Mesopotamian Plain Research Articles

The spatial and temporal variation of the terrestrial water storage anomaly (TWSA) of Iraq for the period 2002-2019 based on GRACE gravity data

This study utilized data from the NASA Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) to examine the variability of the terrestrial water storage anomaly (TWSA) in Iraq between 2002 and 2019. The analysis focused on six grid cells representing the Iraqi territory. The season trend decomposition (SLT) method was used to decompose the signal time series of TWSA to reveal the seasonality, trend, and random noise for the six GRACE blocks. Results proved that Block01 in northwestern side of Iraq, experienced a significant reduction in TWS between 2002 and 2009, followed by a negative linear trend until 2015, and then a positive trend. Block02 which is located in the northeastern part of Iraq showed a decreasing trend in TWS until 2008, after which it had a positive trend. Block03 in the western central side of Iraq reveals a decrease in TWS from 2002 to 2008, followed by a negative linear trend until 2016, and then a positive trend. Block04 in the eastern Mesopotamian plain had a minor increase in TWS until 2006, followed by a substantial decrease until 2016, before stabilizing and showing a positive trend. Block05 in the southwestern side of Iraq demonstrated a continuous decline in TWSA. In contrast, TWS increased in block6 on the southeastern side from 2002 to 2007, then decreased from 2007 to 2009. TWSA levels remained stable from 2009 to 2016, then increased from 2016 to the end of 2019. The seasonal fluctuations in TWS varied across the blocks, but generally, surpluses were observed in winter and spring, while deficits were observed in summer and autumn. The shortage in TWS is attributed to drought and excessive use of groundwater for irrigation. The recent positive trends in TWS in some blocks suggest that the drought may be coming to an end, but further analysis is necessary to reach a definitive conclusion.

Tectonic evolution and structural geology of the Jurassic succession in the Zubair oil field, southern Iraq

This study investigates the structural style and tectonic evolution of Jurassic succession in southern Iraq, within the Zubair oil field, which are crucial for charging oil to the Cretaceous reservoirs, utilized 3-D seismic reflection data to explore its complex geological history. The field is located in the Mesopotamian plain on the northeast Arabian Plate in southern Iraq. Four folds recognized: Hammar, Shuaiba, Rafdyia, and Safwan, each shaped by specific geodynamic processes. Hammar, Shuaiba, and Safwan are characterized as salt-related folds, influenced by salt tectonics. Rafdyia is identified as a compression-related fold formed due to the convergence of the Arabian and Eurasian plates. Forty-seven faults were identified, with diversity patterns and spatial distributions suggesting a tectonic history marked by three distinct phases: extensional tectonics, extensional with concurrent salt activity, and plate convergence. These phases have created a series of graben structures that, along with the identified folds, highlight the role of three primary tectonic processes: basement tectonics, salt dynamics, and plate interactions in shaping the structural style of the Zubair oil field during the Jurassic time.

Drought susceptibility mapping in Iraq using GRACE/GRACE-FO, GLDAS, and machine learning algorithms

Drought susceptibility mapping is crucial for mitigating water scarcity and its cascading effects. This study utilizes machine learning (ML) and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data to identify drought-prone areas in Iraq. Terrestrial water storage anomaly (TWSA) data derived from GRACE observations was utilized, in conjunction with various meteorological and topographical factors (temperature, precipitation, wind speed, potential evapotranspiration, aridity index, normalized difference vegetation index, groundwater storage, root zone moisture, elevation, and slope) sourced from diverse global datasets, primarily those comprising the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS). These combined datasets served as input for five machine learning models to identify the drought prone area of Iraq: linear discriminant analysis, classification and regression trees, support vector machine, random forest, and k-nearest neighbor. All models exhibited exceptional performance (>0.9 accuracy, >0.8 kappa values, >0.9 areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve) highlighting the effectiveness of the combined TWSA and multi-factor approach. The analysis identified five drought susceptibility zones across Iraq, ranging from very low to very high. An area of approximately 160,650 km2, primarily concentrated in the northeastern and Mesopotamian plains of central and southern Iraq, was identified as exhibiting high to very high drought susceptibility, highlighting the necessity for targeted mitigation strategies. This study pioneers the use of GRACE-derived TWSA and GLDAS data for drought susceptibility mapping in Iraq, paving the way for data-driven water management interventions.

