Paleostress analysis of neogene rocks in Zurbatiyah area, E Iraq

Abstract EN

Faults of Neogene age in the Zurbatia area have been analysed in the light of Anderson faulting theory, Jaeger reactivated assumption and plate tectonic theory to derive the mechanism style and paleostress systems prevailing in the study area.

According to the graphical methods (improved right dihedral and rotational optimization methods), the NE – SW compressive force of the Oligocene changed later in Late Miocene age into E – W compression.

This study suggests, that the area is affected by gradual change in stress regime from NE – SW very high compressional phase of faulting to very low compressional phase.

The NE – SW and E – W directed pressure is presumably identical with the northeasterly driving motion of the Arabian Plate.