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Sirwan H. Ahmed1, Barween O. Qadir1 & Carla Müller2
1 Geology Department, School of Science, Faculty of Science and educational Science, University of Sulaimani.
2 Ludzislawice, PL 66-431 Santok, Poland
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17656/jzs.10412
Abstract
The studied area is located in Northern Iraq in the Kurdistan Region, in the North-
Western part of the Zagros Fold belt. This study concentrates on the biostratigraphic
approach using nannofossil analysis to identify the age of the formations that have
deposited during Cretaceous period in Kurdistan Region-Iraq. The sedimentary
sequences in Kurdistan region exhibit many lateral and vertical environmental and facies
changes. Previously most of the works to recognize the age of the formations were
concentrated on the Foraminifera zonation. In the present study, attempts have been
made to review the age of the formations and the contact between them by using
nannofossil analysis technique. Nannofossils assemblage Chia Gara Formations show
that conformable contact situation between Jurassic-Cretaceous. The contact is between
Late Tithonian Chia Gara and Berriasian- Valanginian Balambo formations. In Kurdistan
during Hauterivian-Barremian the outer shelf sediment of Sarmord Formation deposited
that conformably overlay Balambo Formation. The Qamchuqa Formation is a
heterogeneous group of limestone. The lower part is belongs to the Aptian to Albian
periods, while The upper part of the Qamchuqa limestone is generally dolomitized,
therefore, the existed nannofossils even within the locally thin marl layers are destroyed.
The Dokan Formation, which appears along the Dokan dam, is a Cenomanian age. The
Kometan Formation is represented an Early Turonian age. The top of the Kometan
limestone is characterized by a hard ground most possibly indicating a hiatus. The
sequence of marl-Limestone of Shiranish Formation we dated Early to Late Campanian.
Toward north the Early to Late Campanian part of Shiranish Formation can be locally
replaced by the reefal Bekmeh limestone Formation. Very rare nannofossils were found
in the marly intercalations of the Bekmeh limestone indicating at least a Late Cretaceous
age. The Shiranish/Tanjero formations boundary lies within the Upper Campanian. The
age of Tanjero Formation ranges from Late Campanian to Late Maastrichtian.
Key Words: Kurdistan, Nannofossils , Cretaceous, Sarmord, Balambo, Shiranish
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