Physicochemical and mineral properties of suspended sediments of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the Mesopotamian Plain

Most of the suspended river load from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers is deposited in the Mesopotamian Plain in Iraq. This suspended river load comprises sediments consisting of minerals and organic particles generated from weathering, erosion, transport, and sedimentation. Therefore, it is crucial to analyze, either quantitative or qualitatively, the types of minerals in the sediment particles transported by the suspended river load, in addition to the potential value they may add to the agricultural lands irrigated by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Herein, samples of suspended sediments were collected from both rivers for physical, chemical, and mineral assessments. The results revealed the predominance of silt particles, followed by clay, and then sand. The presence of clay particles increased while that of silt and sand decreased with further travel into the rivers. The pH values ranged from 7.39 to 7.70 and the electrical conductivity ranged from 1.39 to 2.16 ds m−1. The values of the total and active calcium carbonate minerals were 352.87–336.12 and 172.64–194.56 g kg−1 for the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, respectively. The mineral analysis identified the presence of non-clay minerals at a rate of 83 %, including calcite, quartz, albite, dolomite, and gypsum. Clay minerals, including chlorite, illite, montmorillonite, palygorskite, vermiculite, and kaolinite, were found at a rate of 17 %. Both rivers exhibited distributions of clay and non-clay minerals that vary as they move along the rivers.

Geological Implications of Crustal Thickness, Vp/Vs, and Poisson's Ratio Beneath the Western Mesopotamian Plain Edge, Iraq

To know the crustal structure, composition, deformation, and evolution, it is crucial to appreciate the ratio between the velocity of the primary wave and the velocity of the secondary wave, Poisson's ratio, and crustal thickness. The receiver function inversion method was used to determine the (h), the primary wave and velocity of the secondary wave, and the Poisson's ratio. The chosen earthquakes' receiver functions were examined after being recorded at the two seismic stations in Anbar ANB1 and Karbala KAR2. According to the research, the westernmost part of the Mesopotamian plain has a crustal thickness between 44 and 46 km. The calculated crustal thickness value agrees with data from platform regions. The study area's crustal primary wave and velocity of the secondary wave is 1.79. For the platform region and andesitic rocks, this value is typical. The crustal Poisson's ratio was reported to have an intermediate value (0.27). It demonstrates that there are not many differences between the felsic and mafic compositions of the crust.

Mineralogy of Recent Sediments of Al-Teeb River Basin-East Missan Governorate, Southeastern Iraq

This research aims to define the mineralogical composition of recent sediments that were deposited around the Al-Teeb River basin in the east Missan Governorate and try to determine the provenance or the source of these sediments. The study area represents the southeastern edge of the Mesopotamian Plain and is part of it. 15 samples were collected from eight stations of recent sediment that was deposited around the Al-Teeb River; two field works are covered (December 2019 and August 2021). Mineralogical study of the sediment after separating the light and heavy minerals by heavy liquid Bromoform in order to determine the mineralogical composition of the studied samples by using the petrographic microscope the light mineral fraction composed (95.5%) of the total mineralogy. The light components of these sediments consist mainly of quartz about 25.31%, feldspars (potash and plagioclase feldspar) about 9.53%, sedimentary rock fragments (carbonate rock fragments up to 33.39%, chert rock fragments 7.65%, evaporates fragments, 7.31%), (igneous rock fragments, and metamorphic rock fragments about 6.94%). The major component of the heavy minerals residue is opaque minerals with a range of 36.76% and non-opaque minerals with a range of 63.24%. The non-opaque minerals are mainly of chlorite 7.42%, pyroxenes composed of both orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene 6.37%, amphiboles composed of hornblende, glaucophane, and tremolite 7.02%, (mica: biotite and muscovite) 9.81%, zircon 7.54%, tourmaline 5.1%, epidote group 5.91%, rutile 4.5%, kyanite 2.2%. The sediments have two types of stability: moderately stable and ultra-stable. The mineralogical composition shows that the major sources of these sediments are; the river terraces and flood plain of the river in the Mesopotamian Plain, another source of these sediments is the aeolian deposits that separated from sand dune fields in the studied area, and outcrops of ancient sedimentary formations in the southeastern of Iraq as specified by the incidence of the carbonate rock fragments.

