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Stratigraphic Lexicon of Iraq

Lexique Stratigraphique International, Asie (Iraq)

Tertiary by R.C. van Bellen; Mesozoic and Palaeozoic

by H.V. Dunnington, R. Wetzel and D.M. Morton

Under the direction of Louis Dubertret

Lexique Stratigraphique International, 03 10 Asie (Iraq)

CNRS and Congrès Géologique International, Commission de Stratigraphie

© CNRS Editions 2004; tous droits réservés reproduction, adaptation et

Reprinted electronically and on paper by Gulf PetroLink in 2005,

by permission of CNRS Editions, France.

The first and only edition of the “Lexique Stratigraphique International, 03 10 Asie (Iraq)” was published
by CNRS Editions, France, and sponsored by the Congrès Géologique International, Commission de
Stratigraphie in 1959. By commercial contract, CNRS Editions granted permission to Gulf PetroLink-
GeoArabia to reprint the “Lexique Stratigraphique International, 03 10 Asie (Iraq)” both electronically
and as a book.

CNRS Editions maintains all copyright of the original document, and permission to reprint this
present version or the original one must be obtained from CNRS Editions. In further referencing of
this lexicon the original reference should be cited as follows:

R.C. van Bellen, H.V. Dunnington, R. Wetzel and D.M. Morton 1959. Lexique Stratigraphique
International, 03 10 Asie (Iraq), 333 p.

ISBN 99901-92-16-2

15 Table 1: Palaeozoic Formations

16 Table 2: Triassic Formations
16 Table 3: Jurassic Formations
19 Table 4: Early Cretaceous, Berriasian-Albian Formations
21 Table 5: Middle Cretaceous, Albian-Turonian Formations
22 Table 6: Late Cretaceous,Turonian-Maastrichtian Formations
238 Table 7: Wells cited in Text and Plates

Plates

Plate I: Locations of Type Sections of named Mesozoic and Palaeozoic Rock Units
in Iraq
Plate II: Age Relationships of named Mesozoic and Palaeozoic Rock Units in
Northern Iraq (Mosul Liwa)
Plate III: Age Relationships of named Mesozoic and Palaeozoic Rock Units in
Northern Iraq
Plate IV: Age Relationships of named Mesozoic and Palaeozoic Rock Units in
Northern Iraq (with projection to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia)
Plate V: Index of Place Names including Type Localities of Tertiary Rock Units
Plate VI: Age Relationships of named Tertiary Rock Units in Iraq

FOREWORD

In 1959, the Centre Nationale de Recherches Scientifique (CNRS) published the Stratigraphic Lexicon
of Iraq by R.C. van Bellen, H.V. Dunnington, R. Wetzel and D.M. Morton. This publication was part
of an international series of lexicons that covered many countries worldwide. Besides Iraq, the CNRS
published several other Middle East lexicons in the 1960s and 1970s; these include Iran, Jordan,
Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey and Yemen.

The lexicon of Iraq was the first compilation of the names and descriptions of all the strata and
rock units in Iraq that were known up to that time. Since the publication of this book 46 years ago,
many new studies on the geology of Iraq have been written in Arabic and other languages, by
academics, geological surveyors and industry professionals. Also since 1959 more oil fields have
been discovered and studied using more modern subsurface tools. This additional information has
substantially increased our knowledge and understanding of the geology of Iraq. Naturally, because
of its fundamental nature, the original 1959 lexicon is referred to either directly or indirectly in most
of these newer studies.

But many interested readers do not have access to the lexicon as it is now rarely found in libraries or
on the bookshelves in the offices of professionals and academics. It is because of this shortcoming that
the Ministry of Oil of Iraq, Chevron and GeoArabia have undertaken to reprint the original lexicon.
By providing this book to all interested readers, both in hardcopy and electronically, we believe that
the geoscience community will be in a better position to understand various important aspects of the
geology of Iraq.

Firstly, from an historical perspective, the original lexicon reviews, in an authoritative manner, the
origins of the names assigned to each rock unit in terms of geographic localities. It also provides the
geographic coordinates of the outcrop sites and wells where they are found (see Plates I and V). This
allows geologists to review and restudy the rock units in outcrop and to identify the wells where the
rock unit was encountered in the subsurface.

Secondly, the lexicon of Iraq presents the first formal definitions of the rock units in terms of groups,
formations and members – most of which continue to be used today. The formally defined rock units
in 1959 are identified in this reprint by capitalizing the first letters of the words Group, Formation
and Member when they succeed the name of the unit (see Plates I to IV and VI). This modern and
international practice renders communication regarding stratigraphic conventions clearer and more
precise. Conversely, informal and obsolete rock units are identified by not capitalizing their rank and
similar descriptors. From this framework it becomes possible to maintain or update, where necessary,
the nomenclature and status of the rock units to reflect their current standing.

Thirdly, the 1959 lexicon provides the names of the original authors and the titles of the studies
in which they wrote about the rock units, whether in journals, books or unpublished reports.
Accordingly the results of studies that were written since 1959 can be more readily related to those of
the original authors. This insures greater continuity between the original stratigraphic framework of
Iraq and subsequent scientific and technological developments.

The original lexicon of Iraq should therefore neither be forgotten nor considered to be the only and
final authoritative source of information on the stratigraphy of the country. Instead it should serve
as the source for further studies or even a second edition that would update the rock units in a
systematic manner. Indeed a second edition could contain modern data such as electrical logs and
seismic images. It could recast the stratigraphic column of Iraq in terms of the modern international
Geological Time Scale and provide correlations to other rock units in the Middle East.

With the revolution in information technology, the data and interpretations of the rock units in Iraq
could be maintained in an electronic format and updated on a regular basis. This would make it easier
for all interested parties to follow the latest scientific developments and interpretations.

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Stratigraphic Lexicon of Iraq

But aside from serving as a source for further studies, the 1959 lexicon in its own right, can serve as
a good introduction for petroleum development and exploration experts who are not familiar with
Iraq’s geology, and of course for students. For petroleum development, it names and describes the
main reservoir zones in each formation and their characteristics. It compares many of these zones to
ones of the same age, but having different names, in nearby countries.

For exploration geologists and geophysicists, the lexicon shows the distribution of the various rock
units in space and geological time. It also interprets the ancient settings in which these rock units
were deposited. In the case of Iraq’s strata, the lexicon reaches back in time to the oldest known
rocks in the country, namely the Khabour Quartzite Formation that was deposited in the Ordovician
Period – some 450 million years ago. Besides a special section for this formation (and all the other
formal formations and members), the section General Outline of Stratigraphy narrates how this and
younger formations were successively deposited during repeated advances and retreats of the sea.
These cycles of transgression and regression are also illustrated in the plates that are reprinted in an
enlarged scale and in color.

For each formal rock unit the lexicon includes a dedicated section that describes its characteristic
lithology, as well as the depth at which it is encountered and its thickness range. It reviews the
relationship between each rock unit and other strata that lie above and below it, and how the unit
passes laterally to other units. It identifies important stratigraphic breaks and unconformities that
resulted from the erosion of the underlying strata during episodes of tectonism or exposure. The ages
of the rock units are interpreted based on extensive collections of fossils that are listed in detail.

The geology of Iraq records a fascinating story that goes back in time to more than 450 million years
ago, and covers an area of some 500,000 square kilometers from the margins of the ancient Tethyan
Oceans to the north and east, to near the Arabian Shield in the southwest. Unraveling this story
will undoubtedly continue to provide not only important scientific achievements but also enhance
our understanding of the petroleum geosciences and engineering disciplines of our country. The
reprinting of this lexicon represents a small contribution to this important endeavor.

Dr. Ibrahim Bahr al-Ùlum

Minister of Oil of Iraq

Dr. Ibrahim Bahr al-Ùlum was appointed as Iraq’s oil minister on 8 May 2005.
Previously he held the position of Oil Minister as a member of the Iraqi Governing
Council from September 2003 to mid-2004. After graduating from Baghdad University
in 1976 with a BSc degree in Petroleum Engineering he worked for five years as a
Reservoir Engineer focused on reservoir stimulation studies for the Ministry of Oil in
Kuwait. He then commenced his postgraduate work towards his MSc and PhD studies at
the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. From 1993 to 1996, Dr. al-Ùlum
was employed by Energy Trade International in the UK to provide consulting services
on the private sector of the Kuwaiti oil industry. From early 1997 until 2003, he was
employed initially by Duke Engineering & Service in the UK which eventually became
part of ECL, a broad-based E&P consulting company with offices in the UK, US, Canada
and Australia.

GEOARABIA PREFACE

The Stratigraphic Lexicon of Iraq by R.C. van Bellen, H.V. Dunnington, R. Wetzel and D.M. Morton was
published in 1959. Today, this book continues to serve as one of the foremost sources of information on
the Mesozoic and Cenozoic geology of Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula. The long life of this book is due to
many factors.

Firstly, the authors wrote the comprehensive descriptions of all the known rock units and biostratigraphic
zones in Iraq (as of 1959) mostly based on direct examination of the data. Therefore the descriptions
continue to be applicable today. Secondly, they documented and correlated these units from outcrop to
the subsurface across a vast region of some 500 by 1,000 square kilometers. This region forms a major part
of the petroleum habitat in the Middle East.

Thirdly, and perhaps most surprisingly, they placed all of these rock units into a regional tectono-
stratigraphic framework that predates Earth Science breakthroughs such as Plate Tectonics and Sequence
Stratigraphy. Geologists who are familiar with the tectono-stratigraphic evolution of Arabia will
immediately recognize in Plates II to IV and VI (redesigned here as large colored posters) that these
authors had already recognized most of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic second- and many third-order sea
level cycles and main tectonic unconformities from the Tethyan realm near the Zagros Mountains, to the
stable shelf in western Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Besides these important achievements, the lexicon contains a vast array of primary data and insightful
interpretations that are of considerable value today. It is for these reasons that GeoArabia has located a
rare copy of the book and reprinted it with the sponsorship of the Ministry of Oil of Iraq and Chevron. This
reprint makes every effort to represent the original work without modifying its technical contents. To the
contrary, it adopts several editing conventions that emphasize the original meaning. The following
discussion identifies the key editing conventions that were applied to the original book.

Authors: In the present reprint, for each rock unit, two categories of names are listed under the
heading “Authors”. The first category provides the names of the primary authors who wrote about
the rock unit in reports, journals and books. They are credited with, for example, first naming the
unit, or first defining it, etc. The names of these primary authors are repeated here from the original
lexicon with minor reformatting (e.g. parenthesis, punctuation). The second category consists of the
names of one or more of the lexicon’s authors who compiled the description for the rock unit from
the works of the primary authors. In this reprint the names of the second category of authors are
shown in brackets at the end of the list of primary authors. In the original lexicon the names of these
authors were identified by their initials at the end of the description of each rock unit: H.V.D [H.V.
Dunnington], D.M.M. [D.M. Morton], R.C.V.B. [R.C. van Bellen] and R.W. [R. Wetzel].

References: In the main text of the lexicon the title of some papers is given in full although they are
repeated in the section entitled “References”. In this reprint, only the author and year is given in the
text. Throughout this reprint, references cited in the main text and in the reference list are restyled to
be consistent with GeoArabia’s format (e.g. parenthesis, punctuation). Several references are made in
the text to manuscripts that were in preparation (sometimes indicated as MS) and these are shown as
“manuscript, then in preparation” in the Reference list. Where MS followed the names of fossils, the
MS was left in place.

Formal Rock Units: In the original lexicon, the authors stated which rock units are formal (Tables 1
to 6 and Plates I to IV and VI); however, they did not capitalize the word “group”, “formation” and
“member” where these terms followed the names of formal rock units. The formal names of some
rock units also carry a lithological description “Limestone”, “Shale”, etc. In this reprint all formal
units (including formal lithological descriptions) are capitalised wherever they appear.

For example, the original lexicon shows the formal “CHIA ZAIRI LIMESTONE FORMATION” as the
title for this rock unit and “Chia Zairi limestone formation”, “Chia Zairi limestone” or “Chia Zairi
formation” in the text, tables and plates. In this reprint, the name of this rock unit is written as “Chia

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Stratigraphic Lexicon of Iraq

Zairi Limestone Formation”, or “Chia Zairi Limestone” or “Chia Zairi Formation”. Where the authors
refer to the “Chia Zairi limestones” the term limestones is not capitalized.

Informal Rock Units: All rock units that are indicated as informal are not capitalized except for the
name of localities; for example, Mosul marble, etc. The authors noted that: “In order to stress the
informality of the beds, distinguished in certain formations (e.g. Dammam Formation, Lower Fars
Formation) the unit term bed has been capitalized as Bed. Article 1, Remark (c) of the rules in Ashley
et al. (1939) prohibits capitals for the initial letters of terms designating units.” In the present edition
this convention was reversed so that all units, beds, etc. are not capitalized.

Moreover, each formal unit contains a subsection listing its informal or obsolete synonyms that are
again not capitalized. For the cited synonyms the encompassing quotations were not consistently
applied in the original and these were removed where appropriate. This was possible because the
formal rock units are capitalized here. Also the word “part” is here positioned immediately after the
relevant rock unit (instead of in parenthesis after it) to emphasize that the authors meant that the
correlation is partial to the formal rock unit that is being described.

Qualifiers of Stages: In the reprint the use (or suppression) of capitalization of the qualifiers “upper,
late, middle, lower, and early”, where they appear before the name of a stage (age) or period (system)
was not modified. Accordingly the apparent inconsistency of using, for example, “Upper Aptian”
and “late Aptian” (sometimes late-Aptian”) was not modified. Nor were these terms switched to
reflect time (late, mid, early) or stratigraphic position (upper, middle, lower). Thus phrases that mix
time and position like, for example, “late Upper Campanian” or sometimes “uppermost Campanian”
remain as in the original. In the reprint the respective position of units and ages occurring at contacts
is written “Upper Unit/Lower Unit” or “Younger Age/Older Age”. Also the informal “Middle”
Cretaceous (capitalized “Middle” in the original lexicon) was not decapitalized. Finally the term
“Maestrichtian” is spelled here as “Maastrichtian”.

Combining Paragraphs: The page size of the original lexicon is about half that of this edition’s
page size and, in places, it consists of many short paragraphs or single sentences. In this reprint, for
the benefit of conciseness, related short paragraphs are combined. Also some sentences have been
repositioned to sections where they retain their context.

Combining “Location and Thickness” Sections: For the formally defined rock units this edition
combines the sections entitled “Location” and “Thickness”, into a “Location and Thickness” section.
This is because the thickness of a rock unit is usually a single numeric entry and derived from
the depths cited in the well or outcrop under “Location”. The phrase “Brief description of type
section” was deleted as in all cases it now refers to the indented discussions under the sections on
lithology, fossils, age, underlying and overlying formations and detail of contact. Furthermore, where
appropriate, this reprint provides all thicknesses in both meters and feet (1.0 m = 3.28 ft).

Tables 1–7: Tables 1–6 (pages 15-22) were not numbered in the original lexicon. They are here positioned
close to where they appeared in the original text. In the original lexicon the names of wells are cited by
operating company (B.O.D., B.P.C., I.P.C., M.O.D., etc.) followed by the well name (e.g. Kirkuk Well
No. 109). In the present reprint the names of wells are shortened to just well name and number (e.g.
Kirkuk-109). The new Table 7 (pages 238-239) consists of a list of all the wells cited in the text, operating
company of that time, and coordinates (where known). Also, where possible, phrases with several
named wells and name places are listed alphabetically. Where coordinates are cited the word “lat.” and
“long.” were removed as the numeric coordinates are followed by E (east) and N (north).

Capitalization and Nameplaces: Where geographic features are considered well known then their
descriptor was capitalized; for example, Shield (as in Arabian Shield). Other examples are Depression,
Mountain, River, Valley, Village, etc. The words foraminifera, ostracoda, etc. were decapitalized and
not italicized. Throughout the text the Arabian Gulf was substituted for the Persian Gulf.

Dr. Moujahed Al-Husseini

Editor-in-Chief, GeoArabia

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Stratigraphic Lexicon of Iraq

INTRODUCTION

The stratigraphical nomenclature for Iraq, presented here, includes terms already introduced in
literature quoted, and a large number of new terms, supported by much detailed information, which
have not been available till now in published form. The definitions include those of all rock units,
which are recognized currently (as at January 31, 1958) within the geological organizations of the Iraq
Petroleum and Associated Companies operating in Iraq.

Nomenclature for the oilfields of the Basrah area, published in a recent paper by Owen and Nasr
(1958), has been incorporated, and supplemented to some extent. Most of the included rock units are
defined from localities in northern Iraq. Positions of type localities are indicated on Plate I (Mesozoic
and Palaeozoic) and Plate V (Tertiary), which include also the more important of the place names
referred to in the Lexicon entries. Spellings of place names are drawn from either the 1:100,000 or the
‘Quarter Inch’ map sheets: geographical coordinates of localities are derived from the former, where
published, and from the latter where 1:100,000 sheets are not available.

Full geological papers covering parts of the stratigraphical succession in parts of the region are
projected. Earlier publication of rock-unit definitions is desirable because many of the terms now
in use already have wide currency in Iraq, and some have found mention in the literature without
substantiation by any authentic descriptions. In these cases the rule of publication priority is modified
to the extent that original authorship of terms is accepted, and premature records without definition
are placed in synonymy. A similar course is followed where definitions in press have been anticipated
by the use of the terms defined in subsequent papers.

The system of rock-unit classification and naming employed by Iraq Petroleum Company (IPC)
authors is that advocated in a set of rules compiled by Ashley et al. (1939), as supplemented in a recent
paper by Hedberg (1952). The stratigraphical concepts of which the nomenclature is one expression
have evolved over the past 33 years, almost entirely as a result of the geological activities of the IPC
and associated companies (MPC and BPC), and of the now defunct British Oil Development Company
(BOD). Very many geologists, in the past and present, employ of these companies have subscribed
directly or indirectly to the fund of information on which the present interpretations are based

Palaeozoic units are exposed only in the remote mountain zone of northern Iraq, close to the frontier
with Turkey, north and northwest of Amadia. Mesozoic units are widely exposed throughout the
fold-mountain zone of northern and northeastern Iraq, in the Western Desert region in the vicinities
of the Wadi Hauran and of the Ga’ara Depression, and in the crestal portions of the Jebel Sinjar. By far
the greater part of Iraq is covered with Tertiary sediments. Exposures of low Tertiary age are generally
concentrated in the northeastern mountain zone and in the west, surrounding the Ga’ara Depression.
Pliocene deposits cover most of the plains and foothill ranges, with Miocene units appearing at
surface in the eroded crestal parts of the larger folds.

Extensive reconnaissance of the mountain zone by G.M. Lees, M.J.T. Pickles, T.A. Pitt and F. Biraud
(1929-1930, unpublished reports of oil companies), and of the Wadi Hauran-Ga’ara areas by E.W.K.
Andrau (1927, unpublished reports of oil companies), T.F. Williamson and M.J.T. Pickles (1931,
unpublished reports of oil companies), and T. Foran, H.H. Boesch and A. Keller (1937, unpublished
reports of oil companies), laid the foundations for detailed stratigraphic investigation in the region.

The most active phase of surface investigation commenced in 1946 when a planned campaign of
stratigraphical research in the field was set afoot. During the field seasons of the years 1946–1952,
extensive surveys were carried out in Kurdistan, the Sinjar area and the Western Desert region. Such
surveys were made under the active direction of R. Wetzel, usually with the collaboration of D.M.
Morton or of one or other of a succession of geologists, including C. Andre, K.M. Al Naqib, J.M.
Hudson and P.M.V. Rabanit.

Carefully selected sections in widely scattered areas were measured by instrumental traverses, studied
in the field, and closely sampled on a bed-by-bed basis. Bed thicknesses and location of positions of

samples within the surveyed frameworks established by the traverses were determined by tape
measurement. Lateral field-relationships of mappable, exposed rock units were ascertained, and
unexposed gaps in the succession were filled in, either by recourse to laterally-equivalent sections or
by trenching. Study and sampling of additional field sections has been called for, from time-to-time,
to clarify doubts, which have arisen during compilation of results, or during laboratory examination
of samples. Since 1952, most of such additional field studies have been made by K. Al-Naqib, who has
also extended observations into remote and formerly unexplored areas.

Whilst the broad objective of the field research project has been to build up a detailed knowledge of
stratigraphy, palaeontology, sedimentology and related tectonics of the exposed areas, the systematic
approach has been through the development, in each area, of collateral and regionally coordinated
rock-stratigraphic and time-stratigraphic systems of classification and nomenclature.

Control sections, sampled during the period 1946–1958, are spread over more than 110 localities,
positions of which are indicated on Plates I and V. About 19,000 field samples have been collected,
of which the majority are of Cretaceous or older age. The aggregated thickness of the closely
investigated, sampled surface sections exceeds 60 km. Pre-war collectors had already amassed
some 3,500 field samples from northern Iraq, principally of Mesozoic rocks and often from isolated
localities, but including suites from a limited number of fully sampled and measured sections of
particular formations in a few localities.

As is customary in geological laboratories of the IPC and Associated Companies, all samples have
been studied by means of thin section preparations: about 140,000 thin sections of field samples from
northern Iraq, and a much smaller but still considerable number of microfossil separates have been
scrutinized during such studies, carried out by H.V. Dunnington and R.C. van Bellen for determination
of microfauna and age and for appraisal of microfacies. Sample material from a number of sections
has also been examined and reported upon by T.F. Grimsdale and by A.H. Smout.

In addition, some 10,500 macrofossils, collected during the field surveys, have been dispatched for
examination to the Companies Regional Geological Laboratory in London. Most of these macrofossils
have been determined by R.G.S. Hudson, with occasional collaboration of J. Robinson and G.F.
Elliott. A small proportion (but still a large number) of the fossils has been submitted to consultant
palaeontologists. J.A. Douglas, J. Pringle, C.P. Chatwin, and P. Viennot determined many collections
prior to 1940. Subsequently the late L.F. Spath reported upon numerous Jurassic and a few Cretaceous
ammonites, mostly from Kurdistan; H. Muir Wood determined critical Jurassic brachiopod
assemblages; and K.A. Joysey identified echinoids from the Middle Jurassic Muhaiwir Formation.
Apart from two papers by Spath (1950, 1952) on Tithonian and Berriasian ammonites from Chia Gara,
Kurdistan, the findings of these specialists have not been published. Algae from the Middle East are
being studied by G.F. Elliott, who has published several short papers on floras from northern Iraq
(1955a, 1955b, 1956a, 1956b, 1956c). Radiolaria from a few units were reported upon by A.G. Davis.
Hudson (1954) has described a new stromatoporoid genus from the Qamchuqa Limestone of Bekhme.
Publications on Middle East foraminifera which stem from or relate to the region, include those of
Viennot and White (1930), Viennot (1930), Greig (1935), Henson (1947a, b, c, 1948, 1950), Grimsdale
(1952), Eames and Smout (1955), Smout (1955) and Dunnington (1955).

The definitions of the rock units, which are exposed at surface in northern Iraq, are based upon the
field studies and observations of field stratigraphers and of earlier observers, on laboratory studies
of macrofauna, microfauna and microfacies, and on free interchange of opinions and prolonged
discussion amongst all interested parties. Responsibility for interpretation and definition of most
surface-exposed Palaeozoic and Mesozoic rock units, is shared by R. Wetzel and D.M. Morton though
the majority of the actual definitions were prepared originally by R. Wetzel.

78 wells reaching into the Mesozoic have been drilled in northern Iraq, though only one of these
has penetrated the entire Mesozoic and entered the Permian. In addition, about 190 wells have been
drilled into the Tertiary reservoirs but have not entered Mesozoic formations; about 110 of these wells
are situated in the Kirkuk field. Samples from all wells, representing a total drilled thickness of over
750,000 ft (228.6 km) from 40 separate structures (with numerous wells on each of a few of these

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Stratigraphic Lexicon of Iraq

structures), are on file at Kirkuk. The corresponding collections of preparations total about 360,000
thin sections, with several thousand microfossil separates and insoluble mineral digests.

Definitions of subsurface rock units of northern Iraq are based on laboratory examination of this
material and especially of the thin sections of rock samples. Account has been taken of the sample
descriptions and opinions of the geologists responsible for the original well-logging, and due weight
has been allowed to records of electric logs, rates of penetration, and other mechanical operations.

Many of the BOD Company’s wells drilled prior to 1940 were extensively cored, and rich macrofaunas
were obtained and determined by A. Keller. The original macrofossil material is no longer available,
owing to wartime losses. Keller’s palaeontological and age determinations have been accepted,
without possibility of verification, where no contrary evidence has come to light during repeated
examination of the sample material. The volume of material and data on which the rock-unit
classification for southern Iraq was based has been indicated by Owen and Nasr (1958).

The method of rock-unit identification most commonly employed throughout the work requires
some explanation. Differentiation of outcropping rock units of the same general type, e.g. limestones,
may be simple on the basis of weathering forms or of nuances in colour or texture; but criteria, which
are dependent upon exposure, are not applicable to subsurface sections.

The ages of outcropping units may be determined by a combination of macrofossil and microfossil
evidence, but microscopic forms alone are preserved in well-cuttings; and these can be isolated
from the matrix only in a minority of cases because hard, calcareous rocks predominate in the Iraq
succession. In these circumstances, the need for a consistent basis for correlation, applicable to both
hard and soft rocks from surface and well sections alike, led long ago to the adoption of thin-section
examination as the principal method of sample study in the laboratories of the IPC and Associated
Companies.

The value of the thin section does not end with age-determination of the sample. Thin sections provide
the ideal means, of assessing what J. Cuvillier (1951) has termed the ‘microfacies’ of the rock. This
term implies, to the authors, the sum total of lithological and organic characteristics of a rock as seen
in thin sections (or polished surfaces) under the microscope, i.e. it is interchangeable with the term
facies but stipulates the method of facies appraisal. Since facies reflect closely, the physical conditions
and ecology of the environments of deposition, the range of facies variations in any genetically simple
rock unit is generally small, often surprisingly so. In consequence it is often practicable to identify
thin sections of rocks with particular known rock units, even though no single organism visible in the
sections is specifically identifiable. Further, since facies reflect closely the environmental conditions at
the time of deposition, the appraisal of vertical and lateral variations of microfacies is simultaneously
an appraisal of palaeogeographical and stratigraphical factors, which themselves controlled the
nature and distribution of rock units.

Age assessments indicated for the various formations and members in their type localities are
naturally of variable value, depending upon the quality of available faunal evidences. The tendency
towards illegitimate equation of boundaries of formations with time-lines representing the limits
of European stages is admitted. This tendency is especially apparent in the graphic illustrations of
Plates II, III and IV, and a warning note is subscribed to each plate to the effect that coincidence in
place of formation-boundaries and time-stage limits is to be regarded as a convenient approximation,
generally unsupported by any precise and unequivocal palaeontological evidence.

It has been customary, in Iraq, to include the Coniacian, Santonian, Campanian and Maastrichtian
stages within the Senonian. This procedure is followed in the Lexicon. The terms Upper and
Lower Senonian are applied to units lying respectively above and below the intra-Campanian
discontinuity.

Age determination of the Tertiary rock units and especially the strict correlation of such units with
European stages are often difficult. For this reason age determinations in such cases have been linked
deliberately to unconformities. There is one such unconformity within the Palaeocene-Eocene of Iraq,

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which coincides most probably with the unconformity which occurs elsewhere in the Mediterranean
province at the base of the Lutetian.

Local fossil ranges are frequently controlled not only by time but also by presence or absence of
suitable depositional environments. Thus a fossil which is bound to a shoal facies cannot be expected
to occur in beds above such shoal facies when these beds are in offshore facies, deposited after a
transgression. Moreover, the lapse of time represented by regression and transgression may vary in
different places, thereby cutting short the life ranges of particular fossils to a variable extent.

In order to correlate strictly, physical continuity of an unconformity should be proved from one
locality to another and eventually to the type areas of the overlying and underlying formations.
Also, proof should exist that the time lapse between the deposition of the underlying and overlying
beds is the same or nearly so in various localities. Facies and facies differences, above and below the
discontinuity, should be more or less identical in the areas concerned.

As such conditions are seldom fulfilled in Iraq, it is considered preferable for the time being to
attribute beds below the above-mentioned unconformity to the Palaeocene and “lower” Eocene, and
beds above it to the “middle” and “upper” Eocene. The use of the informal term “lower” Eocene
is intended to suggest that the sediments so designated may include some of early Lutetian age in
some localities and that in other localities some late Ypresian sediments may lie above the recognized
break and hence be excluded from the “lower” Eocene. The terms “middle” and “upper” Eocene are
applied similarly to subdivisions of the Eocene which correspond approximately, but not necessarily
exactly, with the Middle and Upper Eocene subdivisions of the European time-scale.

Similar subdivisions have been applied to the Oligocene for similar reasons (see also van Bellen,
1956). The terms “lower”, “middle” and “upper” Oligocene do not imply strict correlation with the
Lattorfian, Rupelian and Chattian. They may very well coincide with these European stages but proof
is lacking.

The much discussed question as to whether the Aquitanian should be considered as Oligocene or
Miocene has not been touched upon. In view of the major unconformity between “upper” Oligocene
and “lower” Miocene, it is possible that Aquitanian rocks are absent from the whole of the area
under discussion. The Aquitanian stage may correspond to part of the interval between the retreat
of the Oligocene sea and the beginning of “lower” Miocene sedimentation. There is no evidence for
the existence of Aquitanian sediments in Iraq, indisputable index fossils being absent. The facies of
the Aquitanian in the type locality differ considerably from those of such sediments as might be of
Aquitanian age in this country.

Informal notation of age terms also has been applied in the Miocene. Strata below the Lower Fars and
its basal conglomerate have been termed “lower” Miocene, largely on algal evidence. G.F. Elliott, in
unpublished reports, has determined from the Govanda Limestone Formation an algal flora, which
suggests Burdigalian age for this formation. The formation also contains Borelis melo (Fichtel and
Moll) var. curdica Reichel in quantity.

The Jeribe Limestone, below the Lower Fars, contains the same fossil. This formation has therefore
been correlated with the Govanda Limestone. Such correlation implies a “lower” Miocene age for
the sediments below the Lower Fars. The second, middle, part of the Miocene is occupied by the
Lower Fars Formation (“middle” Miocene). It is separated from the underlying “lower” Miocene
by an anhydrite where the succession is complete. An important conglomerate occurs where the
“lower” Miocene is wholly or partly absent. The Lower Fars, in its turn, is terminated by another
unconformity, which introduces the “upper” Miocene Middle and Upper Fars formations.

Although it is likely that the Govanda Limestone and therefore also the Jeribe Limestone is of
Burdigalian age (viz. the occurrence of the above-mentioned algal flora and its value as an index
of that particular age), it is not claimed that the “middle” Miocene correlates strictly with the
Vindobonian, nor that the “upper” Miocene is of Pontian age.

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In a number of cases, long-standing usage in the region has required departure from the rules of
nomenclature as given by Ashley et al. (1939). The terms Lower Fars, Middle Fars, Upper Fars, Lower
Bakhtiari and Upper Bakhtiari have been maintained despite Article 16, Remark (c) in the above-
mentioned rules and in accordance with Article 9. The same applies to the use of the term “Fars” as
a group and as a formation.

Individual entries in the stratigraphic index are arranged alphabetically. A term like undifferentiated
Fars appears only as such in this index. In the rock unit descriptions it is entered also as Fars,
undifferentiated.

The term unconformity has been applied to all non-sequential contacts, whether or not corresponding
to erosional surfaces, and whether or not associated with angular discordance. Disconformity has
been taken to infer non-sequence, without erosion and without associated angular discordance.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
[H.V. Dunnington, D.M. Morton, R.C. van Bellen and R. Wetzel]

It will be clear from the foregoing passages that the authors have drawn upon the work of a large
number of colleagues and predecessors, some of whom find mention in accounts of individual
formations, or in the reference list, but many of whom must remain nameless.

Particular thanks are extended to F.R.S. Henson for his constant encouragement and constructive
criticism during all stages of development of the current nomenclature, and for his own early
clarifications of the rock-unit stratigraphy; to R.G.S. Hudson for his numerous unpublished reports
on the macrofauna and for his contributions to stratigraphic interpretation in the field and in the
laboratory; to J. Mcginty, who subscribed the definition of the Karimia Mudstone Formation; to
P.F.F. Lancaster-Jones who provided the type-locality information for the Gulneri Shale and Dokan
Limestone formations; and to C. Andre and K.M. Al Naqib for their painstaking field work in the
mountain areas.

The authors are indebted to the Management and to the Chief Geologist of the Iraq Petroleum and
Associated Companies for permission to publish this contribution to the Lexicon.

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Stratigraphic Lexicon of Iraq

GENERAL OUTLINE OF STRATIGRAPHY

[H.V. Dunnington and R.C. van Bellen]

Palaeozoic (Table 1)

The oldest known rock unit in Iraq is the Khabour Quartzite-Shale Formation, which is of Ordovician
age, at least in its upper parts. Palaeozoic units are known at surface only from exposures of very
limited areal extent, in the up-faulted cores of anticlines at Ora and Chalki, north and northwest of
Amadia, and in the Gel-i-Sinat and Av-i-Masis areas to the north and northwest of Shiranish. The
recognized units follow in direct superposition in a straightforward succession (Table 1), which is
complicated in the field by rather extensive faulting and thrusting.

Table 1
Palaeozoic Formations

Permian Chia Zairi Limestone

(with Satina evaporite member)
unconformity
Harur Limestone
Lower Carboniferous Ora Shale
(?Uppermost Devonian) Kaista Formation
unconformity
?Ordovician Pirispiki Red Beds with
Chalki Volcanics
Ordovician Khabour Quartzite Shale

The Chalki Volcanics occur within and towards the top of (or at the top of) the Pirispiki Red Beds.
They are not found, in situ, in the Ora Anticline. There is no evidence of angular discordance at
either of the indicated unconformities. Only the Permian Chia Zairi Formation has been encountered
during drilling operations, and that only in a single well section (Atshan-1).

Triassic (Table 2)

The basal unit of the Triassic, the Mirga Mir Formation, is known from the Ora, Shish and Chalki areas,
north and northwest of Amadia, and from the single deep well section of Atshan-1. The next younger
Beduh Formation appears in an additional area, at the Sirwan Gorge, on the Iraq-Iran frontier east of
Halabja. The Middle Triassic Geli Khana Formation is known from all these five areas, and the Ga’ara
Sandstone and underlying Nijili Formation, which are exposed in the Ga’ara Depression, north of
Rutbah, are considered to be of approximately the same age as the Geli Khana.

The Upper Triassic is believed to be unconformable on Middle Triassic in all known localities,
though there is no apparent angular discordance at any exposure. The Upper Triassic Kurra Chine
Formation is widely exposed in the Ora-Shish area and near to the Sirwan. It appears also in the cores
of two additional anticlines Chia Gara, south of Amadia, and Shaver Valley, near Rania; and in four
additional subsurface sections in the MPC area: Alan-1, Butmah-2, and Mileh Tharthar-1 and Qalian-
1. In the Ga’ara Depression, the place of the Kurra Chine is taken by the Mulussa Formation, which
has not been found in any well section.

Green argillaceous rocks, with associated limestones and evaporites, deemed as the Baluti Shale
Formation, and regarded tentatively as of Rhaetic age, appear in all the localities in which the Kurra
Chine Formation is known. The Zor Hauran Formation, deemed to be equivalent in age to the Baluti
Formation, is known only from exposures in the Wadi Hauran.

The equation of formation boundaries with limits between the recognized age-units is a device of
convenience, and is not attested by palaeontological evidence. But such evidence of age as is available
is compatible with the attributions shown for the formations.

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Table 2
Triassic Formations
Ga'ara-Wadi Hauran Area Kurdistan Exposures and Well Sections
?Rhaetic Zor Hauran Formation Baluti Shale
unconformity
Upper Triassic Mulussa Formation Kura Chine Formation

Ga'ara Sandstone
Middle Triassic Geli Khana Formation
Nijili Formation
(Lower Triassic (Beduh Fm/Mirga Mir Fm)
Upper Permian) not exposed (Chia Zairi Limestone)

Jurassic (Table 3)

Jurassic rocks are known from many localities in the Kurdistan Mountain belt, from many subsurface
sections (mostly lying west of the Tigris River) and from the Wadi Hauran, between H-1 and H-2
pipeline stations. Unfortunately, with rare exceptions, the rock units, which are identifiable in any
one of these areas cannot be identified, by the same criteria, in either of the other areas. It is therefore
necessary to recognize three more or less independent successions of rock units of Jurassic age.
Relationships of the units comprising these successions are illustrated in Table 3.

Table 3
Jurassic Formations
Subsurface Sections
Age Wadi Hauran Kurdistan
(South - West) (North - East)
(Berriasian) Zangura Fm Sarmord Fm
unconformity
Makhul Karimia ?Chia Gara
Tithonian Fm Chia Formation
(Middle - Upper) Mudstone
Gara Fm
Kimeridgian Not exposed Gotnia Anhydrite Barsarin Formation
(Middle - Upper)
?Lower Kimmeridgian
Upper Oxfordian
Najmah Formation Naokelekan Formation
?Lower Oxfordian
(?Callovian)
unconformity ? ? ?
Bathonian Muhaiwir Formation
Sargelu Formation
Bajocian absent ?
Alan Anhydrite
Toarcian absent or Mus Limestone Sehkaniyan Formation
not exposed Adaiyah Anhydrite
pre-Toarcian Butmah Formation Sarki Formation
Liassic Uba'id Formation (with unnamed variegated clastics locally)
(Rhaetic) (Zor Hauran Fm) Baluti Shale

It is possible that other formations remain to be discovered, in the Wadi Hauran area, between the
presumably Lower Liassic Uba’id Formation and the Bathonian Muhaiwir Formation.

Only one major unconformity of any significant regional extent has been detected in the Jurassic
successions. This lies between Bathonian Sargelu Formation and Upper Jurassic (perhaps Callovian)
Najmah Formation. It is demonstrable in the subsurface sections as an erosional hiatus. At the
corresponding stratigraphical position in Kurdistan, the Naokelekan appears to follow conformably
upon the Sargelu, but the palaeontological sequence is either incomplete or extremely condensed in
the Naokelekan, and a depositional hiatus, at least, most probably exists here.

There is no detected unconformity or sedimentary break at the Cretaceous/Jurassic boundary, but

the subsurface sections show an erosional unconformity lying within the Berriasian. In Kurdistan
the Tithonian-Berriasian Chia Gara Formation appears to be continuous in some sections, and the
formation is limited arbitrarily at the Valanginian/Berriasian stage-limit, as determined from fauna.
In other Kurdistan sections there is unconformity, without angular discordance, between Valanginian
Balambo Formation and Tithonian Chia Gara Formation.
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Parts of the Jurassic succession in Kurdistan are characterized by rich ammonite faunas, but much
additional collection and study of these faunas will be required before the precise age-limits of the
formations can be fully known.

Only one well in southern Iraq has entered the Jurassic, and this (Ratawi-1) did not extend beyond
the Tithonian. But one deep test in Kuwait (Burgan-113) is believed to have reached to the base of the
Liassic. The Jurassic succession in this well is closely comparable with those met with in the subsurface
of central Iraq (Makhul, Mileh Tharthar, etc.). Unusual features are the occurrence of thick beds of
rock salt within the equivalent of the Upper Jurassic Gotnia Anhydrite Formation, the intercalation of
a tongue of pellety neritic limestones within a unit of euxinic shales and Posidonia limestones, which
is equatable with the Sargelu Formation of Iraq, and the appearance of vari-coloured shales and
clastics within (or at the base of) the Liassic (similar vari-coloured clastics occur as an intercalation
within the Lower Liassic Butmah Formation in Mileh Tharthar-1).

Whereas the Jurassic section is thick and almost complete in the exposed anticlines of northeastern
Iraq (where the single suspected discontinuity has not been demonstrated in the field), that in
the western area of exposures is very incomplete. The Bathonian Muhaiwir Formation is the only
remnant of the Middle-Upper Jurassic transgression, and the upper and major part of the Liassic is
unrepresented. In the sector lying west and northwest of Mosul the Upper Jurassic, if ever present,
was removed during late Jurassic or early Cretaceous emergence: Albian Sarmord Formation rests on
eroded Bathonian or older Sargelu Formation over a very large area.

Cretaceous (Tables 4–6)

Forty of the seventy five formations recognized in the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic succession within
Iraq are entirely of Cretaceous age, and four other formations range over the Cretaceous/Jurassic
boundary. The complexity of the nomenclature reflects complex tectonic and depositional events,
during Cretaceous times, which determined a rather rapidly changing pattern of localized
sedimentational environments, each of which produced its peculiar rock assemblages.

The Palaeozoic to Jurassic succession is made up of units which preserve their identity over large
regions, in which the only significant variations relate to position within a basin of large area, of
which the limits other than in the southwest are unknown. The erosional unconformities, which are
detected, appear to relate to epeirogenetic withdrawals, and there is no evidence of local structural
adjustments accompanying or preceding the regressions and transgressions.

Whereas the Jurassic succession contains only a single demonstrated erosional unconformity, the
Cretaceous succession is affected by no less than five major erosional unconformities, which are
manifested over much or the entire region. There are also several minor erosional or non-depositional
breaks, which acquire importance only locally.

Sedimentation was continuous from Tithonian into Berriasian times in some areas, and the Makhul
and Karimia Mudstone formations, which are treated as Jurassic units, include Berriasian rocks
in their upper parts. Both these formations are terminated by the intra-Berriasian unconformity.
The Chia Gara Formation of northern Iraq was also deposited continuously from Tithonian into
Berriasian times, and in some areas in Kurdistan, until about the time of the Berriasian-Valanginian
transition. Similarly, in the deep sections of Ratawi-1 (southern Iraq) and Burgan-113 (Kuwait), the
Tithonian-Berriasian interval is represented by the succession of the Yamama Formation on the Sulaiy
Formation. These units, introduced from the Saudi Arabian stratigraphical classification, equate
approximately with the Zangura and Makhul formations of northern Iraq.

The Cretaceous rock sequence ends, more or less abruptly in most localities (possibly throughout the
region), at a major erosional unconformity of post-Maastrichtian (or very late Maastrichtian) date,
which is succeeded by Palaeocene or younger sediments.

Between the limits set by the Tertiary/Cretaceous and intra-Berriasian (or Cretaceous/Jurassic)
unconformities, the succession is partitioned by a ubiquitous erosional and depositional hiatus post-

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dating the deposition of the Turonian, but preceding the onset of Lower Senonian sedimentation. The
sequence is divided further by less important and less widespread unconformities of Albian/Aptian,
Cenomanian/Albian, Turonian/Cenomanian, and early Maastrichtian or late Campanian ages.

It is convenient to consider the Lower and Middle Cretaceous units separately from those of Upper
Cretaceous (post-Turonian) age.

Sedimentation in bathyal facies was continuous, or almost so, from Valanginian (locally from
Berriasian) to late-Turonian times in the extreme eastern part of the region. The Valanginian-
Turonian Balambo Formation is defined to accommodate the finely bedded limestones and shales,
characterized successively by ammonite, belemnite, radiolarian and globigerinal faunas, which make
up the bathyal succession.

Passing westwards and northwestwards from the type-area of the Balambo (Sirwan River, Halabja,
etc.), the basal sediments of the formation change laterally and very gradationally into neritic
marls and marly limestones of the Sarmord Formation, at the base of which the oolitic, arenaceous,
biostromic Garagu Formation is found in some areas.

In the Awasil and Makhul areas, the Garagu conformably overlies late-Berriasian sediments,
represented by chemical limestones and calcareous shales of the Zangura Formation, and in Kirkuk-
109 the Garagu is conformably underlain by Sarmord Formation, also of Berriasian age.

The middle portion of the Balambo Formation (Hauterivian-Albian) passes laterally, westwards
and northwestwards, through a variable development of Sarmord Formation, into massive, neritic
limestone of the Qamchuqa Formation. The Balambo-Sarmord and Sarmord-Qamchuqa formation-
boundaries are markedly diachronous (the base of the Qamchuqa, for instance, ranges in age from
Hauterivian to Albian).

West and southwest of the broad belt in which the Qamchuqa Formation is typically represented, the
sediments of the Hauterivian-Albian interval are differentiated into separate rock units. The Garagu
Formation, which is principally of Valanginian age, extends upwards, locally, into the Hauterivian.
It is succeeded by the Sarmord Formation, which is of Hauterivian-Barremian age in the area west
of the Tigris River, between Mosul and Makhul, but the neritic marls of the Sarmord are replaced,
west of Makhul, by the sands, silts and shales of the Zubair Formation. The Zubair sands provide the
reservoir from which oil is produced in the Zubair and Rumaila fields of southern Iraq. They are thickly
represented (but unproductive) in deep wells of Awasil, etc. The succeeding neritic limestones of the
Shu’aiba Formation, Aptian in age, are conformable upon the Zubair or its calcareous equivalents,
and are recognizable from Qatar into northern Iraq (Najmah-29). The Shu’aiba Formation loses its
identity, within the longer-enduring Qamchuqa Formation, to the north and east of Najmah.

In the area between Najmah and Makhul, the Shu’aiba Formation is overlain, probably with slight
unconformity but without detectable angular discordance, by the shaly, anhydritic lagoonal Jawan
Formation, which is of Albian age. The Jawan passes laterally, westwards and southwestwards, into
the sandstones, shales and siltstones of the Nahr Umr Formation. The Nahr Umr is known in the
Awasil, Nafatah, Fallujah and Mileh Tharthar wells of central Iraq, and through the oilfield region of
southern Iraq into Kuwait, where it acquires great thickness and importance as the main sandstone
reservoir of the oilfields of the Burgan area.

The Nahr Umr is conformably overlain by the late-Albian Mauddud (limestone) Formation in all
areas where it has been recognized. The Mauddud is erosionally terminated at least in some parts of
Iraq, the overlying units being of Cenomanian or younger age. It is discernible at Makhul, but north
of the Makhul wells it is cut out at the erosional unconformity underlying the Turonian Kometan
Formation. To the northeast of Makhul the Mauddud is represented, but inseparable, within the
neritic limestones of the Qamchuqa Limestone.

Relationships of the several Berriasian-Albian units of the main successions are shown in Table 4.

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Table 4
Early Cretaceous, Berriasian-Albian Formations
Basrah Euphrates Tigris Kirkuk- East and North-
Fields Area Area W. Kurdistan East Kurdistan
(Albian
Environment sand belt lagoonal belt neritic belt bathyal
Division}
Typical Section Zubair wells Awasil-5 Najmah-29 Kirkuk-109 Balambo Area
Makhul wells
Cenomanian unconformity unconformity
Mauddud Formation absent
Albian
Nahr Umr Formation Jawan Formation
Qamchuqa
Aptian Shu'aiba Fm Formation Balambo
?Aptian- Barremian- Formation
Zubair Formation Sarmord Fm
Hauterivian
Hauterivian- Ratawi Fm Garagu Formation
Valanginian
Yamama Fm Zangura Formation Sarmord Fm
Late Berriasian
unconformity unconformity Chia Gara
Early Sulaiy Fm Makhul Formation Karimia Mudstone Formation
Berriasian- Formation
Tithonian Chia Gara Formation

The infra-Berriasian break expands westwards from Kirkuk to Najmah (where Hauterivian Garagu
Formation rests on eroded Upper Jurassic) and northwestwards from Najmah through Qalian
(where Albian Jawan Formation lies on eroded Upper Jurassic) into the Ain Zalah-Alan area, where
Aptian or younger Sarmord Formation lies unconformably on eroded Bathonian to Bajocian Sargelu
Formation.

Thus in the region north of Najmah and west of the Tigris River the lower part of the Cretaceous
is not represented by sediments. The Sarmord Formation is thinly represented, and the Qamchuqa
Formation, here of Albian age, rests conformably upon the Sarmord. The Qamchuqa passes
southwards from Atshan into Jawan Formation at Qalian. The Middle Cretaceous succession is
terminated by an erosional unconformity of pre-Cenomanian or infra-Cenomanian age, and the
sediments succeeding the Qamchuqa are of Lower Senonian or younger age in this region.

Siltstones and shales, presumably of Albian age, intervene between the Sarmord and Qamchuqa
formations in Alan-1. These arenaceous measures are recognized in the nomenclature as the Rim
Siltstone Formation.

The upper part of the Balambo Formation, in the northeastern zone of continuous bathyal
sedimentation, includes thick Cenomanian and Turonian components. But as the margin of the
belt of Qamchuqa Limestone sedimentation is approached, the Cenomanian thins, and an erosional
unconformity appears between Cenomanian and Albian. Very thin, patchily distributed remnants
of Cenomanian Dokan Limestone Formation occur, locally, lying unconformably upon eroded
Qamchuqa Formation, in the Pir-i-Mugurun-Dokan area, and also beneath the Avanah Dome of the
Kirkuk oilfield.

Similarly, an erosional hiatus appears between the Cenomanian and Turonian globigerinal sediments
as the Qamchuqa neritic limestone belt is approached, and over large parts of the zone in which the
Qamchuqa is represented, its eroded top is overlain, without angular discordance, by oligosteginal-
globigerinal limestones of Turonian age, which are recognized in the rock unit classification as the
Kometan Formation. The Kometan is lacking from the northwestern parts of Kurdistan, where it or its
equivalents were eliminated during pre-Upper Campanian emergence (or else were not deposited).
However, a small remnant of contemporaneous limestones, but in rudistiferous, littoral or neritic
facies, appears at Shiranish Islam: this isolated limestone unit is defined as the Mergi Limestone
Formation.

The Kometan extends to the west and southwest of its type area, always in unconformable
relationships with underlying units, as far as Makhul. To the southwest of Makhul its place in the
sequence is taken by the neritic Fahad Limestone and overlying Maotsi formations of the wells of
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the Awasil district. In the Kirkuk area and around Dokan, on the Lesser Zab river, a sporadic shale
unit is found between the Kometan limestone and the Dokan Limestone (or Qamchuqa Formation
where the Dokan is lacking). This shale unit, defined as the Gulneri Shale, is bounded by erosional
unconformities: it is of Turonian age.

Cenomanian neritic limestones are absent from most of northern Iraq. They are recognized, however,
in the extreme north of the region, in the Mushorah and Gullar wells (Gir Bir Formation), and in the
Awasil-Nafatah-Mileh Tharthar area (Mahilban Formation).

Both the Gir Bir and the Mahilban formations rest unconformably on eroded Albian units, and
both are unconformably overlain by younger units. Both probably owe their survival to localized
subsidences bounded by buried faults, and it may even be that the Cenomanian neritic limestones
were deposited, in northern Iraq, only in contemporaneous troughs or graben which were of very
limited extent.

In view of the general absence of Cenomanian shallow-water sediments from most of the region,
it is somewhat surprising to encounter a late-Cenomanian littoral limestone deposit as far to the
west as the Rutbah area. This limestone unit, the M’sad Formation, is found conformably overlying
and probably interdigitating with the Rutbah Sandstone Formation in the western rim of the
Ga’ara Depression. The Rutbah Sandstone, itself, which transgresses extensively across the eroded
extremities of Bathonian to Triassic units in the Wadi Hauran to Ga’ara area, is regarded as being of
Cenomanian age, but could be considerably older at its base.

In the Basrah oilfield area, as in Awasil, Fallujah, Nafatah, Mileh Tharthar, etc., the Cenomanian is
represented by a limestone unit, the Mishrif Formation (probably to be equated with the Mahilban
Limestone). Whereas the Mahilban lies unconformably on Albian Mauddud Formation in the Awasil
area, additional units enter between the base of the Mishrif and the top of the Mauddud in the Basrah
wells. The Wara Formation is a shale and siltstone unit, with a thin sporadic sandstone bed at its top
in the Basrah wells. It lies with slight disconformity on the Mauddud Formation, and it thickens into
an important and productive reservoir unit in the Burgan field of Kuwait. It grades conformably
into the shales of the overlying Ahmadi Formation. The Rumaila Formation, comprising globigerinal
marls and limestones, is conformable upon the Ahmadi and conformably overlain by the Mishrif.

