A surface section of the Gercus Formation (Middle-Late Eocene) was studied in Berafat area, Dohuk Governorate, Northern Iraq. The Gercus Formation consists of a mixed siliciclastic sediments, evaporates and carbonate sequences in the studied region, predominantly in the upper and middle parts. Nevertheless, it usually consists of upward-fining carbonate-rich sandstone cyclothems, marl, conglomerate and siltstone along with a gypsum lens and thin micrite carbonate beds.  The Gercus Formation was deposited in delta and delta front of occasionally depositional environment which is represented by red-brown claystone and reddish-brown mudstone lithofacies. Cross bedded  pebbly sandstone, trough cross-bedded sandstone  and lamin

    The study of the geochemical characterization of sandstone rocks contributes to understand the nature of the source rocks, their tectonic setting and the effects of paleoclimate and paleo-weathering. Accordingly, twenty sandstone samples from the red sandstone units of the Gercus Formation were collected from the northeastern limb of Safin Anticline at Shaqlawa Area – Northern Iraq. The studied sandstone samples show depletion in major, trace elements contents, except for CaO, MgO and Ni, Co and Cr respectively, and general depletion in the rare earth elements (REE) contents. Major element geochemistry indicates that the red bed sandstones of the Gercus Formation are of an oceanic island arc (OIA) tectonic setting. On the other

Sedimentologic and facies evidences reveal a marine environment for the Gercus Formation. Facies analysis and associated sedimentary structures including graded beddings decide turbidity origin of the rocks. Marine environment is supported by the identifying glauconite and fossils types reported for the first time.
The formation composed of seven lithotypes; shale/claystone, mudstone, sandstone, carbonate, conglomerate, breccias and debris flow, which are arranged in repeated cycles of mixed siliciclastic-carbonate turbidites in a range of gravity-flow regime. The Gercus successions are grouped into four facies associations confirming marine depositional systems, these are (from bottom to top); slump siliciclastic-calciturbidites (dol

     This research studies the petrography, mineralogy and diagenetic history of the Sarmord Formation at Sulaimani and Erbil Governorates in Northeastern Iraq. The Sarmord Formation consists mainly of alternated yellowish to bluish gray bedded marly limestone with yellowish gray soft marl beds. Petrographic investigations of the marly limestones were based on 270 thin sections and show that the skeletal grains include bioclasts, foraminiferas, radiolarians, calcispheres, echinoderms, ostracods and cephalopods. The groundmass is composed of micrite with light brown to gray colors, rich in organic materials and iron oxides. The X-ray diffraction analysis of the marls revealed that the abundant clay minerals in the Sarmord Formation ar

The Pila Spi Formation (middle – late Eocene) was studied in terms of field character, Petrography and geochemistry from two outcrops (Bakhar and Bani bawy) sections, Northern Iraq. The field studies showing massive, lithified limestone to marly limestone high effected by dolomitization. The petrography studies shows that most of the skeletal grains was destroyed due to digenetic processes specifically the dolomitization, and the vast majority of carbonate rocks are mudstone and few beds of wackestone. The geochemical study reveals low CaO% and high MgO% content due to the intense effect of dolomitization, and the carbonate rocks was classified as impure limestone generally of slightly calcareous dolomite. Ca/Mg and Sr/Ca ratios have b

The environmental impact was illustrated by rockslide and erosion on the Duhok Dam and its reservoir. The evaluation of the geotechnical characteristics of the Gercus Formation was conducted. The research plan was divided into three phases, field, laboratory, and office works. The fieldwork included studying all the geological phenomena of the region related to the environmental impact. The laboratory work focused on studying the geotechnical properties of the various rock samples taken from the Gercus Formation. Rocklab program was used to define the geotechnical properties of a rock mass. The results indicated the weak resistance of the Gercus Formation rocks to weathering and erosion processes, as well as their weak resistance to slid

      In this research, a geotechnical assessment was conducted for clay of the Gercus Formation to determine its suitability for embankment dams. The selected area is located in the north of Iraq. Six samples were collected from two sites in Dokan (Sulaimaniyah) and Haibat Sultan mountain (Koysinjaq), three samples each. Various geotechnical (physical, mechanical and chemical) tests were conducted based on standard specifications.

     The results of the grain size test of clay samples showed their conformity with Zone C curves and their suitability for the construction of embankment dams, according to the Iraqi standard for roads and bridges.  The results of the

     A mineralogical study using X-ray diffraction supported by scanning electron microscopic examination on the Paleocene- Eocene Kolosh and Gercus formations from northern Iraq is conducted to show the distribution of clay minerals and their paleoenvironmental implications. Smectite palygorskite, kaolinite, illite, and chlorite are commonly present in varying proportions within the Kolosh and Gercus formations. Association of smectite and chlorite in the claystone of the Paleocene Kolosh Formation refers to marine environment of this formation, whereas development of palygorskite fibers from smectite precursor may relate to post-depositional diagenesis. In addition, the abundance of illite and kaolinite in the Eocen

A total of 23 samples are collected from Injana and Mukdadiya Formations representing: sandstone (14 samples from Injana Formation and 9 samples from Mukdadiya Formation). 19 sandstone samples are thin sectioned for petrographic study (10 thin sections from Injana and 9 thin sections from Mukdadiya) and 23 sandstone samples are selected for heavy minerals study (14 samples from Injana and 9 samples from Mukdadiya). The petrographic investigations revealed that the sandstone of Injana and Mukdadiya Formations are composed primarily of rock fragments (sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic), quartz (monocrystalline and polycrystalline) and feldspars (orthoclase, microcline and plagioclase). The matrix is subordinate and the cement is mostly