The Cause of the Earthquake (4.7 mb) and Recent Stress Regime Occurring in Al-Refaei Area, Mesopotamian plain, August 18th, 2017

Al-Refaei area is considered one of the highest seismically activity in the Mesopotamian Plain according to its seismic history. Depending on the International seismological Center, four seismic swarms were diagnosed in this area; these are: August 2004, January 2013, May-Jun 2017, and August 2017. Based on three focal mechanism solutions of magnitude greater than 4 mb, the stresses in the area were analysed. The results of focal mechanisms suggest that the faults movements in the study area show reverse movements, which is generated by compression force. To determine the directions of principal stress axes that affecting the faults in the area, the Rotational Optimization method were used. The directions of the three stress axes are: 02°/32°, 10°/302°, and 80°/136° for σ1, σ2, and σ3, respectively. The collision between the Arabian and Iranian plates is the main cause of seismic activity in Al-Refaei area. Therefore, Al-Refaei active fault is responsible for most the earthquakes in the area, and responsible for the earthquake that occurred in August 18th, 2017.

Physicochemical Characterization and Origin of Aeolian Sand Dunes in Southeastern Qatar: A Comparative Study with Mediterranean Sand Dunes

Abstract. A significant geographical feature in Qatar is represented by aeolian sand dunes, which cover approximately 12 % of the country's total surface area and are well-developed in the southern region. This study aims to enhance our understanding of Qatari sand dunes by investigating their textural parameters, chemical composition, mineralogy, potential sources of sediment, and transportation mechanisms. To assess the physical and chemical characteristics of the sand dunes being examined, various experimental techniques were employed, including grain size analyses, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectrometry. The analysis of the studied sand dunes indicates a combination of calcareous and siliceous materials. These dunes predominantly consist of quartz, protoenststite, calcite, and feldspar minerals, with clay minerals being relatively scarce. The chemical composition of the sand samples shows high levels of silicon oxide, significant concentrations of calcium, magnesium, and aluminum oxides, along with smaller amounts of iron, chlorine, potassium, and sulfur oxides. Furthermore, trace elements such as titanium, strontium, chromium, and scandium oxides were found in negligible quantities. Based on the physical and chemical properties observed in the studied sand dunes, it can be inferred that they originate from the Mesopotamian plain, Zagros Mountains, and the calcareous coast of the Arabian Gulf are likely of aeolian origin. The findings derived from our examination of Qatari sand dunes have been compared with published data from the Arabian deserts situated along the Mediterranean Sea. The primary objective of this comparative analysis is to highlight both the common features and distinctive variations in their composition and origins. This comparative assessment suggests that Qatari sand dunes exhibit lower maturity levels in terms of silicon content and may have an origin distinct from those in the Mediterranean region.