It is not yet established whether the Rumaila/Ahmadi/Wara succession is represented laterally by

neritic limestone equivalents within the Mahilban Limestone of Awasil, or whether these formations
correspond to the hiatus between the Mahilban and the Mauddud at Awasil. The second alternative
is considered the more probable.

The age of the upper part of the Mishrif in the Basrah area is not firmly established. It could include
Turonian components, and thus (if age attributions are correct) equivalents for all or part of the
Fahad Limestone and/or Maotsi Formation of the Awasil area of central Iraq. Alternatively and more
probably, equivalents for the Fahad and Maotsi formations may be absent from the Basrah succession
in a major non-sequence separating the Mishrif Formation from the overlying Khasib Formation.

The preferred interpretations of relationships of the several component units of the main Turonian/
Cenomanian/Albian successions are shown in Table 5.

Even in the northeastern part of northern Iraq, where the Lower-Middle Cretaceous succession is
essentially complete, in bathyal facies, there is an erosional break and depositional hiatus between the
Turonian top of the Balambo Formation and the base of the ensuing Shiranish Formation.

Over most of the country, the oldest represented Upper Cretaceous sediments are of Upper
Campanian age. They transgress over an erosion surface, which exposed rock units ranging in age
from Albian to Turonian.

The area north of Mosul and west of the Tigris River is exceptional, for Lower Campanian and
perhaps also Lower Senonian sediments occur in this area, beneath the widely transgressive, open-

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Stratigraphic Lexicon of Iraq

sea, globigerinal sediments of the Shiranish Formation, and above eroded Qamchuqa Formation of
Albian age. The Lower Campanian-?Lower Senonian sediments comprise limestones, cherts and
shales, lithology and fauna of which indicate deposition under conditions of anomalous salinity: they
are defined as the Mushorah Formation, and are known only from subsurface sections.

Table 5
Middle Cretaceous, Albian-Turonian Formations
Basrah Rutbah Awasil Najmah "Qamchuqa Basin
Area Area Area Area Belt"
unconformity
Maotsi Fm Kometan Formation Balambo
Turonian ?absent absent unconformity Formation
Fahad Lst (Gulneri shale *)
unconformity unconformity
Mishrif Fm absent
Cenomanian Rumaila M'sad Limestone Mahilban absent or
Ahmadi Fm Rutbah Sandstone Formation
Wara Fm Dokan Limestone
unconformity
Mauddud Qamchuqa Balambo Fm
Mauddud Fm Formation Jawan Formation (continuing)
Albian absent
Nahr Umr Fm Nahr Umr Formation
Formation
unconformity (continuing)

* Gulneri Shale: very thin, very restricted distribution

The sediments of the Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian transgression are most often the open-sea,
globigerinal limestones and marls of the Shiranish Formation, but these are replaced laterally by
neritic or littoral limestones in some settings.

Where the transgressive Upper Senonian laps on to residual elevations of Qamchuqa Formation, in
the Rania-Shiranish region of northern Iraq, the Upper Campanian sediments are rudist-bearing,
organic-detrital limestones, accommodated within the Bekhme Limestone Formation.

In the area between the Tigris River at Mosul and the Euphrates at Ramadi, the basal sediments
of the Upper Cretaceous are neritic limestones with orbitoid and rudist debris, recognized in the
nomenclature as the Pilsener Limestone. They grade upwards and pass laterally eastwards into
normal open-sea sediments of the Shiranish Formation, which intervene, everywhere, between the
areas of occurrence of the Pilsener and Bekhme limestones.

Far to the west of the Euphrates, in the area south of Rutbah, the only Upper Cretaceous unit
represented at outcrop is the Tayarat Limestone, a neritic-littoral formation of Maastrichtian age. The
Tayarat may pass laterally and diachronously eastwards into the Pilsener Limestone of the Awasil
area, but this remains to be demonstrated or denied by subsurface sections.

In the Basrah area the Tayarat is represented, more or less as at outcrop, in the wells of the Zubair
and Rumaila fields, etc. It forms here the uppermost unit of a sixfold succession intervening between
the base of the Tertiary and the top of the Middle Cretaceous Mishrif Formation. The oldest of the six
units, the Khasib Formation, comprises globigerinal and oligosteginal calcareous shales, marls and
marly limestones, which are considered to be of basal Upper Campanian age (HVD) (though ?Lower
Senonian age is indicated by Owen and Nasr (1958). The contact of Khasib on Mishrif is said to be
disconformable in the Basrah wells, the disconformity expanding to a major erosional unconformity
over the crest of the Burgan a High, in neighboring Kuwait (Owen and Nasr, op. cit.).

The Khasib is succeeded conformably by black, fissile shales of the Tanuma Formation, which are
conformably overlain by white, chalky, marly, globigerinal limestones of the Sa’di Formation. The
Sa’di also contains organic limestones with a highly characteristic fauna which is widely distributed
in the lower part of the Pilsener Limestone of the wells of the Tigris area, in central Iraq. Upper
Campanian age for the Sa’di seems certain.

The Sa’di is overlain by glauconitic detrital limestones of the Hartha Formation, characterized by
a Monolepidorbis-Cosinella fauna and seemingly attributable to the Upper Campanian. However,

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the contact between the Hartha and Sa’di formations is an erosional unconformity, lying within or
perhaps at the extreme top of the Upper Campanian succession.

Table 6
Late Cretaceous, Turonian-Maastrichtian Formations
Ain Zalah Mushorah Shiranish Chia Gara Qamchuqa "Basin"
Area Gullar Area
Maastrichtian Shiranish Fm
Shiranish Formation Bekhme Shiranish Formation
Upper Campanian
Limestone unconformity
Lower Campanian Mushorah Formation absent absent(?)
-?Lower Senonian
unconformity
Kometan Fm
absent Mergi Limestone absent
Turonian unconformity
Formation
unconformity Gulneri Shale*
absent or
Gir Bir Limestone Dokan Limestone
Cenomanian absent absent Balambo Fm
Formation Formation
unconformity

Albian, Balambo
Qamchuqa Formation
etc. Formation
(continuing)

(*) Gulneri Shale: very thin, very restricted distribution

The globigerinal marls and marly limestones of the Qurna Formation intervene between the top of the
Hartha Formation and the base of the Tayarat in the Basrah area. In northern Iraq practice the Qurna,
Sa’di (part), and Khasib formations could all be regarded as parts of the Shiranish Formation.

Shortly after the onset of Upper Cretaceous transgression, in Upper Campanian time important
tectonic movements commenced in northern Iraq. These influenced considerably not only the
thickness of the subsequent sedimentary units, but also the types of rocks which were deposited.

West of the Tigris River, two rapidly subsiding troughs developed, on east-west alignments,
presumably as a consequence of deep-seated faulting. In the most northerly trough, which
courses below Jebel Sinjar and Sasan into the Butmah area, open-sea, globigerinal sedimentation
persisted through Upper Cretaceous times, more or less in pace with subsidence. The trough-filling
sediments are the normal rock types of the Shiranish Formation (though with unusual features, as
intraformational conglomerates, slumped beds, etc., which reflect locally steep gradients towards the
shallower margins of the trough, where fringing developments of neritic Pilsener Limestone were
deposited).

The southern trough, which runs beneath the Anah Anticline, along the upper reaches of the
Euphrates in Iraq, appears to have developed under conditions forbidding free communication with
the open sea to the east. The thick sediments of the lower part of the Upper Cretaceous are marls
and marly limestones, lithologically comparable with the Shiranish Formation, but characterized by
impoverished and restricted faunas. These sediments are included in the Jib’ab Marl Formation, and
separated from the superficially similar Shiranish because of the characteristic faunal impoverishment,
which reflects important genetic and geographical differences between these two formations.

The Jib’ab Marl grades upwards into normal neritic Pilsener Limestone at Anah, and the Pilsener is
succeeded by Maastrichtian phosphatic and glauconitic marls, with abundant but highly specialized
faunas, which are accorded separate recognition as the Digma Formation.

Whilst the east-west troughs of the Anah and Sinjar areas were developing, another tectonic-
depositional regime was initiated in eastern Kurdistan. Beyond the eastern borders of Iraq
considerable uplift occurred and older rocks, including great thicknesses of Middle-Lower Cretaceous
and older radiolarian cherts and limestone, were laid open to rapid erosion. At the same time, green-
rock effusive and depositional conditions were introduced. Meanwhile, in Iraq itself, a broad and

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Stratigraphic Lexicon of Iraq

rapidly deepening trough developed, on a rather sinuous but generally north-northwest to south-
southeast alignment. The copious detritus derived from the uplift in the northeast was poured into
the developing trough, to accumulate in great thickness. The flysch-like clastics of the trough, with
their intercalations of more normal, globigerinal marls, are treated collectively as the Tanjero Clastic
Formation.

The Tanjero usually succeeds and grades downwards into Shiranish Formation, the rock-unit
boundary being markedly diachronous. The successively later increments of the Tanjero were spread
successively further towards the southwest.

The shifting southwestern margin of the Tanjero Trough is marked locally by developments of
neritic limestones of Maastrichtian age, which are accommodated within the definition of the Aqra
Limestone. The Aqra also occurs as far-spread tongues or lentils within the main mass of the Tanjero
Formation, and especially towards its top. But the fullest representation of the Aqra is in its type area,
where it is founded upon massive neritic Upper Campanian limestones of the Bekhme Formation. In
this area the Aqra is a very thick, neritic-littoral limestone unit, from which tongues of fore-reef-shoal
limestones run, northeastwards, into the marls and flysch-like clastics of the Shiranish and Tanjero
formations.

The Aqra Limestone /Bekhme Limestone contact is a minor erosional unconformity in some sections.
The Upper Campanian Hadiena Limestone Formation, known only from a narrow, tectonically
complicated outcrop which runs east-west from the Ora area into the Chalki-Banik area, is recognized
as distinct from the contemporaneous Bekhme Limestone because of the characteristic haematitic,
conglomeratic and sandy nature of the Hadiena sediments. The relationships between this and other
Upper Cretaceous units are somewhat obscure, save that lateral passage by interdigitation into
normal globigerinal Shiranish Formation is demonstrated between Chalki and Banik.

The Upper Cretaceous rock-unit succession is cut short in all studied sections in northern Iraq by
the post- (or late-) Maastrichtian, pre- (or intra-) Palaeocene erosional unconformity, which expands
locally to throw lower Miocene units into transgressive relationship with underlying eroded
Maastrichtian, Upper Campanian or older formations.

Conformable relations between the Maastrichtian Tayarat Formation and the overlying Palaeocene
Umm er Radhuma Formation are accepted in the Basrah area by most authorities (e.g. Owen and Nasr,
1958). Conformity seems improbable in view of the widespread evidence of erosional unconformity
between Tertiary and Cretaceous units, even in the basinal, areas, in northern Iraq.

Tertiary

After this major unconformity, sedimentation started anew with the deposition of a Palaeocene-
”lower” Eocene sequence. The facies distribution within this sequence was controlled by a row of
islands and shoals along the eastern shore of the area of deposition. The proximity of the Arabian
Shield and the influence of a high in the Ga’ara area determined the facies along the western frontier
of Iraq.

The row of islands and shoals separated the open sea in the west from a more or less lagoonal area
in the east. The offshore sediments are grey and light brown argillaceous marls (the Aaliji Formation)
with a rich foraminiferal fauna of definite Palaeocene and lower Eocene age. The row of islands and
shoals conditioned neritic sedimentation with nummulitic, alveolinid, assilinid and discocyclinid
limestones (the Sinjar Limestone Formation). The islands are now represented by a number of small
and irregularly placed breaks within this formation.

Behind this partial barrier a semi-barred lagoon developed. Erosional products from rising highs
towards the east were brought down torrentially to form the marine clastic Kolosh Formation, which
is concentrated largely in a deep trough running from Shiranish in the northwest to Kashti in the
southeast.

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Between this clastic belt and the row of islands and shoals a more lagoonal environment prevailed,
in which the Khurmala Formation was deposited. Primary dolomites and chemical limestones with
miliolids, valvulinids and subooliths form the bulk of this unit. The formation occurs roughly from
slightly west of Mosul to slightly west of Sulaimaniya, occupying the northwestern part of the above-
mentioned deep trough.

This comparatively simple picture of clastic Kolosh Formation, lagoonal Khurmala Formation, shoal
Sinjar Limestone Formation and offshore Aaliji Formation is complicated, however, by frequent
interfingering and intergrading as well as by the existence of reef knolls of Sinjar Limestone within
the lagoon. The inefficiency of the islands and shoals to separate the lagoon from the open sea, and
the continuous changing of position of islands, shoals and reef knolls in the shoal belt and the lagoon,
resulted in a great degree of vertical and horizontal variability of the sedimentation during this
period. The lack of proper separation by the shoal belt enabled clastics to be sedimented within the
offshore Aaliji Formation.

The Khurmala Formation interfingers and intergrades with the Kolosh Formation, and the Sinjar
Limestone interfingers and intergrades with both the Aaliji Formation (with or without Kolosh clastic
elements) and the Khurmala Formation (generally with clastic elements).

This pattern of sedimentation applies to eastern and northeastern Iraq. It is quite probable that,
because of lack of supply of detritus and also perhaps because of scouring, the central area of Iraq,
roughly between Baghdad and Hadhr, is devoid of any Palaeocene and “lower” Eocene sediments, or
shows these sediments very thinly developed. Such is the case in a number of wells in this region.

The sequence then increases in thickness again towards the Euphrates and beyond, still in the
offshore facies. The proximity of the Ga’ara High, however, introduces a garland of neritic reef and
shoal deposits to the east of it (the Umm er Radhuma Formation).

Towards the south, the Aaliji Formation is still found in Fallujah-1 and Musaiyib-1. But lack of
exposures, or well sections, between the last named well and the northernmost of the Basrah wells,
Nahr Umr-1, prevents delineation of a limit or of a zone of transition between the offshore Aaliji
Formation of Musaiyib-1, and a shoal facies which is found in the Nahr Umr and Zubair areas.

This shoal facies, represented by the Umm er Radhuma Formation, occurs in all BPC wells and is
also found at surface, further to the west. Its characters were determined by the proximity of the
Arabian Shield. Neither a row of islands and shoals nor a supply of clastics from this shield has been
demonstrated in Iraq. Thus there is, in this southern area, no equivalent to the northern lagoonal
Khurmala and clastic Kolosh formations. It is probable that the Umm er Radhuma Formation changes
towards the east into a more offshore deposit but there are at present no wells to test this probability.

Anhydritic measures occur above the Umm er Radhuma Formation in the wells. These constitute
the Rus anhydrite Formation. It is likely that this formation is still of “lower” Eocene age, at least in
part. The formation does not occur at surface. Over these formations a major transgression between
“lower” and “middle” Eocene brought new sediments. These again can be subdivided into a number
of formations.

Sedimentation in the north and northeast was again controlled by a belt of shoals and islands, evidenced
by nummulitic limestones (the Avanah Limestone Formation). This separated the offshore area with
open-sea sedimentation (the Jaddala Formation) from a lagoonal area. Erosional products from highs
in the east produced, in a deep trough, the clastic Gercüs Formation, which is comparable with the
older Kolosh Formation. The lagoonal Khurmala Formation was replaced by the similar Pila Spi
Limestone Formation, occurring generally somewhat further east than its Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene
equivalent, and occupying the northwestern part of the “middle” and “upper” Eocene trough.

Interfingering and intergrading was again prominent due to shifting positions of the shoals and
islands in the partly protecting belt and in the lagoon. The supply of detritus which produced the
Gercüs Formation was smaller during this than during the previous period. It also seems that the

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belt of islands and shoals formed a more effective barrier, as Gercüs material rarely occurs within the
offshore Jaddala Formation.

The transgression which occurred between the two sequences is marked in the offshore area generally
by a concentration of glauconite. Further inshore, sediments which were deposited in the belt of
shoals and islands during the “middle” Eocene partly overlie sediments which were deposited in
the lagoon during the “lower” Eocene. The lagoonal “middle” Eocene limestones overlie in part the
clastic “lower” Eocene.

The controlling belt of shoals and islands moved slightly eastwards, and the trough behind it, which
is filled with lagoonal and clastic sediments, moved with it. Evidence of the existence of this major
transgression is provided by consequent shorewards shifting of facies belts. The Palaeocene-”lower”
Eocene Khurmala Formation, for instance, occurs in a broad belt between Shiranish and Kashti,
as already mentioned. The “middle” Eocene Pila Spi Limestone Formation extends much further
towards the northeast. Sinjar Limestone, the shoal facies of the Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene, is well-
developed in the area around Jebel Sinjar. In the “middle” and “upper” Eocene the more offshore
Jaddala Formation occupies this area.

The numerous interdigitations and intergradings within each set of formations tend of course to
obscure this picture. But on the whole each lower formation finds its facies-equivalent in the higher
sequence eastwards and is itself covered by a more offshore formation.

A decrease in thickness of the Jaddala Formation is apparent towards the west, into the centre of
the depositional area roughly between Makhul and Baghdad. Thickness increases again from there
towards the Euphrates area. The influence of the Ga’ara High is indicated first in a decrease in
thickness of the Jaddala Formation and further west by its replacement by a shoal facies, which can be
termed either the Dammam Formation or the Avanah Formation. The transgression did not succeed
in flooding the Ga’ara High itself.

Further towards the south the equivalent part of the Eocene is largely represented as a shoal or
neritic limestone, the already mentioned Dammam Formation. This formation occurs both in wells
and at surface. Its relationships, with the Umm er Radhuma Formation and with the Rus anhydrite
Formation are explained fully in the “Remarks” on the formations concerned.

The age of part of the Dammam Formation is uncertain. Proof exists in Arabia that the equivalent
formation in that area embraces only the Middle Eocene. The Upper Eocene is absent. No such
evidence exists in southern and southwestern Iraq where Upper or “upper” Eocene may thus be
present, covering “middle” Eocene.

After the deposition of the Eocene a regression of some importance occurred, to be followed by a
transgression of smaller extent. In a few wells on the Kirkuk structure conglomerates occur between
Eocene and Oligocene, evidencing this emergence. Such conglomerates are found, however, only
close to the coast. Further offshore, the seaward facies of these ages can only be separated on the basis
of their microfauna.

The sedimentation during the Oligocene was governed by immigrating and emigrating organic reefs.
Full details of the Oligocene stratigraphy are given in van Bellen (1956) so that a short review can
suffice here. There are three reef cycles, each with its back-reef and reef, its fore-reef and its offshore
sediments. The first cycle includes the back-reef and reef facies, which are represented as the Shurau
Limestone Formation, the fore-reef which is named the Sheikh Alas Limestone Formation, and
offshore sediments which are known as the Palani Formation. The age of this cycle is considered to
be “lower” Oligocene.

A transgression which produced a significant landwards shift of the shoreline was followed by a
second cycle again with its back-reef and reef (the Bajawan Limestone Formation), its fore-reef (the
Baba Limestone Formation) and its offshore sediments (the Tarjil Formation). This cycle is dated as
“middle” Oligocene. The various facies belts are displaced shorewards relative to the corresponding

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belts of the “lower” Oligocene, and the Bajawan Limestone rests partly on pre-Oligocene sediments,
which formed the foreshore during the deposition of the first cycle. Thus in Kirkuk the Bajawan
Limestone rests on Avanah Limestone Formation of “middle” and “upper” Eocene age. Similarly
the Baba Limestone rests partly on “lower” Oligocene back-reef and reef deposits of the Shurau
Limestone. The transitional zone between Baba Limestone and Tarjil Formation is found further
towards the shore than the transitional zone between the “lower” Oligocene fore-reef (Sheikh Alas
Limestone Formation) and offshore sediments (Palani Formation). In areas where Tarjil Formation
covers Palani Formation directly, glauconite concentration marks the transgressional level.

A regression terminated this second cycle and resulted in the positioning of a third shore line
seawards of the shore lines of both the first and the second cycle. Landwards of this third shore line
Baba and Bajawan limestones now became subject to erosion, whereas the Eocene Avanah Limestone
was still exposed.

Seawards of the shore line, deposits of a third cycle of sedimentation are found, with back-reef and
reef (Anah Limestone Formation), fore-reef (Azkand Limestone Formation) and offshore sediments
(Ibrahim Formation). But whereas the two former cycles were governed by emigrating reefs, this
third cycle shows in its thickness distribution etc. that a small transgression took place during its
formation, resulting in immigration of the reef.

All three offshore facies show a decrease of thickness seawards and eventually all disappear, so that
in the centre of the depositional area, Miocene Serikagni Formation rests directly on Eocene Jaddala
Formation. Such is the case for instance at Bara. Another example can be found in a number of wells
on Najmah. In Qasab-3, Ibrahim Formation rests directly on Tarjil Formation which in turn covers
Palani Formation. In wells between Qasab-3 and Najmah-23 these formations vanish, and, in the
last mentioned well, Euphrates Limestone of “lower” Miocene age overlies Jaddala Formation of
“middle” Eocene age.

Occasionally there is evidence that anhydrite occurs above Eocene and below Miocene. It is likely that
it replaces in such cases normal Oligocene sediments. The Iranian basal anhydrite (Elder, 1958) may
be the equivalent of this facies of the Oligocene. It has not received a formal name in Iraq because of
its sporadic occurrence.

Oligocene sedimentation is absent over the Ga’ara High. The shore of this high conditioned a belt
of reef-controlled sediments around it, very similar to the reef belts in the east and northeast and
comprised of the same formations as far as can be ascertained. No Oligocene is found in any known
section south of Musaiyib-1.

A conglomerate covers the Oligocene in the Kirkuk area as well as in sections along the Euphrates
River. This conglomerate is fairly thin between Oligocene Anah or Bajawan limestones and
Euphrates Limestone in the Kirkuk area. It is developed considerably more thickly in sections along
the Euphrates River where it occurs between Anah Limestone and Euphrates Limestone. It marks a
regressional period (during which the Anah Limestone was subjected to erosion as well) followed by
an important transgression which introduced “lower” Miocene lagoonal sediments (the Euphrates
Limestone Formation), along the shore of a wide sea arm or gulf. The central parts of this depositional
area are occupied by contemporaneous deposits in a more or less offshore facies, the Serikagni
Formation. Interfingering between these two formations is frequent and transitional facies exist.

The separation between the lagoonal sediments and the offshore deposits was probably effected by a
low belt of bryozoan and algal reefs. There is no well-expressed shoal facies, although certain facies
in the Serikagni Formation do contain fairly coarse lithophyllid detritus. The reef was low, so that
breakers had little effect. Most interfingering can be explained by frequent channels through the reef
which allowed easy communication between offshore and lagoonal areas.

The Euphrates Limestone was followed by an evaporitic unit, the Dhiban Anhydrite. This was
precipitated from sea water after the access to the gulf or sea arm, probably in the south, became
wholly or partly closed. Re-opening of this way of access brought anhydritic precipitation to an end

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and introduced lagoonal sedimentation once again. The Jeribe Limestone Formation was deposited.
The original ease of access was not fully restored, as proper offshore sediments, comparable with
the Serikagni Formation, were not developed. It is possible that this shallowing was the result of the
deposition of the Dhiban Anhydrite and not of tectonic movements.

The entire “lower” Miocene (Euphrates Limestone, Serikagni Formation, Dhiban Anhydrite and
Jeribe Limestone) is absent in the west, over the Ga’ara High. But Euphrates Limestone and Jeribe
Limestone occur some 100 miles west of the Euphrates River, far beyond the westernmost limits of
the Oligocene, thus stressing the importance of the basal Miocene transgression. Dhiban Anhydrite is
absent in this western area but the base of the Jeribe Limestone is subconglomeratic in many cases.

In the Basrah area the situation is obscured by lack of knowledge about the stratigraphical position of
a number of formations. There appears to be no equivalent of the “lower” Miocene.

A regression followed at the end of the “lower” Miocene. It is apparent in the Kirkuk area that,
between the end of the Eocene and the end of the “lower” Miocene, Avanah Limestone was exposed
to erosion continuously and it is not surprising therefore that the thick conglomerate which covers the
“lower” Miocene, and the entire Oligocene, and the Eocene, is composed mainly of Eocene material.
Pebbles of Baba Limestone Formation and Bajawan Limestone Formation also occur, but no material
of the Anah-Azkand cycle has been found, no doubt because these formations were protected from
erosion by the overlying “lower” Miocene sediments. This conglomerate, known informally as the
basal Fars conglomerate, marks the very important transgression, which introduces the Lower Fars
Formation.

During the deposition of the Lower Fars Formation, sedimentation was governed by events near the
exit of the gulf in which it was deposited. Restriction of this exit occasioned deposition of anhydrite
and salt. Opening resulted in limestone and siltstone sedimentation. The formation is considered to
be of “middle” Miocene age.

After the deposition of the Lower Fars, rapidly rising mountains in the northeast of the region
produced large quantities of detritus. This material was at first still deposited in a marine environment
in the northern part of the depositional area. It formed the clastic Upper Fars Formation of “upper”
Miocene age. Meanwhile, it would seem, less clastic Middle Fars Formation, consisting of limestones
and siltstones, was deposited in the southern parts of the depositional region. The large quantity of
mountain-derived detritus rapidly forced the sea into retreat. Continental environmental conditions
spread southwards and sands, sandstones, gravels and finally thick conglomerates (the Lower
and Upper Bakhtiari formations, of Pliocene age) spread over the marine Upper and Middle Fars
formations.

In the area of the Ga’ara High, the Lower Fars Formation is missing. The western known limit of
occurrence of this formation lies a little to the west of the Euphrates River in the Awasil area. In the
south the position is not clear. It seems that the clastic Ghar Formation might be considered as a
somewhat detrital facies of the basal beds of the Lower Fars Formation, whereas the Zahra Formation
might have been deposited as lacustrine, and Chara Limestones in landlocked depressions at the end
of the period during which Lower Fars was being deposited. Further fieldwork is needed to clarify
the stratigraphy in this area.

Land-derived detritus subsequently formed here the thick Dibdibba Formation, roughly comparable
in lithology to the Bakhtiari formations of the north. Part of the Dibdibba may represent part or all of
the Middle and Upper Fars formations of northern Iraq. Middle Fars, Upper Fars, Lower Bakhtiari
and Upper Bakhtiari are all absent from the area of the Ga’ara High.

Alluvium, in the form of partly lacustrine, partly estuarine, partly fluviatile deposits, overlies the
Upper Bakhtiari and the Dibdibba formations. In the southern part of Iraq, however, indications of
a small subrecent transgression are present between the Dibdibba Formation and Alluvium. These
have found recognition in recent definition of the Hammar Formation.

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Stratigraphic Lexicon of Iraq

STRATIGRAPHIC UNITS

Aaliji Formation: Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene, Lower Eocene) (Plate VI)

Author: R.C. van Bellen (1950, unpublished report to Syria Petroleum Company). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: silty argillaceous globigerinal marls (van Bellen, 1956).

Type locality and section: The type locality of this formation is in northwest Syria (Meidannki,
36°29’25”N, 36°53’32”E). A supplementary type locality at Kirkuk-109 has been chosen for Iraq and
is described below.

Location and Thickness: Kirkuk-109; the formation occurs between drilled depths 2,487–3,035
ft (758.2–925.3 m), and is 548 ft (167 m) thick.

Lithology: Generally grey and light-brown argillaceous marls, marly limestones and shales
with occasional microscopic fragments of chert. Rare generally scattered glauconite.

Fossils: Alabamina wilcoxensis Toulmin, Ammodiscus incertus d’Orbigny, Anomalinoides granosa

(Hantken), Cibicides beaumontianus (d’Orbigny), Dorothia gibbosa (d’Orbigny), Gaudryina
soldadoensis Cushman and Renz, Globigerina triloculinoides Plummer, Globorotalia angulata
(White), Globorotalia aragonensis Nuttall, Globorotalia membranacea (Ehrenberg), Globorotalia
spinulosa Cushman, Globorotalia velascoensis (Cushman), Gyroidina naranjoensis White,
Karreria fallax White, Parrella culter (Parker and Jones), Pullenia coryelli White, Quadrimorphina
allomorphinoides (Reuss), Vulvulina pectinata (Hantken), and others.

Age: Palaeocene (2,827–3,035 ft, 861.9–925.3 m), Lower Eocene (2,487–2,827 ft, 758.2–861.9 m).

Underlying formation and details of contact: The Upper Cretaceous Shiranish Formation
underlies the Aaliji Formation unconformably. This unconformity is marked by a complete
change of fauna and lithology.

Overlying formation and details of contact: The Middle Eocene Jaddala Formation overlies
the Aaliji Formation unconformably. Here again a complete change of fauna and lithology
mark the unconformity. See also van Bellen (1956).

Other localities: This formation occurs west and southwest of a line running roughly NW-SE, just
north of Kirkuk, between the Tigris River and the Persian frontier to the north of Chia Surkh. It is
found in Abu Jir-1, Anah-1, Fallujah-1, Hit-1, Mileh Tharthar-1 and wells in the Awasil area. The
formation is absent or only very thinly represented in the wells west of the Tigris River between
Qalian and Makhul, and in the Azkand section on the southern dome of the Qarah Chauq Dagh.

Remarks: The formation includes the offshore sediments of the Palaeocene and Lower Eocene
interval. Although it is not in direct contact with the Kolosh Formation, clastics of this formation do
occur in the Aaliji occasionally. Presence of such clastics can only be explained by the ineffectiveness
of the Sinjar Limestone and Khurmala Formation as a barrier between the landwards lagoonal area
and the open sea.

Further away from the shore the supply of argillaceous matter, which largely makes up the formation,
runs out, and the formation then decreases markedly in thickness. It is replaced in the area west of
the Tigris River and south of Mosul by globigerinal sediment without any sedimentary matter but
glauconite and numerous shells of globigerinids and other pelagics. This “facies” of the formation is
also encountered in the Syrian type section, so no additional formation for this expression is necessary.
Towards the shore, interfingering takes place between the Aaliji and the Sinjar Limestone over a fairly
broad belt. It is especially pronounced in the wells of the Ain Zalah and Mushorah area.

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Adaiyah Anhydrite Formation: Jurassic (Liassic) (Plates II, III and IV)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Adaiyah-1; the formation occurs between drilled depths 3,732–4,029
ft (1,137.8–1,228.4 m), and 297 ft (90.5 m) thick. The formation takes its name from this well.

Lithology: Bedded anhydrites, with subordinate intercalations of brownish chemical

limestones with anhydrite, and also of black calcareous shales and of greenish marls with
anhydrite nodules.

Fossils: Nodosaria sp. (rare); Glomospira spp. (rare); lituolids indet. (very rare); rare minute
ostracods; gastropod debris (small forms); echinoid elements (in 3,931–3,935 ft (1,198.5-1,199.7
m)).

Age: Not determined in type-section; presumed Liassic (probably Upper, but not uppermost)
on regional correlation evidence.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Butmah Formation; contact gradational,

conformable, at bottom of the lowest considerable bedded primary anhydrite above the
highest oolitic or organic-detrital Butmah Limestone.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Mus Limestone Formation; contact gradational,
conformable, at top of highest considerable bedded primary anhydrite below the lowest
typical Mus Limestone.

Other localities: Ain Zalah-16, Alan-1, Butmah-2, Fallujah-1, Ibrahim-1, Makhul-2, Mileh Tharthar-1,
Najmah-29 and Qalian-1.

Remarks: The Adaiyah Formation is defined as the anhydrite-dominated sedimentary unit which
lies between the distinctive neritic Mus Limestone and the heterogeneous Butmah Formation in
subsurface sections west of the Tigris River.

There are no outcrops of the Adaiyah, but the Lithiotis limestone of the outcropping Sehkaniyan
Formation at its type section equates with the Mus Limestone, so that the Adaiyah may be correlated
quite confidently with the lower dolomitic division of the Sehkaniyan. The Sehkaniyan is considered
to be of Upper (but not uppermost) Liassic age, and the corresponding Alan Anhydrite/Mus
Limestone/Adaiyah Anhydrite sequence is similarly dated.

The base of the unit is probably slightly diachronous, due to primary lateral change of the topmost
few pseudo-oolitic limestones of the Butmah into bedded anhydrites. There is also some secondary
anhydritization of the topmost Butmah Formation where the secondary nature of the anhydrite is not
realized, an anomalously low position is accepted for the Adaiyah/Butmah contact.

Thicknesses range from 95 ft (30 m) in Mileh Tharthar-1, to about 310 ft (94.5 m) in Makhul-2, this
range being perhaps in part due to true diachronism and in part to false identification of the base of
the unit.

The Mus Formation/Adaiyah Anhydrite contact is believed to be essentially isochronous. The

freshening episode, which is reflected in the change from inorganic anhydrite sedimentation
to deposition of the richly fossiliferous Mus Limestone, appears to have been abrupt in its
commencement, widespread in its effects, and uniform in its sedimentary manifestation over a
wide area. It is considered probable that the Mus is broadly correlative with the transgressive Lower

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Toarcian Lower Marrat Formation of the Najd exposures of Saudi Arabia, described by Bramkamp
and Steineke (1952). This assessment of age, tentative at present, has been adopted in construction of
Plates II to IV.

The Adaiyah Anhydrite has not been reached in wells drilled in southern Iraq, but anhydritic
measures in Burgan-113 in Kuwait, between drilled depths 12,317–12,410 ft (3,755.2–3,783.5 m), are
believed to be correlative (Plate IV).

Ahmadi Formation: Cretaceous (Cenomanian) (Plate IV)

The Ahmadi Formation is defined from Burgan-62 in Kuwait, but a reference section in southern Iraq
is stipulated by Owen and Nasr (1958) in Zubair-3, where the formation lies between drilled depths
8,072–8,420 ft (2,461–2,567 m) and has a thickness of 348 ft (106.1 m).

In its type section and area, the formation is comprised principally of shales, green, greenish grey
or chocolate brown in colour in the upper parts and grey in the lower parts. A marly limestone unit
at the base of the formation has been called the “Cythereis bahraini limestone”: it is characterized by
an abundance of ostracods including a form identified in oil company practice as Cythereis bahraini
(manuscript name, nomen nudum).

The Ahmadi Formation in Kuwait has been termed for many years the “cap rock shale”, since it forms
the seal retaining oil within the underlying sands of the Burgan sub-group in the Kuwait oilfields.

In the Basrah oil fields area of southern Iraq, according to Owen and Nasr (op. cit.): “the Ahmadi
Formation is well developed though it does not assume the all-important economic status of a “cap-
rock”. In Zubair-3 it occurs between drilled depths 8,072– 8,420 ft (2,461–2,567.1 m), and consists of
black silty shales at the top, with ostracods, followed by a well-developed limestone member, very
fine grained and unfossiliferous, grading downwards into a grey slightly detrital spicular limestone
with occasional Praealveolina. Laterally this formation passes completely into either marl or limestone
or any possible ratio of the two.

In both the Basrah and Kuwait areas the underlying rock unit is the Wara Formation, and in Basrah
wells the overlying formation is the Rumaila. Both upper and lower contacts are gradational and
conformable.

Fauna of the lower part of the formation, mostly determined from Kuwait wells (R.G.S. Hudson,
unpublished report) includes Turritella spp., Corbula sp., Exogyra conica (J. Sowerby), Exogyra luynesi
(Lartet), Neolobites sp., Parasmilia sp., and Aspidiscus (Helladastaea) juv. cf. Aspidiscus semhae Kossmat.
“Foraminifera and ostracods are present throughout and become increasingly varied and abundant
with increasing depth. Species of Haplophragmoides, Flabellina, Vaginulina, Ammobaculites, Gumbelina,
Lenticulina, Frankeina, Haplophragmium and many others have been identified” (Owen and Nasr, op.
cit).

R.G.S. Hudson (unpublished report) has identified the ammonite Metoicoceras, and Exogyra
luynesi (Lartet) from the basal Cythereis bahraini limestone. The recorded ammonites suggest late
Cenomanian age for the lower parts of the formation in which they are found, but the overlying
Rumaila and Mishrif formations in the Basrah area are also attributed to the Cenomanian, so that
lower Cenomanian age is probable for the Ahmadi. W. Sugden (1958, MS) argues for upper Albian
age for the presumably correlative lower parts of the Khatiyah Formation of Qatar.

The limestone member occurring within the Ahmadi of Basrah wells has been termed the Tuba
member, and this name is in current use, though it has not been published. This member thickens
towards Nahr Umr at the expense of the argillaceous parts of the Ahmadi.

The underlying Wara Formation is rather insignificant and difficult of distinction in some parts of
southern Iraq. In early unpublished rock-unit classifications of the succession in the Basrah area, the

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combined Ahmadi and Wara formations of the current nomenclature, were included within the Asara
formation; this formation name, though obsolescent, still enjoys some currency in southern Iraq.

The Cythereis bahraini limestone subdivision of the Ahmadi has not been identified in the Basrah
oilfield area, though the characteristic fauna occurs in thin limestones and in shales at the base of the
formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Aidah formation: Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene, “lower” Eocene)

Obsolete term (A’idah formation), formerly used by BPC and quoted by Mitchell (1956). See Umm er
Radhuma Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Aidah (formation d’...): Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene)

See formation d’Aidah. [R.C. van Bellen]

Ain Zalah limestone: Cretaceous (Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian)

Obsolete name, originally applied in unpublished oil company reports to the Shiranish Formation
encountered in the Ain Zalah oilfield of northern Iraq. The Shiranish Formation is a producing
reservoir formation for this and the nearby Butmah oilfield, the oil being held in fractures in the
upper part of the unit (Daniel, 1954). The Ain Zalah limestone was never defined as a formation, but
the name has appeared in occasional published papers (as Baker, 1953). [H.V. Dunnington]

Alan Anhydrite Formation: Jurassic (Liassic) (Plates II, III and IV

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Alan-1, the formation occurs between drilled depths 4,656–4,841 + 5 ft
(1,419.5–1,475 m), and is named from the well. The formations is 195 + 5 ft (drilled) (c. 59.5 m).

Lithology: Bedded anhydrite, with subordinate pseudooolitic limestone with indeterminate

gastropod debris.

Fossils: None determinable.

Age: Not known; presumed Liassic, probably Upper, on regional correlation evidence.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Mus Limestone Formation; samples obscure,
contact presumed gradational, at the base of the lowest bedded anhydrite.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Sargelu Formation; contact gradational,

conformable, at the top of the highest bedded anhydrite.

Other localities: Adaiyah-1, Ain Zalah-16, Butmah-2, Gullar-1, Makhul-2, Mileh Tharthar-1, Najmah-
29, and Qalian-1; Burgan-113 in Kuwait.

Remarks: This formation accommodates the bedded anhydrites and associated sediments which
intervene in subsurface sections between the overlying euxinic Sargelu Formation and the underlying
highly characteristic Mus Limestone Formation. Where the Alan Anhydrite is present, the Sargelu
and Mus formations are sharply set apart by this intervention, but in some sections, where the Alan
is not found, the boundary between Mus and Sargelu is obscure and gradational.

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Lateral passage of Alan Anhydrite undoubtedly occurs into both the Sargelu and the Mus formations,
and is held partly responsable for the wide variation in thickness of the unit from section to section.
Considerable inter-tonguing of anhydrite with the adjacent formations also occurs, raising difficulties
in the exact recognition of formation boundaries.

It is possible that the Mus may pass laterally into anhydrite in some areas, thus producing a continuous
Adaiyah-Alan anhydrite, in which differentiation of separate formations would be impossible. No
such case has been encountered in any well section.

The Alan Anhydrite is not found at outcrop, and yields no direct evidence of its age. It is thought,
however, that the top of the Alan Anhydrite (Plates II and III) corresponds approximately with the top
of the Sehkaniyan Formation, which is considered to be of Upper but not uppermost Liassic age, and
that the Sargelu/Alan Anhydrite/Mus Limestone sequence represents the Bathonian-Bajocian-late
Upper Liassic time-interval.

Close correlative of the Alan are found in somewhat atypical development, with anhydrites as only a
minor constituent, between drilled depths 11,066–11,238 ft (3,373.8–3,426.2 m) in Burgan-113, Kuwait
(Plate IV).

alluvial clays and sands: Recent

In Lees and Falcon (1952), see Hammar Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

alluvium at Amara: Recent

In Lees and Falcon (1952), see Hammar Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Anah Limestone Formation: Oligocene (“upper” Oligocene) (Plate VI)

Author: van Bellen (1956). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: formation of limestone with cerithiae, in part (Ainsworth, 1838); “dolomitic limestone”
(de Boeckh et al., 1929); Kara Tchauq Dagh series, in part (Nicolesco, 1933); série d’Asmari, in part
(Macovei, 1938); calcaire d’Asmari, in part (Macovei, 1938); série d’Asmari, in part (Macovei, 1938);
calcaire de l’Euphrate, in part (Macovei, 1938, part); Upper Oligocene limestone, in part (Henson,
1950); U. Oligocene-?Lower Miocene Miliola limestone, in part (Henson, 1950).

Type locality and details of section:

Location and Thickness: About 15 km east of Nahiyah on the Euphrates River, on the southern
side of the road. The formation is 148 ft (45 m) thick.

Lithology: Limestone, grey, breccious, recrystallized, detrital and coralline.

Fossils: Algae, anthozoa, bryozoa, echinoidea, mollusca and abundant foraminifera: Archaias
sp., Austrotrillina howchini (Schlumberger), Borelis pygmaea Hanzawa, Heterostegina cf.
assilinoides Blanckenhorn, Miogypsinoides complanata (Schlumberger), Rotalia viennoti Greig.
Numerous undetermined miliolids.

Age: The formation is probably of “upper” Oligocene age. No strict age correlation is suggested
with the Upper Oligocene of Europe.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Azkand Limestone Formation, conformable.

Overlying formation and details of contact: The Euphrates Limestone Formation overlies the
Anah Limestone Formation unconformably. The contact is marked by a thick conglomerate.

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Other localities: The formation is also found at Dara Khurma, Ali Rash and the Azkand cirque on
the southern dome of the Qarah Chauq Dagh. A number of wells along the southern flank of the Bai
Hassan structure show it also. No Anah Limestone occurs further southwards, due to facies changes.
Westwards, the formation is found once more in Mileh Tharthar-1, in a number of sections along
the Euphrates River, mostly where this river runs approximately west-east, and also in Anah-1. Far
towards the north outliers of the formation have been found at Shiranish where it covers Pila Spi
Limestone Formation of Middle and Upper Eocene age unconformably.

Remarks: The fore-reef equivalent of the Anah is the Azkand Limestone (Plate VI). The original
material on which this rock unit is based is very badly recrystallized and dolomitized, effectively
obscuring details of lithology and fauna. In such cases it is useful to describe a supplementary type
section which shows better material and which moreover is better accessible. This supplementary
section can be found two and a half miles from the Village of All Rash on a bearing of 43°30’, on the
southern dome of the Qarah Chauq Dagh.

Brief description of supplementary type section:

Thickness: 197 ft (60 m).

Lithology: Generally white or grey dolomitized and recrystallized limestone. Massive in the
lower part, becoming thinner-bedded upwards. Dolomitization is strongest in the upper part.

Fossils: In the top 128 ft (39 m), Austrotrillina howchini (Schlumberger), rare Miogypsinoides
complanata (Schlumberger), rare Meandropsina anahensis Henson, numerous indetermined
miliolids. In the middle 23 ft (7 m), Anthozoa predominant, with rare Miogypsinoides
complanata (Schlumberger). In the basal 45 ft (14 m), anthozoa, bryozoa and the following
foraminifera occur: Lepidocyclina s.1. spp., Miogypsinoides complanata (Schlumberger), Rotalia
viennoti Greig and undetermined miliolids.

Age: An “upper” Oligocene age is accepted though no claim is made for precise correlation
with the European Upper Oligocene.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The underlying formation is not exposed here
but is without doubt the Azkand Limestone Formation, which should underlie the Anah
Limestone Formation conformably.

Overlying formation and details of contact: The Euphrates Limestone Formation overlies the
Anah Limestone Formation unconformably, the contact being marked by a conglomerate.

Remarks: Extensive and additional remarks on this formation will be found in van Bellen (1956). One
faunal zone, the Miogypsinoides zone (which see) is recognized in the formation.

Ao: Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

An informal notation (pronounced Ay nought) marking the top of a thick anhydrite occurring at the
top of the Lower Fars Formation in wells and in outcrops. Used for mapping purposes by geologists of
the Iraq Petroleum Company. The thick anhydrite bed itself is termed, informally, the Ao anhydrite. It
generally overlies limestones and marls with Ostrea latimarginata Vredenburg. See Lower and Middle
Fars formations. [R.C. van Bellen]

Aqra Limestone Formation: Cretaceous (Upper Senonian) (Plate II)

Author: J. Bennett (1945, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel and H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

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Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Aqra, northeastern Iraq. Section runs along the Geli Sheikh Abdul
Aziz, with base in the lowest exposed beds, about 1 km northwest of Aqra (36°46’43”N;
43°55’26”E), and with top at about 300 m (984 ft) northwest of the Aqra Police Post (36°45’58”N;
43°53’29”E). The uppermost beds and contact with the overlying Khurmala/Kolosh formations
are better exposed about 90 m (295.2 ft) northwest of the stream course. The thickness of the
formation is greater than 739.5 m (2,425.6 ft) as its base is not seen).

Lithology: Reef-limestone complex, with massive rudist-shoal reefs, detrital fore-reef

limestone; locally dolomitized, locally siliceous, locally impregnated with bitumen.

Fossils: Top: Plagioptychus sp., cf. Biradiolites sp.; Arcopagia cf. numismalis (d’Orbigny); Bournonia
aff. judaica var. laevis Blanckenhorn; Praeradiolites saemanni Bayle; Rhyncopygus cf. thebensis
de Loriol; R. sp.; Ampullospira incerta Forbes; Solarium; Cardita sp.; Cyclolites sp., Elphidiella
multiscissurata Smout; Loftusia persica Brady; Omphalocyclus macropora (Lamarck); ?Chrysalidina
sp.; Cymopolia tibetica Morellet, Cymopolia sp. nov. Elliot (in preparation). Base: Plagioptychus
sp.; Bournonia cf. excavata d’Orb.; Sauvagesia sp.; cf. Radiolites sp.; ?Sphaerulites sp.; Actaeonella
sp., Praeradiolites haydeni (Douville); ?Vanikora cf. asiatica Blanckenhorn; Natica (Lunatic) cf.
judaica (Blanckenhorn); Tylostoma cf. rochaiti (d’Orbigny); Omphalocyclus macropora (Lamarck);
Monolepidorbis sp.; Orbitoides media (d’Archiac); Dicyclina schlumbergeri Munier-Chalmas;
Cuneolina cylindrica Henson; Dictyoconella complanata Henson; Elphidiella sp.; Loftusia cf. coxi
Henson; L. spp.; ?Chrysalidina sp.; Globotruncana stuarti (de Lapparent); Cymopolia tibetica
Morellet; Cymopolia sp. nov. Elliot (in preparation).

Age: Probably Maastrichtian throughout.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Probably not seen in type section (see
Remarks).

Overlying formation and details of contact: clastic Kolosh Formation; very thin, passing
upwards into Khurmala Formation (see Remarks). The contact is unconformable, the Kolosh
being conglomeratic at its base, and transgressive over eroded Aqra Limestone.

Other localities:, Bekhme, Chalki, Diza, Gund-i-Shikavt, Hadiena, Rowanduz, Ser Amadia, Zibar,
Zinta Gorge etc.

Remarks: The Aqra Limestone in its type area is a massive, cliff-forming limestone unit, much
dolomitized, and generally characterized by rudist, Omphalocyclus-Loftusia-Orbitoides, and gastropod
faunas. The Aqra Limestone is usually of Maastrichtian age.

At its type locality, the possibility exists that the lower part of the thick reef-limestone sequence may
be of Upper Campanian age, and continuous with the Bekhme Limestone Formation. At Dar-a-Tesu,
and other locations, the Aqra Limestone is developed as isolated tongues and lentils of neritic rudist-
bearing limestones, at the top of or within the Tanjero Clastic Formation, a variable thickness of
Tanjero Formation and/or Shiranish Formation intervening between the base of the Aqra Limestone
and the top of the Bekhme Limestone.

Where the Aqra Limestone is superimposed directly upon the Bekhme Limestone, without
intervention of Shiranish or Tanjero formations, the composite name Aqra/Bekhme limestone may
be used. The justifications for recognition of the Aqra and Bekhme formations as separate units, lie in
the general occurrence of marl and clastic tongues between the two limestones in the area of outcrop,
and in suggestions of a minor erosional break terminating the Bekhme limestones in some sections.

The faunas of the upper and lower parts of the type section indicate near-continuity in facies and in
fossil assemblages, and no proven break occurs within the sequence, so that it is probable that the
base of the Aqra Limestone is not exposed.

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The Aqra exists as the uppermost of three super-imposed units of thick-bedded Lower to Upper
Cretaceous limestones on Aqra Dagh, and in the Jebel Gara and Ser Amadia areas, etc. The Shiranish
Formation, which comprises globigerinal marls and marly limestones of Upper Campanian-
Maastrichtian age, takes the place of the Aqra in the areas lying to the south and west of the type
section. It is presumed that the passage from Aqra to Shiranish formations is by interdigitation, since
the Aqra-Shiranish transition in isolated sections is often gradational and alternating. Similar passage
from massive neritic Aqra to globigerinal Shiranish occurs between Ser Amadia and the Shiranish
type section, where Maastrichtian globigerinal limestones (Shiranish Formation) overlie neritic
Bekhme Limestone of Upper Campanian age.

In the area between Aqra and Dar-a-Tesu, at the northern end of the Bekhme Gorge, the Aqra
passes laterally eastwards into Shiranish Formation (at the base), and also by interdigitation into the
Maastrichtian Tanjero Formation, which overlies the Shiranish.

Occasional tongues or lentils of reef-type limestones occur, within the Tanjero, at Dar-a-Tesu, and
elsewhere in the area lying to the northeast of the main development of the Aqra. Similar lenses,
often attaining considerable thickness, appear intermittently within the thick Tanjero clastics in areas
far removed from Aqra. Since all such lentils and tongues of reef-type limestones present similar
lithological and faunal characteristics, it is considered unnecessary to distinguish amongst them by
separate names: all are referred to the Aqra Limestone Formation. They frequently contain shoals
of rudists, especially Trechmanella persica Cox, etc., or of Cyclolites spp., and they usually carry rich
foraminiferal faunas with Loftusia persica Brady, L. morgani Douville, L. spp., Omphalocyclus macropora
(Lamarck), Siderolites calcitrapoides Lamarck, etc.

The relationships of the Aqra Formation to the partly-contemporaneous Hadiena (conglomeratic

limestone) formation of the Ora-Chalki area remain somewhat obscure, but lateral passage between
these two units must occur in the unexposed area between Ser Amadia and the Hadiena outcrops.
Typical Aqra Limestone overlies the Hadiena in its type section, grading down into Hadiena by
alternation.

In the Aqra section, there are several evidences of unconformity at the top of the Aqra Limestone. The
Loftusia-bearing uppermost beds of the Aqra are extremely dolomitized limestones, without any trace
of far-traveled clastics. The top of these beds is slightly irregular, suggesting but not proving erosion.
The immediately overlying beds are marly, calcareous siltstones with abundant chert and green-rock
detritals, typical of the clastics which contribute to the Tanjero and Kolosh clastic formations: these
beds are also markedly conglomeratic, containing minute to bean-sized recrystallized limestone
pebbles in some thin beds, whilst intervening beds are pseudo-conglomeratic, as a result of
penecontemporaneous disturbance of alternating silty and silt-free limestones.

The silty beds contain abundant fragments of derived Omphalocyclus and other Maastrichtian
forms, some of which are bitumen-impregnated, in addition to rare Tertiary index fossils, including
Globorotalia sp., typical miliolids (which do not occur in the Aqra), and occasional Tertiary algae.
The silty conglomeratic Kolosh clastic Formation is only a few feet thick, and grades upwards into
the primarily dolomitic limestone of the overlying Khurmala Formation, which is of Palaeocene
age, and which contains derived Maastrichtian fossils at Aqra, and also at Dar-a-Tesu, Bekhme and
elsewhere.

