Tectonic interpretation of the relation between rivers courses and the subsurface structures in central Maysan petroleum province S.E. Iraq

الملخص EN

River courses are controlled by the ground slopes and subsurface structures.

The relation between subsurface structures and river courses are studied in the part of the Mesopotamian area.

The Tigris river behavior in Amara city (Maysan Governorate) were studied carefully on the aerial photograph mosaic and Landsat 8 satellite images to compared with the subsurface data in the Amara oil field.

Then a field work compiled and the known tectonic subsurface structures are compared.

The image interpretation of the geological features of the study area clear up an obvious relation between the rivers behavior and underground structures.

The results compared to the structural styles of the petroleum traps and with the recent interpretations in the neighboring countries locating in the same tectonic and depositional basin.

The final conclusion that the subsurface structures may controlled by thrust folding structures.