Genetic analysis is compatible with recent human-mediated range expansion of Filopaludina from India into the Mesopotamian Plain

ABSTRACT In the present study, we genetically analyse populations of ‘Filopaludina bengalensis’ from the Euphrates River (Iraq), more than 4,000 km from its type locality. By sequencing several mitochondrial and nuclear genes, we aimed to test whether this population indeed belongs to F. bengalensis from India and how it is related to other members of the genus. Our molecular phylogeny shows that the individuals from Iraq form a monophyletic group together with other populations of F. bengalensis from India and F. doliaris from Indochina. The haplotype network indicates closer affinities to populations from western India and further suggests, with support from subfossil records, that the Mesopotamian Plain was colonized by humans some centuries ago. However, given the very limited sampling across the Mesopotamian Plain, further studies are needed in order to obtain a more robust insight into the phylogeographical history of this species across the region.

Species distribution modeling of two poorly known populations of Spalerosophis diadema (Reptilia: Colubridae): are the Zagros Mountains a true barrier for fragmentation in this species?

ABSTRACT Predictive models of species distribution can be beneficial for identifying the most important and influential environmental factors in species distribution and understanding the current and future habitat suitability of species. In this study, we used species distribution modeling to find out the potential distribution and habitat suitability of two spatially separated populations of Spalerosophis diadema and show the most important environmental factors that affect their habitat separation. The findings of SDM analyses demonstrated that the most important factors for the two populations are annual mean temperature, precipitation of coldest quarter, NDVI in May, and elevation, as these factors contributing about 80–85% of the environmental factors to the whole model. Two populations react similarly to these environmental predictors and there is no significant difference between the important, and influential environmental factors of their habitats. Although our results show some overlap of the potential distributions of populations among Mesopotamian plain and Afghanistan, there is no confirmed report or voucher specimen proving the overlap distribution in these regions. Our results support the hypothesis that the Zagros Mountains acted as a barrier to the east–west fragmentation of these two populations.

STATISTICAL METHOD FOR ESTIMATING SELECTED GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES OF QUATERNARY SEDIMENT

Quaternary sediments have characteristics that distinguish them from older soils. In engineering practice, these sediments are of particular interest to engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers because many engineering constructions have to be founded on, or in, them. This paper describes a method for rapidly estimating selected geotechnical properties of some Quaternary soil from the Mesopotamian Plain using statistical correlation equations. The paper explored an expedient statistical method to estimate some geotechnical properties (including total and dry unit weights, void ratio, porosity, Atterberg limits, and compression index) rapidly without running time-consuming and expensive laboratory tests. It was found that the selected properties showed a relatively moderate to high correlation with independent properties. Both the unit weight and void ratio depicted a high correlation with initial water content. while a moderate correlation existed between compression index and initial water content. Also, the plasticity index has a strong correlation with liquid limit values. The results of this study accord an additional usage as facultative engineering tools for geotechnical engineers to utilize for any preliminary engineering design.

Isotropic and radially anisotropic S-velocity structure beneath the Arabian plate inferred from surface wave tomography

We estimated Rayleigh- and Love-wave group-velocity dispersion curves using dense seismic networks in Saudi Arabia and nearby countries. We merged our data with group- and phase-velocity dispersion curves from previous studies to produce a new isotropic and radially anisotropic S-velocity model for the Arabian plate and nearby regions. Strong negative radial anisotropy (VSH < VSV) is observed in the crustal depth beneath the southern Red Sea, but weak positive radial anisotropy (VSH > VSV) and relatively thick lithosphere are found beneath the northern Red Sea, implying different tectonics between the two regions. We found low-velocity anomalies beneath Cenozoic volcanism in the Arabian Peninsula, but corresponding radial anisotropic perturbations are observed differently in spatiotemporal regimes depending on source origin. From the strong positive radial anisotropy at asthenospheric depth, which correlates with a circular pattern of azimuthal anisotropy from shear-wave splitting, we infer toroidal mantle flow around regions of thick lithosphere including an eastern part of the Arabian platform, the Mesopotamian Plain, and the Zagros belt. On the contrary, weak radial anisotropy is found beneath the thin lithosphere of the Arabian shield and in the thick lithosphere of the Mesopotamian, which may imply vertical flow due to asthenospheric upwelling and cratonic growth, respectively.

