Application of remote sensing techniques to map the paleochannels of Shatt Al-Arab and Khor Al-Zubair, Southern Iraq

الملخص EN

The study area covers the eastern and western part of Shatt Al-Arab River to Khor Al-Zubair channel and the north western coast of the Arabian Gulf.

The application of remote sensing techniques on the satellite image Land sat 7 ETM + (2003) indicates many local and regional interesting observations, which explain many geomorphologic features in this area.

This geomorphologic analysis show five pale channels; two of them located to the west and the other three to the east of the actual channel of Shatt Al-Arab River, respectively.

The image processing reveals also that there are many extinct paleo irrigation systems connected to that five pale channels and ending to the northern coast of the Arabian Gulf.

The isopach maps of equal elevations provide the presence of levee’s less than 3M in height.

These levee’s match with the actual meandering in the Shatt Al-Arab River.

This could explain the paleo irrigation of the southern part of Shatt Al-Arab River and Behmashir River channels.

Two paleo river lines are also distinguished around the actual channel of Khor Al-Zubair.

These observations could be related to the tectonic settings of this area.