The uppermost beds of the Aqra Limestone are fore-reef-detrital limestones, whereas the Khurmala
Formation is a lagoonal formation. Hence a considerable regression, at least, must be argued between
the times of deposition of the Aqra and Khurmala units. But it is clear that there was here no gentle
regression, since there is an abrupt transition from Loftusia limestones to Kolosh clastic Formation
(without any intervening reef-limestone deposition), and since derived Maastrichtian fossils enter in
the same beds as the coarse clastics of distant (north-eastern) derivation.

The Aqra type-section is noteworthy for spectacular bitumen impregnation, to be seen in the upper
beds of the Aqra Limestone (Henson, 1950). Derived Maastrichtian fossils in the basal Kolosh
Formation are bitumen-filled, whilst indigenous Palaeocene fossils are usually free from bitumen.

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Hence it may be inferred that the Aqra Limestone of Aqra already contained a heavy-oil accumulation
at the time of post-Maastrichtian emergence.

Stranded pebbles of bitumen, which appear sporadically in the basal Palaeocene conglomerates in
some localities in northern Iraq and in southwestern Persia (Kent et al., 1951), may have originated
from seepages from this or similar pre-Palaeocene oil accumulations, after breaching of cap-rock seals
during post-Maastrichtian erosion.

The Pilsener Limestone of subsurface sections west of the Tigris River is in some ways comparable
with the Aqra, being neritic, rudist-bearing, and massive. The upper part of the Pilsener was
deposited contemporaneously with the lower part of the Aqra. The two formations are afforded
separate recognition because they occur in different areas, and are genetically distinguishable.

The Aqra, as a massive, tabular, limestone unit, is restricted to the Rowanduz-Aqra-Ser Amadia area,
and, as a tonguing complex of lenticular limestones, is found only in the deep clastics-filled trough
of the northeast.

The Pilsener appears, as a tabular limestone formation, fringing the western margins of the Upper
Campanian-Maastrichtian basin, and as tongues, extending from the basin-margins and from near-
marginal highs, into globigerinal marly sediments of clastic-free troughs within the main basin.

The palaeogeographical limitations controlling these formations are reflected in the microfauna, the
Pilsener being generally characterized by restricted Monolepidorbis-Pseudedomia faunas only, whilst
the Aqra has much more varied and, numerous faunas.

The Tayarat Formation, described from the Western Desert area, is more closely comparable with the
Aqra, in age, fauna and facies, than is the Pilsener, but the Aqra and Tayarat formations are given
separate recognition because they are palaeogeographically and genetically distinct. The Aqra is
limited to the tectonically-active, northeastern margin, and the Tayarat to the more quiescent, gently-
shelving, southwestern margin of the broad Upper Senonian basin. There are no comparable, linking,
neritic rock units connecting the two formations across the central zone of the basin.

In the subsurface sections of the Basrah area the equivalents of the Aqra Limestone, in comparable
facies, are the Tayarat and Hartha formations. The Qurna Formation, which separates the Tayarat
from the Hartha, is a marly globigerinal unit, which would be interpreted, in northern Iraq, as
a Shiranish Formation tongue. The unconformity between the Hartha and the underlying Sa’di
formations in the Basrah-Kuwait area is equated, tentatively, with that which separates the Aqra
and Bekhme limestones in some sections in northern Iraq. This unconformity is accepted, for the
purposes of plate construction, as embracing the Maastrichtian/Campanian stage boundary, but at
its narrowest expression it could lie within the Lower Maastrichtian or, more probably, within the
Upper Campanian.

Aruma Group: Cretaceous (Upper Senonian)

In eastern Saudi Arabia the outcropping Upper Cretaceous (?Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian) rock
succession, comprising limestones, dolomites, and calcareous and dolomitic shales, has been termed
the Aruma Formation (Steineke and Bramkamp, 1952). In southern Iraq and Kuwait, the Aruma has
been ranked as a group (Owen and Nasr, 1958) which, in the Basrah area of southern Iraq comprises, in
descending stratigraphical order, the Tayarat, Qurna, Hartha, Sa’di, Tanuma and Khasib formations.

According to Owen and Nasr (op. cit.), the lowest formation of the group rests disconformably on the
Mishrif Formation in southern Iraq, but the contact between the Tayarat and the overlying Umm er
Radhuma Formation is conformable. In view of the widespread evidence of discontinuity between
the Maastrichtian and Tertiary units elsewhere in Iraq, conformity between the Tayarat and Umm er
Radhuma in the Basrah area may be doubted, despite the lack of evidence of any strata) convergence
at this boundary.

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The Aruma Group as employed by Owen and Nasr embraces an important erosional unconformity,
between the Hartha and Sa’di formations, which probably occurs throughout the Basrah oilfields
(E. Hart, 1957; unpublished reports). The same unconformity has been recognized for some years in
southern Kuwait between the Hartha and Gudair formations, which replaces the Sa’di Formation in
this area (Owen and Nasr, 1958).

In northern and central Iraq the Aruma Group is not recognized in the classification of units, and the
lithologies of some correlative sediments differ considerably from those of the constituent formations
of the group as found in the Basrah area. But the corresponding rock unit succession in northern Iraq
is clearly set apart from the Tertiary and Middle Cretaceous formations by erosional unconformities.
[H.V. Dunnington]

Asara formation: Cretaceous (?Albian-Cenomanian)

In P.M.V. Rabanit (1952; unpublished report). The Asara formation is an obsolescent name, originally
applied in the subsurface classification in the Basrah area of southern Iraq to the succession which is
now subdivided into the Ahmadi and Wara formations (Owen and Nasr, 1958). Although the Asara is
not included in the classification of Owen and Nasr, it is still recognized by some workers in southern
Iraq, and it has some utility in areas where distinction between the Ahmadi and Wara is difficult.
[H.V. Dunnington]

Asmari: Miocene (“lower” Miocene)

In de Boeckh et al. (1929), see Euphrates Limestone Formation, Jeribe Limestone Formation. In
Nicolesco (1933), see Euphrates Limestone Formation, Jeribe Limestone Formation. See also Asmari
limestone. [R.C. van Bellen]

Asmari (bancs de l’...): Miocene («lower» Miocene)

See bancs de l’Asmari. [R.C. van Bellen]

Asmari (calcaire d’...): Oligocene-Miocene (Oligocene-”lower” Miocene)

See calcaire d’Asmarl. [R.C. van Bellen]

Asmari (calcaire de l’...): Miocene («lower» Miocene)

See calcaire de l’Asmari. [R.C. van Bellen]

Asmari limestone: Eocene-Oligocene-Miocene

(“middle” Eocene-Oligocene-” lower” Miocene)
Originally this term was introduced in Iran by Busk and Mayo (1918). See also Elder (1958). The name
“Asmari” has been used in Iraq by several authors, with various qualifications (q.v.), for limestone
sections wholly or partly equivalent to the type section at Asmari Mountain in Southwest Iran. In
Iraq the term is obsolete. See Avanah Limestone Formation, Pila Spi Limestone Formation, formations
of the Kirkuk Group, Euphrates Limestone Formation, and Jeribe Limestone Formation. [R.C. van
Bellen]

Atchan (couches de Dj....): Eocene (“middle “ and “upper” Eocene)

See couches de Dj. Atchan. [R.C. van Bellen]

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Auja formation: Palaeocene

R.C. Mitchell (1956; op. cit.): «Dans l’Oued Auja, a l’interieur de la Depression de Ga’ara, des sables
marneux et des gres, des calcaires dolomitiques, des lentilles et des chapelets de cherts et quelques
flints viennent en concordance sur le calcaire de M’sad. La formation est en general tres fossilifere, la
plupart des fossiles etant silicifies ou formes de dolomies.»

Mithchell (1956) attributes this formation to the Cretaceous, but the authors’ interpretation of the
stratigraphy in this area is that the M’sad Formation is unconformably overlain by the Palaeocene
Umm er Radhuma Formation, which corresponds in lithology to the quoted description. The Auja is
therefore excluded from consideration as a Cretaceous unit and treated as a synonym of the Umm er
Radhuma (Owen and Nasr, 1958). [H.V. Dunnington]

Avanah Limestone Formation: Eocene (“middle” and “ upper” Eocene) (Plate VI)

Author: J. Mcginty (unpublished work, 1953). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: Qarah Chauq group, in part (Barber, 1948); Fem (Daniel, 1954); Feu (Daniel, 1954);
Middle Eocene shoal facies (van Bellen, 1956); Upper Eocene shoal facies (van Bellen, 1956).

Type locality and details of section:

Location and Thickness: Kirkuk-116 on the Avanah Dome of the Kirkuk structure; the
formation occurs between drilled depths 2,205–2,899 ft (672.3–883.8 m), and is 694 ft (212 m)
thick.

Lithology: Limestones, generally dolomitized and recrystallized, of shoal facies, with

occasional intercalations of lagoonal dolomitized limestones (Pila Spi Limestone). The top part
is less recrystallized and dolomitized than the part below 2,394 ft (729.9 m) drilled depth.

Fossils: Alveolina elliptica (Sowerby) var. flosculina Silvestri, Asterigerina rotula (Kaufmann),
Asterocyclina sp., Baculogypsinoides sp. (only above 2,394 ft (729.9 m) drilled depth), Dictyoconus
aegyptiensis (Chapman), Discocyclina spp., Nummulites atacicus Leymerie, Nummulites
bayhariensis Checchia Rispoli (only below 2,394 ft (729.9 m) drilled depth), Nummulites
discorbinus (Schlotheim), Nummulites fabiani (Prever), Nummulites gizehensis (Forskal), Operculina
sp., Orbitolites complanatus Lamarck, Pellatispira madaraszi (Hantken), Sphaerogypsina sp.

Age: The age of this formation is undoubtedly upper and middle Eocene. In rare cases it is
possible that part of the lower Eocene is represented as well. It is almost certainly in all other
cases directly correlatable with the European Upper and Middle Eocene. The limit between
Upper and Middle Eocene at the type locality occurs between 2,394–2,439 ft (729.9–743.6 m)
drilled depths. The interval the age of which is in doubt is too strongly recrystallized.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The Khurmala Formation underlies this
formation, probably unconformably. For details on this contact see the “Remarks” on the
Khurmala Formation.

Overlying formation and details of contact: The Lower Fars Formation covers the Avanah
Limestone Formation unconformably. The contact is marked by a conglomerate, the basal
Fars conglomerate. The Lower Fars transgression has truncated the Upper Eocene and Middle
Eocene to some extent.

Other localities: A belt of Avanah Limestone Formation known for the most part only from wells,
trends roughly N135°E from Mushorah-1 in the northwest to the Basin Zanur Dagh in the southeast,
where the unit occurs at outcrop. This belt has a width of the order of twenty to twenty five miles

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(thirty two to forty km). On the western side of the Eocene basin Avanah Limestone Formation is
found in water wells near the IPC Pipeline station of H/1 and in Wadi Shaqoul.

Remarks: This formation is the shorewards equivalent of the Jaddala Formation with which it
interfingers. Its interdigitation with the formation representing a still more coastward formation, the
Pila Spi Formation, can be observed in a number of wells on the Kirkuk structure. The fauna varies
but remains typical of the shoal realm, with numerous nummulites and discocyclinids. Mixed faunas
occur in the area of interdigitation, e.g. numerous alveolinids are found.

At Shiranish the limit between Avanah sedimentation and Pila Spi sedimentation has probably been
reached as it is here that the easternmost mixed faunas occur.

The upper contact varies a great deal, dependent on the geographical position of the point of
observation. Within the Kirkuk structure Bajawan Limestone Formation can rest unconformably
on the Avanah Limestone Formation, the contact again being marked by a conglomerate. This
conglomerate is not the same as the basal Fars conglomerate mentioned above. Details can be found
in van Bellen (1956).

Awasil sand: Cretaceous (Hauterivian-Barremian)

Obsolete name, originally applied by H. Huber (1940, unpublished report) to the Zubair Formation as
encountered in Awasil-5. The name was never published. [H.V. Dunnington]

Azkand Limestone Formation: Oligocene (“upper” Oligocene) (Plate VI)

Author: van Bellen (1956). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: «dolomitic limestone», in part (de Boeckh et al., 1929); Kara Tchauq Dagh series, in part
(Nicolesco, 1933); calcaire d’Asmari, in part (Macovei, 1938); série d’Asmari, in part (Macovei, 1938);
?calcaire de l’Euphrate, in part (Macovei, 1938).

Type locality and details of section:

Location and Thickness: Northeast face of the Azkand cirque, three miles N65°E of the Village
of Azkand on the southern dome of the Qarah Chauq Dagh. The formation is 340 ft (104 m)
thick.

Lithology: Generally massive, dolomitic and recrystallized limestones, generally with high
porosity.

Fossils: Heterostegina cf. assilinoides Blanckerhorn, Miogypsinoides complanata (Schlumberger),

Rotalia viennoti Greig. Added to this assemblage are Lepidocyclina s.l. spp. in the lower 250 ft
(76 m).

Age: The formation is probably of “upper” Oligocene age, but this does not imply strict
correlation with the Upper Oligocene of Europe.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Baba Limestone underlies the formation
unconformably. The two formations are separated by a regression, which has been discussed
in van Bellen (1956).

Overlying formation and details of contact: The Anah Limestone Formation, which is the reef
and lagoonal equivalent of this unit, overlies the Azkand conformably.

Other localities: In the western part of Iraq, the Anah Limestone Formation overlies the Azkand
conformably. Azkand Limestone Formation is developed in sections along the Euphrates River. It
also occurs in Mileh Tharthar-1. In the, eastern part of Iraq, a few isolated occurrences (isolated because

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wells were not drilled in areas where this formation should occur extensively below surface) are found
in the Qaiyarah structure in Qaiyarah-13 and 21 and in Gusair-1 and Ibrahim-1.

Remarks: For extensive remarks on the stratigraphic position of this formation and its relation to
other formations, see van Bellen (1956). It suffices here to say that the Azkand Limestone Formation
is considered to be the fore-reef equivalent of the reef and lagoonal Anah Limestone Formation and
that it interfingers towards the southwest with the Ibrahim Formation as in Ibrahim-1.

The Azkand Limestone Formation has been subdivided tentatively into an older Miogypsinoides-
Lepidocyclina zone and a younger Miogypsinoides zone, which see.

B/1-B/4: Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

Informal notations for markers in the seepage beds. See Lower Fars Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Baba Limestone Formation: Oligocene (“middle” Oligocene) (Plate VI)

Author: van Bellen (1956). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: rubbly limestone (de Boeckh et al., 1929); limestones containing Lepidocyclina cf. formosa
(de Boeckh et al., 1929); Kara Tchauq Dagh series, in part (Nicolesco, 1933); calcaire d’Asmari, in part
(Macovei, 1938); série d’Asmari, in part (Macovei, 1938); ?calcaire de l’Euphrate (Macovei, 1938);
Nummulite limestone (Barber, 1948); Qarah Chauq group, in part (Barber, 1948); FO/2 (Daniel,
1954).

Type locality and details of section:

Location and Thickness: Kirkuk-109 on the Baba Dome of the Kirkuk structure; the formation
occurs between the drilled depths of 1,545–1,615 ft (471–492.4 m), and is 65 ft (20 m) thick.

Lithology: Porous dolomitized limestone.

Fossils: Rare Bryozoa, rare Lepidocyclina s.l. spp., Nummulites intermedius-fichteli d’Archiac
and Haime, Operculina sp. Occasionally Rotalia viennoti Greig and Heterostegina cf. assilinoides
Blanckenhorn also occur.

Age: A “middle” Oligocene age has been adopted for this formation, without claiming,
however, that it is strictly correlatable with the European Middle Oligocene.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The Shurau Limestone Formation underlies this
formation unconformably. The nature of the contact is extensively commented upon in van Bellen
(1956).

Overlying formation and details of contact: The formation is covered conformably by the
extension of its lagoonal equivalent, the Bajawan Limestone Formation. Some claim a local
unconformity between the two formations, but the evidence brought for this is not considered
convincing.

Other localities: In eastern Iraq the formation occurs widespread in all wells southeast of the Lesser
Zab, on the Kirkuk structure. It also occurs on the northeast flank of the Bai Hassan structure, and at
surface on the northern dome of the Qarah Chauq Dagh. Northwards, the Baba Limestone Formation
is found in a number of MPC wells, including Gullar-1, Gusair-1, Qalian-1, and wells on the Ain Zalah
structure. To the west of its type locality the formation changes its facies into the Tarjil Formation
which disappears further west. The Baba Limestone re-appears on the western side of the Oligocene
basin in Anah-1, Fallujah-1 and Hit-1. A number of surface sections along the Euphrates River, where
its course is predominantly west-east, also show this formation (e.g. Wadi Fuhaimi, near the Village
of Anah, and Wadi Kheskeh es Sharqi).

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Remarks: Extensive remarks on this formation can be found in van Bellen (1956). The formation
forms the fore-reef equivalent of the lagoonal Bajawan Limestone Formation and changes its facies
seawards into Tarjil Formation. Interfingering of the Tarjil Formation with the Baba Limestone
Formation takes place extensively in the Bai Hassan structure and in the southern part of the Kirkuk
structure. No such interfingering of the Baba has been noted with the Bajawan Limestone Formation.
The Baba Limestone generally covers Shurau or Sheikh Alas Limestone Formation but, as it is part of
a transgressive sequence of sediments, it can occur immediately on eroded Eocene units.

The formation is subdivided into two faunizones, separated on the basis of their faunal content. The
oldest one is the Nummulites-Lepidocyclina zone, the younger one the Lepidocyclina zone. More details
may be found under those headings.

Bahra formation: Cretaceous (Maastrichtian)

See Qurna Formation, Remarks.

Bahrein series: Palaeocene-Eocene

In Pilgrim (1908), see Hasa Group. [R.C. van Bellen]

Bajawan Limestone Formation: Oligocene (“middle” Oligocene) (Plate VI)

Author: van Bellen (1956). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: Kara Tchauq Dagh series, in part (Nicolesco, 1933); calcaire d’Asmari, in part (Macovei,
1938); série d’Asmari, in part (Macovei, 1938); ?calcaire de l’Euphrate, in part (Macovei, 1938); Qaraq
Chauq group, in part (Barber, 1948); Miliola and reef limestone, in part (Barber, 1948); Oligocene
limestone, in part (Henson, 1950); U. Oligocene Miliola limestone, in part (Henson, 1950); Oligocene
Miliola limestone, in part (Henson, 1950); Miliola limestone, in part (Henson, 1950); MR/2 (Daniel,
1954).

Type locality and details of section:

Location and Thickness: Kirkuk-109; the formation occurs between drilled depths 1,410–1,545
ft (429.9–471 m), and is 128 ft (39 m) thick.

Lithology: Tight, cream-coloured, back-reef miliolid limestones, alternating with more porous,
partly dolomitized, rotalidalgal reef limestones with fairly abundant coral fragments. The reef
beds become thicker and more abundant towards the base of the formation. Thin wisps of
unfossiliferous green marl occur throughout.

Fossils: Actinacis sp., Anthozoa spp. indet., Bryozoa spp. indet., Corallinacaea spp, indet.; and
the following foraminifera: Archaias kirkukensis Henson, Austrotrillina howchini (Schlumberger),
Peneroplis evolutus Henson, Peneroplis thomasi Henson, Praerhapidionina delicata Henson.
Occasionally Borelis pymaea Hanzawa, Meandropsina anahensis Henson and Rotalia viennoti
Greig also occur.

Age: The age of this formation is most probably “middle” Oligocene. Evidence for precise
correlation directly with the Middle Oligocene of Europe is lacking.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The Baba Limestone Formation; contact
conformable, although some claim a local unconformity between the two formations. The
evidence for this is not considered convincing.

Overlying formation and details of contact: The Lower Fars Formation overlies the Bajawan
Limestone Formation unconformably and is separated from it by the basal Fars conglomerate.

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Other localities: The formation occurs at outcrop on the northern dome of the Qarah Chauq Dagh.
Southwards and westwards from this locality the formation disappears because of facies-changes
via fore-reef sediments (Baba Limestone Formation) into offshore sediments (Tarjil Formation). The
coastline follows roughly a west-northwest to east-southeast course, however, and the Bajawan
Limestone Formation is therefore met with in all wells drilled on the northern flank of the Bai Hassan
structure and in all wells drilled on the Kirkuk structure south of the Lesser Zab River. It is then lost
because no wells were drilled in the area to the southeast of Kirkuk but it occurs finally at surface in
Baski Zanur Dagh, Aj Dagh and Derbannd-i-Sagirrma. There the formation was deposited very close
to the shore line and consequently is very thin and conglomeratic.

North of the Qarah Chauq Dagh, the formation can be found in a number of MPC wells, including
Ain Zalah-9, Gullar-1 and Qalian-1. Westwards the Bajawan also occurs on the southwestern side of
the Oligocene basin, in Anah-1, Fallujah-1 and Hit-1. Absence of the formation in the area between
Qarah Chauq Dagh and the last mentioned wells is due to facies changes.

Remarks: Extensive remarks on this formation can be found in van Bellen (1956). The formation
is considered to be the back-reef equivalent of the Baba Limestone Formation. Towards the shore
it overlaps older Oligocene and even Eocene sediments. The formation is subdivided into two
faunizones distinguished on the basis of their faunal content. The oldest one is the delicata zone, the
younger one the kirkukensis zone. More details are found under those headings.

Bakhtiari formation: Pliocene

Term introduced by Noble (1926); synonymous with Bakhtiari Group, which see. [R.C. van Bellen]

Bakhtiari Group: Pliocene

Group of fluviatile and estuarine sediments, resulting from erosion off rising mountains into sinking
basins. It comprises the Upper and Lower Bakhtiari formations. [R.C. van Bellen]

Bakhtiari series: Pliocene

Under the nomenclatural rules followed (Ashley et al., 1939), the term should be replaced by Bakhtiari
Group. As a series, this term was introduced first by Pilgrim (1908) for Iran. See Bakhtiari Group, and
Elder (1958). [R.C. van Bellen]

Balambo Formation: Cretaceous (Valanginian to Turonian) (Plate III)

Author: R. Wetzel (1947, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel and H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Sirwan Valley, near Halabja, North Iraq; southern scarp-face of Jebel
Balambo, about 3 km due east of the Village of Kawata, which lies on the north bank of the
Sirwan at the confluence of the Sirwan and Zimkan rivers. The section runs south to north up
the scarp, approximately on 45°57’12”E, with base in the Sirwan at about 35°5’7.8”N, and with
top at about 2,900 ft (884.1 m). The formation is 762 m (2,499.4 ft) thick.

The lower part of the section was sampled in subsidiary type sections to the east: (1) basal 65
m (213.2 ft) on line running north from the path from Hawar to Dalamar, with base at 1.3 km
N70°E from Dalamar, at about 35°9’30”N, 46°3’12”E; and (2) succeeding 61.4 m (201.4 ft) in
scarp, 1 km southwest of Kosawa and 2 km southeast of Sazan police post, at about 35°5’6”N,
46°4’8”E.

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Lithology: Upper division of 503 m (1,649.8 ft); thin-bedded globigerinal, passing downwards
to radiolarian limestones, grey, weathering white, forming smooth weathered slopes without
marked features. Lower division of 259 m (849.5 ft); thin-bedded, blue ammonitiferous
limestones with intercalations of olive green marls and dark blue shales.

Fossils: Turonian: 315 m (1,033.2 ft); rich planktonic foraminiferal fauna with: (at top)
Globigerina cretacea d’Orbigny, Globigerina aspera (Ehrenberg), Globigerina spp., Rugoglobigerina
spp., Globotruncana cf. cretacea Cushman, G. lapparenti bulloides Vogler, G. lapparenti tricarinata
(Quereau), G. lapparenti Brotzen, G. lapparenti coronata Bolli (near middle), Gumbelina spp.,
Gyroidina sp., Pseudotextularia cf. elegans (Rzehak); also Inoceramus debris, ostracods, Oligostegina:
(at base) Globotruncana lapparenti subspp., (as above, declining downwards), G. sigali Reichel,
G. renzi Gandolfi, G. alpina Bolli, G. helvetica Bolli, Rotalipora appenninica (Renz), Gumbelina spp.,
Shackoina cenomana (Shacko), Oligostegina, etc., rare Bulimina sp., rotalids, etc.
Cenomanian: 168 m (551 ft); Rotalipora appenninica (Renz) typica (Gandolfi), R. appenninica
(Renz), R. alpha (Gandolfi), Globigerina spp., Globigerinella sp., Hastigerinella simplex Morrow,
H. sp., Globotruncana cf. alpina Bolli, Thalmanninella ticinensis (Gandolfi), Mantelliceras sp.;
Radiolaria, etc., and Oligostegina.
Albian: 90 m (295.2 ft); (near top), Oxytropidoceras sp., Prohystoceras sp. and (near base) Hilobites
sp., Idiohamites sp., Hibolites subfusiformis auctt., Pachydesmoceras denisonianus auctt. non
Stoliczka: also, at base, Ticinella roberti (Gandolfi), Planulina pustulosa Umiker, Valvulineria spp.,
Radiolaria.
Aptian-Barremian: 62 m (203.4 ft); belemnites indet., Radiolaria; Pseudohoploceras sp., at base.
Hauterivian-Valanginian: 126 m (413.3 ft); upper unit (Duvalia zone of 66 m (216.5 ft)); Hibolites
sp., Phylloceras tethys (d’Orbigny). Radiolaria; middle unit (Hoplites zone of 41 m (134.5 ft));
?Crioceras plicatilis (Phillips), Crioceras sp., ?Neocomites houdardi Roman, Olcostephanus sp.,
Distoloceras sp., Acanthodiscus sp., Thurmannites sp., Holcodiscus sp., Hoplites karakashi Uhlig, etc.;
lower unit (Crioceras zone, of 19 m (62.3 ft)); Crioceras plicatilis (Phillips), Crioceras raricostatum
(Phillips), Neocomites houdardi Roman, Olcostephanus sp.

Age: Turonian, at top, to Valanginian, probably Upper Valanginian, at bottom.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Chia Gara Formation; contact non-sequential,
without sign of angular discordance or erosion, but with absence of basal Valanginian and
probably most or all of the Berriasian. Contact taken at base of a thick succession of fine-
grained, thin-bedded limestones, of dark blue colour (weathering pink), with abundant
ferruginous nodules and common Crioceras spp., Hoplites sp., etc. The immediately underlying
beds are brown, shaly marls and shales, with subordinate bands of shaly, dark blue and brown
limestones, some of which are bituminous: no ammonites have been observed in the upper 25
m (82 ft) of these beds.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Shiranish Formation; contact an erosional or non-
depositional unconformity, with ?Upper Campanian sediments resting directly on ?Upper
Turonian globigerinal limestones, taken at the base of dark blue, shaly marls with subordinate
thin globigerinal limestones, which weather into typical french-blue colour, and at top of fine-
grained, continuous, globigerinal limestones, grey, pinkish and white, weathering white to
cream.

Other localities: Hills flanking the Shahr-i-Zur plain between Sulaimaniya and Halabja; Zimkan
Valley, Barsarin, Dokan, Endezah area, Hajiawa, Kurrek, Naokelekan, Pir-i-Mugurun sections, Qala’
Gah, Rania area, Ru Kuchuk, Sarchinar, Sarmord, Surdash, etc. Chemchemal-1, Injana-5.

Remarks: The Balambo Formation embraces the so-called bathyal calcareous-argillaceous sediments,
characterized by globigerinal or radiolarian microfaunas and by ammonites, but lacking neritic
components, which were deposited during Lower and Middle Cretaceous times in northern Iraq.
The formation attains its maximum development in the extreme eastern sector of the region. The
sediments comprise light-weathering, globigerinal limestones at the top, grading downwards through
grey, thin-bedded limestones into darker coloured alternations of shales and limestones at the base.

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The upper boundary of the formation is marked by a non-sequence in the type section. Generally,
throughout northern Iraq, the Upper Cretaceous rests unconformably upon eroded Middle
Cretaceous units. Over most of the region the oldest transgressive sediments of the Upper Cretaceous
are Upper Campanian globigerinal marls or marly limestones of the Shiranish Formation, which rest
unconformably on beds as young as Turonian in the Surdash–Pir-i-Mugurun area etc., and on low
Campanian in Ain Zalah, etc.

In the Balambo area, and perhaps in Injana-5, which lie far out into the Middle-Upper Cretaceous
basins of North Iraq and southwestern Persia, the Shiranish may include sediments older than Upper
Campanian, and the Balambo may incorporate rocks, which are younger than Turonian.

Nevertheless, at the type section there is a marked faunal change at the Shiranish Formation/
Balambo Formation contact, and sediments of Santonian-Coniacian-?Lower Campanian age appear
to be lacking. The basal beds of the Shiranish are crowded with planktonic foraminifers, and are
glauconitic, but there is no clear field evidence of erosional unconformity.

The lower lithological boundary in the type section also corresponds with a stratigraphical non-
sequence, since the rich ammonite faunas do not include Lower Valanginian forms, and the usual
numerous ammonite faunas of the upper (Berriasian) part of the Chia Gara Formation are not
observed.

However, there is some suspicion that the contact of Balambo Formation on Chia Gara Formation
may be tectonically disturbed. A supplementary section studied near Dalamar shows that the
basal beds of the Balambo contain numerous Valanginian ammonites [including Bochianites
neocomiensis (d’Orbigny), Kilianella aff. bochianensis (Sayn), Kilianella cf. ischnotera (Sayn), Neocomites
sp., Neocosmoceras aff. sayni (Simionescu), Olcostephanus spp., Protancyloceras sp., Thurmannites aff.
salientinum (Sayn), etc.]. These Valanginian beds are found directly overlying dolomitized, brown-
purplish stained, ammonite-bearing limestones of Tithonian age. Again, the Berriasian is absent,
and the dolomitization and staining in this section suggest pre-Valanginian or intra-Valanginian
emergence.

The Berriasian is similarly absent at Rania, between Valanginian Balambo Formation and Upper
Tithonian Chia Gara Formation, both ages being amply attested by rich ammonite faunas. Here also
there is a sharp lithological change, corresponding to the faunal break, and stratal failure due to non-
deposition, or an erosional unconformity, must be assumed at the formation contact.

The Balambo Formation passes westwards, from the area of thick and full development, into the
massive neritic limestones of the Qamchuqa Formation or into the marly, transitional, neritic Sarmord
Formation. The boundaries between Balambo and Qamchuqa or between Balambo and Sarmord are
frequently gradational and intercalatory: they are also extensively diachronous.

The passage from massive, dolomitized Qamchuqa Formation, through Sarmord Formation tongues,
into smooth-weathering Balambo Formation is spectacularly exposed in the southwestern scarp-face
of Pir-i-Mugurun, near Sulaimaniya (illustrated and described by F.R.S. Henson, 1950).

The lowest (Valanginian) ammonite-bearing beds of the Balambo have a wider geographical
distribution than any other part of the formation. They persist as far to the northwest as the
Bekhme Gorge (Hudson, 1954, Valanginian) and are well evidenced through the Rowanduz-
Barsarin-Naokelekan area. At Bekhme, the Valanginian Balambo is directly overlaid by Hauterivian
Qamchuqa Formation. Further southeast, at Surdash, the lower Hauterivian is also in ammonite-
shale facies, attributable to the Balambo, and the overlying late Hauterivian-Barremian unit is the
Sarmord Formation. The upwards transgression of the top of the Balambo Formation continues
south-eastwards and northwards from Surdash, so that at the southeastern pitch of Pir-i-Mugurun,
and at Naokelekan, almost the entire Lower-Middle Cretaceous is occupied by the Balambo.

In Pir-i-Mugurun, and sections to the northwest, Berriasian sediments occur between the Tithonian
ammonite faunas of the Chia Gara, and the Valanginian Crioceras zone faunas of the Balambo.

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The Tithonian-Valanginian succession appears to be continuous in these sections, though the

palaeontological evidence could readily admit of one or more non-sequences in most of them.

By convention, in cases where the Balambo follows upon Chia Gara Formation without evidence of
any break within the Berriasian or at the Balambo/Chic Gara contact, the formation boundary is taken
arbitrarily at the base of the Crioceras beds (which is a recognizable, mappable horizon in the field)
the Berriasian sediments failing, therefore, within the Chia Gara. Though practicable and useful, this
boundary may be unnatural. There is suggestion from regional correlation that the natural division,
corresponding to the stratigraphical position of the Cretaceous/Jurassic break at its narrowest extent,
lies within the Berriasian, rather than at the Berriasian-Valanginian contact (see Sarmord Formation,
Karimia Mudstone Formation, etc.).

In a broad zone, adjacent to the northeastern limit of occurrence of the massive Qamchuqa Limestone
of Aptian-Albian age, the upper part of the Balambo is represented by thick oligosteginal limestones
of Turonian and Cenomanian age (Naokelekan, Endezah-Balki area, etc.). Where these oligosteginal
sediments overlap the limits of the Albian Qamchuqa, the Cenomanian component is usually cut
out in an erosional unconformity, below widely transgressive Turonian limestones, which generally
overlie eroded Qamchuqa Formation. In these circumstances the Turonian oligosteginal-globigerinal
limestones are recognized as a formation separate from the Balambo (Kometan Formation). The
Kometan passes laterally into the upper part of the Balambo, eastwards, and its recognition as a
formation in the area of continuous bathyal sediments hinges upon the recognition of erosional
unconformity between the Turonian and Cenomanian. It also extends far to the west, through Kirkuk,
into the region west of the Tigris River, grading laterally into an oligosteginal marl westwards.

At Dokan, Hajiawa, Pir-i-Mugurun, Sarchinar, etc., small eroded remnants of a Cenomanian

oligosteginal unit, with Rotalipora appenninica (Renz), etc., and Acanthoceras sp., occur beneath
transgressive Turonian Kometan, and above dolomitized, eroded Albian-Aptian Qamchuqa
Formation. This Cenomanian unit is separated as the Dokan Limestone where the basal unconformity
can be distinguished. In the vicinity of Dokan itself and in the Avanah Dome of the Kirkuk field, a
bituminous shale unit of Lower Turonian age, bounded at top and bottom by erosional unconformities,
intervenes between the Kometan and Dokan limestones. This shale unit is defined as the Gulneri
Shale.

The relationships of the Kometan and of the Gulneri and Dokan limestones to each other and to
the Qamchuqa at Dokan, Hajiawa, etc., demonstrate three important emergent episodes, in this
area of shallow-water deposition, during the time-span of the deposition of the type Balambo. No
corresponding breaks have been detected, yet, in the more basinal areas in which the type-section
lies.

The thickest continuous succession of oligosteginal limestones encountered in Iraq is that sampled
at Naokelekan, where the upper 226 m (741.3 ft) of the Balambo are comprised largely of such
sediments: Cenomanian-Turonian planktonic foraminifers occur through this sequence. The
middle part of the Balambo, in the Naokelekan section, also includes thin stringers of Sarmord
Formation, with Orbitolina cf. concava (Lamarck). Orbitolina, spp. of the O. concava group have been
considered indicative of Cenomanian age in the past (Henson, 1948). In this section they appear in
association with Planulina pustulosa Umiker, which is an Albian foraminiferal index, far below the
lowest occurrence of Cenomanian Rotalipora spp., and bracketed between Upper and Middle Albian
ammonites (above Lyelliceras sp., and below a Hysteroceras-Prohysteroceras-Pervinqueria-Hamites
fauna). Rich radiolarian and ammonite faunas have been determined from the Balambo Formation in
this section (in unpublished reports by A.G. Davis and L.F. Spath respectively).

The lower part of the Balambo Formation is closely comparable with the Ammonite-shale group of
southwestern Persia, described by Kent et al. (1957), and the upper part of the Balambo corresponds
quite closely with the thin-bedded limestone facies of the Middle Cretaceous discussed by these
authors.

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Baluti Shale Formation: ?Rhaetic (Plates II, III and IV)

Author: R. Wetzel (1950, unpublished report), emended D.M. Morton (1951, unpublished report). [R.
Wetzel and D.M. Morton]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Chia Gara, south of Amadia, North Iraq. The formation was first
named from the Village of Baluti, and described from an incomplete outcrop, situated 800 m
southwest of Zeiwa and 2 km west-northwest of Baluti, in the core of the Chia Gara Anticline,
at about 36°59’56”N, 43°27’12”E. The formation is about 36.2 m (118.7 ft) thick (base not
exposed). A subsidiary type-section, in which the full formation is exposed, was discovered
later near Sarki, 9 km east of Baluti (see Remarks).

Lithology: Grey and green shales, calcareous, dolomitic, with intercalations of thin-bedded
dolomitized limestones, silicified limestones, solution-recrystallization breccias (?following
solution of anhydrites), pseudo-oolitic limestones, etc.

Fossils: Glomospira sp., ostracods, indeterminate molluscs.

Age: Rhaetic (from regional correlation, etc.).

Underlying formation and details of contact: Not seen in type section. See under Remarks.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Sarki Formation; contact conformable and
gradational, taken at top of interbedded green and grey shales and dolomitic limestones, and
at base of dark brown, massive dolomites.

Other localities: Sarki, Chia Gara (subsidiary type-section), ?Ora, ?Chalki, Shaver Valley, Sirwan,
etc.

Remarks: The Baluti Formation is shale-dominated in its type locality, and characteristically weathers
to an olive green colour with some bluish and yellow components. Interbedded limestones and
dolomites are usually thin bands, not exceeding 10 cm thickness, and often of the near-evaporitic type
(fine grained primary dolomites, dense finely crystalline limestones, fluffy-textured limestones, etc.).
Thin beds of solution recrystallization breccias suggest the one-time presence of thin interbedded
anhydrites.

A supplementary type-section at Sarki, 9 km west of Baluti, shows a total thickness of 58.5 m (191.9
ft), of which the upper 43.5 m (142.7 ft) closely resemble the succession found in the type section. The
lower part of the unit is made up of green and yellow-green marls and shales, with thin dolomites,
fluffy-textured limestones, etc., some autoclastically brecciated.

The basal contact at Sarki is with the (Triassic) Kurra Chine Formation, and is regarded as conformable.
The topmost beds of the Kurra Chine are here thin-bedded dolomites with silicified bands.

The Baluti Shale has yielded few fossils. Poorly preserved Archaediscus spp. and Problematina spp.,
occur at Sarki.

Identification of the Baluti Formation at Sirwan is somewhat inconfident, as there are two green,
shale-dominated intervals in that area, either of which could be correlative with the type Baluti. In
general, however, the formation is widely identifiable as a green shale unit separating the Sarki and
Kurra Chine formations. The formation is not identified in the Mesozoic succession exposed in the
western region, along the Wadi Hauran. But the Zor Hauran Formation of that region may be broadly
correlative with the Baluti.

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The Baluti Formation has been identified, tentatively, in Alan-1, Atshan-1, Butmah-2 and Qalian-1.
In these subsurface sections the sediments include ferruginous, fluffy-textured and gastropodiferous
limestones, but the characteristic green colour is either subdued or lacking. Subsurface thickness
ranges between 59–79 m (193.5–259.1 ft).

The Baluti Shale Formation is homotaxial and probably correlative with the Green shales with
estuarine plant and fish debris recorded from the Persian Zagros (Kent et al., 1951, p. 143). These
shales are placed in the Triassic by Kent et al., but the evidence for this age determination is not
stated.

In Iraq, the age of the Baluti may lie within the range Liassic-Rhaetic-Ladinic, but the unsatisfactory
faunas from the overlying Sarki Formation are attributed to the Liassic-?Rhaetic, whilst those from
the underlying Kurra Chine have late Triassic or Rhaetic affinities. As a convenience, for purposes of
plate portrayal, etc., it is accepted that the Baluti Formation is of Rhaetic age, and that the Baluti and
Zor Hauran are the only sedimentary units of this age in the Iraq succession (as at present known).

bancs de l’Asmari: Miocene (“lower” Miocene)

Now obsolete term, originally introduced by Nicolesco (1933). See Euphrates Limestone Formation
and Jeribe Limestone Formation. See also Asmari limestone. [R.C. van Bellen]

Barbak beds: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

In H. Huber (1944, unpublished report), informal term; see Dammam Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Barsarin Formation: Jurassic (?Kimmeridgian) (Plates II and III)

Author: R. Wetzel (1950, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Barsarin, Rowanduz district, Northeast Iraq. The section is in road
cuttings, opposite the village, at about 36°37’13”N, 44°39’18”E. The formation is named after
the village, and is 17 m (55.8 ft) thick.

Lithology: Laminated limestones and dolomitic limestones, some fluffy-textured, locally cherty,
alternately in normal beds and in brecciated, crumbled and contorted beds. The autoclastically
brecciated beds show admixed shaly and marly material with melikaria structures.

Fossils: None.

Age: Not demonstrated. Upper Jurassic, ?Kimmeridgian, possibly Lower or Middle

Kimmeridgian (i.e. Lower Tithonian), since it occurs below Middle Tithonian and above Lower
Kimmeridgian ammonite faunas.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Naokelekan Formation; contact apparently

gradational and conformable, taken at top of laminated dolomitized, normally bedded,
slightly fragmented limestones, with thin whitish layers, and at base of an intraformational
breccia, 1.3–1.8 m (4.3–5.9 ft) trick, with angular blocks of dolomitized limestones, of different
weathered appearances, but probably monogenetic. The breccia bed contains angular, pebble-
size fragments of laminated dolomitized limestones at the base.

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Overlying formation and details of contact: Chia Gara Formation; contact apparently
conformable but marked by a sharp lithological contact between fragmented, black, crystalline
limestones below and shaly limestones, with phacoids, above.

Other localities: Most sections in Kurdistan which expose as deep as the Middle Jurassic, including
measured and sampled sections at Shiranish, Chalki, Ora, Ser Amadia, Chia Gara, Ru Kuchuk,
Kurrek, Naokelekan, Mederah, Rania, Sargelu, Qal’Gah and Sirwan; also in Kirkuk-109.

Remarks: Although neither anhydrite nor gypsum is apparent in the majority of outcrops of the
Barsarin, it is believed that it was deposited as an alternating sequence of chemical limestones or
dolomites and bedded anhydrites. Removal of anhydrite by solution, at some stage in the history of
the unit, is held to have caused the characteristic brecciation, which is found in all outcrop sections.

The formation appears in the field as thick and irregular beds of fragmented or brecciated limestones
with alternations of practically undisturbed but otherwise similar limestones. Such of the limestones
as are not dolomitic show fine crystalline texture, or else are fluffy-textured or vaguely pseudo-oolitic.
Microfaunas are very restricted, and confined to forms which are tolerant of high salinities and which
are associated with anhydrite deposits in other areas.

The formation contains some gypsum at Ser Amadia and in the Kurrek anticline, and it comprises
alternations of bedded anhydrites, black calcareous shales and fluffy-textured and dolomitic
limestones in the deep well-section of Kirkuk-109, where the topmost beds are brecciated and carry
bipyramidal quartz. At Chia Gara, the formation shows the character of a residual rubble intermixed
with marly material showing melikaria (box work) structures. At Sirwan and Sargelu, large nodules
of finely fractured chert occur, with locally abundant bipyramidal quartz crystals.

The age of the Barsarin is not attested by any contained fauna. The immediately overlying beds of the
Chia Gara at Barsarin contain Middle Tithonian ammonites similar to those described by Spath (1950)
from Chia Gara, including numerous Oxylenticeras lepidum Spath and Nothostephanus kurdistanensis
Spath. The age range of the underlying Naokelekan Formation is accepted as ?Callovian-Oxfordian-
Lower Kimmeridgian. Hence the age of the Barsarin must lie within the range Lower Kimmeridgian-
Middle Tithonian, and the most probable age is Upper Kimmeridgian (i.e. Lower Tithonian, v. Arkell,
1956).

The Barsarin is approximately homotaxial with and broadly correlated with the upper part of the
Gotnia Anhydrite of the Awasil-Makhul area, and thence with the Hith Anhydrite Formation of
Arabia and Qatar (Sugden, 1958; MS). However, the Gotnia Anhydrite Formation of Awasil and
Makhul, etc., also includes, in its lower parts, lateral equivalents for much of the Najmah Formation
of Najmah-29, etc., which is believed to be itself laterally equivalent to the Naokelekan Formation.
There is no equivalent for the Barsarin in the subsurface sections of the area north of Makhul and west
of the Tigris River.

Although the contacts of the Barsarin with overlying and underlying formations appear to be
conformable, it is possible that one or more non-sequences may occur at top or bottom of (or within)
the formation.

Thicknesses range between 10 m (32.8 ft) (at Rania and Sargelu) and 59 m (193.5 ft) (at Ru Kuchuk),
but only five of the fifteen measured sections show more than 20 m (65.6 ft) of the formation. This
order of thickness is surprisingly small for a rock unit that spans an age range involving most of
Kimmeridgian time, and extreme stratal condensation, at least, is indicated between the top of the
Naokelekan and the base of the Chia Gara formations (Spath, 1950).

basal anhydrite: ?Oligocene

Term in use in the Naft Khaneh oil field. Probably of Oligocene age. Anhydrites in a similar position
have been found in wells in eastern North Iraq but have not been persistent enough to warrant a
formal name. The unit does not occur at surface in Iraq. See Elder (1958). [R.C. van Bellen]

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basal Fars conglomerate: Miocene (“ lower” Miocene)

Conglomerate marking the unconformity at the base of the Lower Fars Formation in Iraq. Informal
term, see Lower Fars Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Basita beds: Eocene (“lower” Eocene)

In H. Huber and R.M. Ramsden (1945, unpublished report). Informal term; see Umm er Radhuma
Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Basita (terme de ...): Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene)

See Basita beds and Umm er Radhuma Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Beduh Shale Formation: Triassic (Werfenian) (Plates II and III)

Author: R. Wetzel (1950, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Along the Geli Khana (Amadia District, North Iraq), which runs east-
west, approximately on latitude 37°15’55”N, from 43°24’08”E (about 1 km west of Beduh) to
43°22’24”E (about 2.5 km southeast of Ora). The formation is named after the Village of Beduh,
but it is ill-exposed in the stream section. The thickness of the type section is 64 m (209.9 ft).
A subsidiary type section has been measured and sampled on the north flank of the Ora fold.
This is situated about 600 m (1,968 ft) west of the Geli Khana, in the tributary valley draining
into the Geli from the southern slopes of Mirga Mir. The formation outcrops on the southern
slopes of the Mirga Mir, and the base, in the subsidiary type section, lies about 100 m (328 ft)
north-northwest of the stream, at about 37°18’4”N, 43°21’25”E.

Lithology: Red-brown and purplish shales and marls, some silty, with subordinate thin ribs of
limestones with sandy streaks.

Fossils: Anodontophora fassaensis Wissmann, A. fassaensis var. bittneri Frech, Myophoria

praeorbicularis Bittner, M. balatonis Frech, Gervillia sp., ?Palaeoneilo distincta Bittner, Nucula sp.,
Gonodon sp.

Age: Lower Triassic, Werfenian (probably Upper Werfenian).

Underlying formation and details of contact: Mirga Mir Formation; contact gradational,
conformable, placed at an abrupt colour change from purple and red (above) to yellow and
grey (below). The colour change corresponds to a change in lithological constitution from
shales and silty marls with only subordinate limestones, some sandy (above), to thin-bedded
limestones with subordinate shales and marls (below).

Overlying formation and details of contact: Geli Khana Formation; contact conformable
and gradational, taken at the colour change from grey (above) to purple and reddish-brown
(below), which corresponds to a lithological change from predominant limestones (above) to
predominant shales (below).

Other localities: Khabour Valley exposures; Sirwan Gorge (lowest exposed beds, base not seen);
Atshan-1.

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Remarks: Because of its constant and highly characteristic colour and lithology, the Beduh ranks as
a prominent formation in a Mesozoic succession which is largely comprised of calcareous rocks. The
significance of the red colour is not certain: it may be accounted for by some indirect influence of
Triassic volcanicity.

The Lower Triassic age of the Beduh is adequately established by its contained fauna. Upper
Werfenian age is fairly certain. The overlying Geli Khana is of Middle Triassic age at its top (but may
be of Lower Triassic age at its base). The Mirga Mir Formation is of Lower Werfenian age.

The Beduh was encountered in Atshan-1, in more arenaceous and calcareous development, and
probably thicker than in surface exposures. The characteristic red and purple colours are not well
developed in the subsurface samples, and differentiation of the Beduh from overlying and underlying
units is only tentative.

Closely comparable and probably correlative rocks occur in southeastern Turkey, within the
Goyan formation (Tasman, 1949), which also includes probable equivalents of the older Mirga Mir
Formation.

Bekhme Limestone Formation: Cretaceous (Upper Senonian) (Plate II)

Author: R. Wezel (1950; unpublished report). [R. Wetzel]

Synonymy: Bekhme limestones (Hudson, 1954).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Bekhme Gorge, Greater Zab River, North East Iraq. The section lies
on the eastern bank, at the northern end of the gorge along the mule path to Dar-a-Tesu. The
base of the section is at 36°41’45”N; 44°16’30”E, and the top at 36°41’57”N; 44°16’37”E., and its
thickness is 315 m (1,033.2 ft).

Lithology: Upper division of 211 m (692.1 ft) of bituminous secondary dolomites with dispersed
glauconite, replacing glauconitic, organic, detrital limestones: some globigerinal limestone
intercalations with macrofossil detritus, etc. Middle division, recognized informally as the
“Cosinella zone”, 94 m (308.3 ft) thick, comprising reef-detrital limestones with rudist debris, etc.,
alternating with fore-reef shoal limestones with rich foraminiferal faunas. Basal conglomeratic
division, 10 m (32.8 ft) thick, comprising globigerinal and foraminiferal limestones and
polygenetic breccia-conglomerates, with ferruginous globigerinal marls locally.

Fossils: Although the upper division is richly fossiliferous, the macrofossils are represented
by unidentifiable detritus. The globigerinal limestone intercalations yield Globigerina cretacea
d’Orbigny, Rugoglobigerina spp., Gumbelina spp., Globotruncana stuarti (de Lapparent), G.
lapparenti cf. tricarinata (Quereau), G. lapparenti subspp., G. spp., Textularia sp. Macrofossils of
the middle division have not been collected, do not weather out and are mostly represented
by rudist fragments, etc... Foraminifers include Cosinella sp. nov. Reichel MS, Dicyclina
schlumbergeri Munier-Chalmas, Cuneolina cylindrica Henson, Pseudosiderolites cf. heracleae (Arni),
Orbitoides cf. media (d’Archiac), Omphalocyclus cf. macropora (Lamarck), Massilina spp., elongate
Textularia sp. indet., Globotruncana cf. stuarti (de Lapparent), G. leupoldi Bolli, etc., miliolids
indet.; ostracods, siphonate algae. Foraminifers of the matrix of the basal conglomeratic
division include Globigerina cretacea d’Orbigny, G. aspera (Ehrenberg), Globotruncana leupoldi
Bolli, G. lapparenti subspp., Pseudotextularia varians Rzehak, Pseudosiderolites heracleae (Arni),
Orbitoides sp., Omphalocyclus cf. macropora (Lamarck).

Age: Upper Campanian at base, Upper Campanian or perhaps Lower Maastrichtian at top.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Qamchuqa Formation; contact an erosional

unconformity, without appreciable angular discordance, but with polygenetic conglomerate at

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the base of the Bekhme Formation and extensive dolomitization below. The contact is placed at
the base of the conglomerate beds and is clear-cut.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Shiranish Formation; contact abrupt, marked by
condensation of planktonic foraminiferal fauna and by glauconite concentration, doubtfully
conformable and without any angular discordance. The contact is placed at the base of the blue-
grey, siliceous, globigerinal limestones and at the top of dark brown, dolomitized organic detrital
limestones.

Other localities: Shiranish Islam, Chalki, Amadia, Chia Gara, Zibar (Isumaran), Alana Su (Rowanduz
Gorge), Diyana, Kurrek, Ru Kuchuk.

Remarks: The Bekhme Limestone is defined to include the reef limestones, fore-reef shoal limestones,
and associated facies of the Upper Campanian-?Lower Maastrichtian interval. The formation is very
similar to the younger Aqra Limestone Formation with which it may be continuous in the type
section of the Aqra, where the age of the base of the exposed sequence of massive Upper Cretaceous
limestones is in slight doubt. Thus the basal beds of the Aqra Limestone at Aqra and Zinta could
correspond to part of the upper division of the Bekhme Limestone in its type section.