Geotechnical Properties Evaluation of Selected Reservoir Sediments in Samarra Barrage and Wind Dam, Iraq

This study was conducted on selected sediments from the Iraqi dam reservoir to verify their quality, the geotechnical properties including physical, engineering, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics. It was found that the study area soil is similar to the soil in the Mesopotamian plain areas where silts have low plasticity in the Samarra barrage and have medium plasticity at the Wind dam. moisture content is low in the Samarra barrage because sampling is done in the summer season, and high in wind dam due to the rain and snow in the winter. While the specific gravity values converge, because the fine sediment have originated from different sources. The mechanical properties, direct shear test show that the values of cohesion and angle of internal frication is with the natural range of known values of silt soils, while the consolidation test for sites shows that the normal values, Pre consolidation pressure, compression index ، swelling index over consolidation ratio are greater than 1, which indicate over consolidation soils. The total dissolved solids for sites are less exceeded 0.5%, the gypsum content is higher than 0.5%. the organic matter content is less than 0.5%. pH value shows that the sediments are alkaline. The mineralogical test of the sediment using XRD shows that the mineral contents of the analyzed sediment are composed mainly of the quartz, calcite, dolomite, gypsum, albite, and clay minerals such as montmorillonite, chlorite, illite, and kaolinite.

Mineralogy of Recent Sediments of AL-Teeb River Basin East Missan Governorate Southeastern Iraq

The main aim of this research is to define the mineralogical composition of recent sediments deposited around the Al-Teeb river basin in eastern Missan, trying to determine the provenance or the source of these sediments. The study area represents the southeastern edge of the Mesopotamian Plain and is part of it. Quaternary deposits cover most of the area. It is clayey with old sea and river deposits and part of aeolian deposits. These sediments cover 95% of the study area, while the older rocks, which date back to the Tertiary (Late Miocene – Pliocene), exposed in the area east and northeast of the Al-Teeb area, made up hills which back to the undifferentiated Pliocene Mukdadiya and Bai-Hassan formations. The light components of these sediments consist mainly of quartz, feldspars (potash and plagioclase feldspar), sedimentary rock fragments (carbonate rock fragments, chert rock fragments, evaporates fragments), igneous rock fragments, and metamorphic rock fragments The heaviest minerals are opaque, amphiboles, pyroxenes, chlorite, epidotes, biotite, garnet, muscovite, zircon, kyanite, staurolite, and rutile. These sediments are typically formed by sedimentary rocks (single or many cycles), low and high-rank metamorphic rocks, acidic and basic igneous rocks, and pegmatite rocks. The high percentage of opaque heavy minerals in clastic sediment refers to unstable clastic sediments. The stability issue to the areas during the study shows that there are significant variances over the several places, indicating dissimilar sources and types of source rocks

Structural Geology Study of Tuba Oilfield, Southern Iraq

Tuba oilfield is one of the Iraqi oilfields located in southern Iraq within the Mesopotamian Plain. The main purpose of this study is to carry out a structural geology analysis of the Tuba oilfield. The structural analysis included geometric and genetic analyses of the study area. According to geometric and genetic analysis results, some formations folds are classified as Thickened folds and others as Supratenuous folds. Two folding mechanisms (bending and buckle) are characterized as responsible for folding the Tuba structure. The bending mechanism forms a Supratenuous fold, perhaps due to the vertical force of salt structure and/or basement faults, while the buckle produces Thickened fold because of the horizontal force of the collision between the Arabian Plate and Eurasian Plate. The correlation sections and contour maps show that the structural development of the Tuba oilfield may be less than adjacent oilfields (Zubair and Rumaila oilfields). The fold axis of the Tuba oilfield is NW-SE, and this is perhaps attributed to the anticlockwise motion of the Arabian Plate. The results of geometric and genetic analyses may be revealed that the Tuba oilfield was formed by tectonic activities (Hormuz salt, basement faults, and collision between Arabian and Eurasian Plates) with intensity less than surrounding oilfields.

