Karstification influence on the drainage system : examples from the Iraqi Southern Desert
Other Title(s)
تأثير التخسفات على نظام التصريف : أمثلة من الصحراء الجنوبية العراقية
Joint Authors
Ajar, Diya al-Din Kazim
Zayni, Mahir Tahsin
Sissakian, Varoujian Khajik
Source
Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining
Issue
Vol. 8, Issue 2 (31 Aug. 2012), pp.99-115, 17 p.
Publisher
Ministry of Industry and Minerals Iraqi Geological Survey
Publication Date
2012-08-31
Country of Publication
Iraq
No. of Pages
17
Main Subjects
Earth Sciences, Water and Environment
Abstract EN
The Iraqi Southern Desert is covered mainly by limestone pavement, being mainly composed of Paleocene – Pliocene rocks, which belong to Umm Er Radhuma, Dammam, Euphrates and Zahra formations.
The most karstified rocks, however, belong to Dammam Formation of Eocene age.
The Dammam Formation consists mainly of limestone, with dolostone, dolomitic and marly limestone, and marl.
Some chert nodules or bands occur too within the succession.
Morphologically, the Iraqi Southern Desert comprises mainly of flat terrain, which is dissected by dense drainage system, and slopes towards north and northeast.
Therefore, the main valleys flow towards north and northeast, with almost parallel courses.
However, the course of the valleys within the rocks of the Dammam Formation exhibit strange and abnormal forms, which are not usual in normal drainage patterns.
The abnormal forms are like bifurcation of the valleys; downstream and joining again, and circular and crescent forms, besides changing their main flow direction.
These abnormal forms are believed to be due to the influence of the karstification, which is still an active process.
The karst forms are in circular, oval, polygonal and crescent shapes, with different sizes.
The karstification is not only obvious in the drainage forms, but also in the exposed rocks.
They exhibit successive and parallel rims, which coincide in shape and direction with the karst forms, indicating continuous karstification.
The karstification stages, sizes, types and reasons are mentioned too, with many examples from the abnormal drainage forms.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Sissakian, Varoujian Khajik& Ajar, Diya al-Din Kazim& Zayni, Mahir Tahsin. 2012. Karstification influence on the drainage system : examples from the Iraqi Southern Desert. Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining،Vol. 8, no. 2, pp.99-115.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-756071
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Zayni, Mahir Tahsin…[et al.]. Karstification influence on the drainage system : examples from the Iraqi Southern Desert. Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining Vol. 8, no. 2 (2012), pp.99-115.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-756071
American Medical Association (AMA)
Sissakian, Varoujian Khajik& Ajar, Diya al-Din Kazim& Zayni, Mahir Tahsin. Karstification influence on the drainage system : examples from the Iraqi Southern Desert. Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining. 2012. Vol. 8, no. 2, pp.99-115.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-756071
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references : p. 114-115
Record ID
BIM-756071