In most sections in which both Bekhme and Aqra limestones occur, these two units are widely
separated by an intervening tongue of Shiranish Formation and/or Tanjero Clastic Formation. Also, in
several sections, there is suggestion of a depositional break at the top of the Bekhme Limestone. These
circumstances justify the treatment of the Aqra and Bekhme limestones as independent formations.
The two are readily distinguished on faunal grounds, presence of the Cosinella-Pseudosiderolites cf.
heracleae assemblage being characteristic for the Bekhme, and presence of Loftusia spp. indicating the
Aqra.

The Bekhme is most characteristically; and thickly developed only in areas where it succeeds eroded,
neritic Qamchuqa Limestone, of Albian or older age. But far-reaching extensions of the formation
probably occur sporadically, towards Rania, above globigerinal Middle-Lower Cretaceous limestones
(Balambo Formation) and perhaps separated from them, locally, by Turonian Kometan Formation.
Fragments of derived Bekhme Limestone appear in the basal conglomerates of the Shiranish
Formation, overlying Kometan Formation, in the Endezah area, northeast of Rania, indicating that
the original area of distribution of the formation was probably much greater than that in which it is
now found.

Exceptionally, in the area of thick development of the Bekhme, the overlying Shiranish and Tanjero
formations may be represented laterally by Aqra Limestone, so that a continuous massive limestone
body of Upper Cretaceous age is found, as at Chia Gara, Ser Amadia, and (perhaps) Aqra. In such
cases, employment of the conjoint term Aqra/Bekhme limestone is advocated, unless the two
formations can be separated by recognition of a depositional break or unconformity between them.

At the type-locality, unconformable relations between the Bekhme Limestone and the underlying
Albian Qamchuqa Formation are demonstrated by the basal conglomerate, which is very variable in
thickness and character, even over the very small exposed areas in the gorge sections. Thus on the
mule track on the eastern bank of the river the conglomerate is 3 m (9.8 ft) thick, passing laterally into
marls, whilst in the river bed, above autumn flow level, the conglomerate is a massive bed about 20
m (65.6 ft) thick. The derived elements in the conglomerates include Qamchuqa Formation dolomites
and limestones, globigerinal limestones of Upper Campanian age, rare pebbles with Pseudosiderolites
cf. heracleae (Arni), and several types of recrystallized and dolomitized limestones of uncertain
attribution.

Closely similar conglomerates are found between the Qamchuqa and Bekhme Limestone formations
at Ser Amadia, Chia Gara, and Ru Kuchuk. At Shiranish Islam, where ?Turonian Mergi Limestone
intervenes between the Qamchuqa and the Bekhme, the basal conglomerate includes pebbles of
Mergi Limestone with Praealveolina sp., and further lenticular pebble beds, passing laterally into
marls with plant debris, occur higher up within the lower part of the Bekhme.

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The Bekhme Formation is of similar age to the Pilsener Limestone of subsurface sections west of
the Tigris River and south of Butmah. Both formations are neritic limestones, with abundant rudist
debris, and both pass similarly, by interdigitation, into the lower part of the globigerinal Shiranish
Formation. The two formations are recognized as separate units because they are separated by a
broad zone, in which the Upper Cretaceous sediments are exclusively in globigerinal facies: as a
consequence of differences in physical environment the facies and microfaunas of the two formations
differ sufficiently to allow confident distinction between hand specimens of the two units.

Relationships of the Bekhme Limestone to the partly-contemporaneous Hadiena (conglomeratic

limestone) formation remain obscure. A lateral passage from Bekhme into Hadiena may be argued
between Ser Amadia and the Hadiena outcrops. But the Hadiena owes its individuality and its
recognition as a formation to the presence of extensive haematitic limestone breccias and Lopha
conglomerates. There is no danger of confusion between these two units in the Kurdistan outcrops.

The Bekhme Limestone is homotaxial and correlative with part of the Mardin limestone of
Southeastern Turkey (Tasman, 1947). At Ramandag (Tasman and Egeran, 1951) the uppermost part
of the Mardin is correlative, and a stratigraphic break of some nature separates the reef-detrital unit
from the later Upper Cretaceous sediments, there represented by globigerinal marls (lower part of
Germav formation, Tromp, 1941). Elsewhere in Turkey, rudist-reef limestones, comparable to and
homotaxial with the Aqra Limestone develop above this break.

In the Basrah area, the equivalents of the Bekhme Limestone are probably to be sought for in the
section lying between the base of the Hartha Formation and the top of the Middle Cretaceous
Mishrif Formation. The sediments of this interval in the well sections are mostly globigerinal or
oligosteginal deposits, but the Sa’di Formation includes organic detrital limestone components,
which are comparable with parts of the Bekhme and contemporaneous Pilsener limestones. The
slight unconformity between the Hartha and underlying Sa’di formations of southern Iraq is perhaps
to be correlated with that which separates the Bekhme Limestone from the overlying Aqra Limestone
in some sections.

The formation is named from the Bekhme Gorge, but the type section lies at the northern end of the
gorge, whilst Bekhme Village, which lent its name to the gorge, is on the western bank of the river,
outside the gorge, at its southern end.

black reef: Hanjur complex: Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene)

See Hanjir back reef complex. [R.C. van Bellen]

blue and purple shale group: Cretaceous-Palaeocene-Eocene

(Upper Cretaceous-Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene)

Obsolete term, used by Richardson (1924); See Kolosh Formation and Shiranish Formation, also
Tanjero Clastic Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Butmah Formation: Jurassic (Liassic) (Plates II, III and IV)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Butmah-2; the formation was encountered between drilled depths
7,756–9,522 ft (2,364.6–2,903 m). It is 1,766 ft (538.4 m) thickness, and is named from the well.

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Lithology: 21 ft (6.4 m) limestones, oolitic, oolitic-detrital, and argillaceous; 135 ft (41.2 m)

shales and argillaceous limestones, finely interbedded in parts, with subordinate thin beds of
oolitic, pseudooolitic and organic-detrital limestones; 180 ft (54.9 m) limestones, various, with
interbedded anhydrites; 90 ft (27.4 m) limestones, some recrystallized, oolitic and pseudo-
oolitic, with conspicuous chert; 180 ft (54.9 m) limestones, with common oolitic and pseudo-
oolitic bands; 34 ft (10.4 m) interbedded anhydrites and limestones; 135 ft (41.2 m) limestones,
oolitic and pseudo-oolitic, locally sandy, locally glauconitic; 19 ft (5.8 m) shales and limestones;
47 ft (12.4 m) limestones, some oolitic, and anhydrites; 92 ft (28 m) argillaceous limestones and
shales, with subordinate other limestones; 43 ft (13.1 m) limestones, including oolitic, pseudo-
oolitic and organic detrital bands; 18 ft (5.5 m) shales and shaly limestones; 190 ft (57.9 m)
limestones, commonly pseudo-oolitic at top, with sand and some anhydrite and dolomite in
lower parts; 84 ft (25.6 m) shales, shaly limestones, and anhydrite, with subordinate oolitic,
pseudo-oolitic and detrital limestones; 468 ft (142.9 m) limestones, various, with some bedded
anhydrites at top.

Fossils: Gastropod debris indet. (generally present in organic, detrital limestones); comminuted
macrofossil debris (rare, except in association with gastropod detritus); rare sponge spicules;
rare indeterminate fish debris; ostracods; coprolithic pellets (Favreina spp. of Bronnimann, etc.);
Glomospira spp. (throughout), Archaediscus sp. (not in uppermost beds); rare Problematina sp.,
small textularids (sporadically common).

Age: Not established in type-section; Liassic (probably Lower and Middle Liassic) from
evidence of regional correlation.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Baluti Shale Formation, contact conformable,
gradational, taken at the top of shale-dominated section, and below thick limestones.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Adaiyah Anhydrite Formation, contact faulted,
taken at the base of the lowest considerable primary bedded anhydrite of the Adaiyah, and
above the highest oolitic limestones of the Butmah (See Remarks).

Other localities: Adaiyah-1, Alan-1, Butmah-1, Ibrahim-1, Makhul-2, Mileh Tharthar-1, Najmah-29;
Qalian-1; also in Burgan-113 in Kuwait.

Remarks: The Butmah Formation is a heterogeneous aggregate of sediments of the calcareous-

argillaceous and evaporitic rock suites. It is set off more or less sharply from the Adaiyah Anhydrite
Formation, which concordantly overlies it, and less sharply from the Baluti Shale Formation, which
it overlies.

Amongst the numerous lithofacies variants, which are represented in the Butmah, many are highly
characteristic and vertically restricted in individual sections, and, of these, some are recognizable in
several wells and over considerable areas. The gross lithology varies considerably from area to area,
however, and it is only by reference to position of restricted, marker-type, lithofacies variants or to
electric log characteristics in the different sections that correlation can be made, within the formation,
from well to well.

It has been demonstrated recently by R.M. Ramsden (in unpublished reports) that there is a faulted
contact between the Adaiyah and the Butmah in the type section of the latter. Some 200-300 ft (61-
91.5 m) of the succession at the top of the Butmah in other wells is missing in Butmah-2. The interval,
which is cut out in Butmah-2, comprises, in other sections, limestones and shales, which are closely
comparable with those of the upper part of the type section.

The upper limit of the formation is fairly clear-cut in sections other than the type section, though
there is some diachronism of the Adaiyah Anhydrite/Butmah Formation boundary, due to lateral
passage of the uppermost pseudo-oolitic and oolitic limestones of the Butmah into primary bedded
anhydrites in some areas. Also, in some sections, the uppermost beds of the Butmah have been

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secondarily anhydritized, and an artificially low position for the Adaiyah/Butmah contact may have
been accepted where the secondary nature of anhydrites has not been recognized.

The recognition of the Baluti Formation limits in subsurface sections is somewhat in confident. At
outcrops, in Kurdistan, this unit is a shale-dominated unit of green colour, but in the subsurface
sections the characteristic green colour is not well developed and may be absent.

At outcrop the Baluti includes breccias which are believed to be due to solution of originally
interbedded anhydrites. In all the subsurface sections, interbedded anhydrites do occur in the
shale-containing unit, which is, accepted as the equivalent of the Baluti. Usually it is possible to
differentiate a unit; about 200-300 ft (61-91.5 m) thick, in which argillaceous sediments are prevalent,
but the boundary with the overlying Butmah Formation is gradational, and indefinite within fairly
wide limits, due to the alternation of shales with oolitic and fluffy-textured limestones in both the
upper part of the Baluti and the lower part of the Butmah.

Limestones with subordinate scattered sand and silt are recorded from the type Butmah Formation
over an interval of about 150 ft (45.7 m), with the highest occurrence about 600 ft (182.9 m)below the
top of the formation. Similar sand and silt detritals occur in Qalian-1, about 625 ft (190.5 m) below the
top of the formation, and reddish marls with silt were found, in some preponderance, over about 150
ft (45.7 m) of section, with top about 300 ft (91.5 m)below the top of the formation, in Makhul-2.

In Mileh Tharthar-1, a thick series of variegated and mottled red, green and purple shales, with
siltstones and haematitic sandstones, occupies the middle part of the represented Butmah Formation,
which contains scattered silt and sand through most of its thickness. The top of the variegated marls
and silts occurs about 370 ft (112.8 m) below the top of the Butmah.

Although the Butmah is defined as a heterogeneous unit, the clastic interval in Mileh Tharthar-1 is not
really admissible within the definition, and a separate formation will probably require description to
accommodate these beds. At Mileh Tharthar-1 the clastics appear as a tongue, within the Butmah,
and the red marls of Makhul-2 and sandy and silty beds in other wells assuredly represent the same
clastic incursion.

In Kuwait, the deep test well Burgan-113 encountered a Jurassic section, which is rather closely
comparable with that found in central and northern Iraq. The interval between depths 12,410–13,850 ft
(3,783.5–4,222.6 m) in this well correlates excellently with the Butmah Formation of Mileh Tharthar-1,
and includes an intercalation of variegated marls, shales, sandstones and quartzites, between depths
of about 13,180–13,740 ft (4,018.3–4,189 m), which are correlated with the un-named clastics of Mileh
Tharthar-1. If this correlation is accepted the Burgan deep test terminated within the Liassic, though
the variegated clastics have been assigned tentatively to the Triassic (Owen and Nasr, 1958) on the
evidence of Estheria minuta ? Albert) and Lingula tenuissima Bronn. var. zenkeri Albert) (determined by
R.G.S. Hudson). These fossils do not suffice to deny the possibility of early Liassic age for the mottled
shales in which they occur.

The variegated clastics of the Mileh Tharthar and Burgan wells are closely comparable with those
of the Suwei Formation of subsurface sections in the Arabian Gulf region (Sugden, 1958, MS) which
underlie the Gulailah formation of Qatar (idem). The lower part of the Gulailah bears comparison
with the Butmah Formation and Adaiyah Anhydrite, but Sugden attributes the Gulailah to the
Bajocian and the Suwei, less confidently, to the same stage. Hence long-distance correlation of the
Suwei with the un-named clastic intercalation in Mileh Tharthar-1 must be abandoned unless either
the age attributions for the Gulailah and Suwei are at fault or an improbable degree of diachronism in
formation boundaries is admitted.

The Butmah Formation is not recognized in surface exposures, though it is clearly homotaxial with
and approximately equivalent in age to the Sarki Formation of Kurdistan. These formations are
sufficiently different in gross lithology to justify retention of the two units in the nomenclature, though
numerous lithofacies variants, common to both, serve to strengthen the homotaxial correlation.

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The Uba’id Formation of the Wadi Hauran area (Plate III) may be equivalent in age to the lower part
or to all of the Butmah, but the Uba’id is distinguished from other units in the western exposures by
general absence of argillaceous components and by abundance of chert. If the Uba’id is correlative
with the entire Butmah Formation it is difficult to account for the entry of the variegated argillaceous
and clastic elements into the Butmah at Mileh Tharthar, since the source of the clastics must lie to the
west or southwest of Mileh Tharthar, and they must have passed over or near to the present area of
outcrop of the Uba’id in order to reach the Mileh Tharthar area.

The age of the Butmah is not evidenced from its known fauna, but is taken to be Liassic (excluding
the upper part of the Liassic) since it lies below the Upper Liassic Mus Limestone, and immediately
above the presumably Rhaetic Baluti Shale Formation.

calcaire d’Asmari: Oligocene-Miocene (Oligocene-”lower” Miocene)

Obsolete term used by Macovei (1938). See Kirkuk Group, Euphrates Limestone Formation, and
Jeribe Limestone Formation. See also Asmari limestone. [R.C. van Bellen]

calcaire de l’Asmari: Miocene (“lower” Miocene)

Obsolete term used by Nicolesco (1933). See Euphrates Limestone Formation and Jeribe Limestone
Formation. See also Asmari limestone. [R.C. van Bellen]

calcaire de l’Euphrate: Oligocene-Miocene (Oligocene-”lower” Miocene)

In G. Macovei (1938). See Kirkuk Group, Euphrates Limestone and Jeribe Limestone. [R.C. van
Bellen]

calcaire de Qara Chauq: Miocene (“lower” Miocene)

Obsolete term, used by Mitchell (1956). See Euphrates Limestone Formation and Jeribe Limestone
Formation. See also Qara Chauq limestone. [R.C. van Bellen]

calcaires brechiques et calcaires massives: Palaeocene-Eocene

(Palaeocene-»lower» Eocene)

Informal term, used by Dubertret (1935). See Sinjar Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

cap rock: Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

Informal term, in use in Iran and the Transferred Territories; see Elder (1958). This anhydrite can
perhaps be correlated with the anhydrite, which occurs at the base of the Lower Fars Formation in
Iraq, where it covers Jeribe Limestone Formation. See Jeribe Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

cap rock shale: Cretaceous (Cenomanian)

Informal name, applied in Kuwait and formerly and to a lesser degree in southern Iraq, to the shales
comprising the currently recognized Ahmadi Formation. See Ahmadi Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Cenomanian: Cretaceous (Cenomanian)

It was considered formerly that the Cenomanian stage was thickly represented in the upper part
of the massive Lower-Middle Cretaceous limestones of the northeastern mountain folds, and many
scattered references to the Cenomanian in the literature and in unpublished reports relate to this early
view (e.g. Henson, 1958; Barber, 1948; Dunnington, 1958). The massive Lower-Middle Cretaceous
limestones are now defined as the Qamchuqa Limestone Formation, and it is believed that this does

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not range in age into the Cenomanian, which stage is unrepresented by sediments over much of
northern Iraq (see Qamchuqa Limestone Formation).

Rock units of the current nomenclature, for which Cenomanian age is accepted, are the Balambo
Formation (part), Dokan Limestone, Gir Bir Limestone, M’sad Formation, Rutbah Sandstone, Mishrif
Formation, Rumaila Formation and Ahmadi Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Cenomanian limestones: (of Safin Dagh): Cretaceous

In de Boeckh et al. (1929). Referred to also in Barber (1948). Now considered to be of Upper Albian
age, these limestones are included within the Qamchuqa Limestone Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Chabd beds: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

In H. Huber (1944, unpublished report). Informal term, see Dammam Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Chabd (terme de ...): Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956). See Chabd beds and Dammam Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Chalki Volcanics Formation: ?Ordovician (Plate II)

Author: R. Wetzel (1952, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Near Kaista (Khabour Valley, Amadia District, North Iraq). The Chalki
Volcanics occur as basalt intercalations, of 2–5 m (6.6–16.4 ft) in thickness, within the Pirispiki
Red Beds. The type-section lies along the spur which runs downwards from the western peak
of Chia Zinnar (7,090 ft, 2,161.6 m)) in a northeast to southwest direction, about 2 km northwest
of Kaista Village. The top of the Pirispiki Formation lies about 2 km west-northwest of Kaista
Village, at about 37°16’36”N; 43°10’3”E, and the base occurs on the ridge, about 2.7 km north of
the village of Chalki Nasara. The basalt beds and associated ash-containing shales, etc., occupy
most of the uppermost 20 m (65.6 ft) of the section. The type section is 16 m (52.5 ft) thick in
aggregate.

Lithology: Dull green and grayish green, red- and white-speckled, altered olivine basalts, in
beds 2–5 m (6.6–16.4 ft) thick (flows or intrusions) alternating with intercalations of bright red,
ash-containing, soft siltstones and shales.

Age: ?Ordovician, from consideration of position in the sequence of rock units.

Other localities: Not encountered in Iraq, except in the exposures of the Khabour Valley, around
Kaista and Chalki, and (reputedly) in the vicinity of Shish, northwest of Shiranish. The Chalki
Volcanics occur widely in Turkish territory, north of Ora, etc.

Remarks: The igneous materials have been determined petrologically by K.C. Dunham (unpublished
reports). The bulk of the material consists of olivine basalts or fine-grained dolerites, with haematite-
magnetite rimmed pseudomorphs, in chlorite, replacing the olivine; there are albitized plagioclase
laths and considerable amounts of chlorite and ankeritic carbonates in the ground mass; locally the
basalts are criss-crossed by numerous veins of white ankerite with fibrous chalcedony.

In spite of apparent conformity between the Chalki Volcanics and the overlying Kaista Formation
which is of very late Devonian age at its top, a break must be suspected if the underlying Pirispiki

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Red Beds are in depositional continuity with the ?Cambro-Ordovician quartzites, as they seem to
be. Since igneous activity was penecontemporaneous with Pirispiki sedimentation, as shown by the
occurrence of weathered igneous materials in the conglomerates from the red beds, it is arguable that
a ?Caledonian break occurs at the top of the Chalki Volcanics, though field evidence for such a break
is lacking.

The flows (or sills) of basalts or dolerites wedge out into normal red beds of the Pirispiki between
Kaista and Ora, where the only evidences of contemporaneous igneous activity are provided by
thin conglomerates containing small pebbles of basalts, etc., comparable with those of the Chalki
Volcanics.

The Chalki Volcanics are of much smaller thickness and significance in Iraq than in southeastern
Turkey, where it is possible that much of the Pirispiki may be represented laterally by igneous rocks.
The preponderance of dolerite/basalt pebbles in the present-day shingles, which are brought down
the Geli Khana from the southern slopes of the Ser Ashuti (north of Ora in southeastern Turkey),
indicates that the Chalki Volcanics must be widely exposed within the upper catchment of the Geli
(though observations from within Iraq indicate that dykes and ?sills of these same volcanics also
occur within the thick mass of Khabour Quartzite-Shale Formation on the slopes of Ser Ashuti.

The Chalki Volcanics are at present attributed to the Ordovician, because this age is accepted for the
enclosing Pirispiki Formation. It is possible that the ages of both formations may require revision,
perhaps to Devonian.

Chama limestone formation: Miocene (“lower” Miocene)

Obsolete name, see Govanda Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

“chemical limestone”: Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene)

In van Bellen (1956), see Khurmala Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Chia Gara Formation: Jurassic-Cretaceous (Middle Tithonian-Berriasian)

(Plates II and III)

Author: R. Wetzel (1950, unpublished report). (R.Wetzel, supplemented H.V. Dunnington].

Synonymy: Middle Tithonian, Upper Tithonian and Berriasian, also beds (i) to (x) (Spath, 1950);
Berriasian, also beds 1 to 35 (Spath, 1952); Chia Gara Formation (Hudson, 1954); Tithonian (W.J.
Arkell, 1956, p. 376).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Chia Gara, south of Amadia, North Iraq. The formation outcrops
extensively in the core of the anticline. The type section is compiled from two separate areas
and is 232 m (761 ft) thick. The upper 197 m (646.2 ft) are measured along the Gel-i-Garagu,
from the base of the Garagu Formation (at about 37°00’50”N; 43°23’38”E), about 600 m (1,968
ft) north of Garagu Village, to the vicinity of the axial fault, about 200 m (656 ft) northeast
of Garagu (at about 37°00’40”N; 43°23’47”E). The lower 35 m (114.8 ft) of the formation are
exposed in a small stream running northeastwards across the southern flank of the structure,
the top of the lower unit of the Chia Gara Formation being about 1.5 km west-southwest of
Gara Village, at about 36°59’55”N; 43°24’44”E.

Lithology: Unbroken succession of thin-bedded limestones and shales, containing rich

ammonite faunas, and grading upwards to yellowish marly limestones and shales. Consistent
zone of phacoid (bullion) beds, 21 m (68.9 ft) thick, at base.

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Fossils: (from top to base): (a) 14.4 m (47.2 ft): echinoid debris, Tylostoma, cf. depressa Pictet,
Cyclammina sp., Pseudocyclammina kelleri Henson, Trocholina sp., cristellarids, ostracods.
(b) 6.6 m (21.6 ft): (Bed 33 of Spath, 1952: Subthurmannites boisseri zone, part). Groebericeras
spp. nov. (5), Protacanthodiscus spp. nov. (4), new Himalayitid, ?Craspedites sp., Natica pidanceti
Coquand, Exogyra latissima Lamarck, Terebratula carteroniana d’Orbigny, echinoid debris,
Pseudocyclammina kelleri Henson, Cyclammina spp.
(c) 5.5 m (18 ft): Exogyra latissima Lamarck, Zeilleria sp. cf. Tamarindus Sowerby.
(d) 4 m (13.1 ft): (Bed 28 of Spath, 1952). Acanthodiscus sp. ?Dalmasiceras sp., Berriasella sp.,
Neocomites praeneocomiensis (Burckhardt), Exogyra latissima Lamarck, Zeilleria sp. cf. tamarindus
Sowerby, Cyclammina spp., Pseudocyclammina kelleri Henson.
(e) 47.8 m (156.8 ft) ganoid fish indet., Exogyra latissima Lamarck, gastropods indet., echinoid
elements, Cristellaria sp., Cyclammina sp., globigerinids, Pseudocyclammina kelleri Henson,
ostracods, tintinnids indet.
(f) 4.0 m (13.1 ft): (Bed 13 of Spath, 1952), ammonites indet., (including Paradontoceras? sp.
indet.?, Berriasella sp., Acanthodiscus spp.), Exogyra latissima Lamarck, Cyclammina spp.
(g) 39.2 m (128.6 ft): Exogyra latissima Lamarck, (top only), Ammodiscus sp., globigerinids,
cristellarids, Cyclammina sp., Pseudocyclammina kelleri Henson, tintinnids indet.
(h) 4.8 m (15.7 ft) (Bed x of Spath, 1950 = Bed 1 as of Spath, 1952), Paradontoceras calisto
(d’Orbigy), Berriasella sp. aff. alpilensis Mazenot, Berriasella sp. aff. Carpathica (Pictet); tintinnids
indet.
(i) 16.9 m (55.4 ft): Radiolaria, ostracods, tintinnids.
(j) 9.5 m (31.1 ft): (Bed s of Spath, 1950: Berriasella privasensis zone y). Ancyloceras sp., Berriasella,
aff. privasensis d’Orbigny), ? Kossmatia sp., Leptoceras spp., Paradontoceras aff. calistoides
(Behrendsen), Paradontoceras spp., Protacanthodicus sp. aff. perornatus (Retowski), Protancyloceras
spp.; cristellarids, Radiolaria, tintinnids indet.
(k) 44.2 m (145 ft): Radiolaria. Poor impression, of ammonites in lower half.
(l) 14.5 m (47.6 ft): (Bed j of Spath, 1950: Proniceras pronus zone -part). Grayiceras (Simbirskites)
sp., Haploceras spp., Paradontoceras sp. cf. beneckei (Steuer), Spiticeras sp. cf. S. (Kilianiceras)
chomeracense Djanelidze, Substeuroceras ? striolatum (Steuer), Substeuroceras sp. cf. Ellipsostomum
(Steuer), Substeuroceras sp. aff. lamellicostatum (Burckhardt), radiolaria.
(m) 10.0 m (32.8 ft): (Bed i of Spath, 1950: Pseudolissoceras beds of Spath, 1950: phacoid
zone upper part). Oxylenticeras lepidum Spath, Glochiceras (?)sp. juv. indet., Pseudolissoceras
zitteli (Burckhardt), Phanerostephanus subsenex Spath, Phanerostephanus hudsoni Spath,
Phanerostephanus dalmasiformis Spath, Cochliocrioceras turriculatum Spath, Virgatosimoceras sp.
nov. indet., Nannostephanus subcornutus Spath, Nothostephanus kurdistanensis Spath, Proniceras
garaense Spath, Proniceras simile Spath, Proniceras sp. nov. ? indet., Protancyloceras kurdistanense
Spath, Protancyloceras sp. aff. gracile (Oppel), etc.
(n) 11.0 m (36.1 ft): No fossils observed.

Age: Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous; Mesotithonian at base, Berriasian at top. Berriasian/

Tithonian contact at base of unit h), 126.3 m (414.3 ft) below the top and 106.1 m (348 ft) above
the base of the formation.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Barsarin Formation; contact conformable,

with sharp lithological contact between fine-grained, laminated, dark blue, thin-bedded,
shaly, papery limestones, weathering pale grey (above) and cherty, dolomitic, autoclastically
brecciated, grey limestones, weathering grey to yellow (below).

Overlying formation and details of contact: Garagu Formation; contact gradational and
conformable, taken at top of a series of alternating blue and brown (grey and yellowish-grey
weathering), foraminiferal limestones and yellow and dark brown, locally ochreous marls, and
at base of a 7 m (23 ft) bed of yellow and brown marls, with subordinate thin limestones, and
with scattered ferruginous ooliths and sand grains.

Other localities: All mountain-zone sections exposing Upper Jurassic, including measured and
sampled sections at Shiranish, Banik, Chalki, Ora, Ser Amadia, Chia Gara, Ru Kuchuk, Bekhme,
Kurrek, Barsarin, Naokelekan, Rania, Surdash, Qal’Gah, Dalamar and Sirwan Gorge; also in Kirkuk-
109.
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Remarks: The Chia Gara Formation is defined to include the rather uniform and quite distinctive
succession of thin-bedded ammonitiferous limestones and shales which intervenes between the top
of the widely distributed Barsarin (residual breccia) Formation and the Valanginian/Berriasian (or
?intra-Berriasian) unconformity, where this is detected.

In some areas and sections, where sedimentation appears to have been continuous from Lower
Berriasian into Valanginian times, an arbitrary upper boundary to the formation is drawn at the
Valanginian/Berriasian contact, as determined from ammonite faunas.

Although the rocks of the upper beds of the Chia Gara, in the type section, show a transition towards
the arenaceous, oolitic, neritic sediments of the overlying Garagu, the abrupt entry of ferruginous
ooliths and sand provides a clear-cut formation change at which to place the upper boundary of the
Chia Gara.

In sections lying southeast and east of Chia Gara, the neritic development at the base of the
Valanginian is lacking, and the Chia Gara passes up, seemingly gradationally in most sections,
into similar-appearing ammonitiferous limestones and shales of the Balambo Formation. In such
conditions the contact of Balambo on Chia Gara is placed at the base of the Valanginian Crioceras
beds, which can usually be located fairly readily in the field, though other horizons than the basal
Valanginian are characterized by abundance of uncoiled ammonites, so that some confusion may
arise if ammonite-preservation is not good.

Though continuity of sedimentation from Berriasian into Valanginian times is argued for most
sections, unconformable relations exist between the Balambo Formation and the Chia Gara in the
Rania, Qal’Gah, Dalamar and Sirwan sections, where most or all of the Berriasian component of the
Chia Gara is absent. Since there is no obvious indication of unconformity or stratal failure in most of
these sections, where non-sequence must exist, it is possible that similar non-sequential relations hold
in some or all of the areas where continuity is at present accepted.

The studied sections of the formation which lie in the area west and north of Chia Gara either are
tectonically disturbed (at Ora, Chalki, etc.) so that relations with the overlying unit remain unknown,
or show erosional removal of the uppermost Chia Gara, and convergent transgression of the overlying
Garagu. Angular discordance has not been observed at the contact.

The type section of the Garagu (adjacent to that of the Chia Gara) is anomalous in the presence
of a specimen of Neocomites occitanicus (Pictet) in the base of the formation (L.F. Spath, 1952). This
ammonite is a late (but not uppermost) Berriasian index form, and its presence here in presumed
Valanginian sediments requires comment. Setting aside the possibilities that the form is misidentified,
or that the species ranged later than the Berriasian, the alternatives remain that the basal Garagu, in
the type section, is of Berriasian age (which remains possible), or that the ammonite in question is
derived from a nearby, eroded source.

The second alternative is adopted, provisionally, since the rock from which the ammonite was
collected is a coarsely detrital organic limestone, with abundant derived sand, etc. Furthermore, the
eroded uppermost Chia Gara at Banik indicates that there is an adequate and not too distant source
from which the ammonite could have been derived.

In the Hadiena area, south of Ora, the Upper Berriasian part of the Chia Gara (here silty, and neritic,
with Pseudocyclammina kelleri Henson and Terebratula carteroniana d’Orbigny) is unconformably
overlain by the presumably Upper Campanian basal beds of the Hadiena formation.

The base of the Chia Gara Formation includes prominent g phacoid or i bullion, beds, which provide
a constant and readily recognized field-marker throughout the exposed area of Kurdistan. In the
type section these phacoids (bread-loaf or tea-cake shaped lenses of concretionary origin) contain
ammonites in exceptional condition, preserved in almost pure bitumen (manjak).

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Rich ammonite faunas from these and other beds of the Chia Gara Formation in this and other
Kurdistan sections were studied and reported upon by L.F. Spath (unpublished reports) and a
detailed account of the ammonites of the Middle-Tithonian phacoid bed in the type section has been
published (Spath, 1950). Spath (1952) also discussed in brief the significance of some of the Berriasian
ammonites from the Chia Gara section. Ammonite determinations listed in the definition are culled
from Spath’s publications and unpublished reports.

The Chia Gara is rich in Radiolaria in some sections, (Naokelekan, Rania, etc.) and in the tipper
Tithonian part of the type section. Tintinnids are also represented, sometimes in important numbers,
in both the Berriasian and Tithonian parts of the formation, but these have not been studied in
sufficient detail for publication of findings.

In the western sections, including Chia Gara, the upper part of the formation shows a gradation
towards shallow-water, near-shore sedimentation, and Pseudocyclammina kelleri Henson and
associated cyclamminids are important elements in the fauna. P. kelleri was described from Awasil-5,
from limestones, which were mistakenly believed to be of Argovian-Callovian age (Henson, 1948). It
is now believed that this foraminifer is limited to rocks of Berriasian and very early Valanginian age
in northern Iraq.

The Chia Gara is not represented in any well section in Iraq other than Kirkuk-109. In this well a
radiolarian limestone, dolomite and shale sequence, some 440 ft (134.1 m) thick, was encountered above
anhydrites and thin-bedded limestones and shales, which are confidently correlated with the Barsarin
Formation. The radiolarian faunas equate with those of the lower part of the Chia Gara Formation
of Naokelekan, and indicate Tithonian age. The limestone-dolomite-shale sequence of the Chia Gara
is overlain, seemingly conformably, by over 600 m (1,968 ft) of monotonous calcareous mudstones,
without significant observed fauna, which are defined as the Karimia Mudstone Formation. This
formation is not known from other well sections or from outcrop. The Karimia Mudstone is overlain
unconformably, but without recognized angular discordance, by Berriasian Sarmord Formation, with
Spirocyclina sp. at the base, and with a higher Pseudocyclammina kelleri - Cyclammina fauna, identical with
that of the Upper Berriasian parts of the Chia Gara Formation.

The relationships of the three Berriasian-to-Tithonian units in the Kirkuk deep well indicate an
important pre-Berriasian or intra-Berriasian unconformity, despite the great thicknesses of bathyal
sediments which are represented. This unconformity expands westwards and northwestwards from
Kirkuk, however, so that west of the Tigris River, and north of Makhul, Hauterivian to Albian units
lie unconformably on eroded (pre-Kimmeridgian) Upper Jurassic to Bajocian units, there being thus
no equivalent for the Chia Gara Formation over this large area.

Southwestwards from Kirkuk, in Makhul wells, Mileh Tharthar-1, and Awasil-5, the post-unconformity
Berriasian of the Kirkuk well is represented in the calcareous Zangura Formation, and the combined
Karimia Mudstone and Chia Gara Formation have equivalents in the Makhul Formation. The Zangura
lies unconformably on the Makhul Formation in Makhul-2 and in Mileh Tharthar-1 (and possibly also
in the other two wells cited). The Berriasian-Tithonian or intra-Berriasian break is therefore of wide
distribution in the central and western parts of the region. In spite of the richly fossiliferous nature
of the exposed Chia Gara, it remains possible that its apparently continuous sediments may conceal,
within the Berriasian, a break corresponding to that known from the subsurface sections.

The thickness of the Chia Gara in the studied surface sections ranges from 30 m (98.4 ft) at Sirwan
to 232 m (761 ft) in the type section (perhaps as much as 290 m (951.2 ft) in the Geli Kurrek). The
true thickness of the Tithonian Chia Gara Formation in Kirkuk-109 is of the same order as in the
type section (133 m, 436.2 ft), but the total Berriasian-Tithonian thickness in this well exceeds 780 m
(2,558.4 ft).

The age of the base of the formation is not known, since the lowest 11 m (36.08 ft) in the type section
(and corresponding beds in nearby sections) have yielded no useful fossils. Spath (1950) argued for
a large gap in the succession somewhere between the base of the phacoid beds and the top of the
Naokelekan Formation which underlies the unfossiliferous Barsarin Formation, and which is of

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Lower Kimmeridgian age. The field evidence does not confirm or deny the existence of any such
large break.

Chia Zairi Limestone Formation: Upper Permian (Plate II)

Author: R. Wetzel (1950, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: North flank of the Ora fold, along Geli Khana, and over the mountain
to Ora in a north-south line. The top of the section lies 2.9 km north of Ora Police Post, at
about 37°18’07”N, 43°21’36”E, and the base at 1.3 km northwest of the Police Post, at about
37°17’15”N, 43°21’08”E. The type section is 811 m (2,660.1 ft).

Lithology: Upper unit of 318 m (1,043 ft): thin-bedded, dark blue limestones, dominantly of
organic-detrital type, with groups of harder, more massive, silicified, scarp-forming limestones.
Bands with chert nodules occur at several horizons. The upper 25 m (82 ft) are partly oolitic and
streaked with false-bedded wisps of sandstone. Stylolithic bedding planes occur all through
the succession. Middle unit of 61 m (200.1 ft) (Satina Evaporite Member) vacuolar dolomites with
solution and recrystallization breccias, and recrystallized marls with block-work; some thin bands
of microfossiliferous limestone at base. Lower unit of 432 m (1,641.6 ft) alternating thin-bedded,
dark blue, organic-detrital limestone and fine-grained, argillaceous, often nodular, dark blue
limestones, with groups of harder, massive, cliff-forming, silicified limestones. Coral bed in the
middle. Intercalations of black micaceous shale and marl occur in the lowest 25 m (82 ft).

Fossils: Upper unit: colonial corals, crinoids, Marginifera fauna, brachiopods, Halobia. sp.,
goniatites, Archaediscus spp., Problematina sp., Gymnocodium bellerophontis (Rothpletz), Mizzia
velebitana Schubert, Permocalculus compresses (Pia), P. digitatus Elliott, P. forcepinus (Johnson),
P. fragilis (Pia), P. plumosus Elliot, P. tenellus (Pia); (microfauna not studied). Middle unit
(Satina Evaporite Member): Epimastopora minima Elliott, (microfauna not studied). Lower
unit: corals, including Michelinia aff. syangensis Reed, M. spp.., Polythecalis sp., etc.; crinoids,
brachiopods, goniatites; Reticularia indica Waagen, Cribrogenerina sp., Geinitzia sp., Archaediscus
sp., Polydiexodina sp., textularids, trochamminids, lagenids, etc.; Fenestella sp., Fistulipora sp.;
Anthracoporella sp., Diplopora spp., Epimastopora sp., Gymnocodium bellerophontis (Rothpletz),
Macroporella sp., Mizzia velebitana Schubert, Permocalculus compresses (Pia), P. fragilis (Pia), P.
solidus (Pia), P. tenellus (Pia), etc.; Engoniolina johnsoni Endo; (microfauna not studied).

Age: Permian.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Harur Limestone Formation (Lower

Carboniferous); unconformable but without detectable angular discordance, at the top of
ferruginous crystalline limestone, 2 m (6.6 ft) thick, and at the base of soft grey marl bed, 3 m
(9.8 ft) thick, with red and ochreous, ferruginous intercalations.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Mirga Mir Formation; with rather rapidly
gradational and conformable contact, at the base of a succession of thin-bedded, soft limestones
and marls.

Other localities: Jebel Satina, northeast of Ora; Harur, near Chalki (Khabour Valley); Chia-i-Zinnar,
2 km northeast of Kaista, near Chalki; other localities in the vicinity of the Khabour River, north of
Chalki; Av-i-Massis and Geli Sinat areas, north and northwest of Shiranish; and Atshan-1.

Remarks: The Chia Zairi Formation is defined to include the sequence of neritic limestones which
was introduced by Permian transgression over an eroded surface of Lower Carboniferous rocks, and
which ended with the progressive restriction of the sea in earliest Triassic times.

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The formation comprises generally shallow-water sediments throughout, indicating that deposition
proceeded more or less in pace with the considerable subsidence of Upper Permian times. However,
in the type area and also at Harur, 16 km west of Ora, temporary relict sea conditions were established,
permitting deposition of inorganic dolomites, together with anhydrites which are believed to have
constituted an important part of the Satina Evaporite Member, which lies within the formation. Some
thin sandstones occur near the base of this member in the Harur area.

Correlations of thickness between Harur and the type section are as follow:

Upper unit: 296 m (971 ft) at Harur, 318 m (1,043 ft) at Ora. Later named the Darari formation by
R.G.S. Hudson (1958)
Satina Member: 77 m (252.6 ft) at Harur, 61 m (200.1) at Ora.
Lower unit: 387 m (1,269.4 ft) at Harur, 432 m (1,417 ft) at Ora. Later named the Zinnar formation by
R.G.S. Hudson (1958)

There is no apparent angular unconformity between the Chia Zairi; and the underlying Harur
Formation, in any studied section. The very considerable hiatus (Variscan break) between these
formations is evidenced by the marked age difference shown by the faunas. At Ora, the top of the
Harur Limestone is marked by ferruginous crusts, sporadic haematitization and sporadic sandstones.
At Kaista, the basal Chia Zairi follows upon a pitted, ferruginous-coated limestone surface at the top
of the Harur.

There is a fairly abrupt lithological junction of the Chia Zairi Formation with the overlying, marly,
chemical sediments of the Triassic (Mirga Mir Formation). But the upper beds of the Chia Zairi,
though retaining the general characteristics of the formation, contain oolitic bands and false-bedded
wisps of sandstone, indicating progressive shallowing. The evidences of shallowing are shown best
in the Harur section at Darari (approximately 37°16’20”N, 43°15’48”E).

The Triassic/Permian contact has been taken to correspond with the lithological boundary between
a succession of soft, thin-bedded, grey and yellowish limestones and marls of the Mirga Mir (above),
and the highest, dark blue limestones of the Chia Zairi (below). This horizon may transgress across
the time-plane over a wide area, but in the field it adequately separates these clearly distinguishable,
mappable formations.

The uppermost beds of the Chia Zairi Formation yield a macrofauna, not yet fully investigated, which
contains Triassic elements (Marginifera fauna of R.G.S. Hudson, unpublished reports), suggesting
faunal intergradation from Permian to Triassic times. Coral-algal-brachiopod-crinoid reef-facies
prevail intermittently in the lower part of the formation. The initiation of conditions favoring
chemical precipitation, manifested in the Satina evaporites, may have been due to lagoon formation
due to reef growth.

The top of the formation is fractured locally, and mineralized with calcite, with azurite and malachite
staining.

Direct correlation of the Chia Zairi Limestone with the type Permian of the Urals is not possible
on the basis of the coral-brachiopod faunas, which differ greatly in the two areas. Polydiexodina is
a zone-fossil of the Upper Permian Capitan reef of Texas, but this genus is believed not to occur in
the Urals. Approximate correlatives of the Chia Zairi Limestone, in similar facies, are recorded from
Persia, Afghanistan, Armenia, etc., and from southeast Turkey (Tasman, 1949). According to R.G.S.
Hudson (unpublished reports), the coral fauna of the lower unit of the formation (obtained from
close to the base) is closely comparable with Yangsinian (Middle-Permian) faunas of China, and the
coral-brachiopod faunas in general indicate that the Chia Zairi as a whole is broadly equivalent to the
Middle and Upper Productus Limestones of the Salt Range. The algal floras, described by G.F. Elliot
(1955a, etc.), were considered to be indicative of Upper Permian age for the whole formation.

For later discussion of age see Hudson (1958).

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clastics (unnamed): Jurassic of Mileh Tharthar-1. (Liassic)

Variegated and mottled green, red and purple shales, with associated siltstones and haematitic
sandstones, which occur as an intercalation within the upper part of the Liassic Butmah Formation
in Mileh Tharthar-1, require recognition as a separate unit. They are not defined at present, since
little is known of their lateral relationships. Very similar variegated clastics occur in the deep test well
Burgan-113 of Kuwait, over a range of more than 500 ft (152.4 m) of section. As in Mileh Tharthar, these
clastics appear to lie within the Liassic, though they have been assigned tentatively to the Triassic by
Owen and Nasr (1958). It is possible that these un-named clastics are correlative and connected with
those which make up the Suwei formation of Qatar, etc. (Sugden, 1958, MS). See Butmah Formation.
[H.V. Dunnington]

coal horizon: Jurassic (?Callovian-Oxfordian)

This informal designation has been applied for many years to the intensely bituminous, thin-bedded
limestones and dolomites, which constitute the lowest subdivision of the currently recognized
Naokelekan Formation. The “coal horizon” has been exploited locally by quarrying, etc., to provide
fuel supplies for communities dwelling near to outcrops at Shiranish, and elsewhere in the fold-
mountain zone of northern Iraq. See Naokelekan Formation. [R. Wetzel]

conglomeratic stage: Pliocene

Obsolete term, introduced by Pascoe (1922). See Upper and Lower Bakhtiari formations. [R.C. van
Bellen]

Cosinella zone: Cretaceous (Upper Campanian)

Informal name applied to the middle of three subdivisions of the Upper Campanian-?Lower
Maastrichtian Bekhme Limestone Formation of northern Iraq. See Bekhme Limestone. [R. Wetzel]

couches de Dj. Atchan: Eocene (“middle” and “upper” Eocene)

Obsolete term, introduced by Nicolesco (1933). See Avanah Limestone Formation and Jaddala
Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Cretaceous shale series: Cretaceous-Eocene (Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian)

(include Palaeocene-Lower Eocene)

Obsolete term in Noble (1927). The name was applied by Noble to the shales, marls, marly limestones
and flysch-like calcareous clastics occurring above the “Mountain limestone” (Qamchuqa Limestone,
locally with superimposed Bekhme and Aqra limestones, etc.) and below the Eocene limestones. In
the current rock unit classification the Cretaceous portion of these sediments, is included within
the Shiranish and Tanjero clastic formations. The upper part of the series as differentiated by Noble
comprises the Palaeocene-Lower Eocene Kolosh clastics Formation of the current nomenclature. See
Shiranish Formation, Tanjero Clastic Formation, etc. [H.V. Dunnington]

Crioceras zone: Cretaceous (?Upper Valanginian)

Lower of three palaeontologically differentiated subdivisions of the Hauterivian-Valanginian portion

of the Balambo Formation of northeastern Iraq. See Balambo Formation. [R. Wetzel]

Cyrenia beds: Jurassic (Lower Liassic)

Informal name, applied in unpublished reports, etc., to the lower part of the Sarki Formation of
the exposed areas of northern Iraq, where this is fossiliferous, with Eomiodon spp., etc. See Sarki
Formation. [R. Wetzel]
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Cythereis Bahraini limestone: Cretaceous (Cenomanian)

See Ahmadi Formation.

Dair Member, Cretaceous (Albian)

See Nahr Umr Formation.

Dammam Formation: Eocene

(?high Lower, Middle Eocene and ? Upper Eocene) (Plate VI)

Author: Sander (1952) [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: Damman Formation (Mitchell, 1956); Dammam formation (Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Type locality and section: The type locality of this formation can be found in Saudi Arabia at
26°17’.3N, 50°07’.E. A supplementary type section in Zubair-3 has been chosen by Owen and Nasr
(1958) from the Basrah area.

Location and Thickness: Zubair-3; the formation occurs between drilled depths 1,935–2,673 ft
(589.9–814.9 m), and is 738 ft (225 m) thick.

Lithology: Whitish grey porous dolomitized limestone. These limestones are sometimes
chalky. At or near the base of the drilled sections a persistent grey-green waxy shale body is
encountered. (after Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Fossils: Badly preserved Lockhartia hunti Ovey var. pustulosa Smout and Nummulites discorbinus
(Schlotheim).

Age: Middle Eocene; absence of Upper Eocene has not been proved in the area under
consideration. Such absence has been proved in Saudi Arabia (Sander, 1952). The possibility
that, at surface, the base of the formation is high Lower Eocene cannot be excluded.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The Rus Formation underlies the Dammam
Formation, possibly unconformably, see Remarks on the Rus Formation.

Overlying formation and details of contact: The Ghar Formation overlies the Dammam
Formation unconformably, the former being of Miocene age, the latter Eocene.

Other localities: The formation occurs at surface in southwestern Iraq and in all deep wells drilled
in southern Iraq. It outcrops in a northwest-southeast belt of 125 km average width, between the
outcrop area of the Umm er Radhuma Formation to the southwest and that of the Dibdibba and Fars
formations to the east and northeast.

Remarks: The formation as now understood was originally subdivided into ten informal field units
(G.H. Ashley et al., 1939, rule 16) for mapping purposes by H. Huber and R.M. Ramsden (unpublished
reports, 1944-1945).

The informal units had no status as formations or even as members (and still have no such status). But
it is convenient to stipulate type localities for each of them, as follows (in descending stratigraphical
order):

Tuqaiyid beds: type locality about 5.6 miles (9 km) west of Tuqaiyid water well on the Tuqaiyid
scarp.
Ghanimi beds: type locality east of triangulation point C. 26 near Khashm ad Duda on the At
Traq’ scarp.

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Barbak beds: type locality in prominent hills at Barbak ad Diud in the southeastern part of the
Galaib area.
Rudhuma beds: type locality in the cliff to the northwest of Chabd west of Abu Rudhuma.
Chabd beds: type locality at the north end of the Chabd “structure”.
Shawiya beds: type locality in a small stream course, north-northwest of triangulation point S.
2, north of the Shawiya Depression. R.G.S. Hudson describes in an unpublished report (1951)
from this formation oyster agglomerates with Meretrix (Cordiopsis) incrassata Sowerby, Ostrea
(Pycnodonta) brongniarti Bronn., cf. Ostrea multicostata Deshayes.
Huweimi beds: type locality 4.3 miles (7 km) along the Nukhaib track west of the Shabicha
police post.
Shabicha beds: type locality as for Huweimi beds.
Sharaf beds: type locality northeast of the Jil water wells along the track leading to Sulman.
Wagsa beds: type locality about 3.1 miles (5 km) north of the Wagsa water wells. These informal
units generally stand out as scarps in the terrain in an ascending sequence towards the east,
and with an overall north-northwest-south-southeast trend. There are minor irregularities in
this pattern due to the existence of local topographical depressions (see below), where younger
rocks have escaped erosion and thus occur in anomalous positions.

Subsequently, a number of these informal units were combined by R.M. Ramsden and C.A. Andre
(1953, unpublished report) so that four informal units were left, as follows:

Tuqaiyid/Ghanimi/Barbak/Radhuma unit consisting of bryozoan-peneroplid limestones and

shelf limestones, with a rich fauna containing Coskinolina balsillei Davies, Dictyoconus kohaticus
Davies, Opertorbitolites douvillei Nuttall, Orbitolites complanatus Lamarck, Peneroplis damesini
Henson, Peneroplis dusenburyi Henson, Praerhapidionina huberi Henson, Rhapidionina urensis
Henson, Rhapidionina urensis Henson var. minima Henson, Rhipidionina williamsoni Henson,
Somalina danieli Henson var., Spirolina cylindracea Lamarck.

Chabd/Shawiya/Huweimi (nummulitic) unit consisting of nummulitic limestone with Alveolina

elliptica (Sowerby), Dictyoconus kohaticus Davies, Halkyardia minima (Liebus), Nummulites
discorbinus (Schlotheim), Nummulites gizehensis (Forskal), Orbitolites complanatus Lamarck,
Peneroplis dusenburyi Henson, Rhapidionina urensis Henson, Rhapidionina urensis Henson var.
minima Henson, Somalina danieli Henson.

Huweimi (chalk)/Shabicha/Sharaf unit, which shows chalks alternating with chalky limestones.
The latter contains badly preserved lamellibranchs. The former are white or pinkish and have
a fresh-water appearance.

Wagsa unit, which is a chalky, moderately fossiliferous limestone, with Operculina libyca
Schwager occurring as a prominent fossil.

As mentioned above, these units have been recognized in the field. They can not be differentiated in
any of the wells further towards the east. In that direction the entire Dammam Formation disappears
under younger beds. In the well sections nummulitic limestone forms the base of the Dammam
Formation. Hence no direct correlative can be recognized for the ?Lower Eocene Operculina libyca
beds of the Wagsa unit of the outcrops. The reader is referred to the remarks on the Rus Formation for
further discussion of this problem.

The formation as a whole is markedly cavernous, probably owing to the prolonged solution activity
during the regressional period between Eocene and Miocene (Ghar Formation). These caverns are
considered to be responsible to a large extent for the numerous depressions and pseudo-structures
found in the area.

Mitchell (1956) spells the name of this formation incorrectly, in his mention of the Damman
Formation. His terme de Radhuma is not the equivalent of the Umm er Radhuma Formation, which is
of Palaeocene and Lower Eocene age, but of the abovementioned Rudhuma unit, one of the informal
subdivisions of the Dammam Formation, which is of Middle Eocene age.

