This study investigates the boundary between the Upper Cretaceous Kometan (Turonian–Campanian) and Shiranish (Late Campanian–Maastrichtian) formations at the Sarchinar and Goizha surface sections in the Sulaymaniyah area, northeastern Iraq, in order to refine their biostratigraphic framework and reconstruct the depositional evolution across the formation boundary. The two formations are characterized by thin- to medium-bedded chalky and marly limestones overlain by blue to grey marls and marly limestones, which record a transition from outer-shelf to upper-bathyal ramp carbonates into deeper hemipelagic basinal deposits within the Zagros fold–thrust belt. A total of 100 rock samples were collected from the exposed successions and were prepared either as washed residues or standard thin sections, allowing for integrated analysis of planktonic foraminifera and microfacies. Planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy identifies five biozones within the Kometan and lower Shiranish formations: the Dicarinella primitiva Interval Zone, Dicarinella concavata Interval Zone, Dicarinella asymmetrica Total Range Zone, Globotruncanita elevata Total Range Zone in the uppermost Kometan, and the overlying Globotruncana aegyptiaca Interval Zone at the base of the Shiranish. The absence of the intervening Globotruncana ventricosa and Globotruncanella havanensis zones suggests a short intra-Campanian hiatus or condensed section at the Kometan–Shiranish transition. The combined stratigraphic and biostratigraphic data demonstrate that the contact is generally unconformable in the studied sections, thus providing a key reference for constraining the Late Cretaceous tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the northeastern Arabian Plate margin in Iraq.
An analysis of three selected wells in the Ain Zala oil field (AZ-16, AZ-17, and AZ-24) in the northwestern part of Mosul Governorate. In terms of biostratigraphy, it consists of planktonic and suspended foraminifera, which comprise 37 species belonging to 17 genera. Based on the recorded planktonic foraminifera, three main biozones were identified: Globotruncana aegyptiaca Partial Zone, which refers to the age of the Late Campanian, Gansserina gansseri Partial Range Zone, which indicates the age of the Early Maastrichtian, and Abathomphalus mayaroensis Interval Zone, which indicates the age of the Late Maastrichtian. The Abathomphalus mayaroensis Interval Zone is divided into four subzones: Racemiguembelina fructicosa Partial Range
... Show MoreThe core interval at the K.H5\6 and K.H5\8 Wells in the West of Rutba provinces reveals a significant succession across the Late Cretaceous–Early Paleocene transition. The sampled interval encompasses a series of carbonates belonging to Digma Formation of Latest Cretaceous age, which underlies the Akashat Formtion of Danian age. Fifty-five species belonging to thirty-five genera were recognized. Based on the distribution of these species, eight biozones were distinguished, three biozones are recorded from the K.H 5\6 studied section and two biozones are documented from the K.H 5\8 studied section which refers to Late Maastrichtian age of Digma Formation. Five biozones are recorded from Akashat Formation in the K.H 5\6 studied section and
... Show MoreThe Late Cretaceous-Early Paleocene Shiranish and Aliji formations have been studied in three selected wells in Jambur Oil Field (Ja-50, Ja-53, and Ja-67) in Kirkuk, Northeastern Iraq. This study included lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy. The Late Campanian-Maastrichtian Shiranish Formation consist mainly of thin marly and chalky limestone beds overlain by thin marl beds, with some beds of marly limestone representing an outer shelf basinal environment, the unconformable contact with the above Middle Paleocene-Early Eocene Aliji Formation contain layers of limestone with marly limestone and chalky limestone which represents an outer shelf basinal environment. Five Biozones in the Shiranish Formation were determined which are: 1
... Show MoreThe Quantitative high-resolution planktonic foraminiferal analysis of the subsurface section in three selected wells in the Ajeel Oil Field (Aj-8, Aj-12, and Aj-15) in Tikrit Governorate, Central Iraq has revealed that Shiranish Formation deposited in Late Campanian- Latest Maastrichtian age. This formation consists mainly of marly and marly limestone yielding diverse planktonic foraminiferal assemblages and calcareous benthic foraminifera, with a total of 46 species that belong to 23 genera, Three zones and four subzones, which cover the Late Campanian to the Latest Maastrichtian, were identified based on the recorded planktonic foraminifera and their ranges. They are as follows:1. Globotruncana aegyptiaca Zone that dated to be Lat
... Show MoreThe purpose of this study is to elucidate the microfacies and the biozones present in the studied rocks as well as to determine their environments or deposition. The study depends mainly on the benthonic foraminiferal assemblages identified from (27) rock thin sections made available from an outcrop at Wadi Banat Al-Hassan area in the Upper Euphrates Valley. X-Ray diffraction was also used to determine the type of carbonate minerals present in the studied rocks.
The present study is concerned with Biostratigraphy of the Early-Middle Miocene outcrops of Jeribe Formation in the Zurbatiyah area, Wasit Governorate, Eastern Iraq. Forty-two Samples collected from Shur Sharin and AL-Hashima outcrop sections. The fossil content is rich in large and small benthic foraminifera; Twenty-one species and genus are identified in this study, in addition to coral, gastropoda, pelecypoda, ostracoda, alge, echinoid and shell fragments. According to the presence of benthic foraminifera, two Biozone have been identified in the Jeribe: Austrotrillina asmariensis-Dendritina rangi Concurrent Zone and Borelis melo curdica range zone.The age of the Formation determined as Early-Middle Miocene depending on these Bioz
... Show MoreShiranish has been studied at Hijran section near Erbil city, NE Iraq. Fifty two thin-sections were prepared to study them under polarized microscope, to determine the petrographic component, organic content and digenetic processes. Rock units subdivided into four rock beds, as follows: dolostone, foraminiferal biomicrite, poorly washed biomicrite and micrite. Vertical succession of Shiranish Formation refers to off-shore quite marine environment.
Shiranish Formation (Late Campanian- Maastrichtian) that cropping out north east Iraq, is studied by microfacies analysis of 52 thin section collected from Hijran Section, about 10 km west Shaqlawa Town, Governorate of Erbil. According to petrography, mineralogy and organic contents, rocks are subdivided to crystalline carbonate and microfacies units (biowackstone, packstone, and mudstone facies). Biowackstone facies have high ratio of the rock components, while the other facies have low ratio. Microfacies analysis led to relatively quiet deep marine environment.
The Mauddud Formation was one of the important and widespread Lower Cretaceous period formations in Iraq. It has been studied in three wells (EB. 55, EB. 58, and EB. 59) within the East Baghdad Oil Field, Baghdad, central Iraq. 280 thin sections were studied by microscope to determine fauna, the formation composed of limestone and dolomitized limestone in some parts which tends to be marl in some parts, forty species and genus of benthic foraminifera have been identified beside algae and other fossils, three biozones have been identified in the range which is: Orbitolina qatarica range zone (Late Albian), Orbitolina sefini range zone (Late Albian – Early Cenomanian) and Orbitolina concava range zone (Early Cenomanian), The age of
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