Glacial activity signs during the Pleistocene epoch in Rawanduz river valley, Kurdistan region, northeast Iraq

Abstract EN

The clastic sediments on both sides of the Rawanduz River Valley were investigated for glacial signs.

The Rawanduz River, one of the major tributaries of the Greater Zab River, its source area is located in the high ridges of the mountains on the Iraqi – Iranian border.

The topography map (1: 25 000) was utilized to determine the best locations for glacial landforms and features.

Elevation data was retrieved from the electronic maps of the Maplog.

The study was based on field observations, erosional landforms indication and sedimentological analysis, including field visual determination of roundness and sphericity of gravel.

The occurrence of glacio-alluvial sediments (tills), terraces more than 10 meters above the present river level, and erosional features of glacial origin indicate that the drainage area of the Rawanduz River, from its source to its conjunction with the Greater Zab River near Bekhma Village, experienced variable rates of glacial activities during the Pleistocene Epoch.