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Damman formation: Eocene (?Lower Eocene-Middle Eocene-?Upper Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see Dammam Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Darari formation: Permian

See Chia Zairi Limestone Formation.

delicata zone: Oligocene (“middle” Oligocene)

In van Bellen (1956). The older zone of the Bajawan Limestone Formation, distinguished by the
absence of Archaias kirkukensis Henson. The name-giving fossil is Praerhapidionina delicata Henson,
which, however, also occurs in the younger kirkukensis zone. Additional fauna comprises Austrotrillina
howchini (Schlumberger), Peneroplis evolutus Henson, Peneroplis thomasi Henson and numerous
undetermined miliolids. See van Bellen (1956). [R.C. van Bellen]

Dendrophyllum zone: Oligocene (“lower” Oligocene)

In van Bellen (1956), see Subterraniphyllum zone. [R.C. van Bellen]

Dhiban Anhydrite Formation: Miocene (“lower” Miocene) (Plate VI)

Author: F.R.S. Henson (1940, unpublished report). Emended by R.C. van Bellen (1957, unpublished
report). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Near Umm ad Dhiban, 4,590 ft (1,400 m) east of a ruined caracol, at
36°16’25”N, 41°21’32”. The section is 235.6 ft (72 m) thick.

Lithology: 139 ft (42.5 m) of gypsum, overlying 1.6 ft (0.5 m) of brecciated and recrystallized
limestone. This in its turn rests on 85 ft (26 m) of gypsum and thin bands of creamy marl, which
overlies a basal unit of 10 ft (3 m) of gypsum.

Fossils: None.

Age: A “lower” Miocene age is indicated for this formation, as it occurs between the Euphrates
Limestone Formation and the Jeribe Limestone Formation, both of “lower” Miocene age. In
none of these cases is strict correlation with the European Lower Miocene implied.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The underlying formation in the type locality
is unknown, but in the immediate neighborhood the Dhiban is underlain by the Serikagni
Formation, which is the lateral and seaward equivalent of the Euphrates Limestone Formation.
The contact is conformable, as interfingering takes place between the Dhiban Anhydrite
Formation and the Euphrates Limestone elsewhere. The contact between the Serikagni
Formation and the Dhiban is generally somewhat sharper but there is no evidence for an
unconformity at this boundary.

Overlying formation and details of contact: The overlying formation is the Jeribe Limestone
Formation. The contact between the two formations appears to vary a good deal and is more
fully discussed in the Remarks. In all cases, however, it seems that the contact can be considered
to be unconformable.

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Other localities: In wells and outcrops in northern Iraq. Southern Iraq shows no equivalent of this
formation in anhydritic facies.

Remarks: The Dhiban Anhydrite Formation is probably represented by a featureless (?chemical)

limestone in some areas, as in wells on the Jawan, Najmah, Qasab and Qaiyarah structures. In
rare cases the formation is absent altogether, as in Abu Jir-1, Awasil-1, Gusair-1, Hit-1, and Mileh
Tharthar-1. In such cases the base of the overlying formation, the Jeribe Limestone, is slightly sub-
conglomeratic, marking the unconformity which is considered to be present between the Dhiban
Anhydrite Formation and the Jeribe Limestone Formation. The top of the underlying Euphrates
Limestone may also be conglomeratic.

In some cases, however, anhydrite was being deposited in alternation with thin limestones in
residual depressions, whilst sedimentation of Jeribe Limestone Formation went on in surrounding
areas. In such instances the Dhiban Anhydrite Formation may appear to interfinger not only with the
Euphrates Limestone Formation but also with the Jeribe Limestone Formation. The contact between
Dhiban below and the anhydrites with thin limestones above must be determined from consideration
of the contained limestones.

For further details about this formation and its relationships to the Euphrates Limestone Formation
and the Jeribe Limestone Formation, the remarks appended to the definitions of these two units
should be consulted. It is possible that the Dhiban Anhydrite Formation can be correlated directly
with the Kalhur gypsum (Elder, 1958). Both occur below limestones with Borelis melo (Fichtel and
Moll) var. curdica Reichel.

Dibdibba beds: Miocene-Pliocene-Pleistocene

(“upper” Miocene-Pliocene-Pleistocene)

Term used by Macfadyen (1938), see Dibdibba Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Dibdibba Formation: Miocene-Pliocene-Pleistocene

(“upper” Miocene-Pliocene-Pleistocene) (Plate VI)

Authors: Macfadyen (1938) as Dibdibba beds. Emended by Owen and Nasr (1958).

Synonymy: Dibdibba beds (Macfadyen 1938). [R.C. van Bellen]

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Macfadyen mentions Birjisiya at 30°22’N, 47°38’E; but since the
time of his account the thickness of the material exposed in a hand-dug water well has been
exceeded by far in nearby Zubair, where numerous BPC wells have penetrated over 1,000 ft
(305 m). Owen and Nasr do not specify a type locality but merely mention presence of this
formation at surface and in all drilled wells on the Dibdibba plain. The formation is up to 1,160
ft (354 m) thick in the northernmost wells of the Zubair oilfield.

Lithology: “Mainly sand and gravel of igneous rocks, including pink granite, various liver-
coloured and slate-grey intrusives, dolerites, etc., and white quartz pebbles. Not infrequently
the rock is cemented to a hard grit” (after Macfadyen).

Fossils: None.

Age: This formation probably ranges from “upper” Miocene through Pliocene to low
Pleistocene, but no fossil evidence has been produced to support or add precision to this age
range.

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Underlying formation and details of contact: The Lower Fars Formation underlies this
formation conformably and the contact is gradational. Upper Fars has not been recognized in
the subsurface sections of southern Iraq, where equivalents are probably included within the
lower parts of the Dibdibba Formation.

Overlying formation and details of contact: The formation is older than the subrecent and
recent terrace- and residual gravels, which it underlies unconformably.

Other localities: The formation occurs at surface in extensive areas of southern Iraq dipping gently
under alluvium in the northeast. In wells it attains great thickness.

Remarks: The formation thickness decreases towards the west, from the 1,160 ft (354 m) measured in
the northernmost wells of the Zubair oilfield to some 500 ft (153 m) in the Rumaila oilfield. Further
west it disappears completely. Thinning takes also place towards the south were only 700 ft (213 m)
occur in the southern wells of the Zubair oilfield.

It is considered likely that the formation is the equivalent of the Upper Fars Formation and the
Lower and Upper Bakhtiari formations in northern Iraq. The position of the Middle Fars Formation
as regards this problem is not understood at present. Palaeogeographical considerations make it
unlikely that this unit, which is a marine in northern Iraq, should be represented as a continental
formation (which the Dibdibba is) in the southern area.

Dibs Anhydrite Member: (of the Pilsener Limestone Formation)

Cretaceous (Upper Senonian) (Plate III)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953; unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Makhul-1, the member occurs between drilled depths 1,692–1,816 ft
(515.9–553.7 m), and is 124 ft (37.8 m) thick. The geographical name is taken from Ain Dibs, the
spring situated some 3 km northwest of the well location, from which is named also the village
and railway-halt on the Baghdad-Mosul Branch of the Iraq State Railways.

Lithology: Fluffy-textured and finely crystalline, chemical-type limestones, with abundant

anhydrite nodules, alternating with bedded, primary anhydrites (limestone and anhydrite
about equal in volume in the preserved samples), with very subordinate dolomitic limestone
intercalations.

Fossils: A single ?Valvulammina, and indeterminate trochamminids at 1,703-1,718 ft (519.2-

523.8 m) (part). Vestiges of small gastropods in limestone intercalations (rare, obscure).

Age: Upper Campanian or Lower Maastrichtian, from position in the sequence.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Mushak Oolite Member of the Pilsener
Limestone Formation; contact gradational, conformable.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Pilsener Limestone Formation; contact gradational,
probably by alternation, diagenetically obscured, presumed conformable.

Other localities: None known.

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Remarks: The Dibs Member is defined to include the alternations of chemical-type limestones
and anhydrites, which intervene in Makhul-1 between the Mushak Oolite Member of the Pilsener
Limestone Formation and the upper portion of the Pilsener Limestone proper, deposition of which
followed the cessation of evaporitic-lagoonal sedimentation in the Makhul area.

The upper limit is placed atop the highest bedded anhydrite: there is rapid gradation from this point
upwards into dolomitized and recrystallized limestones, which carry vestiges of neritic macrofauna
(rudist traces, Bryozoa, etc.).

The lower boundary is set at the highest appearance of well formed ooliths, but there is gradation
between the Mushak and Dibs members, limestones in the base of the latter showing pseudo-oolitic
and fluffy textures and vestiges of original oolitic structures. The Mushak Oolite Member contains
a banal and rare textularid - miliolid - trochamminid fauna throughout, and rudist detritus sands
are associated. The Dibs Anhydrite Member shows only small gastropod vestiges and the isolated
Valvulammina-trochamminids faunule found in one sample within the depth range 1,703-1,718 ft
(519.2-523.8 m).

The Dibs Anhydrite and the underlying Mushak Oolite demonstrate the occurrence of lagoonal
conditions at Makhul (only) during the time when normal marine-neritic Pilsener Limestone was
being deposited in surrounding sections, though the restricted fauna marls of the Jib’ab may be the
time-equivalent formation in Anah-1. Since the underlying Mushak Oolite contains beds almost
wholly comprised of rolled rudist detritus, it is considered probable that the water restriction, which
favored evaporite deposition was occasioned by development of a reef or reef-shoal to the north or
west of or surrounding Makhul-1. The possibilities that the barrier condition imposed on circulation
was due to land encirclement, or tectonic uplifts, encouraging reef development in localized but
unknown areas around Makhul, are also apparent. The size of the area of deposition of the Dibs-
Mushak (lagoonal) members remains conjectural, but both units have very real individualities in the
type section.

Subordinate anhydrites within the Pilsener Formation of Awasil area wells and/or in the Jib’ab Marl
Formation of Anah may indicate partial enclosure of these areas, contemporaneous with the more
effective isolation in Makhul, which resulted in deposition of the thick Dibs Anhydrite Member.

Digma Formation: Cretaceous (Upper Senonian)

(not indicated on Plates II or III)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Anah-1; the formation occurs between drilled depths 2,104–2,238 +
20 ft (641.5–682.3 m), and is 134 + 20 ft (40.9 m) thick. The formation name is taken from the
Village of Digma, on the north bank of the Euphrates River (opposite the pumping station for
the T.1 water pipeline), and situated a little less than 9 km northwest of Anah-1.

Lithology: Locally phosphatic-glauconitic and locally silicified marls.

Fossils: Corax pristadontus Agassiz (fide A. Kelley); Lamna cf. appendiculata Agassiz (fide A.
Kelley); ostreid debris; Globotruncana stuarti (de Lapparent); G. lapparenti bulloides Vogler;
G. lapparenti subspp.; Globigerina cretacea d’Orbigny; Gumbelina globulosa (Ehrenberg); G.
spp. indet.; Uvigerina sp.; Bulimina sp.; Vaginulina plummerae (Cushman); V. spp. indet.;
Siphogenerinoides sp. nov. Dunnington (in preparation); abundant Nodosaria spp.; cristellarids,
etc.; locally abundant ostracods.

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Age: Maastrichtian.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Pilsener Limestone, contact obscure due to poor
sample recovery, but probably gradational.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Aaliji Formation, contact obscure due to poor
sample recovery, believed erosional.

Other localities: None known.

Remarks: The Digma Formation, in its type and only known locality, comprises a calcareous marl
sequence, locally intensely phosphatic and glauconitic, with very abundant microforaminiferal
faunules, very largely made up of very small numbers of species. Although the actual contact
with the underlying Pilsener Formation is not seen in samples, and the two formations are in
sharp contrast, the upper part of the Pilsener is glauconitic, suggesting transition towards “Digma
Formation” conditions, and implying a gradational contact between the Digma marl and the Pilsener
Limestone.

The fauna is too specialized and too poor in recognized age-indicators to permit any very close
evaluation of age. It is considered to be Maastrichtian, since it overlies Pilsener Limestone with
Lepidorbitoides minor (Schlumberger), Orbitoides apiculata Schlumberger, etc., (probably the Pilsener
is somewhat younger at its top than in the eroded remnant found in the Awasil area). The poor
planktonic fauna of the Digma Formation, even at its represented top, is not a very late Maastrichtian
fauna, however, and it is probable that the uppermost Maastrichtian is absent.

There is a 30 foot sample-void, separating the Digma Formation from the overlying (Palaeocene) Aaliji
Formation, and it is possible, in view of the nature of the sediments, that a continuous, condensed,
phosphatic marl passage, from mid-Maastrichtian to early Palaeocene, may be represented in this
break in sample representation, particularly as the Anah well shows evidence of long continued
subsidence through Upper Cretaceous and Lower Tertiary time. However, in view of the evidence
from the Awasil-Nafatah area, and from the region as a whole, of post-Maastrichtian and pre-
Palaeocene regression, emergence and erosion, a terminal break is postulated in the definition.

The formation bears a marked superficial resemblance in parts to the “Bulimina beds” of the lower
Campanian-Lower Senonian Soukhne formation (unpublished) of Syria. Local concentrations of
Bulimina sp., excluding all other microfossils, are closely matched in this Syrian formation, though the
other represented species are different in these similar sediments of different ages. Siphogenerinoides
sp. nov. (in preparation) occurs in similar profusion in some limited parts of the formation, whilst in
other samples Vaginulina spp., or Nodosaria spp. are extremely common, and other microfossils are
rare. The environmental conditions favoring these local super abundances of individuals of certain
foraminiferal species appear to be related frequently to those favoring deposition of glauconitic-
phosphatic marls of this type, regardless of age of the sediments involved.

Dohuk formation: Upper Cretaceous-Eocene (Maastrichtian-”middle” Eocene)

This term was originally applied (F.R.S. Henson, unpublished report) to the composite clastic section
in Kurdistan, which intervenes between dominantly limestone sections of the overlying Tertiaries
and underlying Cretaceous. Used in a published report (Anon., 1955). Now subdivided into Gercüs
Formation, Kolosh Formation and Tanjero Formation (q.v.). [R.C. van Bellen]

Dokan Limestone Formation: Cretaceous (Cenomanian) (Plate III)

Author: P.F.F. Lancaster Jones (undated unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: lower Shiranish limestone (Anon., 1955)

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Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Dokan Dam, Sulaimaniya Liwa, northeast Iraq (36°N, 45°E). The
section examined in detail was in the excavation for the Bellmouth Spillway shaft, its co-
ordinates on the site grid being 768,510N, 660,670E. This exposure, together with others
examined during excavation, is now concealed behind concrete, but the formation can still be
seen immediately below the Gulneri Shale (q.v.) in the Right Bank tunnel and on the sides of
the gorge downstream of the dam. The section is 3.75 m (12.3 ft).

Lithology: Light grey or white, white-weathering oligosteginal limestones. Locally rubbly,

with glauconitic coatings of constituent pebble-like masses. Locally worm-riddled.

Fossils: “Oligostegina”, in great abundance. Acanthoceras sp., Mantelliceras sp., Calycoceras sp.,
gastropoda indet. Rotalipora appenninica Renz, Thalmanninella sp., ?Ticinella sp., Anomalina sp.,
arcuate skeletal elements cf. Paleotrix.

Age: Cenomanian, possibly Upper (but not uppermost) or Middle.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Qamchuqa Limestone; contact an erosional

unconformity, attested by small but definite differences in dip, particularly round the perimeter
of the Bellmouth Shaft.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Gulneri Shale; contact an erosional unconformity,
attested by abrupt lithological change, by brecciation of the upper part of the Dokan and
infiltration or intrusion of black shale into crevices below the contact, by microconglomeratic
nature of the basal part of the shale, which includes phosphatized microfossils and micropebbles
derived from the Dokan Limestone, and by solution effects seen on the surface of the formation
after removal of the shale during dam construction.

Other localities: Surface exposures at and in the vicinity of Dokan, and along the southwest flank of
the Surdash and Pir-i-Mugurun anticlines. Also in Kirkuk-116.

Remarks: This unit was formerly included within and as the basal part of the Kometan Formation,
which it closely resembles in lithology, weathering characteristics, etc. The black bituminous shale,
which intervenes in the Dokan area between the Kometan limestone Formation and the Dokan
Limestone Formation as now defined, is sporadic in its distribution at outcrop, and very thin when
seen.

Since it is now known that the black bituminous shale unit (now defined as the Gulneri Shale
Formation) is bounded at both top and bottom by erosional unconformities, of which the lower is
known to embrace the time interval corresponding to the earliest Turonian and latest Cenomanian, it
is no longer permissible to include the two white - weathering oligosteginal - globigerinal limestones
within the same unit.

The Dokan Limestone comprises the sediments of an intra-Cenomanian transgression, and follows
upon an eroded surface, which was dictated by post-Albian or late-Albian regression. It is followed
by the Gulneri Shale, which contains the sediments of a later (early but probably not earliest Turonian)
transgression, following a second probably intra-Cenomanian regression. The Kometan comprises
the sediments of a Turonian transgression following a very early Turonian emergence.

No nomenclatural difficulties arise in areas where the unconformities bounding the units are
recognizable. If in some areas the Gulneri is unconformably overlain by the Kometan, or the Dokan
is conformably overlain by the Gulneri, the relationships can be reflected in the naming by referring
to the Kometan/Gulneri formations or to the Gulneri/Dokan formations. Complications do arise
as the three units are followed eastwards into the region of continuous basinal sedimentation. Here
the Kometan, Gulneri and Dokan formations are all represented by contemporaneous sediments,

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in somewhat similar facies, which are included within the Lower Cretaceous to Turonian Balambo
Formation. In order to avoid confusion the Dokan, Gulneri and Kometan formations are recognized
only in the areas in which the limiting unconformities are present. This practice places the arbitrary
lateral cut-off in territory which is largely obscured, and no practical difficulties are likely to result
from this expedient solution of the nomenclatural problem.

Although the Dokan Limestone is thin in its type locality it is an important unit in this area, where
its distribution has bearing on the dam building problems. The Dokan and overlying Gulneri pinch
out, between the limiting unconformities, towards the north and northwest from the type localities,
but the unit are not purely local formations, since both have now been identified in a deep test well
on the Avanah Dome of the Kirkuk structure, where thicknesses are considerably greater than in the
Gulneri-Dokan area.

“dolomitic limestone”: Oligocene (“upper” Oligocene)

In de Boeckh et al. (1929). Obsolete, term; see Anah Limestone Formation, Azkand Limestone
Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Duvalia zone: Cretaceous (Hauterivian)

Upper of three palaeontologically differentiated subdivisions of the Hauterivian/Valanginian portion

of the Balambo Formation of northeastern Iraq. See Balambo Formation. [R. Wetzel]

Euphrate (calcaire de l’.): Oligocene-Miocene (Oligocene-”lower” Miocene)

See calcaire de l’Euphrate. [R.C. van Bellen]

Euphrate (série de l’...): Miocene (“lower” Miocene)

See série de l’Euphrate. [R.C. van Bellen]

Euphrates Limestone Formation: Miocene («lower» Miocene) (Plate VI)

Author: in part (de Boeckh et al., 1929), emended R.C. van Bellen (1957, unpublished report). [R.C.
van Bellen]

Synonymy: Asmari (Noble, 1926); Euphrates limestone (Noble, 1926); Kara Tchauq Dagh series
(Nicolesco, 1933); strates de Kara Tchauq Dagh (Nicolesco, 1933); Asmari, in part (Nicolesco, 1933);
série de l’Euphrate, in part (Nicolesco, 1933); calcaire de l’Euphrate, in part (Nicolesco, 1933); série
d’Asmari, in part (Macovei, 1938); calcaire de l’Euphrate, in part (Macovei, 1938); série de l’Euphrate,
in part (Mitchell, 1956).

Type locality and section

Location and Thickness: Near Wadi Fuhaimi, at 34°15’58”N, 42°08’09”E; the section is 26 ft (8
m) thick, and somewhat eroded.

Lithology: Shelly, chalky, well-bedded, recrystallized limestone.

Fossils: Dendritina sp., Rotalia beccarii Linn., miliolids, gastropods, lamellibranchs, rare Bryozoa
(Cellepora sp.). Mostly badly preserved and indeterminable.

Age: Although no indices have been found, interfingering of this formation with the Serikagni
Formation and its position above the well-defined Oligocene-Miocene unconformity strongly
suggest a “lower” Miocene age.

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Underlying formation and details of contact: Anah Limestone underlies this unit. Presence of
a thick conglomerate between these two formations indicates an erosional unconformity.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Euphrates Limestone is covered by Jeribe

Limestone Formation, which occurs in small hillocks surrounding the type area itself.

Other localities: In numerous wells and at outcrop in northern Iraq. In southern Iraq, where this
formation occurs at surface, the facies is slightly different, as it contains sand. The formation has not
yet been recognized in wells in southern Iraq, although equivalents of it may well be present. The
interpretation of the position of this unit in relation to similar limestones in the Lower Fars Formation,
the Ghar Formation and the Zahra Formation, in this southern area is not yet properly understood.
Reference is made here to the Remarks given for the Ghar Formation.

Remarks: The development of the formation at its type locality is not entirely representative, largely
because of strong recrystallization and dolomitization, which masks effectively most of the original
characteristics. There cannot be any doubt that the formation is of lagoonal facies. But it varies
markedly in lithology within the limitations of such facies.

There is abundant evidence that the base of the Euphrates Limestone interfingers with the Serikagni
Formation, by which it is entirely replaced, laterally, towards the centre of the depositional area. There
is equally abundant proof that the top of the formation interfingers with the Dhiban Anhydrite.

The lower contact of the Euphrates Limestone is invariably an erosional one where it is not covering
Serikagni Formation. In Wadi Haglan, for instance, a conglomerate of varying thickness occurs
between the Anah Limestone and the Euphrates.

In some areas a thin anhydrite occurs between the Euphrates Limestone and underlying offshore
Oligocene. It is possible that this thin anhydrite is the equivalent of the Kalhur gypsum (anhydrite)
as known from the Naft Khaneh area and regions in Iran (Elder, 1958). In Iraq this thin anhydrite
does not seem to have any regular distribution. From north to south it is found in Ibrahim-1, Qasab-
2, Qasab-3 and Qasab-5a; wells on the Najmah structure, Sadid-1 and Khanuqah-1, in wells on the
Jambur structure and in wells near Naft Khaneh and Chia Surkh. Perhaps its distribution is related
to position on rising structures. There is in fact a strong suggestion that Euphrates Limestone was
deposited over the crests of existing or rising highs whilst anhydrite (the above thin anhydrite) was
deposited in the neighboring lows and on the flanks. The distribution of thicknesses of Euphrates
Limestone in a number of wells on some anticlines indicates that rising structures existed at the time
of deposition.

Similar situations have been described from elsewhere, e.g. by Hollingworth (Pros. Geol. Ass., liii,
prt. 3, 4, 1942) from the Permo-Triassic of northern England, and by Krumbein and Sloss from the
Devonian of Montana (Stratigraphy and Sedimentation, p. 294, fig. 10-3).

The upper contact of the Euphrates Limestone is normally marked by the Dhiban Anhydrite. Here
again, there are indications that crestal wells show either less anhydrite or no anhydrite at all. This
again may be explained in the way outlined above. Where the Dhiban Anhydrite is absent, Jeribe
Limestone rests directly on Euphrates Limestone. The contact in such case is subconglomeratic.

Palaeogeographically the relationships between Euphrates Limestone, Serikagni Formation and

Dhiban Anhydrite are fairly clear. An eastern limit for the Euphrates Limestone sea is formed by a line
roughly following the Tigris River from the extreme northwest of the country to its confluence with
the Greater Zab River. From there the coastline runs towards Kirkuk. No Euphrates Limestone occurs
on the Kirkuk structure, which must therefore have lain landwards and to the northeast of the coast.

Presence of Euphrates Limestone in the Jambur area and in Chia Surkh indicates that the margins of
the Euphrates sea must lie to the north of these areas. Seawards of this coastline, Euphrates Limestone
without Serikagni Formation or Dhiban Anhydrite occurs in a belt, which lies roughly parallel to

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the coastline (Kor Mor, Bai Hassan, Qarah Chauq Dagh and Butmah). The width of this belt varies
slightly from about 10 km in the south to about 20 km in the north (6-12 miles).

West of this belt a strip occurs in which Euphrates Limestone overlies Serikagni Formation (with
interfingering at the contact), the directly overlying unit being Jeribe Limestone. This situation exists
in the Adaiyah-1, Gusair-1, Ibrahim-1, Qalian-1, and Jawan, Qaiyarah and Qasab wells. Still further
west the top of the Euphrates Limestone changes into Dhiban Anhydrite, forming a third zone, with
the complete succession of Dhiban, Euphrates and Serikagni. This succession is found in the Injana,
Pulkhana and Jambur areas and in Hibbarah-1.

Beyond this zone, all Euphrates Limestone has disappeared and Dhiban Anhydrite rests directly on
Serikagni. This situation occurs near Jebel Sinjar, within Iraq, and in two structures directly west of
this range in Syria. It perhaps also occurs in the Pusht-i-Kuh area of southwestern Iran. Inevitably
these belts overlap, largely because of intricate interdigitation. Information on the western side of the
depositional area is too scant to be of much use.

The ecology of the formations involved suggest a shallow sea bordered by a fairly wide lagoon which
is probably most ineffectively separated from more open water by a low lithophyllid, algal and
bryozoan reef.

In the field, and in examination of thin section material of the Euphrates Limestone Formation and the
Jeribe Limestone Formation, differences between the two formations appear to be slight. Predominance
of chilostomellids over miliolids in the Jeribe Limestone and the reverse situation in the Euphrates
limestones provides one possible aid in differentiating between them. Another criterion is presence
of Borelis melo (Fichtel and Moll) var. curdica Reichel in the Jeribe Limestone, and absence of this fossil
from the Euphrates Limestone. Recrystallization is dominant in the Jeribe Limestone, dolomitization
in the Euphrates Limestone Formation. Nevertheless there are undoubtedly recrystallized limestones
in the latter formation and dolomitized ones in the former. Oolithic and suboolithic limestones are
virtually confined to the Euphrates Limestone Formation but do occur on a limited scale in the Jeribe
Limestone.

Fahad Limestone Formation: Cretaceous (Turonian) (Plate III)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Nafatah-1; the formation occurs between drilled depths 2,637–2,881
ft (804–878.4 m), and is 244 ft (74.4 m) thick. The formation name is taken from the Qarah
Fahad, the topographically high feature which crosses the Abu Jir branch of the Rutba-Ramadi
road about nine miles southwest of Nafatah-1, and about nine miles southeast of Awasil-1.

Lithology: Limestones with variable organic detritus, with echinoid, bryozoan and molluscan
debris, algal elements, and spicules. Matrix fine-grained, marly in part, with minute
globigerinids, globorotalids, Oligostegina, rotaline foraminifera indet. Also fine-grained
oligosteginal limestone, without macrofossil detritus. Glauconitic and conglomeratic at base,
with sand and silt, and recrystallized limestone micropebbles. Proportion of fine-grained to
detrital limestones increases upwards. Locally recrystallized, with production of dispersed
carbonate rhombs: rarely dolomitized. Locally siliceous.

Fossils: Cardium productum (identified by A. Keller) (2,622-2,692 ft, 799.4–820.7 m); Lima cf.
grenieri (identified by A. Keller) 2,716 ft (828 m); Spondylus aff. Calcaratus (identified by A.
Keller) (2,786-2,805 ft, 849.4–855.2 m); annelids indet. (2,848-2,863 ft, 868.3-872.9 m); Trocholina

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spp. (2,865 ft, 873.5 m); Cyclammina sp. nov. MS; Cyclammina sp.; Begia spp.; orbitolinid
indet., (?Dictyoconus sp.) (2,820–2,834 ft, 859.8–864 m); Praealveolina sp. (2,826 ft, 861.6 m);
Valvulammina sp. (2,820–2,834 ft, 859.8–864 m); Oligostegina (throughout); minute globigerinids
(throughout); minute gumbelinids (throughout); minute rotaline foraminifers (throughout);
lagenids; ostracods, various, not determined.

Age: Turonian, on evidence of macrofossils as interpreted by A. Keller, in unpublished reports,

and of Praealveolina Trocholina-Begia-Cyclammina assemblage without identified Cenomanian
forms. Also from position within the succession, and from regional correlation.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Mahilban Limestone Formation; with erosional
and depositional break marked by glauconitization, and with basal conglomerate in the Fahad
Formation.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Maotsi Formation; conformable, gradational.

Contact taken at change from continuous, white-creamy limestone below to marls-with-
limestones above.

Other localities: Awasil-5, between drilled depths 2,030 (618.9) and 2,259 ft (688.7 m), and Mileh
Tharthar-1, between drilled depths 3,030–3,285 ft (923.8–1,001.5 m) (approximately).

Remarks: The Fahad Formation includes the rather featureless succession of limestones lying
between the eroded top of the underlying Mahilban Limestone, and the gradational base of the
Maotsi Formation: the Fahad Limestone is differentiable only in the Awasil-Fallujah area, in the well
sections of Awasil-5, Fallujah-1, Mileh Tharthar-1 and Nafatah-1.

Lithologically, the Fahad Limestone resembles rather closely the finer-grained portions of the older
Mahilban, and the banal but characteristic microfauna of the matrix limestones are identical in the
Fahad, in the Mahilban and in the overlying Maotsi Formation. Justification for separation of the
Mahilban and Fahad formations lies principally in the demonstration of a depositional and erosional
break between them: this break is evidenced in Nafatah-1 (and less clearly in Awasil-5) by the sandy,
glauconitic, conglomeratic nature of the basal beds of the Fahad Limestone.

Since the combined Fahad and Maotsi formations are regarded as constituting the approximately
contemporaneous correlative of the Kometan Formation of the MPC wells, the break between the
Fahad and Mahilban formations may be equated with that which separates the Albian Mauddud
Formation from the Turonian Kometan Formation in the Makhul-1 section. This break expands to
place Kometan Formation atop eroded (Albian) Jawan Formation in the Jawan, Sadid, Hibbarah,
Najmah, and Qalian wells: the Fahad/Mahilban break is thus a local expression of an important
regional unconformity, and recognition of the two formations for the generally similar included rocks
is desirable.

Although both the Fahad and the Mahilban formations are thicker in Nafatah-1 than in Awasil-5, no
local convergent cut-out is detected, either above or below the separating unconformity.

The Fahad Limestone grades upwards into the Maotsi Formation, the limit between the two being
placed at the change from the dominantly limestone deposits of the Fahad to the alternating
limestone-marl-marly limestone succession of the Maotsi Formation.

In the type section the top of the Fahad Formation is taken at 2,637 ft (804 m), within the cored
interval 2,626–2,646 ft (800.6–806.7 m) from which 9 ft (2.7 m) recovery was obtained, all of which
is attributable to the Fahad Limestone. The formation boundary could occur higher, however, up to
2,621 ft (799 m). The boundary so determined is marked by a change from white-creamy, fossiliferous
Fahad limestone below to greenish-greyish, marly limestones of the Maotsi Formation (above). The
base of the Maotsi Formation is rather markedly glauconitic, the top beds of the Fahad contain little
or no glauconite.

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A. Keller argued Turonian age for the rocks here concerned, on the basis of the macrofauna, no longer
available for study. Turonian age is supported, though indecisively, by the microfauna, and more
decisively by correlation with the Kometan Formation.

A Cyclammina species, obtained from the top of the Fahad Formation in both the wells concerned (and
also from the base of the overlying Maotsi Formation) is identified with Cyclammina sp. from near
the base of the Kometan Formation in Sadid-1, strongly supporting the lithological and homotaxial
correlation of the Kometan and combined Fahad/Maotsi formations: the facies of these correlated
units are not markedly dissimilar, and continuity seems probable between the Awasil and Makhul-
Qalian areas.

A second distinctive Cyclammina species, undescribed, persists in the Awasil and Nafatah wells from
low in the Mahilban Formation to within the lower beds of the Maotsi Formation, suggesting that the
age difference between the Mahilban and Maotsi formations cannot be very great: this suggestion
supports early Turonian rather than late Turonian age for the Fahad Formation, a suggestion which
accords with Cenomanian affinities of the macrofossils identified by Keller, and with the accepted
lower Turonian age of the presumably correlative Kometan Formation, wick is determined from
consideration of the contained Globotruncana species.

Fars Group: Miocene (“middle” and “upper” Miocene)

This group, originally used as a series by Pilgrim (1908) in Iran, occurs widely in Iraq. It consists of the
Upper, Middle and Lower Fars formations. It corresponds to the basal part of Loftus’ “gypsiferous
series” as published in 1855 (not consulted) and to Pascoe’s (1922) Fars series. [R.C. van Bellen]

Fars series: Miocene (“middle” and “upper” Miocene)

Under the nomenclature rules followed (Ashley et al., 1939) the term should be replaced by Fars
Group. As a series the term was first introduced by Pilgrim (1908) for Iran. See Fars Group (Elder,
1958).

Fars (undifferentiated): Miocene (“middle” and “upper” Miocene)

See undifferentiated Fars. [R.C. van Bellen]

Fem: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

Informal notation applied by Daniel (1954), see Avanah Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Feu: Eocene (“upper” Eocene)

Informal notation applied by Daniel (1954), see Avanah Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

first pay reservoir, Ain Zalah field: Cretaceous, (Maastrichtian)

This designation (in Daniel (1954), in current use in the Ain Zalah and Butmah oilfields of northern
Iraq, is applied to the uppermost few hundred feet of the Shiranish Formation, which is developed in
limestone facies in the Ain Zalah area and which is productive of oil, from a fracture network which
is preferentially developed towards the top of the formation. Although primarily defined on the
presence of producible oil, and thus not essentially a stratigraphic term, the name has been utilized
loosely, in published reports, etc., for the upper part of the Shiranish Formation, whether or not
fractured and oil containing. [H.V. Dunnington]

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first pay (zone)-Kirkuk: Eocene-Oligocene

Informal term applied to the highest major oil-producing unit in the Kirkuk field. See main limestone,
Kirkuk Group. [R.C. van Bellen]

first pay-Zubair: Miocene

Informal name, applied in published reports and occasional publications to Lower Fars sands and
limestones, impregnated with heavy asphaltic oil, encountered at depths of about 1,000 ft (304.9 m) in
the Zubair oilfield, Basrah area. [R.C. van Bellen]

“flysch facies”: Cretaceous-Eocene (Upper Campanian-”lower” Eocene)

Obsolete name in de Boeckh et al. (1929). This name was originally applied to the thick sequence
of silty and conglomeratic calcareous mails, with abundant green rock and chert detritus derived
from the northeast, which intervenes between non-arenaceous Upper Cretaceous marls (Shiranish
Formation) or neritic limestones (Bekhme Limestone, Aqra Limestone) and the Middle Eocene or
younger formations, in the mountain-fold zone of northern Iraq and southwestern Iran. The facies is
thickly developed in extreme northeastern Iraq, adjacent to the front of the thrusted mountain zone
(Elder, 1958).

Once widely referred to as the Germav formation (in published reports), the flysch-like clastics
are now subdivided into the Tanjero Clastic Formation (Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian) and the
Kolosh clastics Formation (Palaeocene- “lower” Eocene). This subdivision is justified by recognition
of a widespread erosional unconformity and sedimentary hiatus separating the Maastrichtian
clastics from overlying formations. See Germav formation, Tanjero Clastic Formation, Kolosh clastics
Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Fo/1: Oligocene (“lower” Oligocene)

Informal notation used by Daniel (1954), see Sheikh Alas Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Fo/2: Oligocene (“middle” Oligocene)

Informal notation used by Daniel (1954), see Baba Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

formation d’Aidah: Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene-” lower” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see Umm er Radhuma Formation and Aidah formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

formation de Zahra: Miocene (“lower” Miocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see Zahra Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

fourth pay-Zubair field: Cretaceous (Barremian)

This name is applied to the lower of two productive oil-filled sandstone reservoirs lying within the
Zubair Formation of the Zubair oil-field, southern Iraq. Although the fourth pay is not a stratigraphical
unit in the strict sense, since the acceptance of the term a pay) presupposes the presence of oil, there
is an inevitable tendency to utilize the name rather than to refer to the stipulated sandstone interval
within the Zubair Formation. The term has appeared in occasional publications, e.g. Lees (1953, p.
69). [H.V. Dunnington]

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Ga’ara Sandstone Formation: Middle Triassic (Plates III and IV)

Author: H.H. Boesch (1938, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: “Gres de Ga’ara” (Mitchell, 1956).

Type locality and section:

Location and Tickness: Tel Aafair, Ga’ara Depression, west Iraq; 33°31’N, 42°28’E. About 50 m
(164 ft) exposed, base not seen.

Lithology: Coarse grade, current bedded, variegated sandstones, creamy red to white in fresh
exposure, weathering through rusty red-brown to violet, black, etc., with some beds of white
sandstones. Locally quartzitic. Subordinate bands of purple and red sandy marls, and in
uppermost part of the unit, grey and greenish sandy or silty marls.

Fossils: None.

Age: Not known; presumed Triassic (probably Middle).

Underlying formation and details of contact: Not exposed in type locality.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Mulussa Formation, contact gradational,

concordant, but possibly involving erosional or non-depositional hiatus, at the top of greenish
marls directly underlying the lowest limestone bed of the Mulussa Formation, and a few ft
above the highest sandstone bed of the Ga’ara sands.

Other localities: Throughout the Ga’ara Depression, of which the formation forms the floor, and in
the lowest exposures of the high cliffs encircling the southern limits of the depression.

Remarks: The base of the formation is not exposed at the type locality, but an exposure of yellow
and green marls and shales, with subordinate sands, has been found, below the Ga’ara Sandstone,
some 7 km east-northeast from Bir Mulussa, at 33°32’10”N, 40°11’50”E approx. These marls and
shales are excluded from the Ga’ara Sandstone and provide the type section for the Nijili Formation,
which here underlies the Ga’ara Sandstone concordantly, though haematitization and concentration
of indeterminate plant debris at the sandstone/marl contact suggest a depositional break and
emergence between the two formations. At the type locality of the Nijili Formation, the total thickness
of Ga’ara Sandstone is calculated to be about 85 m (278.8 ft) (by subtraction of the site-elevation from
the projected base of the Mulussa limestone).

The underlying Nijili Formation is correlated very tentatively with the Geli Khana or Beduh
formations of Kurdistan, which are considered to be respectively of Anisian-Ladinic and Werfenian
age. Should this general rock-unit correlation be confirmed, and a corresponding age-correlation
be admitted, Middle Triassic or younger age would be indicated for the lower part of the Ga’ara
Sandstone. The age of the overlying Mulussa limestone has not been firmly determined, but it
includes some sediments for which Upper Triassic age seems assured. The Ga’ara Sandstone could
thus be of Middle or low Upper Triassic age, or both Middle Triassic age is most probable.

The Ga’ara Sandstone has not yet been found in subsurface sections in North Iraq, and it is absent
from the exposed sections of Kurdistan, where its place in the succession is believed to be occupied
by the upper part of the Geli Khana Formation, which terminates in a widespread non-depositional
and perhaps erosional gap, marked by a prominent ferruginous horizon.

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Garagu Formation: Cretaceous (Valanginian-?Hauterivian) (Plates II and III)

Author: R. Wetzel (1950; unpublished report). [R. Wetzel]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Garagu, in core of the Chia Gara Anticline, Amadia District, North
Iraq. The section runs along the Gel-i-Garagu, the top being situated at the foot of the massive
cliff. The base lies at approximately 37°00’50”N; 43°23’38”E, about 600 m (1,968 ft) north of
Garagu Village, from which the formation takes its name. The section is 92 m (301.8 ft) thick.

Lithology and fossils: Upper oolitic division, 24 m (78.7 ft) thick, consisting of ferruginous
oolitic marls and sandstones with Stylina subtabulata Gregory, Calamophyllia sp.,
Pseudocyclammina lituus (Yokoyama). Middle division of organic detrital limestones, 22 m (72.16
ft) thick, weathering into a brown cliff, with Terebratula cf. waldensis de Loriol, gastropods,
lamellibranchs, Cuneolina sp., cyclamminids. Lower oolitic division with coarse sandstones
and sandy, oolitic limestones, 46 m (150.9 ft) thick, with rich fauna, including Trichites aff.
suprajurensis Krumbeck, Subthurmannia occitanica (Pictet), Neocomites sp., Hexacoralla, including
Axosmilia neocomiensis Gregory, Lochameosmilia sp. nov., Stylina sp.; Corbulomina cf. aligera
(Hamlin), Eonavicula cf. whitfieldi Vokes, Thracia neocomiensis d’Orbigny, Ampullina cf. syriaca
Conrad, Terebratula carteroniana d’Orbigny, T. russellensis de Loriol, Pseudocyclammina lituus
(Yokoyama), Trocholina cf. elongata (Leupold), Nautiloculina oolithica Mohler, etc.

Age: Valanginian and ?Hauterivian (lower).

Underlying formation and details of contact: Chia Gara Formation; contact gradational and
conformable, at the base of oolitic sandy beds, and above dark, brownish, silty limestones and
marls.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Sarmord (marl) Formation; contact gradational
and conformable, placed at the top of oolitic marls and sandstones and immediately below
thick continuous yellow-brown marls with organic detrital limestones.

Other localities: Known in exposed areas of Kurdistan only from Amadia, Bani, Chia Gara and Ru
Kuchuk. Subsurface occurrences include Awasil-5, Kirkuk-109, Makhul-1 and 2, Mileh Tharthar-1,
and Najmah-29.

Remarks: The Garagu Formation, in its type locality, is a heterogeneous succession of sediments
of shallow-water origin, which is widely distributed in Iraq. It represents the deposits of the
culminating phase of widespread regression, and the coarse ferruginous clastics, ferruginous oolites
and coral banks, which are typical for the formation, may bracket an actual emergence for which
there is no field evidence to date. In spite of its heterogeneity it is a readily mappable unit because of
the common shallow-water nature of all its component sediments.

In Kirkuk-109, where ferruginous clastics, oolites and coral-algal banks are typically developed,
the formation occurs as a tongue within the Sarmord Formation. The part of the Sarmord lying
below the Garagu is considered to be of late-Berriasian age. The Sarmord rests here on the Karimia
Mudstone. The base of the Sarmord Formation is markedly glauconitic, locally conglomeratic and
very fossiliferous, and the change to Karimia Mudstone is abrupt. A significant Berriasian/Tithonian
or intra-Berriasian break is suggested here.

In Najmah-29, sandy oolitic ?Hauterivian sediments, with coral and algal debris, which are identified
with the Garagu Formation, immediately overlie the erosionally terminated Najmah Limestone
Formation, which is reckoned to be of pre-Kimmeridgian Upper Jurassic age. Only the upper part of
the Garagu Formation is here represented.

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In Awasil-5 and Makhul-1, the Garagu Formation overlies a thick limestone-calcareous mudstone unit
of early Valanginian-Berriasian age (Zangura Formation). It is succeeded, apparently gradationally,
by the sand and shale measures of the Zubair Formation. In Makhul-2 and Mileh Tharthar-1, the
Garagu and Zangura are difficult to separate, since typical lithofacies of these two units interdigitate
over a considerable thickness of the column. In these and similar cases, it is expedient to recognize the
transitional beds by application of the hyphenated rock-unit term Garagu-Zangura formation.

In all the cited localities, the Garagu Formation corresponds in age with most or part of the range
of Pseudocyclammina lituus (Yokoyama), though it is recognized that the limits of the formation are
appreciably diachronous. Valanginian age for the bulk of the type section is firmly controlled by the
rich macrofauna.

The Garagu Formation passes eastwards from its known exposures into the partly neritic, marly
Sarmord Formation in some areas, and into the wholly neritic massive limestones of the Qamchuqa
Formation in other areas, or it may occur, ideally, but not in any known exposure, as a separate
formation between these two units. Although the Garagu loses its individuality eastwards, the
characteristic fauna is represented locally, occasionally associated with scattered sand-grains,
far beyond the limits of the area within which it can the distinguished as a rock unit. Thus the
stratigraphical equivalents of the Garagu can be picked out within the thick Hauterivian-Valanginian
Ratawi Formation (Owen and Nasr, 1958) of the Basrah-Kuwait region, and in the basal Ratawi and
upper Yamama formations of the Qatar region (Sugden, 1958, MS).

To the west of the type locality, in the area west of the Tigris River and north of Najmah, extending as
far as Ghouna-1 in northeast Syria, Aptian or Albian Sarmord Formation rests unconformably upon
Middle Jurassic Sargelu Formation or on eroded Najmah Formation of Upper Jurassic age.

The Banik section shows an unusual predominance of silt in the upper part of the Chia Gara Formation,
in which there is also a marked concentration of fossils. In this section, locally, there are large stranded
pebbles of bitumen in the sandstones of the Garagu, some sandstones have an original matrix of
sedimented bitumen, and some contain abundant spherulites of bitumen, simulating ooliths. These
indications of bitumen sedimentation, contemporary with the deposition of the Garagu, are evidence
of the breaching of some early and voluminous oil accumulation, possibly by erosion, and perhaps
in a distant area, following late Jurassic or early Cretaceous uplift. The Cretaceous/Jurassic break,
which becomes so important in the area west of the Tigris River, is probably manifested as a slight
break between the Garagu and the Chia Gara formations at Banik.

At Banik, also, there is unconformity without angular discordance between the Qamchuqa Formation
(of Barremian or Aptian age at its base) and the top of the Garagu.

There is one anomaly in the definition of the formation. Although Valanginian age is accepted for the
basal oolitic division, Subthurmannia occitanica (Pictet) is identified from low down within this unit.
This ammonite is a zone fossil of the Upper Berriasian. The anomaly is explained, provisionally, by
the supposition that the single confidently identified specimen was derived from eroded Berriasian
rocks, in some not distant area, during Valanginian times. The unconformable relations between the
Garagu and the Chia Gara at Banik lend credibility to this account, as does the coarsely detrital, richly
fossiliferous, arenaceous nature of the limestone bed from which the specimen was collected. The
alternative explanation, that the basal Garagu is Berriasian in age, is still tenable, but the weight of
the evidence is against such age.

Geli Khana Formation: (Middle Triassic, Triassic) (Plates II and III)

Author: R. Wetzel (1950, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel]

Synonymy: None.

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Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Along the Geli Khana, north flank of Ora fold, (Amadia District, North
Iraq). The top of the formation occurs in the stream, about 1 km south of the Turkish frontier, at
about 37°19’6”N, 43°21’30”E, and the outcrop occupies about one km of the watercourse. The
lower beds are better exposed, and were measured and sampled about 600–700 m (1,968–2,296
ft) to the west, in the gentle scarp-face of Mirga Mir, with base at about 37°18’5”N, 43°21’25”E.
The section is 575 m (1,886 ft) thick.

Lithology: Uppermost unit of laminated ferruginous dolomites, 3.5 m (11.5 ft) thick, with
streaks of black chert and bands of nodular haematite; 58 m (190.2 ft). Dark, foetid dolomites
with bands of grey, dolomitic limestones containing abundant recrystallized gastropods; 138
m (452.6 ft). Hard, fine-grained, dark-grey, scarp-forming limestones, alternately thin- and
thick-bedded, with intercalations of olive green shales and yellow-brown marls in the lower
part and occasional bands of flint nodules near the top; 154 m (505.1 ft). Bluish shales, with
intercalations of yellowish limestones and occasional sandy bands: 65 m (213.2 ft). Greyish
and yellowish thin-bedded limestones and shales with bands of recrystallization breccias; 156
m (511.7 ft). Greyish thin-bedded limestones and hard, limy shales, with streaks and ribs of
ripple-marked sandstones.

Fossils: Myophoria spp., Lingula tenuissima Bronn. var. zenkeri Alberti, Spirorbis cf. valvata
Goldfuss, gastropods indet.; Glomospira spp., ?Trocholina sp., ?Archaediscus sp., Problematina sp.,
trochamminids indet., frondicularids indet.; ostracods.

Age: Middle Triassic, from correlation with the better-dated Sirwan Gorge succession.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Beduh Shale Formation, contact conformable,
gradational, taken at the colour change from grey above to purple below, which corresponds to
a lithological change from dominant limestone above to dominant shale below.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Kurra Chine Formation, contact an erosional
unconformity, without angular discordance, marked by extensive haematitization and
silicification of the uppermost bed (3.5 m, 11.5 ft) of the Geli Khana.

Other localities: Sirwan Gorge, Chalki; Atshan-1.

Remarks: The Geli Khana is defined to include the sequence of heterogeneous but dominantly
“chemical” sediments, which is limited at the base by the red and purple Beduh Shale Formation,
and at the top by the weathered, ferruginous surface, which is taken to evidence an emergent episode
of Upper/Middle Triassic age.

Taken as whole, the represented facies are not very different from those of the older Mirga Mir, but
the intervention of the red and purple shales between these two formations renders them readily
distinguishable in the field.

In surface sections, the break at the top of the Geli Khana is consistently ferruginous, being represented
at the Sirwan by a bed of red and ochreous marl with ferrugineous crusts and limonitized pisolites,
and at Chalki (Nazdur) by ferruginous staining and impregnation of soft, saccharoidal dolomites.

At Sirwan the Geli Khana is represented much as it is in the type section. It differs in showing lentils
of bedded gypsum at outcrop, but this difference is probably due to loss of gypsum by solution in the
type-section, where recrystallization breccias suggest original presence of evaporites.

The upper part of the formation at Sirwan has yielded a useful fauna, including: Daonella indica
Bittner, D, cf. indica, D. lomelli (Wissman), D. lomelli-taramelli auctt., Myophoria sp., Spiriferina sp.,
terebratulids, athyrids and other brachiopods indet., Archaediscus spp., Problematina spp., Trocholina
sp. 2. Henson 1947, Trocholina spp., Glomospira spp., frondicularids, etc. This fauna indicates Ladinic

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age, and the poor fauna from lower in the formation at Geli Khana suggests Anisian age. The Geli
Khana Formation is therefore dated as Anisian-Ladinic. The ferruginous horizon falls between
Ladinic and Upper Triassic (Noric-Carnic) faunas, and is interpreted, provisionally and somewhat
arbitrarily, as representing an Upper/Middle Triassic unconformity.

The Geli Khana is believed to have been deposited approximately contemporaneously with the
Ga’ara Sandstone Formation of the Western Desert area. The Nijili Formation, which underlies the
Ga’ara, closely resembles the basal beds of the Geli Khana, and the Ga’ara itself is overlain, probably
unconformably, by ?Upper Triassic Mulussa limestone which is correlated fairly confidently with the
Kurra Chine Formation.

In Atshan-1, the Geli Khana is represented by about 265 m (869.2 ft) of dolomites, limestones,
anhydrites and ferruginous shales, with some silt towards the base. The Upper/ Middle Triassic
unconformity is witnessed by extensive leaching and development of vacuolar porosity at the top of
the formation, which is a massive dolomite in this section.

Thicknesses of the formation at outcrop increase northwestwards from 435 m (1,426.8 ft) at Sirwan,
through the 575 m (1,886 ft) measured in the type-section, to a measured 758 m (2486.2 ft) at Nazdur
(Chalki), but the measured thicknesses may be misleading, since the formation is much contorted
locally.

The formation is homotaxial and closely comparable with the lower part of the Tanin Tanin Formation
of Turkey (Tasman, 1949).

Gem: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

Informal notation used by Daniel (1954), see Jaddala Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Gercüs Formation: Eocene (“middle” Eocene) (Plate VI)

Author: J.H. Maxson (1936, unpublished report for Petrol Grubu, Turkey), (fide Tromp, 1941). [R.C.
van Bellen]

Synonymy: purple shale group (Richardson, 1941); série d’Imam Hassan, in part (Nicolesco, 1933).

Type locality and section:

Location: Gercüs, 12.5 miles (20 km) north of Midyat in Turkey (see: Tromp, l. c.). A supplementary
type section in Iraq has been chosen by R. Wetzel (unpublished reports) at Dohuk, between
36°52’52”N, 43°00’50”E, and 36°52’27”N, 43°00’36”E.

Brief description of supplementary type section:

Thickness: 2,750 ft (838 m).

Lithology: Generally red and purple shales, mudstones, sandy and gritty marls with or without
pebbles. Some soft pebbly sandstones and conglomerates. Lenticles of gypsum, especially
towards the top. Rare lignite in a sandstone near the base. Rock salt occurs sporadically. The
lower 850 ft (259 m) consist of variegated marls, siltstones, sandstones and conglomerates, still
predominantly red in colour but with green material also occurring.

