border region relative to the center. Finally, the paper also provides some suggestions to solve the Kulbari issue in the study area.