The Anah Anticline: An Outstanding Anticline between Two Major Tectonic Zones in Iraq

Iraq is located in the northeastern part of the Arabian Plate, which is colliding with the Iranian Plate. The collision between the two plates has developed the tectonic framework of the Iraqi territory. Accordingly, two major tectonic divisions are developed: Inner Platform (Stable Shelf) and Outer...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geotectonics 2021-03, Vol.55 (2), p.250-260
Main Authors: Sissakian, V. K., Al-Ansari, N., Abdulahad, A. D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anah anticline
Anticlines
Arabian Plate
curved valleys
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Geological faults
Geomorphology
Geoteknik
lateral growth
Mountain regions
Mountainous areas
Mountains
Plates
Plates (tectonics)
Rivers
Soil Mechanics
Structural forms
Structural Geology
Tectonics
Thrust faults
Valleys
water and wind gaps
Water gaps
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Summary:Iraq is located in the northeastern part of the Arabian Plate, which is colliding with the Iranian Plate. The collision between the two plates has developed the tectonic framework of the Iraqi territory. Accordingly, two major tectonic divisions are developed: Inner Platform (Stable Shelf) and Outer Platform (Unstable Shelf). The former (Inner platform) is almost stable forming flat terrain with tens of the Neotectonic indications. Whereas, the latter (Outer Platform) is deformed mountainous area with anticlines and major thrust faults. The contact between these two major tectonic divisions run almost along the Euphrates River. In Western Iraq, an outstanding tectonic feature exists, the Anah anticline running almost E–W direction. On both northern and southern sides of the anticline, flat and undulatory plains occur without any tectonic features. Anah anticline shows clear geomorphological and structural forms, which indicate its lateral growth, especially eastwards. Among those indications are water gaps, wind gaps, curved valleys, inclined valleys, and wale-back shape. Although the Euphrates River dissects the anticline in its eastern part; however, most probably the river runs along the crossing area between two main tectonic zones indicating that the anticline is still growing laterally eastwards, and even effecting on the contact of the Inner Platform and Outer Planform.
ISSN:0016-8521
1556-1976
1556-1976
DOI:10.1134/S0016852121020084