Fossils: Radiolaria and occasionally ostracoda.

Age: Probably “middle” Eocene. See Remarks.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The formation covers Kolosh Formation. The
contact appears to be gradational but the two formations are separated by a well marked

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conglomerate in the supplementary type section and elsewhere (see Remarks). A colour change
from predominantly green (Kolosh Formation) to predominantly red (Gercüs Formation) may
also mark the contact. But the Gercüs includes green beds and the Kolosh includes red beds.

Overlying formations and details of contact: The Pila Spi Limestone Formation covers this
unit. In the supplementary type locality a lens of gypsum separates the two formations;
elsewhere interfingering between the two indicates equal approximate age. See Remarks.

Other localities: This formation occurs throughout the Kurdistan Mountain zone, west and
southwest of a line running roughly from Shiranish, via the Chia-i-Baradost to Pila Spi. It is found
in Chemchemal-2 and in wells on the Ain Zalah and Mushorah structures. The northern limit of
the unit can be located in the field along the western slopes of the Chia-i-Baradost in a section from
Dar-a-Tesu via Diza to Zibar. In Dar-a-Tesu, the most southeasterly locality, there are 290 ft (88 m)
of Gercüs Formation, between proved Palaeocene and Middle/Upper Eocene Pila Spi Formation.
Further northwest, in Diza, there are only 80 ft (24.4 m) between proved Upper Cretaceous and
Miocene. At the northwestern end of the exposures, in the Zibar section, Miocene rests directly and
unconformably on Upper Cretaceous. At most other localities in Kurdistan the northern and eastern
limits of the convergent wedge of the Gercüs are hidden beneath large overthrust sheets.

Towards the west the formation loses its identity, partly through interfingering with marls, and partly
because, although it may occur in a number of wells, the characteristic red colours of the unit are ill-
developed in subsurface samples that have not been extensively oxidized.

Remarks: The age of this formation is still controversial. In many places interfingering takes place with
the overlying Pila Spi Formation as at Derbannd-i-Sagirrma, Surdash and Chemchemal-2. In other
places a conglomerate separates the two formations, as at Shaqlawah, or a possible unconformity is
marked by a gypsum lens, as at Dohuk, the supplementary type locality.

In the first case the Gercüs Formation is roughly of the same age as the Pila Spi Limestone Formation.
The Pila Spi Formation is most probably of “middle” Eocene, if not of Middle Eocene age at its base.
In the second and third cases a pre-Pila Spi age must be adopted for the Gercüs, although evidence of
a definite Lower Eocene age is lacking. It is of interest that in the supplementary type locality, Dohuk,
the Gercüs Formation shows rare definitely reworked Lower (or “lower”) Eocene foraminifera,
including Dorothia subglabra (Gumbel) and Globorotalia aragonensis Nuttall.

Rocksalt occurs within the formation at Malakhta, north-northeast of Amadia (R. Wetzel, unpublished
report, 1950). Presence of a gypsum lenticle even at the top of the formation therefore does not
necessarily mark an unconformity.

In several sections, however, there are clear indications of a break below the Gercüs Formation. A
number of conglomerates occur in the Gercüs and Kolosh formations. Nearly all of these consist of
pebbles of green rock, chert and flint, originating from a thrust sheet or “nappe” which was uplifted
in the northeast during Upper Cretaceous-Eocene times.

A few conglomerates, however, show pebbles of older rocks. These have therefore probably more
than the rather local significance which is attached to the normal pebble suite.

In the Kokoyi section, pebbles of Sinjar Limestone and of limestones of probably Lower Cretaceous
age are included in such a conglomerate. Also present are numerous pebbles of beige, much broken
flint which, although it cannot be traced to any particular formation, nevertheless does not appear to
belong to the thrust sheet or “nappe” suite.

In the Nador North section, a particularly important conglomerate of this sort occurs, with pebbles of
Jurassic limestone, Mesozoic oolithic limestone, Oligostegina-limestone and the noted beige flint.

In the Derbannd-i-Bazian section again there is one conglomerate outstanding amongst others. This
contains Lower Cretaceous pebbles and pebbles of the above-mentioned beige flint, in addition to the
usual pebbles of green rocks, red cherts and flints.

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Other indications of discontinuity can be found in the Ghilizarda section where a lower limestone
sequence without detritus changes abruptly into a higher detrital sequence with abundant red chert.
The lithological change is marked by a thin conglomerate.

In the Kashti section, Sinjar Limestone of Lower or at most low Middle Eocene (“lower”) Eocene
age is separated from the overlying Gercüs Formation by an oyster lumachelle and a conglomeratic
limestone with chert pebbles.

In the Surdash section, Khurmala Formation underlies indubitable detrital Gercüs red beds without
transition.

Finally, in Chemchemal-2, a red bed conglomerate covers Khurmala Formation and interfingers
upwards with the Pila Spi Formation.

In Iraq, and elsewhere in the Middle East, there is persistent evidence of a break of some sort between
the high Lower Eocene (“lower” Eocene) and the low Middle Eocene (“middle” Eocene). It seems
but logical, given the Lower (“lower”) Eocene age of the Sinjar Limestone in for instance the Kashti
section, to correlate the indication of discontinuity there with this regionally established break. The
more is this true because the noted discontinuity appears to be the only one of any importance in the
Kashti section.

The same remarks apply to other cases of discontinuity that have been noted. For this reason a
tentative “middle” Eocene age has been adopted for this formation although it must be admitted that
the evidence is inconclusive.

This age attribution is at variance with the Lower Eocene age that is accepted by A. Ten Dam and
others in Turkey for the Gercüs Formation in its type area. Ten Dam records a possibly Lower Eocene
fauna of larger foraminifera from below the typical Gercüs red beds. It seems possible that above this
fauna, which appears to have been obtained from the Becirman limestone (no doubt the equivalent
of the Sinjar Limestone in Iraq) an unconformity occurs, in a position similar to that found in the
Kashti section, where “lower” Eocene Sinjar Limestone underlies Gercüs Formation, with an oyster
lumachelle and conglomeratic limestone forming the base of the Gercüs.

The situation in Turkey is not precisely comparable with that in Iraq, however. Ten Dam (1955, p. 142)
remarks that there is positive evidence of unconformity between Gercüs and the Midyat limestone s
in Turkey. From published information it is apparent that the Midyat limestone corresponds to units
which can be identified as the Pila Spi Limestone and Avanah Limestone Formations of the Iraq
succession. And in several localities in Iraq the passage from Gercüs into Pila Spi is gradational and
alternating.

Conglomerates between the Turkish Gercüs and the Turkish Midyat have been explained as due to
erosion from local uplifts (Tasman, 1949, p. 29).

As far as the ecology of the formation is concerned, fossils found include a few reworked smaller
foraminifera, numerous Radiolaria, which may have come from haematitic red radiolarian chert (and
would therefore have been derived), and rare ostracods.

There is, despite these suggestions, no direct evidence that the formation is continental. Ten Dam’s
idea (l.c., p. 152) that the formation represents a marine mudflat may well be correct. It is possible that
the Radiolaria are “in situ” and in fact A.G. Davis, in an unpublished report determined a low Middle
Eocene radiolarian fauna from the Pila Baur section. In his report, however, it is not clear whether
the fauna is considered to be low Middle Eocene because of the Radiolaria or whether the radiolarian
fauna is considered to be of that age because the fauna occurs in the Gercüs Formation. He quotes but
one unnamed species Cenosphaera sp.

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Germav formation: Cretaceous-Eocene (Upper Campanian-Lower Eocene)

Author: J.H. Maxson (1936, unpublished report for Petrol Grubu, Turkey) (fide Tromp, 1941, p. 25).
[H.V. Dunnington]

Obsolete name (in Iraq). Also spelt Kirmav, Kermav, etc., and classed variously as a formation and as
a series). See Tanjero Clastic Formation, Kolosh clastics Formation.

This unit was originated in southeastern Turkey to accommodate the grey, silty marl series, which
underlies the Gercüs red beds Formation in its type region. Later its limits were extended to include
all sediments lying between the top of the massive rudist-bearing Upper Campanian limestone and
the base of the red beds in the Tigris Valley area of southeastern Turkey. The name was adopted into
the stratigraphic classification for northern Iraq, where it was applied originally to the flysch-like
calcareous clastics and marls, which intervene, in the mountain area, between the top of the Shiranish
Formation, or its neritic limestone equivalent, and the base of the Gercüs red beds.

Subdivision of the Germav, and its abandonment as a recognized rock unit followed the discovery
that in many sections and perhaps throughout northern Iraq the Cretaceous portion of the calcareous
clastics is separated from the Tertiary portion by an important non-sequence. This is expressed,
at least locally, as an erosional unconformity, which eliminates much of the upper part of the
Maastrichtian rock sequence. In the current classification the Cretaceous portion of the erstwhile
Germav is recognized as the Tanjero Clastic Formation, and the Tertiary portion as the Kolosh clastics
Formation.

Geu: Eocene (“upper” Eocene)

Informal notation used by Daniel (1954). See Jaddala Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Ghanimi beds: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

Informal term introduced by H. Huber in 1944 (unpublished report). See Dammam Formation. [R.C.
van Bellen]

Ghar Formation: Miocene (“middle” Miocene) (Plate VI)

Authors: Owen and Nasr (1958). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Zubair-3; the formation occurs between drilled depths 1,513–1,935 ft
(461.3–589.9 m), and is 422 ft (129 m) thick.

Lithology: Sands and gravels, rare sandy limestone, rare clay and anhydrite.

Fossils: None.

Age: Unknown because of absence of fossils, but considered to be Miocene.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The Ghar Formation is underlain unconformably
by the Dammam Formation. The unconformity is marked by the absence of proved
Oligocene.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Lower Fars Formation overlies the Ghar. The
contact appears gradational without evidence of unconformity.

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Other localities: The formation is recognized only in wells drilled in southern Iraq. It cannot be
separated from the Dibdibba Formation in the field, where no intervening Lower Fars occurs, but in
subsurface sections, where the Lower Fars does occur, the Ghar is fairly well defined.

Remarks: The Ghar Formation is known to pass gradationally upwards into Lower Fars in BPC wells
in the Basrah area. Hence it is logical to assume that it is the clastic equivalent of the basal part of the
Lower Fars Formation of other areas. In northern Iraq there is unconformity between the Lower Fars
and underlying formations: similarly in southern Iraq and Kuwait the Ghar rests unconformably on
eroded “middle” or “upper” Eocene Dammam Formation.

On the other hand, the Zahra Formation is known to overlie the Lower Fars Formation in the Shaib
Hisb (Ramsden and Andre, unpublished report, 1953) and it is reasonable to assume that in this area
the Zahra is the equivalent of the upper part of the Lower Fars.

These are the relationships portrayed on Plate VI, but other alternatives are possible. Thus the Ghar
could be the clastic marginal equivalent of the Euphrates Limestone, and the Zahra could be of
different ages in different areas (see Zahra Formation). There is at present no decisive evidence as to
precise age of the Ghar or as to its relationships to the Lower Fars and Zahra formations.

Ghurra beds: Palaeocene-Lower Eocene (Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene)

Informal term introduced by H. Huber and R.M. Ramsden in an unpublished report in 1945. See
Umm er Radhuma Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Ghurra (terme de ...): Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene)

See Ghurra beds and Umm er Radhuma Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Gir Bir Limestone: Cretaceous (Cenomanian-?Turonian) (Plate II)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1956, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Mushorah-1; the formation occurs between drilled depths 6,655–7,612
ft (2,029–2,320.7 m), and is greater than 957 ft (291.8 m) thick as the base not reached.

Lithology: Limestones of various types, variously recrystallized and/or dolomitized in parts.

Organic detritus occurs throughout.

Fossils: Praealveolina cretacea Reichel; Ovalveolina ovum (d’Orbigny); Cyclammina aff. whitei
Henson; Dicyclina qatarensis Henson; Cuneolina aff. cylindrica Henson; Dictyoconella cf. minima
Henson; Pseudochrysalidina cf, arabica (Henson); P. conica (Henson); Dictyoconus cf. arabicus
Henson; Cuneolina pavonia var. parva Henson.

Age: Cenomanian-?Turonian.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Unknown; base not reached (see Remarks).

Overlying formation and details of contact: Mushorah Formation; transgressive over

erosional unconformity but without noticeable angular discordance; contact taken at the top of
dolomitized neritic limestone and immediately below recrystallized oligosteginal limestones.

Other localities: Gullar-1.

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Remarks: The Gir Bir Limestone Formation embraces neritic limestones of Cenomanian age, which
have been encountered in the two subsurface sections of Mushorah-1 and Gullar-1, but not in other
sections in northern Iraq.

In both sections the formation underlies oligosteginal limestones of the Mushorah Formation of
probable Lower Campanian-Lower Senonian age, the contact being unconformable, but without
angular discordance. Unconformity is indicated by intensive dolomitization and leaching of the top
of the Gir Bir, and by the occurrence of dolomitized pebbles, presumed to originate from erosion of
the Gir Bir, in the lower parts of the Mushorah Formation in the type section.

The base of the Gir Bir is probably not reached in the type section, which shows a drilled thickness
of 957 ft (291.8 m). However, by correlation with Ain Zalah wells, etc., the Gir Bir should overlie
the superficially similar Qamchuqa Formation, beneath present hole-bottom, in Mushorah-1. There
remains a slight possibility that the lower parts of the succession in Mushorah-1, here attributed to
the Cenomanian Gir Bir Formation may be equivalent to the upper part of the Qamchuqa Formation
of Ain Zalah wells, which is believed to be of Albian age.

In Gullar-1, the Gir Bir Formation is only 250 ft (76.2 m) thick. It rests upon extensively dolomitized
Qamchuqa Formation, which is about 480 ft (146.3 m) thick, and unconformable relations are inferred
from the extreme dolomitization and leaching of the Qamchuqa Formation top, and from the
occurrence of polygenetic conglomerates at and immediately above the base of the Gir Bir.

The rich and only partially studied microfauna of the Gir Bir bears close comparison with that of the
Khatiyah formation of Qatar (W. Sugden, 1958, MS), but contains novel forms, including Dictyoconus
cf. arabicus Henson, ?Orbitolinopsis sp., etc. Cenomanian age is regarded as fairly certain for most of
the unit, but the upper beds, in which fauna is somewhat obscured by dolomitization, could be as
young as Turonian in age. The Gir Bir is approximately equivalent in age to the Mahilban Limestone
Formation of the Awasil area, but the areas of occurrence of the two formations are separated by a
distance of about 300 km over which Cenomanian rocks are absent. The Gir Bir is probably restricted
to the confines of a local buried pre-Senonian trough. Whether or not Cenomanian neritic limestones
were ever widely deposited in Kurdistan and the northern parts of northern Iraq is not known. They
are generally absent now, either because of original non-deposition or as a result of pre-Turonian
and/or intra-Senonian emergence and erosion.

The only unit known in the Kurdistan Mountain area, which could be correlative with the Gir Bir
is the Mergi Limestone Formation, known only from the Shiranish anticline. However, since this
appears to be of Turonian age only, whereas the Gir Bir is Cenomanian (for the most part, and perhaps
exclusively) it is preferable to treat these two units as separate formations.

The name of the formation is taken from the Village of Gir Bir, situated about 6 km southwest of
Mushorah-1, which is the named locality lying closest to the type subsurface section and south of the
Tigris River.

Globigerina beds: Cretaceous (Upper Senonian)

This term was employed as a rock-unit designation in early published works on the Iraq-Iran
mountainous folded area (e.g. De Boeckh, Lees and Richardson, 1929). It was applied usually, though
not invariably; to globigerinal marls now known to be of Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian age in
northeastern Iraq. Such marls are now included within the Shiranish Formation and the term is no
longer applied as a rock unit name. [H.V. Dunnington]

Globigerina limestone: Eocene-Oligocene (“middle” and “upper” Eocene;

“lower” Oligocene)

In Barber (1948), see Jaddala and Palani formations. [R.C. van Bellen]

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Globigerinal marl: Eocene (“middle” and “upper” Eocene)

In van Bellen (1956), see Jaddala Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Globigerinal marls and limestones: Eocene-Oligocene

(“middle” and “upper” Eocene, Oligocene)

In Baker (1953), see Jaddala, Palani, and Tarjil formations. [R.C. van Bellen]

Go/1: Oligocene (“lower” Oligocene)

Informal notation used by Daniel (1954), see Palani Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Go/2: Oligocene (“middle” Oligocene)

Informal notation used by Daniel (1954), see Tarjil Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Gotnia Anhydrite Formation: Upper Jurassic (Plates III and IV)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and details of section:

Location: Awasil-5; the formation occurs between drilled depths 5,337–5,969 (1,627.1–1,819.8
m), and is 632 ft (192.7 m) thick. The formation is named after the Village of Gotnia, on the
south bank of the Euphrates River, opposite to and southwest of the Ain al Naft seepage.

Lithology: Bedded anhydrites with subordinate intercalations of brown calcareous shales and
thin black bituminous shales, and of recrystallized, fluffy-textured and rare pseudo-oolitic
limestones.

Fossils: Fish debris, rare, in shales (fide A. Kelley, unpublished records). Glomospira sp., thin-
walled miliolids, small textularids, ostracods, all rare, usually in thin limestone intercalations.

Age: Not determined on internal evidence. Upper Jurassic, pre-Middle Tithonian through
Lower Kimmeridgian to ?Upper ?Callovian from regional correlation evidence.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Najmah Formation; contact conformable,

gradational, taken at the base of the lowest considerable bedded anhydrite. The part of the
Najmah Formation encountered beneath the Gotnia corresponds to the basal beds only of
the type Najmah, and comprises calcareous, shales with alternations of pseudo-oolitic and
coprolithic limestones, and some beds of highly characteristic oolitic limestones.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Makhul Formation; contact conformable,

gradational, taken at the top of the highest considerable bedded anhydrite.

Other localities: Makhul-1 and 2, and Mileh Tharthar-1.

Remarks: The Gotnia Anhydrite is a clearly differentiated and indivisible rock unit in its type locality,
the shale and limestone intercalations within it marking only minor and insignificant departures from
evaporitic deposition. The limestones and shales are mostly of the chemical-deposition suite. The
contained faunas, which are extremely rare, are either dwarfed, restricted faunas of forms tolerant
of excessive water salinity, or death-assemblages, which do not necessarily indicate even temporary
re-assertions of normal salinities.

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The Gotnia passes laterally, northwards from Awasil and Makhul, into the oolitic-pseudo-oolitic
limestones of the Najmah Formation, this change being associated with an increase in thickness. Thus
the Gotnia, which is 632 ft (192.7 m) thick at Awasil and perhaps 600 ft (182.9 m) thick (true thickness)
in Makhul-2, may be equated with 1,118 ft (340.9 m) of Najmah Formation found in Najmah-29.

The disparity in thickness between Makhul-2 and Najmah-29 becomes more emphatic when some
allowance is made for the fact that the Najmah Formation was reduced by erosion in the Najmah,
Qalian and Atshan well sections, during late Jurassic and/or early Cretaceous emergence. The nature
of the eroded rocks, which once existed above the present top of the Najmah Formation in Najmah
and Qalian, is not known. But it is probable that a considerable thickness of Gotnia Anhydrite
extended over the top of the Najmah Formation prior to erosion.

The equivalent of the Gotnia Anhydrite in the Kurdistan succession is taken to be Barsarin Formation,
which is characterized by collapse structures in black foetid limestones. The collapse structures are
deemed due too removal of gypsum by solution, and anhydrites are confirmed locally, within the
Barsarin, as at Kurrek.

The Barsarin underlies Middle Tithonian Chia Gara Formation (Spath, 1950) apparently without
discontinuity, and it rests with seeming conformity upon the Naokelekan Formation, for the upper
parts of which Lower Kimmeridgian age seems assured on the evidence of ammonite faunas from
several localities (identified by L.F. Spath, unpublished reports). Hence the age of the Barsarin is
taken to lie within the Kimmeridgian.

The Naokelekan and the Najmah formations both lie upon Middle Jurassic Sargelu Formation, the
Najmah unconformably, without detectable angular discordance but with erosional convergence in
the top of the Sargelu, and the Naokelekan with apparent conformity. The Makhul Formation, which
overlies the Gotnia conformably, is dated as Tithonian-?Berriasian.

Thus the Naokelekan is homotaxial and approximately correlative with the Najmah Formation,
where this is fully developed, and the Barsarin is homotaxial and correlative with the upper part of
the Gotnia Formation. The lower part of the Gotnia Formation, where fully developed, is correlative
with all but the lowest part of the Najmah Formation.

From such far-reaching considerations into lateral relationships of the rock units concerned, it is
concluded that the type section of the Gotnia Anhydrite is of Middle Tithonian or older age at its
top, probably of Lower Kimmeridgian age near its top and perhaps of Oxfordian or more probably
Callovian age at its base.

Further insight into the age of the Gotnia may be gained from comparison with the succession in
the Arabian Gulf and western Arabia. The Makhul Formation of Awasil is homotaxial and probably
approximately correlative with the Sulaiy Formation of Qatar and Bahrein (described by Sugden,
1958, MS), so that the upper part of the Gotnia Anhydrite may be considered correlative with the Hith
Anhydrite Formation (Sugden, op. cit.) of Qatar and Arabia (R.A. Bramkamp and M. Steineke, 1952).

The Najmah Formation carries microfaunas which indicate broad age-equivalence with the Darb
and Diyab formation of Qatar, etc. (described by Sugden, op. cit.), but there are no equivalents for the
faunas of the Qatar and Fahahil formations of Qatar, for which Sugden argues Kimmeridgian age.
Sediments of these ages were doubtless deposited in the Najmah-Qalian area, in continuity with the
Najmah and perhaps in anhydritic facies. Similarly, age equivalents of these formations must exist,
certainly in anhydrite facies, fairly high up in the continuous anhydrites of the Gotnia, at Awasil and
Makhul, etc.

Again on the evidence of foraminiferal faunas from higher, fossiliferous parts of the formation,
the basal beds of the Najmah Formation at Najmah are probably correlative with part of the
Diyab formation of Qatar (Sugden, 1958, MS) for which Callovian age is inferred by Sugden from
correlations between the Qatar succession and that of the ammonitiferous, exposed succession of

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Arabia (Arkell, 1952; Bramkamp and Steineke, 1952). These basal beds of the Najmah Formation are
recognized beneath the Gotnia in the type section, so that by this argument the Gotnia is not older
than Callovian, at its base, in Awasil.

Thus correlation between Awasil-Najmah and Qatar and Arabian successions can be taken to support
the conclusions as to age of the Gotnia which are drawn, independently, from correlation between the
Awasil-Najmah and the Kurdistan successions.

Neither the Gotnia Anhydrite nor any correlative, other than the Najmah Formation, is known in any
subsurface section north and northwest of Makhul, where the Cretaceous/Jurassic break eliminates
late Jurassic and early Cretaceous sediments. The basal Najmah Formation persists as far to the north
as Atshan, but north and west of this locality the break widens to throw Aptian or Albian Sarmord
Formation against Bathonian (and locally Bajocian) Sargelu Formation. Pre-or intra-Tithonian
anhydrites, limestones and shales, identified as the Barsarin Formation, were encountered in Kirkuk-
109.

West of Awasil the Gotnia Anhydrite is probably eliminated, by erosion, at the unconformity at
the base of the Zangura Formation, or else by erosion at the unconformity underlying the widely
transgressive Rutbah Sandstone. No Gotnia Anhydrite (or equivalent) outcrops in the Wadi Hauran
east of Muhaiwir, where the youngest rock unit lying exposed, beneath the Rutbah Sandstone, is the
Bathonian Muhaiwir Formation.

The “salt-anhydrite series”, of the Kuwait deep well Burgan-113, which lies between drilled
depths 8,475–9,985 ft (2,583.4–3,044.2 m), is perfectly homotaxial with the Gotnia Anhydrite and is
assigned to this formation on Plate IV. In this well, as in Makhul-2, etc., the evaporites grade down
by alternation into calcareous shales with highly characteristic oolites and coprolithic and pseudo-
oolitic limestones, identical with those of the basal Najmah Formation of the MPC wells. The Najmah
Formation lies unconformably upon eroded Middle Jurassic Sargelu Formation, as in the sections
described from central Iraq.

Govanda Limestone Formation: Miocene (“lower” Miocene)

Authors: H.V. Dunnington, K.M. Al-Naqib and D.M. Morton (1957, unpublished report). [H.V.
Dunnington, K.M Al-Naqib, and D.M. Morton]

Synonymy: Chama limestone (D.M. Morton, 1951, unpublished reports); Lailuk limestone (H.V.
Dunnington, 1956, unpublished reports).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: In the northwestwards-facing scarp of the Govanda Plateau, south of
Mawata Village and east of Argosh at approximately 37°07’58”N, 44°12’53”E. The section was
sampled and measured up the scarp face, a little to the northeast of the footpath, and up to the
lip of the scarp which marks the political boundary between Iraq and Turkey. The section is 122
m (400.2 ft) thick (uppermost 4 m, 13.1 ft inaccessible).

Lithology: Uppermost 101.8 m (333.9 ft) of fore-reef shoal and algal reef limestones, overlying
19 m (62.3 ft) of silty and sandy detrital limestones with abundant derived Maastrichtian
fossils, overlying 6 m (19.7 ft) of red conglomeratic sands and silts which include a basal
conglomerate 1.2 m (3.94 ft) thick. The basal conglomerate is made up of rounded pebbles of
red to buff radiolarian and other cherts.

The uppermost 4 m (13.1 ft) of the formation is not exposed within Iraq at the type locality,
where the crest of the Govanda ridge marks the frontier between Iraq and Turkey (see
Remarks).

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Fossils: Amphistegina spp., Borelis melo (Fichtel and Moll) var. curdica Reichel, Elphidium cf.
crispum (Linn.) (upper part), globigerinids (especially in upper part), Gypsina cf. globulus
(Reuss), Heterostegina spp., Meandropsina cf. anahensis Henson, miliolids, Operculina spp.,
peneroplids, Rotalia beccarii (Linn.). Undetermined lamellibranchs, gastropods, echinoids
and corals. Kuphus sp., serpulids, and undetermined scaphopoda. ?Balanus sp. Fish teeth and
scales. Bryozoa, locally abundant, including Tubucellaria sp. ?lekythoporid, celleporids. Rich
algal flora, identified by G.F. Elliott, including Archaeolithothamnium cyrenaicum Raineri (upper
part). A. sp., Corallina sp., Halimeda spp., Lithophyllum spp., Lithoporella, cf. glangeaudi Lemoine,
L. melobesoides Foslie, Mesophyllum laffitei Lemoine, M. savornini Lemoine, etc...

Also, in the lower part of the section, abundant derived Omphalocyclus macropora (Lamarck),
Siderolites calcitrapoides Lamarck, Orbitoides sp., rudist detritus, etc..

Only derived faunas and occasional miliolids and peneroplids in the basal 4 m (13.1 ft).

Age: Miocene, “lower” (see Remarks).

Underlying formation and details of contact: Un-named formation of the Kirkuk Group (van
Bellen, 1956), of “middle” Oligocene age. Contact an erosional unconformity, demonstrated by
southwards cut-out of the Oligocene along the Govanda scarp, and by the thick polygenetic
basal conglomerate.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Not seen in the type section (see Remarks).

Other localities: Ru Kuchuk Valley at Shirwan Mazin, Kani Linja, etc. Northeastern slopes of Rubar-
i-Mergassor Valley, etc., with measured sampled sections at Mergassor, Zhazhok, Mazna, Naoruen,
Razan, Lailuk. Also at Chwarta, Cholan River, Penjwin, etc.

Remarks: This formation, which is widely distributed in extreme northeastern Iraq, thickens
eastwards and northeastwards into Iran and Turkey. Although the uppermost beds of the formation
and the nature of the overlying unit have not been ascertained in the type locality, other sections in
the area show gradational upwards passage into red-brown marly and silty clastics with occasional
thin marine limestones. These sediments have been termed “undifferentiated Fars” in unpublished
reports. Though lithologically comparable with the Upper Fars Formation, they are probably
stratigraphically equivalent to part of the Lower Fars Formation of the main Miocene sedimentary
basin of Iraq. They are usually overthrust by metamorphosed Tertiary or Upper Cretaceous rocks of
the “thrust-mountain zone”.

Relations of the Govanda to underlying units are unconformable in all areas, and the Govanda
transgresses westwards and southwestwards over an erosion surface, which cuts through Oligocene,
Eocene-Palaeocene and Upper Cretaceous units, and into massive limestones of Middle Cretaceous
age. The Govanda rests unconformably upon eroded Albian Qamchuqa Limestone at Zaita, only a
few miles to the South of the type locality.

Over most of the area of occurrence of the Govanda the underlying unit is the Maastrichtian
Tanjero Clastic Formation, and the Govanda is often characterized by a great abundance of derived
Maastrichtian fossils, sometimes predominating greatly over the indigenous fauna. Visible angular
discordance between the Govanda and underlying units is recorded in several localities.

An account of the relations of the Govanda Limestone to older rock units is in preparation (H.V.
Dunnington, K.M. Al Naqib and D.M. Morton, 1958, MS).

The age of the formation is not definitely established. The algal association infers Burdigalian age
(G.F. Elliott, unpublished reports).

Gulneri Shale Formation: Cretaceous (Turonian) (Plate III)

Author: P.F.F. Lancaster Jones (1957, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: Shiranish shale (Anon., 1955)

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Dokan Dam, Sulaimaniya Liwa, northeast Iraq, 36°N, 45°E. The
section examined in detail is in the Southern branch of the Right Bank grouting tunnel, its
co-ordinates on the site grid being 768,400N, 659,860E. The formation is also well exposed at
present in the northern end of the Gulneri Gorge, 4 km northwest of the dam, and the name
is taken from this locality. This exposure will be submerged when the reservoir is filled. The
formation outcrops along the edge of the cliff on the left bank of the river downstream of the
dam and on the side of the old road on the right bank opposite the diversion tunnel outlet.
Other excellent exposures examined at the site have since been hidden behind concrete. The
type section is 1.1-1.2 m (3.6-3.9 ft) thick.

Lithology: Black, bituminous, finely laminated calcareous shale, with some glauconite and
collophane in the lower part.

Fossils: Rotalipora cf. appenninica Renz, Globotruncana helvetica Bolli, minute globigerinids,
gumbelinids, fish detritus indet., small bicarinate Globotruncana spp.

Age: Lower Turonian.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Dokan Limestone; contact an erosional

unconformity.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Kometan limestone Formation; contact an

erosional unconformity, marked by solutional pitting of the upper surface of the shale and by
conglomeratic elements in the base of the overlying Kometan.

Other localities: Dokan, ?Hajiawa, K-116.

Remarks: Although this unit is very thin in its type locality, it is a very significant formation, since
it is bounded by erosional unconformities, the lower of which probably corresponds to a fairly long
non-sequence embracing the Turonian/Cenomanian boundary.

The formation is also strikingly different, in its black colour, lithology and bituminous content, from
the overlying and underlying formations, which are light grey limestones, weathering chalky white.
Because of its impermeability, relative to the Kometan and Dokan limestones, the Gulneri Shale has
played an important part in locating springs and underground drainage channels in the area around
its type section. Because of this control of drainage, and also because of its inherent weakness as a
weathered shale, this formation has received considerable attention from the engineers responsible
for the construction of the dam and flood-disposal works.

Eastwards from its type area the Gulneri must have equivalents in the continuous “basinal”
sediments of the Balambo Formation, which were deposited in possibly unbroken succession from
Lower Cretaceous to late Turonian times. It should be recognized as a separate formation on the basis
of the nature of the basal contact. Where this is an unconformity the Gulneri Shale can be recognized.
Where the unconformity is lacking and the Gulneri grades downwards into the Dokan Formation the
two should be conjoined and referred to, jointly, as the “Gulneri/Dokan formations”. If the Gulneri
equivalent overlies Balambo Formation conformably in any section, it should form there a part of
the Balambo and should not be attributed to the Gulneri Formation. Similarly if the contact with the
overlying Kometan equivalent is conformable the sequence should be attributed to the conjoined
“Kometan/Gulneri formations”.

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The lateral distribution of the Gulneri and of the underlying Dokan in the neighborhood of its type
locality is limited. These formations must wedge out between the limiting unconformities towards
the north, where Turonian Kometan rests on eroded Balambo Formation (as at Kometan), and
towards the northwest where Kometan rests upon eroded Albian Qamchuqa Formation (as at Koi
Sanjak). The Gulneri Formation has been definitely located on the P.W.D. road four miles northwest
of Dokan Dam, but is absent at the entrance to Qamchuqa Gorge, a similar distance southeast of the
site. But both the Gulneri and Dokan formations have been confirmed recently beneath the Avanah
Dome of the Kirkuk structure, some 60 miles west of the type area, demonstrating a widespread if
patchy extension of the units.

The bitumen content of the Gulneri is sufficient to render the rock combustible, and volatile
hydrocarbons are still present in fresh outcrop samples of the shale.

Lower Turonian age is considered probable because of the presence in the shale of rare Rotalipora cf.
appenninica (Renz), and of rare bicarinate Globotruncana species which usually accompany this form in
the early Turonian but not in the uppermost Cenomanian sediments. The minute and indeterminate
globigerinids and gumbelinids resemble those of the underlying Dokan Formation, which is of
Cenomanian age, however, whereas they differ from commensurate forms seen in the overlying
Turonian Kometan. The basal beds of the Kometan limestone are of Lower Turonian age, but not
of lowermost Turonian age since the characteristic Globotruncanidae of the lowermost Turonian are
lacking and the fauna includes some elements which are characteristic of the Middle Turonian and
which do not range down to the Turonian/Cenomanian boundary.

gypsiferous series: Miocene-Pliocene

Obsolete term from Iran nomenclature, originated by Loftus (1855). It included what is now known
as the Fars and the Bakhtiari groups. [R.C. van Bellen]

Hadiena Formation: (fragmental limestone and marl) Cretaceous

(Upper Senonian) (Plate II)

Author: R. Wetzel (1950, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Due south of Hadiena Village (Amadia District, North Iraq),
approximately along 43°20’54”E, with base at about 37°14’29”N, 700 m (2,296 ft) south of
the stream which runs east-west, immediately to the north of the village, and with top at
37°14’02”N, about 1,380 m (4,526.4 ft) south of stream. The type section is 755 m (2,476.4 ft)
thick.

Lithology: Upper division 644 m (2,112.3 ft) conglomeratic, fragmental and brecciated
limestones, alternating with fragmental shelly limestones, with frequent haematite breccias,
consisting of angular fragments of haematite in matrix of ferruginous limestone: some quartz
grains present in occasional beds. Bands of marly globigerinal limestones are of common
occurrence. Middle division of 51 m (167.3 ft) silty detrital calcareous marls, ferruginous, locally
with detrital haematite and phosphatic chert grains, overlying 20 m (65.6 ft) marly and sandy
limestones, with detrital chert, etc., locally fragmental and conglomeratic, with detrital and ?
authigenic haematite. Lower division of 40 m (131.2 ft) dolomitized limestones, saccharoidal,
massive, with vestiges of conglomeratic and fragmental elements, chert detritus, etc.

Fossils: Upper divisions: Inoceramus inconstans Woods, Lopha sollieri Coquand, Plicatula
ferrysi Coquand; Globotruncana spp. (not studied), Orbitoides media (d’Archiac), Pseudedomia
complanata Eames and Smout, Pseudosiderolites vidali (Douville), Valvulina sp.; Oligostegina;

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Amphiroa sp.; Archaelithothamnium provinciale Pfender, Archaeolithothamnium batalleri Lemoine,

Cymopolia tibetica? Morellet; Pseudolithothamnium album Pfender, Solenomeris sp. Middle
division: abundant fine detritus of Inoceramus; smaller foraminifera, including Globigerina spp.,
Gumbelina spp., Anomalia spp., Valvulineria sp., Valvulina sp.; rare Globotruncana spp. including
G. leupoldi Bolli G, fornicata Plummer, Oligostegina; Pseudedomia complanata dames and Smout
(rare), Cuneolina cylindrica Henson (rare, near base). Lower division: no microfauna; fragments
of rudists, obscure.

Age: Upper Campanian (upper and middle divisions) possibly with early Maastrichtian at
extreme top. Age of lower division not determined.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Chia Gara Formation or neritic equivalent
(Berriasian); contact probably an erosional unconformity or possibly faulted. Obscure, at base
of massive dolomitized limestones (40 m, 131.2 ft thick) and at top of ferruginous yellow and
red marls with oyster lumachelles.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Aqra Limestone Formation; contact conformable,
gradational, at base of massive, saccharoidal, scarp-forming dolomite unit (20 m, 65.6 ft thick)
and at top of grey-brownish, detrital, organic limestones.

Other localities: Chalki; occasional lenses at Banik.

Remarks: The Hadiena (fragmental limestone and marl) formation is defined to accommodate the
curious sequence of Upper Cretaceous rocks which is encountered, in its full development, only in
the thin EW-trending thrust-slice which runs from south of Hadiena Village, through Chalki and
across the Khabour River towards Shiranish.

The characteristic features of the rock types included in the formation are the prevalence of
lamellibranch detritus (especially of Inoceramus spp. and Lopha spp.) throughout, the frequent
appearance of haematite and haematitic chert as detritus of all grades, the common occurrence
of detrital quartz grains, frequent occurrence of conglomeratic and fragmental limestones made
up of penecontemporaneous materials, and, in general; the absence of the familiar rock types and
microfacies which are normally encountered in other Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian rock units.

Typical Shiranish Formation marls and limestones occur intermittently in the middle division of the
formation, grading vertically into detrital marls with haematite and chert detritus, but the Shiranish
components are not sufficiently thick or numerous to detract from the individuality of the unit as a
whole.

Westwards from Hadiena and Chalki the formation passes laterally, by interdigitation, into normal
globigerinal Shiranish Formation, a few atypical Hadiena tongues in the Shiranish of Banik bearing
witness to this transition.

Lateral relationships with the contemporaneous Bekhme Limestone Formation of the area to the
south (Ser Amadia, Chia Gara, etc.) are not shown by exposures and remain obscure.

Similarly, the relationships between the Hadiena and the flysch-like Tanjero Formation of the area to
the east are obscure. These contemporaneous units join in being composed largely of detritus, but the
resemblance is purely a superficial one, since the detritals making up the Tanjero are largely green
rocks, radiolarites and pre-Senonian limestones and cherts, derived from the distant uplifted region
to the east, whereas the Hadiena detritals are wholly or mostly of local and penecontemporaneous
origin, and the “flysch-type” clastics are entirely lacking.

The peculiar characteristics of the Hadiena may be attributed to rapid sedimentation in an

intermittently sinking but occasionally emergent area, in which rather unusual environmental
conditions prevailed. Unfortunately the area of exposure is very limited, and there are no outcrops

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within Iraq, to the north of the Hadiena-Chalki strip, from which clues could be gleaned as to the
nature of the conditions which governed the deposition of the unit.

The identification of the Aqra Limestone as the overlying unit rests on lithological correlation, since
no fauna has been determined from this unit.

The inclusion of the lower division within the Hadiena also lacks palaeontological proof, since the
rocks are extensively dolomitized and all faunal detail has been obliterated. The division is accepted
as the basal portion of the Hadiena because it contains locally abundant chert detritus entirely
comparable with that found higher up in the formation.

The underlying formation is of Berriasian age, on the evidence of Terebratula cf. carteroniana d’Orbigny
and of Pseudocyclammina kelleri Henson. If the contact is unfaulted, as appears to be the case, Hadiena
is the only studied section in Iraq in which the sediments of the Valanginian to Albian stages are cut
out beneath a transgressive Upper Senonian formation. It is also the only section in which the sandy
neritic facies of the Chia Gara is fully developed within the Berriasian.

Hammar Formation: Recent (Plate VI)

Author: Hudson et al. (1957).

Synonymy: alluvium at Amara (Lees and Falcon, 1952); alluvial clay and sands (Lees and Falcon,
1952); lightly consolidated marine silty mud (Lees and Falcon, 1952).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Zubair-31; the formation occurs between 20–41 ft (6.1–12.5 m) drilled
depths and is 21 ft (6.5 m) thick.

Lithology: In the boring the lower part, 14 ft (4.3 m) thick, of this formation consists of coarse
and very coarse ill-graded sand, rarely cemented, and some silt; some of the sand is wind
blown. The upper part, 7 ft (2.1 m) thick, of the Hammar Formation consists of grey clay and
thin washes of shells.

Fauna: In the lower 14 ft (4.3 m) small shells, mainly concentrated in thin bands and washes,
are abundant. They are mainly small marine gastropods and lamellibranchs, common in the
Indo-Pacific province where they normally live in relatively quiet clear water. Though fragile,
they are generally well preserved and could not have been transported far. Crab and echinoid
fragments were, sporadically, not uncommon. The shells are more numerous and more
varied in the upper part of these sands, otherwise there is no significant difference in their
distribution.

In the upper 7 ft (2.1 m) there is a significant change in the composition of the shell beds. The
lowest foot is practically a shell-marl with a fauna as varied or more so than the beds below and
with also an abundance of echinoid debris. In the remainder of the shell washes the shells are
practically limited to one species only, Abra cadabra, with occasional crab debris. This suggests
that the fauna was almost entirely killed off by the introduction of clay sediment and that only
Abra cadabra was able to accommodate itself to the changed environment.

The common fossils, in order, are: Lamellibranchs: Pitar belcheri (Sowerby), Brachidontes
variabilis (Kraus), Corbula sulculosa Adams, Abra cadabra Eames and Wilkins; Gastropods:
Minolia edyma Melville, Hinia idyllia (Melville and Standen)”.

Numerous other species occur which have been mentioned in the original literature on this
formation.

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Age: The fauna of the Hammar Formation is without doubt of Recent age, all forms existing in
the present seas, some of them now living in the shallow coastal waters of the Red Sea, Trucial
Coast, Oman Coast and Arabian Gulf.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The Dibdibba Formation is covered by the
Hammar Formation. The contact is probably unconformable.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Alluvium overlies the Hammar Formation
conformably.

Other localities: The formation occurs in wells on the Zubair and Nahr Umr structures, in shallow
wells near Fao and probably also further north, near Amara.

Remarks: The general succession of events was:

1. A transgression in Recent times of a clear shallow-water gulf-sea on to a land-surface of

some antiquity floored by Dibdibba rocks (Plio-Miocene). The transgression was of limited
extent, coinciding more or less with the southern part of the present Mesopotamian plain and
therefore due to local subsidence of that area and not to regional change of sea-level.

2. The persistence of the sea and its apparent constant geography due to consistent subsidence
for a period long enough to accumulate towards its shore-line 14 ft (4.3 m) of shell-marl
and towards its centre up to possibly 60 ft (18.3 m) of shelly silt (Hammar Formation: lower
part).

The gradual silting-up of the sea shown by the replacement of the shell-marl of the Hammar Formation
by a silt or clay (7 ft, 2.1 m thick at Zubair-31; 15 ft, 4.6 m at Nahr Um-2) with a progressively restricted
marine fauna due to influx of sediment or change of salinity. The silting-up is considered to be due
to cessation of general subsidence, possibly accompanied by an overwhelming increase of land
sediment. It is possible that a local land surface followed the sedimentation of this clay and silt.

The replacement over the area of the Hammar sea, and beyond it, of marine sediments by fluviatile,
lacustrine, and estuarine sediments with fresh-water or estuarine plants, molluscs, and ostracods
indicates the establishment of the present geography. (Hudson et al., 1957)

Hamrin stage: Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

Now obsolete term, originally introduced by Pascoe (1922) to cover what are now called the Lower
and Middle Fars formations. See the definitions of these formations. [R.C. van Bellen]

Hamrina marl member: Cretaceous (Upper Campanian)

See Sa’di Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Hanjir back reef complex: Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene)

Discarded term; used formerly by Iraq Petroleum Company geologists, in unpublished reports. Used
and revived (but mis-spelt) in published report (Anon., 1955). See Khurmala Formation. [R.C. van
Bellen]

Hanjur black reef Complex: Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene)

Mis-spelling (Anon., 1955), see Hanjir back reef complex. [R.C. van Bellen]

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Hartha Formation: Cretaceous (Maastrichtian-Upper Campanian) (Plate IV)

Author: P.M.V. Rabanit (1952, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: Hartha formation, first published account (Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Type locality and section (from Owen and Nasr, 1958):

Location and Thickness: Zubair-3; the formation occurs between drilled depths 5,590–6,013 ft
(1,704.3–1,833.2 m), and is 423 ft (129 m).

Lithology: Organic detrital glauconitic limestone with grey marls and green shales. The
limestones are strongly dolomitized in places.

Fossils: Globotruncana cf. stuarti (de Lapparent), Cosinella sp., Valvulammina sp., Ammobaculites
sp., Monolepidorbis sp., Pseudedomia complanata Eames and Smout 1955; Brachycythere spp.;
Bryozoa.

Age: Maastrichtian-Upper Campanian.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Sa’di Formation; contact stated to be conformable
by Owen and Nasr (but see Remarks), placed at the top of clean, fine grained chalky limestone
and at base of dirty detrital limestones with abundant Monolepidorbis.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Qurna Formation; contact stated to be

disconformable by Owen and Nasr, taken at the top of white chalky glauconitic limestones and
at the bottom of soft grey marl.

Other localities: All deep subsurface sections in the Basrah area and Kuwait (but see Remarks).
Supplementary reference section in Kuwait in Burgan-10, between drilled depths 3,365–3,440 ft
(1,025.9–1,048.8 m) (Owen and Nasr).

Remarks: According to Owen and Nasr, this formation extends to Kuwait with little change in facies.
The Bahra formation, never formally defined in publication, has been employed in southeastern
Kuwait as a term to embrace the combined lateral equivalents of the Hartha and overlying Qurna
formations, which are less distinguishable in that area than in the Basrah fields or in northern Kuwait
due to the lateral southwards passage of the marly Qurna Formation into limestones. The Bahra
formation is included in a recently published diagram showing the stratigraphical succession in
southeastern Kuwait (Fox. 1957).

Thickness of the Hartha Formation varies in the Basrah area between 370–765 ft (112.8–233.2 m). In the
Burgan-Magwa-Ahmadi area erratic variation in thickness from 50-300 ft (15.2–91.5 m) suggests that
the earliest deposits of this formation were laid down in hollows eroded at the top of the underlying
Gudair Formation and the lithology suggests a transgressive phase in this area (Owen and Nasr).

Although the published definition indicates that the Hartha is conformable on the Sa’di Formation
in the Basrah area, recent detailed work by E. Hart (unpublished report) has demonstrated that
the Hartha lies unconformably on eroded Sa’di in the Basrah fields as it does on eroded Gudair in
Kuwait.

In sections other than the type section, the Hartha has yielded Omphalocyclus macropora (Lamarck)
and Orbitoides media in association with Monolepidorbis spp., from close to the base of the formation.
The lower part of the Hartha and the unconformity at its base may be dated fairly closely on the basis
of this association as being of basal Maastrichtian or uppermost Campanian age, probably the latter.

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In subsurface sections in the Awasil-Fallujah area of northern Iraq, the Hartha has closely comparable
equivalents within the Pilsener Limestone Formation, but the equivalents of the overlying Qurna and
underlying Sa’di, Tanuma and Khasib formations are also neritic limestones, and included within the
Pilsener Limestone in this area.

Harur Limestone Formation: Lower Carboniferous (Lower Tournaisian) (Plate II)

Authors: R. Wetzel and D.M. Morton (1952, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Ora fold (Amadia District, northern Iraq). The section lies on the
southern flank of the fold, in the cliff-face, with base about 1,500 m (4,920 ft) N250°E of Ora
Police Post (which is at approximately 37°16’56”N; 43°21’55”E). The thickness of the type
section is 62 m (203.4 ft).

Lithology: Thin-bedded, black, organic detrital limestone, with intercalations of black

calcareous micaceous shales in the lower and upper parts.

Fossils: Abundant coral and brachiopod faunas, awaiting description (see Remarks), including
Caninia cornucopiae (Michelin) emend. Carruthers, Fasciculophyllum (Zaphrentis) cf. omaliusi
(Edwards and Haime), Michelinia megastoma Phillips, Vaughania cleistoporoides Conrad, etc. Also
crinoids, Bryozoa, foraminifera, etc.

Age: Lower Carboniferous, Lower Tournaisian.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Ora Shale Formation; contact gradational by
alternation, taken at the transition from dominant limestone above, to dominant shale below.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Chia Zairi Limestone Formation; contact a major
unconformity, without discernible angular discordance, but marked by oxidized ferruginous-
crusted marls, haematite impregnation and sporadic ferruginous sandstone at the top of the
Lower Tournaisian Harur Formation and below the Permian Chia Zairi limestones.

Other localities: Kaista and Harur near Chalki, Khabour Valley, and in the Geli Sinat and Shish areas
northwest of Shiranish, Amadia district, northern Iraq.

Remarks: There is no need to enter into detailed consideration of this unit, since the Palaeozoic
stratigraphy of Kurdistan will be fully discussed in a forthcoming paper by R. Wetzel, D.M. Morton
and R.G.S. Hudson et al. (1958, in preparation). Publication of a comprehensive account of the rich
fauna of the Palaeozoic units is also projected (R.G.S. Hudson, et al., 1958, in preparation).

The Harur Limestone is known in Iraq only from the Ora, Harur and Kaista sections and from
other exposures in the northern tip of Kurdistan. The unconformity between Permian and Lower
Tournaisian is found at Harur and at Kaista, very much as at Ora. At Kaista the break is marked by a
pitted limestone surface, with a surficial coating of ferruginous minerals. In spite of the magnitude of
the non-sequence, no angular discordance is observable in any studied section.

The formation is named after the Village of Harur, 11.5 km west-southwest of Ora. Lower
Carboniferous units are exposed in the stream section about 0.5 to 1 km northwest of Harur. But these
units have not been extensively studied at Harur, and the formation is perforce defined from the
better known, sampled and measured section at Ora.

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Hasa Group: Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene-”middle” Eocene -?”upper” Eocene)

The term Hasa Group has been introduced by Sander (1952) to include, originally in Saudi Arabia,
the Umm er Radhuma Formation, the Rus Formation and the Dammam Formation. The group serves
a useful purpose also in southern Iraq and it has been adopted by Owen and Nasr (1958). The age is
Palaeocene to Eocene. In Saudi Arabia absence of Upper Eocene has been proved. Such is not the case
as yet in southern Iraq.

The original term “Bahrein series”, introduced by Pilgrim in 1908 in Bahrein, is rejected by Sander,
because the Hasa area of eastern Saudi Arabia shows a better succession of the formations involved
than the Bahrein Peninsula. [R.C. van Bellen, after Owen and Nasr)

Hauran sandstone (Hauran quartzite): Cretaceous (Cenomanian)

Obsolete name, originally applied to the Rutbah Sandstone Formation in the Wadi Hauran near
Muhaiwir (A. Keller and H.H. Boesch, etc.; unpublished reports). When the name was introduced,
it was thought that the calcareous Muhaiwir Formation, which underlies the Rutbah Sandstone
unconformably in this area, was of Aquitanian age. The sandstone was therefore regarded as of
Miocene age, and the name was later applied to sandy beds, actually of Miocene age, in other areas.
So far as is known the name has never been published. The Hauran sandstone should not be confused
with the Zor Hauran Formation, which is a currently recognized rock unit of Liassic age. See also
Rutbah Sandstone Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Hibbarah Anhydrite Member (of the Jawan Formation): Cretaceous (Albian)

(Plates II and III)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Hibbarah-1; the member occurs between drilled depths 3,510–3,537
ft (1,070.1–1,078.4 m). The thickness ranges from 27 ft (8.2 m) in the type-section to 77 ft (23.5
m) in Sadid-1.

Lithology: Bedded anhydrite with subordinate thin limestone and marl stringers.

Fossils: None.

Age: Albian (from position within the Jawan Formation).

Underlying and overlying formation: Jawan Formation; contacts conformable and

gradational, respectively at the bottom and top of the highest bedded anhydrite unit lying
within the Jawan.

Other localities: Jawan-2, Makhul-1 and 2, Najmah-29 and Sadid-1.