Characterization of Structural Geology of Faihaa Oilfield, Southern Iraq

Faihaa Oilfield is a new exploration Iraqi Oilfield located in southern Iraq and within Mesopotamian Plain, including the Block 9 exploration area, along the Iraqi-Iranian border. The study area included Faihaa Oilfield (in Iraq) and Yadavaran Oilfield (in Iran). They belong to one anticline (Dome) structure separated by the Iraqi-Iranian border, without a geological boundary between the fields. The current study aims to achieve structural geology analysis to the study area (Faihaa/Yadavaran structure). The structural analysis included geometric and genetic analyses of the study area. According to geometric and genetic analyses results, the Faihaa/Yadavaran structure is classified as an anticline, gentle, upright, non-plunge, and asymmetrical. According to thickness variation, there are two types of formations’ folds are recognized, Thickened and Supratenuous fold generated by two folding mechanisms bending and buckle mechanisms. Bending form Supratenuous fold, perhaps due to the vertical uplift of salt structure and/or basement faults, while buckle produces Thickened fold because of the parallel tectonic movement causes collision between Arabian Plate and Eurasian Plate. Consequently, a special strain pattern was formed and the reservoir quality in the crest of Mishrif and Yamama Formations was the best. The fold axis of the Faihaa/Yadavaran structure has a Boomerang shape, whereas it is almost straight from south to the center of the structure, then tends to the NW with different deviations over the study area formations. This direction may be due to the anticlockwise rotation of the Arabian Plate motion. The results of geometric and genetic analyses revealed that may be Faihaa/Yadavaran structure is one structural trap formed by tectonic activities; Hormuz salt structures, reactivated Basement faults, and Collision between Arabian and Eurasian Plates. The intensity of the tectonic activities of the study area maybe be less than surrounding Oilfields, therefore, the Faihaa Oilfield formation's depth was deeper than adjacent Oilfields.

Mineralogy of Sand Dune Fields around Hor Al-Dalmaj Between Wasit and Al-Qadesiyah Governorates - Central Iraq

Vast percentage of the Hor Al-Dalmaj area is covered with sand dunes fields due to desertification. Therefore, it is vital to research these dunes to limit their bad action on the natural environment by defining the mineralogical composition of these sand dunes deposited around Hor Al-Dalmaj lake between Wast and Al-Qasisiyah Governorates to determine the provenance or the source of these dunes. Barchan and Nabkha dunes represent the main types that are recognized. The dimensions of barchan dunes are recognizing by a height range of about 0.5 to 3m, with lateral extension ranging from 2 to 15m and longitudinal extinction ranging from 3 to 15m. While the dimensions of nabkha dunes range from 10 cm to 2m in length and 15cm to 2m high. According to the major wind direction, these dunes are extended from North West to south-east. The mineralogical investigation reveals that the light minerals of studied dunes consist mainly of quartz, feldspars and various rock fragments such as carbonate, chert, mudstone, evaporate, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. The most frequent heavy minerals are opaque, chlorite, pyroxenes, amphiboles, muscovite, biotite, zircon, epidotes, garnet, tourmaline, rutile, kyanite, and staurolite. The source of these sediments is recent sediment that has formed in river terraces, flood plain and Quaternary deposits in the Mesopotamian Plain, and the outcrops of the ancient sedimentary formations in the north northwestern, west, and southwestern Iraq.

