Geomorphic Indicators of Folds Lateral Growth Using Satellite Images

Sulaimaniyah Vicinity in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

  • Varoujan K. Sissakian Department of Petroleum Engineering, Komar University of Science and Technology, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan region – F.R. Iraq http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9840-5422
  • Lanja H. Abdullah Department of Geology, College of Science, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan region – F.R. Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4238-3014
  • Balanbo N. Abdulkareem Department of Geological Survey, Kurdistan Regional Government, Ministry of Natural Resources, Sulaimanyah Oil and Mineral Directorate, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan region – F.R. Iraq http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3223-0607
Keywords: Domes, En-echelon fold, Lateral growth, Neotectonic indications

Abstract

Visual interpretation of satellite images is a very significant technique to recognize and interpret structural features, which indicate lateral growth of folds, the origin of folds, and dating of folds using the exposure dating method. In this study, Landsat 8 (ESSRI) and Google Earth images are used to recognize structural features at Pira Magroon, Surdash, and Azmar anticlines in the Sulaimaniyah vicinity, Kurdistan Region, north of Iraq. The mentioned anticlines are outstanding geomorphological and structural features in the Sulaimaniyah vicinity. The recognized and interpreted structural features include: en-echelon folding, domes, and Neotectonic indication. All these features are discussed in detail with many images to show the discussed cases, most of the interpreted data and presented figures are never mentioned previously.

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Author Biographies

Varoujan K. Sissakian, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Komar University of Science and Technology, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan region – F.R. Iraq

Varoujan K. Sissakian graduated from University of Baghdad in 1969 with B.Sc. degree in Geology, and M.Sc. in Engineering Geological Mapping from I.T.C., the Netherlands in 1982. He joined Iraq Geological Survey (GEOSURV) in 1971 and was nominated as Expert in 2005; He was the Director of Geology Department since May 2004 until October 2012.  He was the Deputy Vice President of the Middle East Subcommission of the Committee of Compilation the Geological Map of the World (CGMW), Paris, from February 2010 until August 2012. Retired on 10 October, 2012. His major fields of interest are geological mapping, stratigraphy of the Iraqi territory, site investigation, and geological hazards. 

Lanja H. Abdullah, Department of Geology, College of Science, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan region – F.R. Iraq

Lanja Abdulla is currently a Ph.D. student in the University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani, Iraq.

Balanbo N. Abdulkareem, Department of Geological Survey, Kurdistan Regional Government, Ministry of Natural Resources, Sulaimanyah Oil and Mineral Directorate, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan region – F.R. Iraq

Balanbo H. Abdulkareem is currently a Higher Diploma student in the University of Kurdistan Hewler, Erbil, Iraq.

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Published
2023-03-23
How to Cite
Sissakian, V. K., Abdullah, L. H. and Abdulkareem, B. N. (2023) “Geomorphic Indicators of Folds Lateral Growth Using Satellite Images: Sulaimaniyah Vicinity in Kurdistan Region of Iraq”, ARO-THE SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL OF KOYA UNIVERSITY, 11(1), pp. 79-87. doi: 10.14500/aro.11010.