Remarks: The top of this thin anhydrite unit is placed at the highest occurrence of bedded anhydrite
within the Jawan Formation: it is a clearly defined horizon in all wells concerned. The basal limit is
set at the base of the first considerable anhydrite.

Though the recognition of the Hibbarah Anhydrite Member is justified principally on grounds of
expediency, it is probable that its upper limit at least has a wide genetic significance. Overlying
non-anhydritic limestones carry a restricted fauna, which appears in all the available well sections:
the salinity-reduction indicated by this fauna is taken to imply slight transgression, terminating an
Albian regressive episode.
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The top of the member appears to retain a constant stratigraphical position within the Jawan
Formation, and to reflect an abrupt and widespread change in sedimentary conditions attendant on
salinity reduction. The sediments immediately underlying the Hibbarah Member vary considerably
from well to well, between the extremes of fluffy-textured limestones with rare miliolid-phase
microfaunas, and green marls without discerned fauna: anhydrite nodules occur sporadically in most
variants. The differences in lithology of underlying sediments may indicate appreciable diachronism
of the base of the member.

The unit is regarded as a member of the Jawan Formation, because similar sediments occur above
and below it, and because it is believed to pass, laterally, into indivisible Jawan Formation (at Qalian).
Towards Awasil from Makhul, it is supposed that the Jawan Formation passes laterally into silts
and sandstones of the Nahr Umr Formation, and at Mileh Tharthar, Awasil and Nafatah the Jawan
Formation, including the Hibbarah Member, is unrecognizable, the corresponding stratigraphical
interval being occupied entirely by the Nahr Umr Formation.

Hith Anhydrite Formation: Jurassic (Kimmeridgian)

This formation is defined from outcrops in Saudi Arabia (Steineke and Bramkamp, 1952) where it
overlies the limestones of the Arab Formation and underlies the limestones of the Thamama Group.
The formation is not recognized in Iraq, though the upper part of the Gotnia Anhydrite Formation is
certainly correlative with the Hith. The extensive ‘’salt-anhydrite series’’ encountered in the Burgan-
113, in Kuwait, is closely correlated with the Gotnia (Plate IV), and hence its upper parts may be
equated with the Hith Anhydrite. In referring to this evaporitic series, Owen and Nasr (1958) mention
the ‘’Jurassic Hith or Zekrit Anhydrite of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and the Awasil well in Central
Iraq’’: the evaporitic unit in the Awasil well is the Gotnia Anhydrite Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Hoplites zone: Cretaceous (Hauterivian/Valanginian)

The middle of three palaeontologically differentiated subdivisions of the Hauterivian/Valanginian

portion of the Balambo Formation or northeastern Iraq. See Balambo Formation. [R. Wetzel]

Huweimi beds: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

Informal term, introduced by H. Huber and R.M. Ramsden in an unpublished report in 1945. See
Dammam Formation. Mitchell’s ‘’terme de Huweimi’’ and ‘’Huweimi’’ are synonyms (1956). [R.C.
van Bellen]

Huweimi (terme de ..): Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956). See terme de Huweimi, Huweimi beds, and Dammam Formation. [R.C. van
Bellen]

Ibrahim Formation: Oligocene (“upper” Oligocene) (Plate VI)

Author: R.C. van Bellen (1957, unpublished report). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Ibrahim-1; the formations occurs between drilled depths 1,210–1,395
ft (368.9–425.3 m), interfingering over the last 45 ft (13.6 m) with Azkand Limestone. The
formation is 185 ft (56.5 m) thick.

Lithology: Globigerinal marly limestone with specks of pyrite, occasional glauconite, showing
slight dolomitization.

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Fossils: The fauna is largely planktonic and consists of small foraminifera. It has not yet been
examined. Intercalations of Azkand Limestone Formation account largely for the presence of
the non-planktonic elements.

Age: Probably “upper” Oligocene, though this dating does not imply strict correlation with the
European Upper Oligocene.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Eocene Jaddala Formation underlies this
formation unconformably.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Euphrates Limestone Formation of “lower”

Miocene age overlies this formation unconformably.

Other localities: Probably in wells on the Qasab and Najmah structures.

Remarks: The formation is the offshore equivalent of the Azkand Limestone, with which it
interfingers in appropriate areas, including the type locality. In wells on the Qasab and Najmah
structures, however, correlation of the sediments concerned with the type locality (and therefore its
identity is based only on facies resemblances and stratigraphic position. In these wells the formation
rests on “middle” and “lower” Oligocene.

Laterally the Ibrahim Formation passes towards the northeast into Azkand Limestone. It disappears
towards the southwest where the centre of the offshore area shows a non-sequence, due either to non-
deposition or to scouring.

Imam Hassan limestone and Imam Hassan (série d’...):

Cretaceous (Maastrichtian)

This name Imam Hassan limestone, originated in unpublished reports by Anglo-Persian Oil
Company geologists (Elder, 1958), is applied to pale grey marly limestones and marlstones of early
Maastrichtian age which occur within the generally marly soft-weathering sediments of the Upper
Cretaceous in the western part of the provinces of Luristan and Kermanshah.

In Iraq the name is not generally utilized, since it is recognized that the globigerinal limestone
facies may be developed anywhere within the generally marly Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian
Shiranish Formation. In Luristan and Kermanshah the globigerinal limestone facies is apparently
restricted to the lower part of the Maastrichtian, delimiting a continuous and conspicuous unit which
merits formation status. In deep subsurface sections in the Naft Khaneh oilfield, near Khanaqin, the
formation is found, in much the same thickness, facies and stratigraphical position as at Imam Hassan
(unpublished reports of Khanaqin Oil Company’s geologists, etc.).

The term Imam Hassan limestone (série d’Imam Hassan; C.P. Nicolesco, 1933) has been applied to
the whole of the Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian succession of globigerinal marls and limestones of
northern Iraq (as in Nicolesco, 1933), but this usage is not acceptable within Iraq, and is incompatible
with the original sense in which the term was applied in southwestern Iran. [H.V. Dunnington]

“i” marker: Upper Triassic

Informal designation, applied by W.T. Foran, in unpublished reports, to a conspicuous, oolitic-

pseudo-oolitic locally conglomeratic limestone bed within the Upper Triassic Mulussa Formation.
See Mulussa Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Jaddala Formation: Eocene (“middle” and “upper” Eocene) (Plate VI)

Author: F.R.S. Henson (1940, unpublished report). [R.C. van Bellen]

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Synonymy: marnes claires jaunatres (Dubertret, 1935); globigerina limestone (Barber, 1948);
globigerinal marls and limestones (Baker, 1953); Gem (Daniel, 1954); Geu (Daniel, 1954); globigerinal
marl (van Bellen, 1956).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Near the Village of Jaddala at 36°18’20”N, 41°41’28”E, where the
section is 1,124 ft (342 m) thick.

Lithology: Marly and chalky limestones and marls with occasional thin intercalations of shoal
limestones (Avanah Limestone tongues).

Fossils: The fauna consists largely of an assemblage of foraminifera. This has not yet been
completely analyzed, but the following fossils can be mentioned: Bulimina jacksonensis
Cushman, Dentalina spp., Globigerina bulloides d’Orbigny, Globigerina mexicana Cushman,
Globigerina triloba Reuss, Globorotalia centralis Cushman and Bermudez, Globorotalia wilcoxensis
Cushman and Ponton, Hantkenina alabamensis Cushman, Hantkenina dumblei Weinzerl and
Applin, Nodosaria spp., Uvigerina eocaenica Gumbel, Vulvulina ?pectinata Hantken, and small
gumbelinids.

In the type locality of the formation, the following foraminifera occur towards the base:
Anomalinoides granosa (Hantken), Bulimina quadrata Plummer, Globorotalia aragonensis
Nuttall, Globorotalia cf. velascoensis (Cushman), Marsonella oxycona (Reuss), Quadrimorphina
allomorphinoides (Reuss). This fauna is considered to be derived, but some authorities regard it
as evidence of Lower Eocene age.

Some horizons contain Radiolaria and sponge spicules.

Age: At the type locality the age is probably low Middle Eocene but elsewhere the age of this
formation extends from the base of the Middle Eocene or the top of the Lower Eocene to the
top of the Upper Eocene (this range being covered by the informal notations “middle” and
“upper” Eocene).

Underlying formation and details of contact: The Sinjar Limestone Formation underlies this
formation unconformably. The unconformity is marked by a concentration of glauconite.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Serikagni Formation of “lower” Miocene age
overlies the Jaddala Formation of Eocene age unconformably.

Other localities: The formation occurs in numerous wells in the IPC and MPC area. At surface it
occurs in various sections in the Jebel Sinjar and in the Azkand section on the southern dome of the
Qarah Chauq Dagh.

Remarks: The Jaddala Formation, widespread in Iraq, especially in wells, is considered to be the
offshore equivalent of the Avanah Limestone Formation. It has not been found in southern Iraq as yet,
probably because the area of known exposure in both wells and outcrops is too close to the Arabian
Shield. There is but little doubt that it occurs to the east of the easternmost wells in the southern
area.

Jawan Formation: Cretaceous (Albian) (Plates II and III)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

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Location and Thickness: Jawan-2; the formation occurs between drilled depths 3,607–4,193 ft
(1,099.7–1,278.4 m), and is named from the well. The formation is at least 586 ft (178.7 m) thick
(base not reached).

Lithology: Recrystallized, fluffy-textured limestones and fine-grained dolomites, with

pseudo-oolitic limestone streaks, grading downwards into pseudo-oolitic limestone-dolomite-
anhydrite-marly limestone-marl alternations, and terminating at the base in marly limestones
and marls. The topmost beds are much dolomitized. A prominent anhydrite unit, occurring
between 3,686–3,736 ft (1,123.8–1,139 m), is correlated with the Hibbarah Anhydrite Member
of the Jawan Formation.

Fossils: Begia sp.; Cuneolina sp.; “thin walled” miliolids; trochamminids indet.; Knemiceras
syriacum von Buch (fide A. Keller) (at base); globigerinid indet. (near base).

Age: Albian.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Not reached; see “Remarks”.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Kometan Formation; contact an erosional

unconformity without appreciable angular discordance, the base of the Kometan Formation
being conglomeratic.

Other localities: Gullar-1, Hibbarah-1, Ibrahim-1, Makhul-1 and 2, Najmah-29, Qalian-1, Sadid-1,
Sasan-1, etc. Thicknesses range from 180–947 ft (54.9–288.7 m).

Remarks: The Jawan Formation is a heterogeneous unit with a constant association of rock types,
all of which give indication of deposition in an environment of abnormally high salinity. The
upper boundary is a well-marked erosional unconformity, without detected angular discordance.
In most of the subsurface sections the overlying formation is the Kometan Formation of Turonian
age. In the Makhul wells the Kometan is underlain by Mauddud Formation which is underlain in
turn, by Jawan Formation, both the upper and lower limits of the Mauddud being interpreted as
erosional unconformities, without angular discordance, in these sections. The Mauddud Formation is
considered to be late Albian in age at Makhul.

The base of the Jawan rests with suspected unconformity, but without detectable angular discordance,
upon the dolomitic Shu’aiba Formation in the Makhul wells and in Najmah-29. In Qalian-1 the Jawan
rests directly upon the Upper Jurassic Najmah Formation. It is thought that the Shu’aiba Formation
underlies the type section.

Individual beds within the Jawan Formation are not generally correlatable between wells, though the
Hibbarah Anhydrite Member is recognizable over a wide area, and the variation of average lithology,
from top to bottom of the type section, is reproduced in the Sadid, Najmah and Qalian sections.

The inorganic or restricted-fauna facies of the formation as a whole, the occurrence of “thin-walled
miliolid” faunules above and below the Hibbarah Anhydrite Member, and the presence of anhydrites
and chemically precipitated limestones and dolomites are expressions of semi-lagoonal conditions of
sedimentation. These conditions were imposed by the slight regional shallowing, which occurred in
Albian times. Communication with the open sea in the east was hindered by the intervention of the
shoal-type barriers of neritic limestones, which constitute the Qamchuqa Formation.

The Jawan Formation passes laterally northwards, northwestwards and (presumably) eastwards
from the type-locality, into Qamchuqa Formation. It is represented, atypically, in alternation with
Qamchuqa Formation, in the Sasan and Ibrahim wells.

Southwards and southwestwards from Jawan, the unit passes laterally into the contemporaneous
Nahr Umr Formation, which is a sandstone unit, deriving its clastics from the west. Subordinate silt
and thin beds of siltstones within the Jawan of the Makhul wells are probably far-reaching tongues of

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Nahr Umr Formation. The Jawan is somewhat atypical, in the Makhul area, in containing occasional
beds with normal marine fauna, including Orbitolina cf. concava (Lam.) and O. cf. discoidea Gras: the
reduction in salinity indicated by these microfossiliferous intercalations may be due to localized
introduction of fresh water from drainage of the continental area in the southeast.

Fossils from the Jawan Formation itself indicate an upper limit in the Albian at Makhul (where
Orbitolina cf. concava is associated with O. cf. discoidea). In Makhul-1 the basal marls of the Jawan
yielded Globieoncha altispira Whitfield (fide A. Keller) which, in Syria, frequently accompanies the
Albian form Knemiceras syriacum von Buch (L. Dubertret, 1937). K. syriacum is recorded from the type
section.

Additional faunal records from the upper part of the formation include Inoceramus fragments,
Cuneolina sp., and Pseudochrysalidina sp., from the Najmah and Qalian wells. The lower part of the
formation in most sections contains a stratigraphically restricted, unidentified globigerinid, which is
known also from the Albian portion of the Balambo Formation at Pir-i-Mugurun and elsewhere.

Jeribe Limestone Formation: Miocene (“lower” Miocene) (Plate VI)

Author: L. Damesin (1936), first mention, in unpublished report (not defined). The formation found
first definition in an unpublished report by R.C. van Bellen, in 1957. [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: Euphrates limestone, in part (Noble, 1926); Euphrates limestone, in part (de Boeckh et al.,
1929); Asmari, in part (de Boeckh et al., 1929); série de l’Euphrate, in part (Nicolesco, 1933); calcaire de
l’Asmari, in part (Nicolesco, 1933); Asmari, in part (Nicolesco, 1933); série d’Asmari, in part (Macovei,
1938); calcaire d’Asmari, in part (Macovei, 1938); calcaire de l’Euphrate, in part (Macovei, 1938).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Near Jaddala Village, Jebel Sinjar, at 36°18’00”N, and 41°41’00”E. The
section is about 240 ft (73 m) thick. The top is obscured, however, by 50 ft (15.2 m) of gravel.
This gravel almost certainly replaces the anhydrite, which normally exists at the base of the
Lower Fars Formation (see below).

Lithology: Limestone, recrystallized and dolomitized, generally massive, with beds of from
three to six feet thickness.

Fossils: Amphistegina sp., Borelis melo (Fichtel and Moll) var. curdica Reichel, Elphidium
sp., Nonion sp., Rotalia beccarii (Linn.), chilostomellids, dendritinids, miliolids, ostracods,
lithophyllid,, fragmentary gastropods, lamellibranchs and echinoids, ?Clausinella sp.

Age: Miocene, probably “lower”.

Underlying formation and details of Contact: Serikagni Formation underlies the Jeribe
Limestone unconformably, as no Dhiban Anhydrite Formation occurs.

Overlying formation and details of contact: The Lower Fars Formation overlies the unit.
The thick gravel bed at the base of the Fars and overlying the Jeribe may indicate important
unconformity at the contact.

Other localities: The formation occurs widespread at surface and in wells in northern Iraq. To the
northeast of the type area it is found in the Ain Zalah-Mushorah area. To the southeast it occurs in
subsurface sections on both sides of the Tigris River between Mosul and the confluence with the
Lesser Zab. It also occurs, thinly, in a few wells on the southernmost extension of the Baba Dome of
the Kirkuk structure, and thickly in all deep wells of the Jambur, Pulkhana and Injana areas. Probable
equivalents of it, known locally as Kalhur limestone, have been found in Chia Surkh and Naft
Khaneh wells.

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In the western part of Iraq, exposures occur around An Nahiyah and elsewhere, and subsurface
occurrences are known in Mileh Tharthar-1, and in wells in the Awasil area. The Jeribe Limestone is
not recognizable in southern Iraq.

Remarks: A number of additional fossils have been recorded from sections other than the type section.
Dendritina cf. rangi (d’Orbigny) occurs commonly, as does Peneroplis farsensis Henson. Meandropsina
anahensis Henson occurs more rarely.

The type section gives most of the possible variations of the facies. There are in fact three main facies,
which interfinger extensively with each other. These are a lagoonal facies, a lithophyllid (reef) facies,
and a detrital facies that was probably deposited in front of a lithophyllid reef in a shallow quiet
sea, a gulf or an extended sea arm. Ostracods are occasionally frequent in this facies and Rotalia
beccarii (Linn.) and other smaller foraminifera are more prominent in this facies than in the other two.
Macroscopically these three facies are hard to distinguish but examination of thin sections reveals the
differences quite clearly. All three facies occur in the type section.

In practically the whole of northern Iraq, southwest of the foothills, the lagoonal and lithophyllid
(reef) facies predominate. It becomes evident upon examination of the material that Borelis melo
(Fichtel and Moll) var. curdica Reichel does not occur below the Jeribe Limestone, and can therefore
be used partly as an index fossil, particularly to differentiate the Jeribe from the Euphrates Limestone.
These two units closely resemble each other, both in the field and in thin sections.

The lithophyllid (reef) facies disappears further towards the east and the thin occurrences of the
formation, in the southeastern end of the Kirkuk structure for instance, show the lagoonal facies only.
From this it is evident that a somewhat more offshore facies may be expected further to the west. This
more offshore facies is indeed found. Even in the Jaddala section a few fingers of offshore sediments
occur, thickening westwards, and further to the west, in eastern Syria, the facies is well developed.

The age of the Jeribe Limestone is difficult to assess. The only fossil of importance is Borelis melo
(Fichtel and Moll) var. curdica Reichel. In the Govanda Limestone Formation, this fossil is associated
with a Lower Miocene algal flora (G.F. Elliott, unpublished reports, see also Govanda Limestone
Formation). It is for this reason that a “lower” Miocene age has been adopted for this unit. On the
other hand, Borelis melo (Fichtel and Moll) var. curdica Reichel appears in a limestone in the Lebanon
together with a supposedly Middle Miocene macrofauna (Keller, 1933, p. 177-178). The exact age of
the formation must therefore remain in doubt for the time being.

The upper limit of this unit is practically everywhere a thick anhydrite, which forms the base of the
Lower Fars Formation. It is not impossible that this thick anhydrite, which has not received a formal
name in Iraq, can be correlated with the “cap rock” anhydrite of Iran (Elder, 1958).

The lower limit is more variable. Normally there is a thick anhydrite, known as the Dhiban Anhydrite
Formation (which see). But this disappears towards the shore of the Jeribe Limestone sea and is also
replaced locally by the underlying Euphrates Limestone Formation with which it interfingers in most
areas. Replacement of Dhiban Anhydrite by Euphrates limestones is especially pronounced on the
crests of structures (see Remarks on the Euphrates Limestone Formation). It is not impossible that this
Dhiban Anhydrite can be correlated with the “middle anhydrite” and the “Kalhur gypsum”, terms
in use in Iran and in the Transferred Territories in Iraq (Elder, 1958). Where the Dhiban Anhydrite
disappears, the Jeribe Limestone rests directly on Euphrates Limestone (Bai Hassan, Kor Mor,
Qaiyarah, Najmah, Jawan, etc.). The contact in such cases is generally subconglomeratic.

Further eastwards the Euphrates Limestone itself disappears, and consequently, as in the southernmost
extension of the Kirkuk oilfield, Jeribe Limestone may rest directly on Oligocene formations. In this
part of the Kirkuk structure the Jeribe is still overlain by the thick anhydrite mentioned above (the
possible equivalent of the Iranian “cap rock”), which in its turn is covered by the (informal) lower Fars
transition zone marker T/13. The Jeribe Limestone itself rests here on the basal Fars conglomerate,
into which it converges slightly further towards the northwest along the structure.

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Observations on material from wells on the Jawan-Najmah-Qaiyarah-Qasab group of structures

reveal that the thickness of the Jeribe Limestone is dependent on the position on the structure of the
point of observation. Crestal wells show thinner Jeribe Limestone than wells deeper down on the
flanks. This is a strong indication that structures were rising during the deposition of this formation.

There is no continuity of exposures between those of the Jeribe Limestone and those of the Govanda
Limestone, so that the relationships of these two formations cannot be evaluated.

Jib’ab Marl Formation: Cretaceous (Upper Senonian)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Anah-1; the formation occurs between drilled depths 3,597–6,000 ft
(1,096.6–1,829.3 m), but the base was not reached. The thickness is greater than 2,403 ft (732.6
m). The name Jib’ab is derived from the area termed Aradhi al Jib’ab, which corresponds to the
topographically high feature on the structural crest-line, 10 km southwest of An Nahiyah, and
about 22 km east of the Anah well.

Lithology: Marly limestones and marls with occasional calcareous shales, sooty-appearing,
spicular in parts, locally glauconitic and anhydritic. Sand grains 4,460–4,469 ft (1,359.8–
1,362.5 m), intermittently silty from 4,495–4,570 ft (1,370.4–1,393.3 m). Heterogeneous
microconglomerates with limestone micropebbles, sand grains and silt, 4,495–4,500 ft
(1,370.4–1,372 m. Conglomerates with limestone pebbles and ligneous detritus at 4,495–4,500
ft (1,370.4–1,372 m), 4,555–4,560 ft (1,388.7–1,390.2 m), 4,593–4,598 ft (1,400.3–1,401.8 m) and
4,630-4,633 ft (1,411.6–1,412.5 m).

Fossils: Oligostegina (throughout); Globotruncana lapparenti pendens Vogler (3,856, 4,290 and
4,944 ft (1,175.6, 1,307.9 and 1,507.3 m) ); Gl. tricarinata (Quereau), (highest at 4,352 ft, 1,326.8
m, lowest at 5,470–5,475 ft, 1,667.7-1669.2 m); G. cf. GI. tricarinata (5,849–5,855 ft, 1,783.2–1,785.1
m); G. fornicata Plummer (highest 4,460 ft, 1359.8 m lowest 5,980–5,985 ft, 1,823.2–1,824.7
m); G. cf. stuarti (de Lapparent), (highest 4,509 ft, 1,374.7 m, lowest 5,685 ft, 1,733.2 m); G.
stuarti (5,580–5,585 ft, 1,701.2–1,702.7 m; cuttings sample, could be caved); G. leupoldi Bolli
(4,758–4,767 ft, 1450.6–1,453.4 m)); Globigerina cretacea d’Orbigny (throughout); Gumbelina
spp. (throughout); Anomalina ammonoides (Reuss), (above 5,000 ft 1,524.4 m, and 5,084–5,094
ft, 1,550–1,553 m, 5,834–5,840 ft, 1,778.7–1,780.5 m), A. spp.; Bolivina spp., (rare throughout);
Bulimina spp., (rare, 4,634–5,840 ft, 1,412.8–1,780.5 m), etc.; Rare bryozoan debris; Rare
Inoceramus prisms (throughout); Pycnodonta vesicularis (Lamarck), (4,080 ft, 1243.9 m, 4,980–
5,005 ft, 1,518.3–1,525.9 m) (fide A. Keller).

Age: Upper Senonian.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Not known; formation not penetrated.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Pilsener Limestone Formation; contact

conformable, gradational.

Other localities: Not known. The formation is not exposed at surface and not recognized in any
subsurface section other than Anah-1.

Remarks: The Jib’ab Marl includes the thick, monotonous, marl-marly limestone sequence, which
underlies the neritic Pilsener Limestone in Anah-1. The formation was not completely penetrated and
the basal beds show little change from those 1,000 ft (304.9 m) or 2,000 ft (609.8 m) higher, so that no
estimate of remaining thickness is possible.

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The contained fauna is an impoverished, restricted, planktonic one, with a few deep-water benthonic
forms. Deposition in a deep trough, having only limited communication with the open sea, is
postulated. Truly euxinic characters are lacking.

The formation grades upwards by alternation to Pilsener Limestone locally comparable with the
Pilsener Limestone of the Awasil area wells: rare, thin, comminuted macrofossil detritus intercalations,
within the Ji’bab marl, suggest contemporaneous Pilsener Limestone and Ji’bab marl deposition, with
restriction of Pilsener to the shallower waters surrounding the trough.

Sand and silt incursions, and the occasional conglomeratic horizons, with ?igneous and derived
limestone components, suggest that continental waters were draining into the trough from the land-
area which is presumed to the southwest. The Pilsener Formation is also markedly sandy in the Anah
well, showing that the area continued to provide reception for land-derived drainage, even after near-
complete elimination of the trough, by deposition, in Maastrichtian times.

It is considered probable that the Jib’ab Marl is restricted, as a continuous body, to the limits of an
east-west fault-trough, which originated in early Upper Senonian (or earlier) time. The unit’s peculiar
lithology and faunal facies resulted from depth of the trough, from its near-enclosure by banks of
encroaching neritic Pilsener Limestone, and from incursion of (and modification of salinity by)
surface waters, draining into the trough from the southwest (and possibly also from the northwest).
(Sustained low salinity is not supportable, since some of the contained anhydrites appear to be
depositionally placed).

But it remains possible that the Jib’ab Formation may be more thinly represented over a wide area,
within the restriction of a shoal-type reef of Pilsener limestones. The nondescript marly limestones at
the base of the Pilsener Limestone in the Awasil area may be lateral equivalents of the thick marly and
marly-limestone succession of Anah-1: similarly, restricted-fauna marls with thin oolites and rudist
grain “sandstones” in Makhul-1, at the base of the Pilsener below the locally recognized Mushak
Oolite Member, may pass laterally towards Anah into Jib’ab Marl.

The Jib’ab Marl is not strictly equatable with the Shiranish Formation, with which it is in part
contemporaneous, and to which it bears a superficial lithological resemblance. Its separate recognition
is justified by its character of faunal restriction and impoverishment, which sets it apart from the
open-water/bathyal, richly microfossiliferous Shiranish marls and limestones.

Judea Limestone: Cretaceous (Lower, Middle)

The type section of the Judea Limestone is in Palestine and the name was widely applied at one time,
in northern Iraq, to the part-equivalent massive Cretaceous limestone unit, which is now known as
the Qamchuqa Limestone Formation. Although never formally defined or delimited in Iraq, the name
has appeared in occasional publications (e.g. Barber, 1948). [H.V. Dunnington]

Kaista Formation: Upper Devonian (Plate II)

Authors: R. Wetzel and D.M. Morton (1952, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Near Kaista (Khabour Valley, Amadia District, North Iraq). The
upper part of the unit (32 m, 105 ft) was measured and sampled on the steep slope, 1.5 km
north-northeast of Kaista Village, at the foot of the massive limestone cliff which forms the
southern face of the Chia Zinnar (7,391 ft, 2,253.4 m). The base of this part of the section is at
approximately 37°16’42”N; 43°11’30”E. The lower part of the unit (35 m, 115 ft) was sampled

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along the spur of the Chia Zinnar, which runs downwards from northeast to southwest, the
base of the section being about 2 km west-northwest of Kaista Village, at about 37°16’36”N;
43°10’3”E. The type section is 67 m (219.8 ft) thick

Lithology: Upper division: 30 m (98.4 ft) thick, of thin-bedded, dark blue, argillaceous
limestones, weathering to a characteristic ochreous colour, grading downwards by alternations
to a succession of silty shales and sandstones. Sandy streaks occur commonly in the limestone.
The lower part of this division includes bands of fine-grade breccias, with small angular
fragments of derived quartzites and limestones in a calcitic matrix. Lower division: 35 m (115
ft) of green, occasionally purplish siltstone and silty shale with sporadic bands of quartzites,
generally cross-bedded, white or greenish.

Fossils: Carbonaceous plant remains occur in a silty marl near the base of the upper division,
and Spirifer verneuili Murchison, other brachiopods and crinoid debris at the top of this
division. The basal 35 m (115 ft) of the formation have yielded no fossils.

Age: Upper Devonian (Famennian).

Underlying formation and details of contact: Pirispiki Red Beds Formation; contact seemingly
gradational and conformable, but concealing a major unconformity of Upper Devonian
Kaista Formation on ?Ordovician Pirispiki (see Remarks). Contact taken above the highest
conglomerates with volcanic detritus, corresponding approximately with a change from well-
graded clastics (above) to ill-graded clastics (below).

Overlying formation and details of contact: Ora Shale Formation; contact conformable and
gradational, taken at the change from dark, micaceous, calcareous shales (above) to thin-
bedded, dark blue, ochreous-weathering argilaceous limestones (below).

Other localities: Ora, Harur, and other (unsampled) sections which occur along the outcrop, which
includes the measured type section at Kaista; Geli Sinat and Shish areas, northwest of Shiranish.

Remarks: No full discussion of this unit is presented, since Palaeozoic stratigraphy of Kurdistan will
be discussed in a forthcoming paper by R. Wetzel, D.M. Morton and R.G.S. Hudson et al. (1958, in
preparation). Publication of a detailed account of the faunas of the Palaeozoic units, including the
brachiopods from near the top of the Kaista, is also projected (Hudson, et al., 1958, in preparation).

The Kaista Formation is a heterogeneous unit, defined to include the sequence of sediments
representing the transition from continental to marine sedimentation, at the commencement of the
late Devonian to early Carboniferous transgression.

The lower beds exhibit a lithological composition very similar to that of the underlying Pirispiki
Formation (with which they were originally included), presumably because they are composed largely
of reworked Pirispiki material. They are well-grained, however, thus contrasting with the ill-bedded,
red, marly sandstones and conglomerates immediately below. It is realized that this distinction is
of an arbitrary nature, and inadequate ground upon which to predicate a major erosional or non-
depositional unconformity. Nevertheless, the boundary adopted as the base of the Kaista is the most
satisfactory which can be devised, on available evidence, to separate the late Devonian upper division
of the Kaista from the presumably Ordovician Pirispiki Formation.

There is no observed field evidence (other than the occurrence of the Chalki Volcanics and associated
but more widespread conglomerates in the upper part of the Pirispiki) to suggest a break at the base
of the Kaista as defined; but a major hiatus must be assumed to exist in order to account for the
difference in age between the Khabour Quartzite and the upper Kaista. The Pirispiki Red Beds are
accepted at present as being in depositional continuity with the Khabour. The base of the Kaista and
the presumed hiatus are therefore placed at the top of the Chalki Volcanics, where present, or at a
convenient position at or above the top of the corresponding conglomerates, where bedded volcanics
are lacking (Ora) (see Pirispiki Red Beds Formation).

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Attribution of the Pirispiki Red Beds to the Ordovician is not altogether satisfactory, since they closely
resemble the “Old Red Sandstone” of the Elburz, which is of Devonian age. Furthermore there is
some ground for believing that the basal Pirispiki may be considerably younger than the topmost
Khabour Quartzite-Shale. Should the age of the Pirispiki be revised to Devonian, the lower limit of
the Kaista may require upwards revision so as to exclude the lower non-calcareous division.

Kalhur anhydrite: Miocene (“lower” Miocene)

Term in use for a thick anhydrite in the Naft Khaneh oilfield, underlying the main producing horizon
(Elder, 1958). This anhydrite is possibly the equivalent of the Dhiban Anhydrite Formation of other
parts of northern Iraq. [R.C. van Bellen]

Kalhur gypsum: Miocene (“lower” Miocene)

See Kalhur anhydrite (Elder (1958). Anhydrite changes frequently into gypsum at surface and it is
common to find reference to the Kalhur anhydrite in wells, where the same formation is called Kalhur
gypsum in surface sections. See also middle anhydrite(s). [R.C. van Bellen]

Kalhur limestone: Miocene

Term in use in the Transferred Territories of North Iraq, in the Naft Khaneh oilfield, to denote a
Miocene limestone which forms there the main reservoir (Elder, 1958). It is most likely that this unit
is the equivalent of the Jeribe Limestone of other parts of Iraq. [R.C. van Bellen]

Kara Tchauq Dagh series: Oligocene-Miocene (Oligocene-”lower” Miocene)

Obsolete term in Nicolesco (1933), see Kirkuk Group and Euphrates Limestone Formation. See Qara
Chang limestone. [R.C. van Bellen]

Kara Tchauq Dagh (strates de ...): Oligocene-Miocene

See strates de Kara Tchang Dagh. [R.C. van Bellen]

Karimia Mudstone Formation: Jurassic-Cretaceous

(Tithonian-Berriasian) (Plate III)

Author: J. Mcginty (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Kirkuk-109; the formation occurs between drilled depths 6,791–9,129
ft (2,070.4–2,783.2 m), and is approximately 2,000 ft (610 m) thick.

Lithology: A monotonous sequence of dark grey calcareous mudstone, exhibiting no bedding,

vaguely fluffy in texture, and of identical clay grade throughout. Some rare, soft, light-grey
marl bands occur in the upper part.

Accessory detrital minerals are extremely rare and consist of tiny quartz particles of fine silt
grade with still more rare particles of red chert. Accessory authigenic minerals consist of: (1)
uncommon but ubiquitous pyrite, finely disseminated in the matrix of the rock and rarely
replacing small shells; (2) rare and sporadic small inclusions of collophane; (3) rare small
rhombs of a carbonate mineral, probably dolomite, restricted to the lower part of the sequence;
(4) finely disseminated bitumen (uncommon); and (5) rare and sporadic, very small anhydrite

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nodules. Calcite veining, frequently slickensided, occurs commonly throughout and increases
in frequently with depth. Anhydrite crystals occur uncommonly, as an accessory mineral in the
veins.

Fossils: The microfauna of the Karimia Mudstone is sparse and banal and changes little
throughout the sequence. It consists of Glomospira sp., Cristellaria spp., ostracoda, rare Radiolaria,
rare lagenids, rare nodosarids, rare textularids, rare trochamminids, small ?globigerinids and
indeterminate spicules. Sporadic bands with comminuted echinoid and algal debris occur
rarely. The Glomospira and ?globigerinids decrease in frequency downwards and are extremely
rare or absent at the base.

The macrofauna is extremely rare and sporadic. Small pyritized uncoiled ammonites (referred
to the genus Leptoceras) were recovered in the cuttings, together with belemnite fragments and
small spiced gastropods, from 8,500–8,900 ft (2,591.5–2,713.4 m) drilled depth. A single small
nuculid (probably Leoinucula or Nucula s.s.) was found at about 8,650 ft (2637.2 m) drilled depth.
A single Posidonia sp., recovered from the well, has been allocated to depth range 7,600–7,800 ft
(2,317.1–2,378.1 m). Gastropod fry and echinoid fragments were observed in a thin shelly bed
at 6,930 ft (2,112.8 m) drilled depth.

Age: ?Lower Cretaceous (?Berriasian) at top, uppermost Jurassic (Middle or Upper Tithonian),
at base.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Chia Gara Formation, contact conformable and
gradational.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Sarmord Formation, contact ?unconformable,

with sharp lithological and faunal break but probably without angular discordance. Highly
glauconitic marly limestones with fauna occur above the contact for about 40 ft (12.2 m).

Other localities: None discovered. There are no correlative deposits, in the facies of the Karimia
Mudstone, in the exposed mountain sections.

Remarks: This monotonous and thick calcareous mudstone sequence represents an unexpected
development of lowermost Cretaceous and uppermost Jurassic sediments between the mountain
outcrops of Kurdistan and the Makhul-Awasil area.

The dating of this formation as Tithonian-Berriasian is dependent more upon its position between the
Pseudocyclammina kelleri beds of the overlying Sarmord Formation and the Tithonian radiolarian beds
of the Chia Gara Formation than upon its contained fauna.

The pyritized uncoiled ammonite (referred to the genus Leptoceras) is probably a Neocomian
form according to L.F. Spath. The apparently contradictory occurrence of a single Posidonia sp., is
discounted.

The Karimia Mudstone Formation and Chia Gara Formation together are considered to be the
lateral equivalents of the Makhul Formation of Awasil-5 and Makhul-1 and 2. The Makhul
Formation contains subordinate calcareous mudstones, interbedded with fluffy-textured and finely
pseudooolitic limestones: the mudstones are more prominently represented in Makhul-1 than in
Awasil-5, and gradational passage into Karimia Mudstone Formation between Makhul-1 and Kirkuk-
109 is presumed. (J. Mcginty, emend.)

Kermav formation: Cretaceous-Eocene (Upper Campanian-Lower Eocene)

Alternative spelling for Germav formation, which see. [H.V. Dunnington]

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Khabour Quartzite-Shale Formation: Ordovician (Plate II)

Author: R. Wetzel (1950, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: North-northeast of Chalki Nasara (Khabour Valley, Amadia District,
North Iraq). The type section runs downwards from north to south, along the north-south
ridge (43°10’E) which commences about 2 km west of Kaista Village and which descends to the
stream immediately to the north of Chalki Nasara Village (37°15’15”N; 43°9’50”E). The base
of the section is in the deepest bed exposed in the valley, about 1,250 m (4,100 ft) upstream
from the village. The type section is greater than 800 m (base not seen) (> 2,624 ft) thick. The
formation is named after the Khabour River, in the vicinity of which some of the principal
outcrops are found.

Lithology: Alternations of thin-bedded, fine-grained sandstones, quartzites and silty

micaceous shales, olive-green to brown in colour. The beds form groups in which hardened,
silty, micaceous shales predominate, and others in which the shales are subordinate and the
thin-bedded quartzites are dominant. The quartzites are generally cross-bedded, both finely
and coarsely, the thicker beds being generally white in colour. Bedding planes are usually
well-surfaced with smooth films of greenish micaceous shales. Quartzite beds are occasionally
truncated by the overlying beds and show fucoid markings, infilled trails and burrows, pitted
surfaces and, other bedding-plane structures of unknown origin. Metamorphism is very slight
in the thin-bedded shales with quartzites, and almost unnoticeable in the thicker shale beds.

Fossils: Cruziana sp. (d’Orbigny 1842), common throughout the formation; Fraena sp. (Roualtin
1850); Orthoceras sp.; plates of ?eurypterids, ?fish scales or thin shells indet. Palaeoglossa cf.
attenuata (J. de S. Sowerby), ?Lingulopsis. The linguloids, Orthoceras sp., and ?eurypterid plates
have been collected only from the uppermost part of the formation.

Age: Ordovician (Llandeilo ?) at top, probably Ordovician throughout.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Not exposed.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Pirispiki Red Beds Formation; contact seemingly
gradational and conformable, taken at the top of a succession of thin-bedded quartzites and
micaceous shales with Cruziana, and below the basal unit of the Pirispiki, which is a 10 m (32.8
ft) thick unit of blocky siltstones, brownish in colour, which grades laterally into green, fine-
grained, soft, onion-weathering sandstones. This formation change corresponds to a colour
change from drab browns and olive green to brighter greens, passing upwards to reds and
purples.

Other localities: Ora (Amadia District), etc.

Remarks: The Khabour Quartzite-Shale Formation is the oldest rock unit exposed in northern Iraq.
The formation was most probably deposited as extensive, shallow-water (or intertidal) mud- and
silt-flats. It is assuredly marine in parts (Orthoceras sp., etc. indicate a marine environment, at least for
the micaceous silty shales in which they are found). Intermittent emergence or depositional build-up
to dune level are suggested by the nature of the cross-bedding in some of the quartzite units, and by
some of the bedding-plane structures.

In Turkish territory, adjacent to the Nazdur section, in the Ser Ashuti Mountain area, the Khabour
quartzites and shales are exposed in much greater thickness than is found in Iraq (estimated at 2,000
m, or 6,560 ft, visible from within Iraq, base not seen). In this area the Khabour appears to be crossed
by dykes and sills of dark green igneous rocks, and the stream in the Geli Khana, which drains

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from the Ser Ashuti Massif into Iraq, has brought down enormous quantities of igneous rocks from
its catchment outside Iraq. The rocks are identical with those found in situ, interbedded with the
Pirispiki Red Beds Formation, in the Kaista section. However, the pebbles of igneous rocks could also
derive from an expanded representative of the Chalki Volcanics, lying within or replacing, laterally,
the Pirispiki Red Beds.

The Khabour Quartzite-Shale Formation is comparable and perhaps correlative within the “?Giri
Quartzites” (Tasman, 1949, p. 22) of Telbesmi and Giri Dagh, in southeastern Turkey, and probably
also with parts of the “Hakari Complex” and “black, unfossiliferous, micaceous shales” of the
Hakari area (S. Turkunal, 1951). Cruziana-bearing quartzites and shales, closely similar to those of the
Khabour Formation, are known from Jordan, Oman, Arabia, southeastern and south-central Turkey
(Amanus, etc.).

The Khabour is considered to be of Cambro-Ordovician age throughout, on the evidence of presence

of Cruziana tracks throughout the section. The upper part is interpreted as Ordovician, this attribution
being supported by the determination of Palaeoglossa cf. attenuata (by C.J. Stubblefield, in unpublished
report) from high in the type succession. Cambrian age is unproved for any part of the formation,
though the lower part could be of this age.

The Khabour was at first thought to be of probable Devonian age, because of the seeming absence of
any significant break in the succession of Kaista Formation (uppermost Devonian) on Pirispiki Red
Beds on Khabour quartzites. The Chalki Volcanics are restricted to the Pirispiki Red Beds, however,
and it is now accepted that Chalki vulcanicity was associated with a tectonic phase which introduced
an otherwise unrecognizable ?Caledonian hiatus.

Though conformity between Khabour and Pirispiki is accepted at present, the absence of stress micas
from the Pirispiki and their abundant presence in the Khabour suggests a considerable hiatus between
these two formations. It is possible that the Pirispiki may prove to be of post-Ordovician age.

Khasib Formation: Cretaceous (Upper Campanian) (Plate IV)

Author: P.M.V. Rabanit (1952, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: Khasib Formation (Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Type locality and section (from Owen and Nasr, 1958):

Location and Thickness: Zubair-3; the formation occurs between drilled depths 7,040–7,204 ft
(2,146.3–2,196.3 m), and is 164 ft (50 m) thick.

Lithology: Upper division of 95 ft (29 m) of grey fine-grained marly limestone. Lower division
of 69 ft (21 m) of alternating dark grey and greenish grey shales and grey limestone (as in the
upper division).

Fossils: Globigerina sp., Gumbelina spp., Oligostegina.

Age: Senonian (?Lower), fide Owen and Nasr, op. cit. (See Remarks)

Underlying formation and details of contact: Mishrif Formation; contact disconformable,

between oligosteginal shales above and limonitic limestones with Charophytae below.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Tanuma Formation; contact conformable, at the
change from black, fissile shales above to grey marly limestones below.

Other localities: All deep subsurface sections in the Basrah area. Also recognized in well section in
northeastern Kuwait.

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Remarks: In the Basrah fields the thickness of this formation ranges between 17–195 ft (5.2–59.5 m)
(Owen and Nasr, op. cit.). The formation is not identified in southeastern Kuwait, where it probably
has equivalents in the lower part of the Gudair formation where this is fully developed. The Gudair
thins, and equivalents of the Khasib and Tanuma formations are probably eliminated by progressive
overlap, towards the structural uplift of Burgan (Owen and Nasr, op. cit.).

In northeastern Kuwait the Khasib and overlying Tanuma and Sa’di formations can be differentiated
(Fox, 1957; Owen and Nasr, 1958). There is no comparable equivalent for the Khasib in the Awasil-
Fallujah area of central Iraq, where probably contemporaneous beds are marly and neritic limestones
with Rotalia skourensis Pfender, which are considered to be of Upper Campanian age, and which are
included in the Pilsener Limestone Formation. A similar age for the Khasib appears to be supported
by microfossils from this formation, which include Globotruncana lapparenti subspp., and G. leupoldi
Bolli from Zubair-1, and G. stuarti (de Lapparent) from Nahr Umr-1 (H.V. Dunnington, unpublished
reports).

Owen and Nasr indicate that the contact between the Khasib and the underlying Mishrif is
disconformable in the Basrah area and unconformable on structural highs in Kuwait. “In the Basrah
area ... this unconformity is represented by a condensation of sediments, with, at the top, a fresh-water
limonitic limestone with Chara seeds. This limestone is overlain conformably by the transgressive
Khasib Formation of the Aruma Group”.

Since Owen and Nasr do not recognize any break within the Mishrif Formation, or within the
overlying sequence of the Khasib, Tanuma and Sa’di formations, the interpretation of the Khasib/
Mishrif contact as involving no hiatus in sedimentation infers an older age than Upper Campanian
for the base of the Khasib. The Mishrif Formation is considered to be not younger than Turonian
(Owen and Nasr indicate Turonian age, but Cenomanian age for at least the lower part of the Mishrif
is argued by others: see Mishrif Formation).

Khurmala Formation: Palaeocene-Eocene

(Palaeocene - “lower” Eocene) (Plate VI)

Author: R.C. van Bellen (1953, unpublished report). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: “chemical limestone” (van Bellen, 1956).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: K-114; the formation occurs between drilled depths 3,225–3,860 ft
(983.2–1,176.8 m), and approximately 607 ft (185 m) true thickness as the dip is very variable,
partly due to cross-bedding in intercalated sandstones and conglomerates.

Lithology: Dolomite, suboolitic in parts, and finely recrystallized limestone. Probably chemical
limestones, interfingering strongly with material from the Kolosh Formation, containing
detrital chert, flint, radiolarite, and green rocks, of silt and sand size. Anhydrite, which is
probably secondary, occurs occasionally.

Fossils: Largely obliterated by recrystallization and dolomitization. Miliolids, small valvulinids,

clavulinids and very rare “ghosts” of indeterminable alveolinids occur; small gastropods and
fragments of Algae also occur, but these are not determinable either specifically or generically.

Age: Palaeocene and “lower” Eocene, see Remarks.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The Kolosh Formation underlies this unit. It
grades into the Khurmala Formation through interdigitation.

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Overlying formation and details of contact: The contact of this formation with the overlying
Avanah Limestone Formation is unconformable, perhaps erosional.

Other localities: In the core of the anticline of Jebel Maqlub, the same formation occurs, with
intercalations of Kolosh-type clastics similar to those found in the type-section. A number of IPC
wells on the northwestern dome of the Kirkuk oil field have also encountered the Khurmala. Quwair-
1 was abandoned in this formation. It has also been found in Chemchemal-2, where it underlies the
Gercüs Formation.

Remarks: This formation is considered to be the lagoonal equivalent of the “lower” Eocene and
Palaeocene Sinjar Limestone Formation. The lagoonal facies is indicated by the presence of subooliths,
miliolids, primary dolomite and chemical limestones, and by the restricted nature of the fauna.

The adopted age is not supported by any fossil evidence but is based largely on stratigraphic
argument. In the type locality and in wells in the same area, the unit is covered by Avanah Limestone
Formation, recognizable as such although it is strongly recrystallized. This last formation is of
“middle” and “upper” Eocene age.

The Avanah unit is in shoal facies, and the change from a lagoonal facies (Khurmala limestone) to a
shoal facies (Avanah Limestone) cannot be produced otherwise than by a transgression in some form
or other.

The existence of a transgression in the low Middle Eocene (“middle” Eocene) or the high Lower
Eocene (“lower” Eocene) is known throughout Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East.

If these transgressions are correlative, as seems probable, the underlying formation must be of Lower
(“lower”) Eocene and/or Palaeocene age.

This conclusion is to some extent confirmed by the interdigitation of this unit with the Kolosh
Formation, which is of Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene age. An additional indication for the transgression
following the Khurmala can be found in Chemchemal-2, where the Gercüs Formation, overlying the
Khurmala, is conglomeratic. The Gercüs Formation in this well interfingers in its upper parts with
Middle and Upper Eocene Pila Spi Limestone.

The formation can be regarded as the lateral equivalent of the Kolosh Formation, which indeed
contains locally lagoonal intercalations. It should probably be understood as a residual-basin deposit,
interdigitating shorewards with Kolosh Formation and cut off from the offshore area in the west by
some kind of low (perhaps slightly submerged) barrier. Evidence for such a barrier exists in absence
or extreme attenuation of “lower” Eocene and Palaeocene in the Qalian-1, in the Azkand section in
the Qarah Chauq Dagh, in wells on the Qaiyarah structure and in Adaiyah-1.

It is probable, however, that the barrier was not continuous, but that it was made up of a number
of reefs (represented by Sinjar Limestone developments) and islands (represented now by non-
sequences). These were sufficiently continuous to produce semi-barred conditions locally, but not to
prevent the seaward distribution of land-derived Kolosh clastics. Such clastics do indeed occur in the
Aaliji Formation, which is the offshore equivalent of the Khurmala.

Kifri coal: Pliocene

The term is an informal one, occurring in the literature for the first time in 1922 (Pascoe). The material
involved is a brittle bitumen and occurs in veins. It is mined for heating purposes by the resident
population. The Kifri coal mines are situated about three miles (5 km) east-southeast of Kifri, in the
lower part of the Lower Bakhtiari Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

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Kirkuk Group: Oligocene (Plate VI)

Author: van Bellen (1956). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: Kara Tchauq Dagh series, in part (Nicolesco, 1933); calcaire d’Asmari, in part (Macovei,
1938); calcaire de l’Euphrate, in part (Macovei, 1938); série d’Asmari, in part (Macovei, 1938); Qarah
Chauq group, in part (Barber, 1948); Kirkuk group (van Bellen, 1956).

Remarks: This group now comprises nine formations:

Oligocene Back-reef Fore-reef Open sea

“upper” Anah Limestone Azkand Limestone Ibrahim Formation
“middle” Bajawan Limestone Baba Limestone Tarjil Formation
“lower” Shurau Limestone Sheikh Alas Limestone Palani Formation

It forms a sequence of reef-controlled sediments of Oligocene age, in which three separate “cycles”
can be distinguished. The Ibrahim Formation did not appear in the original definition of the group
(van Bellen, 1956) but its presence was anticipated there as “an as yet undiscovered or unidentified
offshore equivalent of the Anah-Azkand formation”. For further details of this group see van Bellen
(1956), and the definitions of the separate formations.

Kirkukensis zone: Oligocene (“middle” Oligocene)

The younger faunizone of the Bajawan Limestone Formation. It differs primarily from the older
delicata zone in the presence of Archaias kirkukensis Henson. Other fossils, present throughout, are
Austrotrillina howchini (Schlumberger), Peneroplis evolutus Henson and Peneroplis thomasi Henson, and
numerous undetermined miliolids. Praerhapidionina delicata Henson occurs in the older part of the
faunizone. See van Bellen (1956). [R.C. van Bellen]

Kirmav formation: Cretaceous-Eocene (Upper Campanian-Lower Eocene)

Alternative spelling of Germav formation (obsolete). [H.V. Dunnington]

Kolosh Formation: Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1952, unpublished report). [R.C. van Bellen, partly after R. Wetzel,
unpublished report].

Synonymy: blue and purple shale group, in part (Richardson, 1924); shale series, upper part (Noble,
1926).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: At Kolosh, 36°09’50”N, 44°33’45”E, approximately 2,550 ft (777.4 m) thick.

Lithology and Fossils: The basic sediment is shale and fine sandstone, composed of fragments
of various grain size of green-rock, chert and radiolarite. Interfingering occurs with Sinjar
Limestone, especially in the higher parts. In some detail the succession in reverse stratigraphical
order can be given as follows:
Limestones and marls with Miscellanea miscella (d’Archiac and Haime), ostracods, miliolids
and valvulinids: 472 ft (144 m).
Limestones with Dictyokathina simplex Smout, miliolids, rotalids, Lockliartia sp., valvulinids: 99
ft (30.2 m).
Limestones and shales, red shales and sandstones with the aforementioned fauna but without
Dictyokathina simplex Smout, 372 ft (113.4 m).

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Limestones with Saudia labyrinthica Henson, Lockhartia sp., miliolids, rotalids: 19 ft (6 m).
Blue shales and green sands with occasional fauna of smaller foraminifera: Ammodiscus incertus
d’Orbigny, Anomalinoides granosa (Hantken), Bulimina quadrata Plummer, Globigerina bulloides
d’Orbigny, Globorotalia angulata (White), Gyroidina soldanii d’Orbigny, Loxostoma applinae
Plummer, Nodosaria zippei Reuss, Nuttallides trumpyi (Nuttall), Pseudovalvulineria spp.