Crustal Velocity Structure of Western Iraq from Inversion of Receiver Functions at Anbar Seismic Station

The inversion of the teleseismic P-wave receiver functions was employed to determine the structure of the crust under Anbar broadband seismic station. Some of the computer programs in seismology were used to analyze the receiver functions of nine teleseismic earthquakes. Results of inversion show that the crustal structure (Moho depth) beneath the ANB1 station is 44 km. The sedimentary cover thickness (basement depth) at the ANB1 station is 12km. In general, the obtained sedimentary cover and crustal thicknesses are consistent with the results of some previous studies in the Mesopotamian plain. As well as the inversion results show that the crustal velocity model beneath the ANB1 station has four distinct discontinuities; the first at 6km with Vs of 2.83km/s, the second one at 12km with Vs of 3.63, the third one at 36km with Vs of 4.21km/s, and the fourth one at 44km with Vs of 4.37km/s. The obtained velocity model may be employed to locate and relocate the local and teleseismic earthquakes and in moment tensor solutions.

Geomorphology of the lower Mesopotamian plain at Tell Zurghul archaeological site

ABSTRACT The landscape of the Lower Mesopotamia Plain (LMP) has been moulded by water-related processes, consequently, its Holocene geomorphic evolution has been strictly connected to the fluvial process and the anthropogenic water management since 8000 BC. About 6000 years ago, during the maximum marine ingression, the modern cities of Nasiriyah and Al-Amara were close to the Persian Gulf shoreline. Successively, the Tigris and Euphrates developed two wide delta systems, that prograded south-eastward developing a complex fluvial network. Remote sensing investigations over the LMP using satellite imagery and topographic analysis revealed the surficial expression of deltaic bodies with a lobate planform and several terminal distributary channels (TDCs), classifiable as tidal-influenced river-dominated deltas. Tell Zurghul archaeological site, belonging to the ancient State of Lagash, expanded in the western part of the recognized TDC during the Mid- and Late Holocene. Indeed, the occurrence of a divergent multi-channel system supplied water for the early civilizations, which improved the water management and prevented floods through a canals network. Therefore, the multi-sensor remote sensing approach over an area of 2850 km2 allowed us to recognize several fluvial landforms, both still active and relict, attributable to the Holocene riverscape of the LMP, as well as anthropogenic features and aeolian deposits. The Main map is a geomorphological map at the scale of 1:120,000 centred on Tell Zurghul, focusing on the geometry, spatial distribution, and state of activity of erosional and constructional landforms.

Monitoring Mass Variations in Iraq Using Time-Variable Gravity Data

Iraq is facing a water shortage due to water scarcity and anthropogenic activities. The recent advance in technologies in geophysical methods has made groundwater monitoring possible. Time-variable gravity data and outputs of the climatic model, as well as rainfall data, are integrated to investigate the spatio-temporal mass variations caused by groundwater changes over Iraq. The findings are: (1) For the entire study period (04/2002–12/2020), Period I (04/2002–12/2006), Period II (01/2007–12/2017), and Period III (01/2018–12/2020), the study region had an average annual precipitation rate of 223.4, 252.5, 194.2, and 311.6 mm/y, respectively. (2) The average Terrestrial Water Storage variations (ΔTWSs) varied from −5.79 ± 0.70 to −5.11 ± 0.70 mm/y based on the three different gravity solutions with a mean of −5.51 ± 0.68 mm/y for the entire investigated period. (3) For Periods I, II, and III, the average ΔTWS fluctuation was calculated to be +6.82 ± 1.92, −6.20 ± 1.17, and +28.58 ± 12.78 mm/y, respectively. (4) During the entire period, Periods I, II, and II, the groundwater fluctuation was averaged at −4.86 ± 0.68, +2.47 ± 2.20, −3.79 ± 1.20, and −4.63 ± 12.99 mm/y, respectively, after subtracting the non-groundwater components. (5) At the beginning of the 2007 drought during Period II, a decline in rainfall rate, and significant groundwater withdrawal during Period III all appear to have contributed to groundwater depletion. The Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, as well as the Mesopotamian plain, receive water from the running streams created by the ground relief. The area of the Mesopotamian plain, which has a thicker sedimentary sequence that can reach 9000 m, is found to have a positive TWS signal, indicating that its groundwater potential is higher. The integrated approach is informative and cost-effective.