Age: Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The Tanjero Clastic Formation underlies
the Kolosh unconformably. The unconformity is marked by a total faunal change without
transitional elements.

Overlying formation and details of contact: The Kolosh Formation is covered by the Gercüs
Formation. The contact is probably unconformable. For discussion of this subject, see the
Remarks on the Gercüs Formation.

Other localities: This formation occurs in a broad belt, oriented approximately NW, and somewhat
sinuous, following the mountain front. The line of thickest development passes roughly through Koi
Sanjak, continuing northwestwards into Turkey under the Mushorah Dagh (where the formation
occurs in Mushorah-1) and then probably swinging in an east-west alignment. The formation is
well-exposed in Banik, Shiranish, Germawa, Sundur, Jebel Maqlub, Shaqlawah, Surdash, Bazian,
Ghilizarda, Kashti, Nador, etc. Subsurface sections include Chemchemal-2 and wells on the Ain Zalah
structure, where the clastic element becomes subordinate to marine marls.

In Turkey the formation is widely known in the Kirmav-Gercüs area as the Germav formation (upper
part) (Germav formation, given as Kermav series by J.H. Maxson in an unpublished report for Petrol
Grubu-Turkey-in 1936, fide Tromp, 1941).

Remarks: The formation is heterogeneous and is rapidly variable both horizontally and vertically,
intergrading into and interfingering with Sinjar Limestone and Khurmala Formation (in IPC wells on
the northern dome of the Kirkuk structure, for instance). Southwards and westwards the formation
passes into globigerinal marls and marly limestones. There are indications of an unconformity at the
top of the unit (see Remarks on the Gercüs Formation). The “lower” Eocene age of part of the Kolosh
Formation is proved in the section at Kashti, where Alveolina oblongs d’Orbigny occurs in limestones
interdigitating with it. It follows that in the type section and elsewhere there is an unconformity (not
readily visible in the field) between this unit and the one covering it, the Gercüs Formation, as the age
of the higher strata in the Kolosh in the type section is high Palaeocene.

Kometan Formation: Cretaceous (Turonian) (Plates II and III)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: upper Shiranish limestone (Anon., 1955).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Kometan, near Endezah, northeast of Rania, North Iraq. Approximate
co-ordinates of base of section: 36°24’28”N, 144°48’18”E. The section runs N234°E from
Kometan Village, and the base of the formation lies about 400 m (1,312 ft) from the centre of the
village, near the top of the northeastern slope of the gorge cut by the stream which runs east
through Duwaila. The top of the formation is exposed about 220 m (721.6 ft) from the village,
where it forms a small scarp, dipping northeast. The type section is 36 m (118.1 ft) thick.

Lithology: White-weathering, light grey, thin-bedded, globigerinal-oligosteginal limestones,

locally silicified, with flattened ramulose chert concretions in occasional beds. Glauconitic,
especially at the base.

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Fossils: Oligostegina; Gumbelina spp.; Globigerina cretacea d’Orbigny; G. infracretacea Glaessner;

G, spp.; Rotalipora ? appenninica (Renz); G. cf. alpina Bolli (at base); G. helvetica Bolli (at base); G.
cf. renzi Gandolfi; G. sigali Reichel; G. lapparenti lapparenti Brotzen; G. lapparenti coronata Bolli;
G. lapparenti tricarinata (Quereau); G. lapparenti bulloides Vogler; G, lapparenti subspp. indet.;
G. spp. (undescribed); Plano globulina sp.; Bulimina sp. (rare); rare Radiolaria; sponge spicules,
Inoceramus (fragments).

Age: Turonian (Lower Turonian, but not basal Turonian, at base; age at top not determined,
perhaps Santonian).

Underlying formation and details of contact: Balambo Formation (oligosteginal facies,

Upper but not uppermost Cenomanian age); contact unconformable, but without angular
discordance; faunal break and intense glauconitization at the base of the Kometan indicate
depositional hiatus, with probable erosion, involving the Cenomanian-Turonian passage.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Shiranish Formation; contact unconformable,

but without angular discordance, at base of soft, grey-blue-weathering marls of Shiranish
Formation (with polygenetic micropebbles), and above the highest white-weathering, fine
grained limestones of the Kometan. Erosional and depositional hiatus is indicated by a marked
faunal break, and by the conglomeratic nature of the base of the Shiranish.

Other localities: Zar Gelli, Shaikhan, Endezah, Balki, Surdash, Hajiawa, Koi Sanjak, Gulmeri, Dokan,
Sarchinar, etc.; Chemchemal-2, Kirkuk-109 and 116; Jawan-2, Makhul-1 and 2, Najmah-29, Qalian-1,
Qasab-10 and Sadid-1.

Remarks: The Kometan Formation is well defined in its type area, around Endezah, where it is
differentiated, by colour and by weathering characteristics, from the adjacent formations, and where
the stratigraphical breaks at top and bottom are clearly evidenced by glauconite concentrations
and by local conglomerates. At Zar Gelli, Shaikhan, Endezah, Balki and Kometan, etc., and in
Chemchemal-2, the formation overlies Balambo Formation of Cenomanian age, which is in almost
pure oligosteginal facies.

At Koi Sanjak, locally around Surdash, in Kirkuk-109, and probably in many other localities, the
Kometan immediately overlies Albian (or older) neritic Qamchuqa Formation, which is usually
dolomitized, and very readily distinguishable from the oligosteginal-globigerinal Kometan. At
Hajiawa, Dokan and Sarchinar, and other sections around Pir-i-Mugurun, however, a thin glauconitic,
oligosteginal limestone of very variable thickness and patchy distribution intervenes between the
top of the dolomitized Qamchuqa and the glauconitic base of the Kometan. This thin unit, which is
itself unconformable upon the underlying Qamchuqa Limestone Formation, contains a Cenomanian
microfauna, and is overlain unconformably (though generally without angular discordance) by the
Kometan. The Cenomanian unit is defined as the Dokan Limestone Formation. Unconformable
relations between the Kometan and Dokan limestones are attested by an abrupt microfauna) change,
by concentration of glauconite, by locally developed microconglomerates in the basal Kometan, and
by brecciation and pitting of the upper surface of the Dokan.

Locally around Dokan, and in Kirkuk-116 a thin black bituminous shale unit, bounded above and
below by erosional unconformities, intervenes between the Kometan and Dokan limestones. This
shale unit, recognized as the Gulneri Shale Formation, is of Lower Turonian age.

In the Balambo section and surrounding area, where the entire Aptian to Upper Campanian
succession is in radiolarian or globigerinal facies, the Kometan Formation, and the Dokan Limestone
and Gulneri Shale formations are not differentiated from the underlying Balambo. Lateral passage
into Balambo is admitted in order to avoid employment of cumbersome, hyphenated formation
terms in this and similar areas, where no sedimentary hiatus is found between the Cenomanian
and Turonian. Nevertheless, even at Balambo the Turonian part of the Balambo Formation is closely
comparable with the typical Kometan, except that the oligosteginal facies is not developed.

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The change from globigerinal limestone sedimentation below to globigerinal marl sedimentation
above, in the Balambo area, corresponds approximately to the Shiranish/Kometan formation change
in the Endezah area, though slightly younger Turonian rocks may appear below the break and
slightly older Senonian rocks above the break in Balambo than in the type section.

The northern and western limits of development of the Kometan Formation are not clear. The unit
may be represented, but indistinguishable, in the continuous oligosteginal limestones of the Balambo
Formation at Naokelekan, etc., in the upper Rowanduz Valley. It may pass laterally into detrital
neritic limestones, identified with and not readily distinguishable from the Qamchuqa Formation, in
sections further to the west.

The Mergi Limestone Formation of the Shiranish area is an isolated remnant of neritic limestone
of Turonian age, which was perhaps deposited in lateral continuity with the Kometan over parts
of northern Iraq. But in most areas where Turonian and Cenomanian neritic limestones may have
been deposited, post-Turonian emergence, prior to the onset of the Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian
transgression, resulted in erosional removal, so that Upper Campanian units now lie upon eroded
Albian or older formations.

The Kometan Formation varies laterally, within the region of exposures, from a globigerinal
limestone with only subordinate Oligostegina to an almost pure oligosteginal limestone with a very
subordinated planktonic foraminiferal fauna.

The formation is present in Chemchemal-2, Kirkuk-109 and 116, and in the deep wells of the MPC
Central Area from Qalian to Makhul. In these subsurface sections the lithology becomes increasingly
marly westwards. In all MPC wells in which the unit is found it unconformably underlies Upper
Campanian Pilsener Limestone (with local conglomerates, etc.) and it is unconformably transgressive
over erosionally-terminated Jawan (or Mauddud) Formation.

Correlative units in the wells of the Awasil area are accorded separate formation rank as the Maotsi
Formation and underlying Fahad Limestone. The Kometan Formation of the Dokan Gorge area is
referred to as the “upper Shiranish limestone” in Anon. (1955)

There is no equivalent for the Turonian Kometan Formation in the area lying north and west of
Mosul. In this area, the Lower Campanian-?Lower Senonian Mushorah Formation is present. This
is also an oligosteginal limestone, marl and chert unit, of similar lithofacies to parts of the Kometan,
but the two formations are of different ages, and are really restricted to mutually exclusive regions.
The Mushorah Formation does not occur in the area in the east and south where the Kometan is
recognized (though Lower Campanian-Lower Senonian sediments may be represented in the lower
part of the Shiranish Formation in areas of “basinal” sedimentation, where the scope of the Upper/
Middle Cretaceous break is reduced).

Thickness of the Kometan Formation is generally much less than 100 m (328 ft), though this maximum
is approached in the Shaikhan and Zar Gelli sections, and exceeded locally, around Dokan, in Sadid-1,
and in Kirkuk-116.

Although the Kometan is separated by erosional unconformities from overlying and underlying units
in all sections in which it has been found, there is no appreciable angular discordance in any section.

Kurd series: Miocene-Pliocene (“upper” Miocene-Pliocene)

Obsolete term, originated by Pascoe (1922). It covered what are now known as the Upper Fars
Formation and the Lower and Upper Bakhtiari formations. [R.C. van Bellen]

Kurra Chine Formation: Upper Triassic (Plate II and III)

Author: R. Wetzel (1950, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel]

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Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Geli Khana and Kurra Chine ridge, northern flank of Ora fold
(Amadia District, North Iraq). The base of the section occurs in the stream, about 1 km south
of the Turkish frontier, at about 37°19’6”N, 43°21’30”E; and the higher beds are exposed on
the southern and southeastern slopes of the Kurra Chine ridge, the crest-line of which marks
the Iraq-Turkey boundary. The highest exposed bed of the formation is at about 37°19’36”N,
43°21’04”E. The type section is 834 m (2,735.5 ft) thick.

Lithology: Dark brown and black limestones, alternately thin-bedded and thick-bedded, with
occasional intercalations of thick-bedded, foetid dolomites showing “slump-structures”, and
of papery shales.

Fossils: Posidonia wengensis Wissman, P. mut. altior Frech (lower half), ?P. idriana Mojs.,
Estheria minuta (Goldfuss) (Goldfuss in Von Alberti) (upper half), Estheria sp.; Glomospira spp.,
Archaediscus sp., Problematina sp.; spicules, ostracoda, etc.

Age: Upper Triassic (possibly Rhaetic at top).

Underlying formation and details of contact: Geli Khana Formation; contact without angular
discordance, but the Kurra Chine overlies a leached, haematitized, ferruginous surface at the
top of the Geli Khana, and an emergent unconformity is accepted at the base of the Kurra
Chine.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Baluti Shale Formation; contact conformable and
gradational, below the lowest green shales of the Baluti, at the top of thin-bedded dolomites
with silicified bands.

Other localities: Nazdur, Zozan-i-Harur, Sirwan Gorge, Sarki (Chia Gara) (top only), ?Shaver Valley;
Alan-1, Atshan-1, Butmah-2, Mileh Tharthar-1 and Qalian-1.

Remarks: The Kurra Chine Formation of the exposures of northern Iraq is a consistent lithological
succession made up of thick- to thin-bedded (but usually thin-bedded) dark pyritic limestones and
papery shales, which is characterized at outcrop by extensive intraformational structures attributed
to slumping of sediments before consolidation. The top of the formation in the area of the type-section
forms a prominent, southwards-facing scarp, which marks the Turkish border.

At surface, the formation shows occasional beds of recrystallization breccias, which suggest the
one-time presence of interbedded soluble evaporites, and the lower part of the formation contains
occasional undissolved lentils of gypsum, some of which are quarried, as at Roshaw, in the Sirwan
area.

There is uncertainty as to where the top of the Kurra Chine is to be placed in the Sirwan section, owing
to indecision as to which of two green shale units should be identified as the Baluti Shale Formation.
In general, however, the Kurra Chine is readily differentiable in the field on the basis of its own
lithology and weathering characteristics, and also by its position below the Baluti Shale Formation,
and above the widespread ferruginous horizon atop the Geli Khana Formation. The ferruginous
horizon is taken to indicate an important Upper/Middle Triassic emergence.

The Mulussa Formation of the Western Desert region is considered to be correlative with the Kurra
Chine, to which it bears considerable lithological resemblances. The Mulussa overlies the ?Middle
Triassic Ga’ara sandstones with concordance, but probably with unconformity, and it is overlain by
the Zor Hauran Formation which is correlated tentatively with the Baluti Formation of Kurdistan.
The Mulussa has yielded an Upper Triassic molluscan fauna.

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The Posidonia fauna from the type Kurra Chine Formation is regarded as of Upper Triassic age (R.G.S.
Henson, unpublished reports), and Estheria minuta, from the upper part of the type section, suggests
late Triassic or even Rhaetic age. By convention, in the absence of firm palaeontological evidence for
age assessment, it is accepted that the only sediments of Rhaetic age in the Iraq succession are the
Baluti Shale Formation and the Zor Hauran Formation: hence, the upper limit of the Kurra Chine
Formation is accepted, arbitrarily, as coinciding with the Rhaetic/Triassic boundary.

At Sirwan, the Kurra Chine contains Spongiostroma (Zonotrochites) sp., and a poorly preserved
microfauna, including Archaediscus spp., Problematina sp., Glomospira spp., Coskinolinopsis primaevus
Henson, and “Favreina sp.” (Coprolithus sp.).

The only subsurface section, which has passed completely through the Kurra Chine is that of Atshan-
1. In this section, the Upper/Middle Triassic emergence, between the Kurra Chine and Geli Khana
formations, is held responsible for extensive leaching and solution of the dolomitized top of the Geli
Khana.

The formation is more markedly heterogeneous in well sections than at the surface, partly owing to
the presence of numerous interbedded anhydrites, which are dissolved out of the exposures, and
partly because the extensive recrystallization and redolomitization, which obscure much fine detail
in the surface sections, have not been uniformly effective over wide areas. Whereas the whole of
the Kurra Chine section is represented by crystalline dolomites on the south flank of the Ora fold
and large thicknesses of the type succession at Kurra Chine are much dolomitized, some of the well
sections show rapid lithofacies variations throughout the formation. Many thin-bedded units show
highly characteristic, marker-type lithologies (distinctive oolites, pellet beds, etc.) of which only
vague suggestions can be discerned in the diagenetically obscured surface samples. Other subsurface
sections show rather thoroughly dolomitized successions, however, demonstrating that the
dolomitization process is not (or is not entirely) a result of exposure in the present erosional cycle.

The upper parts of the Kurra Chine are closely comparable in all wells. A distinctive but long-
ranging microfauna of Archaediscus spp., Problematina spp., Trocholina sp. 2 Henson, Trocholina sp.,
frondicularids, etc., occurs sporadically in most wells. Algae are rare, but a single Macroporella sp. has
been noted in the Qalian well section (G.F. Elliott, unpublished report), and a consistent zone marked
by abundant Paleotrix sp, occurs in the middle of the unit. A rich and well-preserved Archaediscus-
Problematina-Trocholina fauna occurs near the base of the penetrated part of the formation in this
well.

In Mileh Tharthar-1, the upper part of the Kurra Chine is absent, due to erosional loss, and the
succeeding rock unit is the Liassic Butmah Formation, which is conglomeratic at its base. This is the
only section in which unconformity at the top of the Kurra Chine is demonstrated.

Kuwait Group: Miocene-Pliocene-Pleisiocene (“middle” Miocene-Pleistocene)

Author: Owen and Nasr (1958). [R.C. van Bellen, after Owen and Nasr, 1958]

Synonymy: Kuwait series (de Boeckh et al., 1929); Kuwait group (Fox, 1956).

Remarks: This group includes the Dibdibba Formation, the Lower Fars Formation and the Ghar
Formation, according to its authors (Owen and Nasr, 1958). The Zor formation of Kuwait (Fox, 1956)
is regarded as equivalent to the Lower Fars.

No provision has been made for the Zahra Formation, the Euphrates Limestone and, if recognizable,
the Upper Fars Formation. These three formations cannot be recognized in subsurface sections.

There is a general increase in thickness of this group towards the north and east due to regional
dip. Thickness change towards the west is influenced by the rising topography supplemented by
structural undulations in the underlying Dammam Formation. The maximum thickness is 2,800 ft
(854 m).

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Lailuk limestone formation: Miocene (“lower” Miocene)

Obsolete name, see Govanda Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Lepidocyclina-Miogypsinoides zone: Oligocene (“upper” Oligocene)

In van Bellen (1956). The lower zone of the Azkand Limestone Formation, characterized by the
presence of Miogypsinoides complanata (Schlumberger) and Lepidocyclina s.l. spp. See also van Bellen
(1956). [R.C. van Bellen]

Lepidocyclina zone: Oligocene (“middle” Oligocene)

In van Bellen (1956). The younger faunizone of the Baba Limestone Formation, characterized by the
presence of various Lepidocyclina s.l. spp.: Lepidocyclina ephippioides Jones and Chapman, Lepidocyclina
yurnagunensis Cushman and Nephrolepidina marginata (Michelotti). It differs from the Lepidocyclina-
Nummulites zone in the absence of Nummulites intermedius-fichteli d’Archiac and Haime. Further
details can be found in van Bellen (1956). [R.C. van Bellen]

Lightly Consolidated Marine Silty Mud: Recent

In Lees and Falcon (1952), see Hammar Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

limestones containing Lepidocyclina cf. formosa:

Oligocene (“middle” Oligocene)

In de Boeckh et al. (1929), see Baba Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

limestone with cerithiae: Oligocene (“upper” Oligocene)

Informal term used by Ainsworth (1838), see Anah Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

limestones with N. Intermedius-fichteli: Oligocene (“lower” Oligocene)

In de Boeckh et al. (1929), see Sheikh Alas Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Lithiotis limestone: Jurassic (Upper Liassic)

Informal name, applied in unpublished reports, etc., to the fossiliferous middle subdivision of the
Sehkaniyan Formation in its type area. See Sehkaniyan Formation, Mus Limestone, etc. [R. Wetzel
and H.V. Dunnington]

Lower Bakhtiari Formation: Pliocene (Plate VI)

Author: Busk and Mayo (1918). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: red clay and sandstone series, in part (Pascoe, 1922); Kurd series, in part (Pascoe, 1922);
phases b and c (Pascoe, 1922).

Type locality and details of section:

Location: The type locality of this formation should be in Iran, from where it was first
described. Elder (1958) does not mention a type section; however, Ion et al. (1951) give an
adequate description of the Lower Bakhtiari Formation in the Agha Jari oilfield, southwestern
Iran. The formation, widespread in northern Iraq, resembles its equivalent in Iran closely. In
southern Iraq the formation appears to be replaced by part of the Dibdibda Formation, but it

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is not possible to point to the particular part of the Dibdibda which is equivalent to the Lower
Bakhtiari Formation.

Thickness: The Lower Lower Bakhtiari Formation is more than 6,700 ft (2,042.7 m) thick.

Fossils and Age: The formation, of Pliocene age, is dated by the occurrence of Hipparion sp.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The lower contact of the Lower Bakhtiari
Formation, with the Upper Fars Formation, is marked by the disappearance of pebbles
downwards. This is without doubt a diachronous boundary.

Overlying formation and details of contact: The same can be said for the upper limit of the
Lower Bakhtiari, which is with the Upper Bakhtiari Formation. This is fixed normally at the
first appearance of the massive conglomerates, which typify the Upper Bakhtiari in contrast
to the sands and grits and pebble beds of the Lower Bakhtiari. Unconformities do occur at
and below this upper limit, as folding of many of the present anticlines was proceeding, with
temporary uplifts of crests above the erosional base-level, during the deposition of the unit.
Locally, as at Kirkuk, the boundary between Upper and Lower Bakhtiari may correspond with
such a crestal unconformity.

Remarks: Various efforts have been made to subdivide this unit into useful members (Pascoe, 1922).
No system of subdivision has been proved to have more than local value. The great thickness of these
molasse-like sediments was deposited in rapidly sinking troughs in front of rapidly rising mountains.
The constituents of the formation are the product of the erosion of these mountains. Due to this mode
of origin, the thicknesses are rather variable.

Lower Cretaceous: Cretaceous (Aptian)

Daniel (1954): “Limestone, dolomitic and recrystallized, with partings of black shaly limestone and
green pyritic slickensided fossiliferous shale”. Thickness: 110 ft (33.5 m). The age designation and
description quoted were applied by Daniel to the Sarmord Formation as encountered in Ain Zalah-16.
See Sarmord Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Lower Fars Formation: Miocene (“middle” Miocene) (Plate VI)

Author: Busk and Mayo (1918). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: Hamrin series, in part (Pascoe, 1922 (part); Fars series, in part (Pascoe, 1922).

Type locality and section:

Location: The type locality of this formation should be in Iran from where the authors first described
it. No such locality has been mentioned by Elder (1958). A detailed description of the Lower Fars, as
found in the Agha Jari oil-field of southwestern Iran, is given in Ion et al. (1951).

Remarks: In Iraq the formation is limited in its occurrence on the southwest by the Arabian Shield,
whereas on the northeastern side the Zagros range, already rising at the time of deposition of the
Lower Fars, prevented further spread, apart from some gulf-like extensions (as near Govanda). In
southern Iraq the Lower Fars decreases in thickness towards the south, and in the Zor escarpment
in northern Kuwait it has dwindled to a thin dark shale, with the Lower Fars index fossil Ostrea
latimarginata Vredenburg, between the Dibdibba Formation and the Ghar Formation.

The depositional, regime of the Lower Fars was governed by alternating periods of desiccation and of
influxes of fresh sea water. The region can be considered as having been a semi-barred basin, access
to which probably existed in the south.

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The lower limit of the formation in northern Iraq is marked by a prominent conglomerate; known
informally as the “basal Fars conglomerate” (it is by no means certain that this conglomerate
corresponds in time to the base of the Lower Fars in Iran). In the area under consideration it marks a
very important transgression of the formation over an eroded succession ranging from “middle” Eocene
Avanah Limestone Formation to “lower” Miocene (?Burdigalian) Jeribe Limestone Formation.

W. Kitchin (unpublished reports, etc.) was the first to subdivide the Lower Fars (of the Kirkuk
structure) into a number of informal units. He then recognized and designated within each unit a
number of limestone markers (contrary to the practice followed in Iran where widespread use was
made of characteristics of the various evaporites in the sequence).

From top to bottom Kitchin designated the “upper red beds” with eight limestone markers (R/1-R/
8), separated by siltstones and anhydrites. These are followed downwards by a thick anhydrite bed,
which rests on the “Seepage Beds”, with four limestone markers (B/1-B/4). These are alternating
again with siltstones and anhydrites. The “saliferous beds” follow downwards with an unknown
original thickness of salt between a thin limestone marker X, of limited extent and equally limited
practical value, and another limestone marker S/1. The original thickness of the salt is unknown,
because thicknesses now found are extremely variable owing to tectonic complications. The last
noted marker, S/1, is the first competent stratum of the structure below the plastic salt beds. Silt and
anhydrite separate it from the next underlying limestone markers S/2 and S/3, which occur near
and at the base of these “saliferous beds”. S/2 and S/3 have sometimes been combined as marker Y
(Sugden, unpublished reports).

Below the “saliferous beds” the “transition beds” or “transition zone” occurs, with fourteen limestone
markers (T/1-T/5, Z, T/6-T/13), again separated by siltstones and anhydrites. The “transition zone”
rests on and its lower beds grade laterally into the “basal Fars conglomerate”. All these markers are
by no means everywhere recognizable. Either because of facies changes or because of local pinchouts
the top marker of the “transition zone”, T/1, appears to be absent in some areas. T/2, T/3 and even
T/4 may also be absent locally. The overall distribution of these markers in the Kirkuk structure
clearly shows overlap, due to transgression, the lower markers of the “transition zone” being cut out
progressively, by on-lap convergence, northwestwards (Daniel, 1954).

The thickness of the Lower Fars Formation varies a great deal, but can reach as much as 2,500 ft (762.2
m), as in the area of Chia Surkh. Over the Kirkuk structure the thickness varies from about 1,000 ft
(305 m) in the northwest to about 2,000 ft (610 m) in southeast.

The upper limit of the Lower Fars is marked by a prominent anhydrite, known informally as the Ao
anhydrite. The overlying formation is the Middle Fars Formation, or, in areas where this formation
cannot be recognized because of facies changes, the Upper Fars Formation. The upper surface of the
Ao anhydrite is a reference horizon (widely referred to as Ao, pronounced “ay nought”), which has
been used extensively in mapping, and in construction of subsurface sections and contour maps.

The unconformity between the Lower Fars and the underlying sediments decreases in magnitude
from near the shore, where Lower Fars rests on Eocene, towards the centre of the Fars basin, where
Jeribe Limestone is found below it. In the same direction the “basal Fars conglomerate” virtually
disappears.

Fossils include Clausinella ?amidei (Meneghini), Elphidium sp., Rotalia beccarii Linn., miliolids,
ostracods, etc. Useful fossil indices are Clausinella spp. and Ostrea latimarginata Vredenburg.

Lower Jurassic: Jurassic (Upper Liassic)

Daniel (1954): “Massive anhydrite, with interbedded thin, coarsely recrystallized and dolomitized
limestones, and thin breccias and conglomerates”. The age-designation and description quoted
were applied by Daniel (1954) to the Adaiyah Anhydrite Formation as encountered in Ain Zalah-16.

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This well terminated within the Adaiyah Anhydrite, so that the quoted thickness (185 ft (56.4 m) is
incomplete. See Adaiyah Anhydrite Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Lower-Middle Oligocene Miliola limestone: Oligocene (“lower” Oligocene)

In Henson (1950), see Shurau Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

lower reef limestone: Oligocene (“lower” Oligocene)

In Henson (1950), see Shurau Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Lower Senonian: Cretaceous (Santonian-Lower Campanian)

See Senonian-Lower. [H.V. Dunnington]

lower Shiranish limestone: Cretaceous (Cenomanian)

Name applied in Anon. (1955) to the Cenomanian oligosteginal limestone unit found in the Dokan
Gorge area between the Gulneri Shale Formation and the Qamchuqa Limestone. This unit has been
defined as the Dokan Limestone. See Dokan Limestone Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

lower thin bedded limestones: Cretaceous (Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian)

In Richardson (1924). Obsolete term (in Iraq), originally applied in Iraq to sediments now classed
within the Shiranish Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Maastrichtian flysch: Cretaceous (Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian)

This is not a defined rock-stratigraphic term, see Tanjero Clastic Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Mahilban Limestone Formation: Cretaceous (Cenomanian) (Plates III and IV)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Nafatah-1; the formation occurs between drilled depths 2,881–3,253
ft (878.4–991.8 m), and is 372 ft (113.4 m) thick. The formation name is taken from the Wadi
Banat al Mahilban, which debouches into the Euphrates from the north, between the Villages
of Zuwaiya and Bustan Khalifa, some eleven km northeast of Awasil-5, and about 16 km west-
northwest of Nafatah-1.

Lithology and Fossils (from top to base):

2,881–3,190 ft (878.4–972.6 m) (thickness 309 ft, 94.2 m): fine-grade, marly limestone with
variable comminuted macrofossil debris; locally spicular; locally recrystallized; locally
glauconitic; with minute rotaline foraminifera, globorotalids, Oligostegina, etc. Cyclammina sp.
nov.; Begia spp.; Rotalia sp.; Trocholina lenticularis Henson; T. spp.; Dicyclina qatarensis Henson;
Cuneolina sp.; Praealveolina cretacea tenuis Reichel; Praealveolina spp.; Exogyra flabellata (Goldf.)
(fide A. Keller); shell debris, algal and bryozoan detritus, ostracoda, etc.:
3,190–3,220 ft (972.6-981.7 m) (thickness 33 ft, 10.1 m): oolitic and pseudo-oolitic limestones,
intensely glauconitic, with rolled macrofossil fragments, some derived limestone pebbles;
fauna includes: Begia spp.; Praealveolina sp.; Cuneolina sp.; Textularia spp.; ostracoda, echinoid
debris, algal debris, Mollusca (particularly ostreids and small gastropods). Sandy and
conglomeratic at base.

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3,223–3,253 ft (982.6–991.8 m) (thickness 30 ft, 9.1 m): marly detrital limestones; pseudo-oolitic
in part, but not oolitic; only slightly glauconitic; with abundant, ill-graded; comminuted
echinoid, mollusc, algal and bryozoan debris and: Cyclammina sp. nov.; Trocholina lenticularis
Henson; T. sp.; Cuneolina sp.; Dicyclina sp.; rare Praealveolina sp. indet.; Begia sp.; Textularia
spp.; ?Pseudochrysalidina sp.; miliolids, trochamminids, small rotaline foraminifera; matrix
dolomitized in part, diffusely dolomitic with scattered rhombs of small size; common derived
micropebbles of recrystallized limestones, especially at base.

Age: Cenomanian (Upper).

Underlying formation and details of contact: Mauddud Formation; contact erosional,

unconformable, without detectable angular discordance, above highest dolomitized Orbitolina-
bearing limestones of the Mauddud and below a basal conglomerate.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Fahad Limestone Formation; contact erosional,
unconformable, without detectable angular discordance, at base of arenaceous, micro-
conglomeratic limestone with glauconitized micropebbles.

Other localities: Awasil-5 between drilled depths 2,259–2,565 ft 668.7–782 m), Mileh Tharthar-1,
between drilled depths 3,263–3,672 ft (994.8–1,119.5 m), and Fallujah-1.

Remarks: The Mahilban Formation is sharply differentiated from the underlying, Orbitolina-rich,
Mauddud Formation by a distinct lithological as well as by a faunal break, both suggesting erosional
termination of the underlying Mauddud. Further suggestion of unconformable nature of the basal
boundary of the Mahilban Limestone is forthcoming from the conglomeratic, glauconitic lower
division of the unit in Nafatah-1.

In Awasil-5 this lowermost division is not found, the glauconitic, oolitic division is also not
recognizable, and the entire Mahilban Formation is thinner in Awasil by some 66 ft (20.1 m), almost
exactly the thickness of the two lower divisions differentiated within the Mahilban in the type section.
In Awasil-5 the top of the Mauddud Formation is markedly recrystallized, and the basal beds of the
Mahilban Limestone, corresponding to beds above depth 3,190 ft (972.6 m) in the type section, are
glauconitic and conglomeratic, whilst in Nafatah-1 the topmost beds of the Mauddud are dolomitic.

In Mileh Tharthar-1 the basal unconformity is increased in scope, and the Mahilban rests directly
upon eroded Nahr Umr Formation, the entire Mauddud Formation having been eliminated.

The upper boundary of the Mahilban Formation is less decisively established. The Fahad Formation
is not fundamentally dissimilar from the Mahilban, either in lithology or in fauna, (Cyclammina sp.
nov. appears in both, with identical banal foraminifera), and separation of the two formations can be
justified only by recognition of a depositional break between them.

This break is evidenced by the lithological character of the basal bed of the Fahad Formation, which
is a recrystallized spicular microconglomerate, with large silt grains, some sand-grade detrital quartz,
and scattered, sand-grade, recrystallized limestone micropebbles, some glauconitized. The matrix of
this microconglomerate contains fine grains of glauconite, and some of the derived fragments are
rolled and broken limonitized or glauconitized foraminifera, including Trocholina lenticularis Henson,
which occurs in the Mahilban Formation, but not in the Fahad. Unfortunately there is some mixing of
well samples around the critical depth of the boundary, presumed to be due to partial core recoveries,
unrecovered cores from one drilled interval appearing as the principal recovered samples from the
following coring operation: the boundary is set at 2,881 ft (878.4 m) in Nafatah-1, the smallest depth
at which the conglomerate can reasonably be placed, but the base could be from 5 (1.5) to 10 ft (3 m)
lower.

In Awasil-5 the top of the formation is set below a glauconitic sandy bed at the base of the Fahad
Formation, which contains occasional limestone pebbles. This bed occurs within the cored interval
2,240–2,259 ft (682.9–688.7 m) but again position within this interval is dubious, and although the

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depth of 2,259 ft (688.7 m) is adopted as the rock-unit boundary, this depth may be too great by 10 ft
(3 m), or too small by a few ft.

The Mahilban Formation represents the deposits of a late-Cenomanian transgression following an

intra-Cenomanian episode of emergence and structural differentiation, from which an irregular or
tilted topography was inherited in the Awasil-Nafatah area.

The Mahilban Limestone is not represented in surface sections to the west, or in other subsurface
sections than the four above-mentioned. At Makhul-1, Turonian Kometan Formation rests with
erosional unconformity, but no detected angular discordance, on Mauddud limestone of low
Cenomanian age: here the Mahilban either was never deposited, or (more probably) was removed in
the erosional episode preceding deposition of the Kometan Formation.

The Kometan Formation is considered to be the age-equivalent of all or part of the combined Maotsi
and Fahad Formation of the Awasil-Nafatah area. Hence, the Fahad/Mahilban break, which is rather
insignificant in the Nafatah well, may be deemed to increase in compass northeastwards through
Makhul.

Beyond Makhul, in the Sadid, Hibbarah, Jawan and Najmah and Qalian wells, the break beneath the
Kometan Formation eliminates the Mauddud Formation also, throwing Kometan Formation against
(Albian) Jawan Formation. The regional importance of the Turonian/Cenomanian break provides
added justification for the separation in Nafatah and Awasil of the rather similar (Turonian) Fahad
and (Cenomanian) Mahilban formations.

Apart from the contemporaneous Gir Bir Formation, which remains, preserved from pre-Turonian
and pre-Upper Campanian erosion, in the isolated subsurface sections of Mushorah-1 and Gullar-1,
there appear to be no correlatives of the Mahilban Limestone Formation, in neritic facies, either in
Kurdistan or in the drilled-up area north or Mileh Tharthar.

The M’sad Formation, which is exposed in the Rutbah area of the Western Desert, is homologous with
and approximately of the same age ass the Mahilban, with which it is closely comparable in facies.
Distinction between these two units is preserved, in the nomenclature, because the M’sad Formation
is heterogeneous, in that it contains sandstone intercalations. Furthermore, there is as yet no evidence
of continuity of the two formations across the considerable distance (about 240 km) which separates
the known areas of occurrence: the two units could be superficially similar but genetically quite
distinct, and therefore ineligible for inclusion within a single formation.

The Mahilban Formation can be correlated broadly with part of the Mishrif Formation (Owen and
Nasr, 1958) of the Basrah subsurface sections, with which it equates in both age and facies, but
identity of rock units cannot be asserted between these two areas because the units are not entirely
homologous, and because age-control is not entirely satisfactory at present.

main limestone: Eocene-Oligocene (“middle” and “upper” Eocene, Oligocene)

Informal term introduced to indicate the first and main oil pay-zone of the Kirkuk structure. It
consists of the Avanah and Jaddala formations and those formations of the Kirkuk Group that occur
in the Kirkuk structure. See van Bellen (1956). [R.C. van Bellen]

Makhul Formation: Jurassic (Tithonian) (Plate III)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1955, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

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Location and Thickness: Makhul-1; the formation occurs between drilled depths 4,508–4,978 ft
(1,374.4–1,517.7 m). It is 470 ft (143.3 m) thick, and is named from the well.

Lithology: Argillaceous limestones and calcareous mudstones, some dolomitized, some

recrystallized, some fluffy-textured, some vaguely pseudo-oolitic limestones and some
anhydrite nodules towards base, and pseudo-oolitic limestones towards top, but always
subordinate to argillaceous limestones and calcareous mudstones. Light grey to dark grey
throughout.

Fossils: Aptychus sp., (rare, throughout), fish debris (towards base) (fide A. Keller), ostracoda;
minute miliolids, small textularids, Glomospira sp., textularids; ?Eothrix, ?Globochaete sp.
?Lombardia spp.

Age: Uppermost Jurassic (Tithonian).

Underlying formation and details of contact: Gotnia Anhydrite Formation; contact gradational
and conformable, taken at the top of the highest bedded anhydrite.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Zangura Formation; contact seemingly

conformable but possibly involving a considerable hiatus, with erosional loss of part of the
Makhul (see Remarks). Contact taken at a sharp break in lithology from calcareous mudstones
below 4,508 ft (1,374.4 m)to pseudo-oolitic organic limestones above 4,508 ft (1,374.4 m).

Other localities: Awasil-5, Fallujah-1, Makhul-2 and Mileh Tharthar-1.

Remarks: The Makhul Formation embraces the lower (and believably uppermost Jurassic) portion of
the heterogeneous succession of related rocks, of the calcareous mudstone- pseudo-oolitic limestone
suite, which intervenes between the clearly defined top of the underlying Gotnia Anhydrite and the
base of the neritic, oolitic Garagu Formation in Makhul-1 and other subsurface sections. The upper
part of this succession is defined as the Zangura Formation.

The relationships of the Makhul to the overlying and generally comparable Zangura Formation
are closely similar in wells Awasil-5 and Makhul-1. There is a sharp faunal break, corresponding to
the lithological change at which the formation boundary is placed. The lower part of the Zangura
is characterized by Pseudocyclammina kelleri Henson, and associated foraminifera, with common
echinoid and gastropod detritus, which are absent from the Makhul. The Pseudocyclammina kelleri
fauna is considered to be Berriasian (probably fairly late Berriasian) in age, whilst the unsatisfactory
evidence from the Makhul (Aptychi, ?Lombardia sp., ?Eothrix, ?Globochaete sp.) indicates Tithonian
age.

The lithological change and palaeontological non-sequence are scarcely adequate to justify treatment
of the Zangura and Makhul formations as separate units within a continuous-appearing succession of
rather similar sediments. But in Makhul-2 and Mileh Tharthar-1, the Makhul Formation is reduced in
thickness, by absence of its uppermost parts, from the c. 450 ft (137.2 m) found in the type section and
the Awasil well, to only about 20 ft (6.1 m). Hence, from correlation, it is concluded that the Zangura
is unconformable on eroded Makhul Formation at least in those wells where the Makhul Formation
is very thin, and probably also in Awasil-5 and Makhul-1.

This unconformity approximates to the Cretaceous/Jurassic contact (though lying probably within
the Berriasian), and it expands in scope, northwards from Makhul, to become an important erosional
unconformity, which places Aptian (or perhaps Albian) Sarmord Formation upon eroded Bathonian
(and locally Bajocian) Sargelu Formation over a large area of northern Iraq.

Important tilting movements and erosion followed deposition of the late Tithonian rock units and
preceded deposition of the late Berriasian. The Tithonian/Berriasian break is therefore of high
significance, justifying the treatment of the Zangura and Makhul as separate units in spite of their
close lithological comparability.

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In Kirkuk-109 the basal Cretaceous is represented by marly sediments, attributed to the Sarmord
Formation. These contain a Pseudocyclammina kelleri fauna near the top and a lower fossiliferous
zone, characterized by Spirocyclina sp., in a gastropodiferous, intensely glauconitic, marly limestone
at the extreme base of the Sarmord. The glauconitic, marly limestones overlie the 2,000 ft (609.8 m)
sequence of black and dark brown sediments of the Karimia Mudstone Formation. The transition
is abrupt, and unconformity is presumed between Sarmord and Karimia. The Karimia Mudstone
conformably overlies the Chia Gara Formation, which carries a rich radiolarian assemblage, studied
and interpreted as of Tithonian age by A.G. Davis (unpublished reports). In this well the combined
Karimia Mudstone and Chia Gara formations are taken to represent the equivalent of the Makhul
Formation, but it appears that the Karimia is probably younger at its top than is the Makhul Formation
at Makhul-1. Also, the glauconitic Sarmord Formation is presumed to be older, at its base, than is the
Zangura Formation at Makhul.

It is supposed that the Makhul Formation grades laterally into the Karimia Mudstone, northeastwards
from Makhul towards Kirkuk, and that the Karimia Mudstone, in turn, passes laterally and
diachronously into the Chia Gara Formation of the mountain-fold belt. The Makhul Formation
is rather more argillaceous and less pseudo-oolitic in Makhul wells than in Awasil-5, indicating a
northeastwards approach towards Karimia Mudstone lithology through the type section.

The area of distribution of the Makhul does not extend into Kurdistan, where the contemporaneous
sediments are Radiolaria-rich, ammonite-bearing shales of the Chia Gara Formation (lower part),
which overlie the Lower Kimmeridgian (or slightly younger) anhydritic Barsarin Formation. The
Barsarin is correlated with the Gotnia Anhydrite Formation.

In the recently drilled Fallujah-1, the Makhul Formation is somewhat atypical in containing silt and
sand incursions in its upper parts, and in the presence of intercalations of radiolarian shales and
limestones which are identified with the Middle-Upper Tithonian radiolarian limestones of the Chia
Gara Formation. Associated with the radiolarian sediments, and also occurring within the calcareous
Makhul tongues, are common to abundant tintinnids, represented only by Calpionella alpina Lorenz
and Calpionella elliptica Cadisch. Presence of these forms indicates that the containing beds are not
older than Tithonian, and absence of other tintinnid species suggests that the age is not younger than
Berriasian.

The Makhul Formation does not appear at outcrop, being eliminated west of Awasil, probably
at the basal Cretaceous unconformity, though this is uncertain, since other and later erosional
unconformities enlarge westwards from the Euphrates, and the eastern exposures of the Mesozoic
in the Wadi Hauran show no formations younger than the Bathonian Muhaiwir beneath the widely
transgressive Cenomanian Rutbah Sandstone.

The Makhul is homotaxial with and lithologically comparable with the Sulaiy Formation of the
Qatar area (Sugden, 1958, MS), but these two units may not be precisely correlative. The Makhul has
not been formally recognized in southern Iraq, though the lower part of the succession in Ratawi-1,
which is attributed to the Yamama/Sulaiy formations, is probably correlative (see Yamama/Sulaiy
formations).

Maotsi Formation: Cretaceous (Turonian) (Plate III and IV)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Nafatah-1; the formation occurs between drilled depths 2,451–
2,637 ft (747.3–804 m), and is 186 ft (56.7 m) thick. The formation name is taken from the
topographically high feature “Al Maotsi”, which is situated north of the Ramadi-Rutbah road,
about 5 miles due east of Awasil-5.

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Lithology: Marly limestones, spicular, oligosteginal, with dispersed small carbonate rhombs,
and variable macrofossil detritus, alternating with calcareous marls. Becoming more
dominantly marly, and locally silty, shaly and glauconitic, towards the base.

Fossils: Alectryonia cf. sifax (Coquand) (identified by A. Keller) 2,616-2,628 ft, 797.6-801.2 m);
small Pecten spp. (identified by A. Keller) 2,551 ft, 777.7 m); Oligostegina; minute Gumbelina sp.;
Globigerina spp.; globorotalids; etc.; Textularia spp.; Begia sp. (at extreme base only); Cyclammina
spp. nov. (2,591 ft, 789.9 m to base); debris of echinoids, lamellibranchs (especially ostreids),
annelids, Algae, Bryozoa, etc.; Cythereis sp., ostracods indet.

Age: Turonian, from position in the sequence, and correlation with other subsurface
formations.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Fahad Limestone Formation; contact

conformable, taken at the change from marls with marly grey limestones above to white-
creamy continuous limestones below.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Pilsener Limestone Formation; contact probably
erosional, without angular discordance, taken at the change from marls and marly limestones
below to vacuolar coarse-grained dolomites and limestones above.

Other localities: Awasil-5, between drilled depths 1,840–2,030 ft (561–618.9 m); Mileh Tharthar-1,
between drilled depths 2,915–3,030 ft (888.7–923.8 m), and Fallujah-1.

Remarks: The Maotsi Formation is distinguished from the underlying Fahad Limestone principally
by its heterogeneity within the limits of the rock-suite calcareous shale-marl-marly limestone,
contrasting fairly markedly with the almost continuous limestones of the Fahad. The boundary
between the two formations is set at 2,637 ft (804 m) in Nafatah-1, at about which depth there is a
colour change from greenish or greyish marls and limestones and marls of the Maotsi to cream-hued
limestones of the Fahad the base of the Maotsi is rather markedly glauconitic, in contrast to the upper
part of the Fahad, in which glauconite is rare.

The precise depth at which this formation change is manifested is not known, due to partial core
recoveries: selection of 2,637 ft (804 m) as the depth of the formation boundary is to some extent
arbitrary for these reasons and it is possible that the actual top of the Fahad may occur as high as
2,621 ft (799.1 m). Partial core recoveries may also have resulted in greater apparent differentiability
of the two formations at the contact than would be found in a full section: the microfacies of the two
formations are closely comparable, suggesting gradation of conditions rather than the abrupt change
in lithology indicated by recovered samples.

The upper limit of the Maotsi Formation corresponds to the erosional-depositional break at the base
of the transgressive Upper Senonian Pilsener Limestone Formation. The Pilsener is represented,
in Nafatah-1 and Awasil-5, by coarsely granular, partly vacuolar dolomites and limestones, which
contrast markedly with the tight, marly limestones and finely dolomitized marls of the uppermost
Maotsi beds.

The Maotsi Formation of the Awasil section is closely comparable in thickness, lithology, and facies,
with that of the Nafatah well.

Age evaluation of the formation must be based largely on analogy with correlative units in other
areas, since age-determinative fauna is lacking. Cyclammina spp. nov. (MS), found from 2,591 ft (789.9
m) to the base of the unit and below, in Nafatah, and within comparable ranges in the less satisfactory
samples of Awasil-5, correspond to two species, one of which appears continuously from the base of
the Mahilban Formation to within the Maotsi Formation in Awasil-5 and Nafatah-1, and the other of
which is known only from low in the Kometan Formation of Sadid-1 and from the higher part of the
Fahad Formation of Awasil and Nafatah.

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The range of the first species suggests that the Maotsi Formation should not be regarded as very
much younger than the Cenomanian Mahilban Limestone, thus favouring Turonian rather than
Senonian age for the Maotsi.

The occurrences of the second species imply correlation of the Maotsi and Fahad formations with
the Kometan Formation, age of which is taken as Turonian from consideration of the contained
Globotruncana faunules.

This correlation is supportable by microfacies considerations, the Oligostegina-rich smaller-

foraminiferal faunules of the Kometan and Fahad-Maotsi formations being closely comparable, and
the thin-section aspect not dissimilar. Since it is also strongly suggested by homotaxy relative to the
overlying Pilsener Limestone Formation, the implied reference of the Fahad and Maotsi formations
to the same transgressive cycle as the Kometan Formation is adopted, and Turonian age accepted for
both the Fahad and Maotsi formations.

In Mileh Tharthar-1, where the Maotsi is recognized between drilled depths 2,915–3,030 ft (888.7–
923.8 m), the formation shows characters intermediate between those found in the type Maotsi and in
the Kometan Formation of Makhul-1 and 2.

Independent support for Turonian age is fortcoming from A. Keller’s (unpublished) interpretation of
Alectryonia cf. sifax from the Maotsi Formation as an intermediate between A. sifax of the Cenomanian
of Tunis and A. dichotoma of the Senonian the original material is no longer available for study, owing
to war-time losses.

The Fahad-Maotsi formations of the Awasil area pass laterally, northwards and eastwards, into the
Kometan Formation of Makhul, etc. The facies of the Maotsi and Fahad formations suggest a nearer-
shore depositional environment than is presumable for the Kometan Formation, but the indications
are not decisive. There are no correlatives of the formations north and northwest of Qalian-1. The
dolomitized, rudist-bearing, neritic Mergi Formation, although of Turonian age, is known only from
the Shiranish area, and is not equatable with either the Maotsi or the Fahad.

marbre de Mossoul: Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

Informal term used by Nicolesco (1933), for thick anhydrite beds in the Lower Fars Formation, near
Mosul in northern Iraq, which are exploited as ornamental stone. [R.C. van Bellen]

marnes claires jaunatres: Eocene (“middle” and “upper” Eocene)

Informal term used by Dubertret (1934). See Jaddala Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

marnes crayeuses jaunatres: Miocene (“lower” Miocene)

Informal term used by Dubertret (1935). See Serikagni Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Mauddud Formation: Cretaceous (Albian) (Plate III and IV)

Author: F.R.S. Henson (1940, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: Rutbah sand, in part (Barber, 1948); Mauddud limestone (Smout, 1956); Mauddud
formation (Owen and Nasr, 1958); Mauddud formation (Sugden, 1958, MS).

Remarks: The Mauddud Formation was defined from the subsurface section of Dukhan-1, Qatar by
F.R.S. Henson in 1940, but the definition has been revised and emended recently by Sugden (1958,
MS)

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In its type area the Mauddud is described as “limestone, light grey, earthy, mostly of fairly high
porosity except for the bottom few feet which are rather marly. Much of the limestone appears to
be silty, due to the presence of fine calcareous detritus, and the upper part contains beds with much
fossil and pellet debris” (Sugden).

The Mauddud is the “Main Pay Limestone” or “2nd Pay Limestone” of the Bahrein field, and it is
productive of oil in parts of the Burgan field of Kuwait. It is recognized in all deep well sections
in Kuwait and southern Iraq (Owen and Nasr, 1958). It was at one time designated the “Orbitolina
concava limestone”, and has been mentioned in occasional publications under that name (e.g. Barber,
1948).

It is characterized in Qatar by a microfauna which includes Orbitolina cf. concava (Lamarck), Orbitolina
concava (Lamarck) var. qatarica Henson, Trocholina arabica Henson, T. lenticularis Henson, and.
Cyclammina whitei Henson. In the type area, according to Sugden, it conformably overlies probably
Albian Nahr Umr Formation, and it is overlain conformably by the Khatiyah formation, which ranges
in age from intra-Cenomanian at the top to Albian at the base. Hence the Mauddud is regarded as of
Albian age in its type locality (Sugden, 1958, then in preparation).

In the Basrah and Kuwait wells, according to Owen and Nasr (op. cit.), the Mauddud is represented
by organic, detrital, sometimes pseudo-oolitic, cream-coloured limestones with occasional green
or bluish shale streaks. It ranges in thickness from only 6 ft (1.8 m), within the Burgan field, to a
maximum of over 500 ft (152.4 m) in parts of the Zubair field. It overlies Albian Nahr Umr Formation
conformably, and is overlain by the Wara Formation, which comprises black silty shales and siltstones
(Basrah) and sandstone (Kuwait). The Wara underlies the Cenomanian Ahmadi shale and the contact
of the Wara with the Mauddud suggests slight disconformity (Owen and Nasr, 1958).

The fauna of the Mauddud, in the Kuwait and Basrah region, includes Iraqia simplex Henson, Trocholina
altispira Henson, T. arabica Henson, T. lenticularis Henson, Orbitolina cf. concava (Lamarck) and
Rabanitina basraensis Smout (Smout, 1956, p. 335). Owen and Nasr note the occurrence of Alveolinidae
in the upper part of the formation (but this record is probably due to contamination of well samples
by cavings from the overlying Cenomanian section).

Owen and Nasr give the age of the Mauddud of Basrah and Kuwait wells as Cenomanian, and Smout
(1956, p. 336) concurs in this age attribution, whilst admitting the possibility of Albian age.

The Mauddud Formation is recognized in northern Iraq in Awasil-5, Fallujah-1, Makhul-1 and 2
and Nafatah-1. Thicknesses range from 357 ft (108.8 m) at Nafatah to 121 ft (37 m) in Makhul-1. In
all sections the formation is an organic, detrital limestone with a rather marly matrix and with a
persistent Orbitolina-Trocholina fauna.

In Awasil-5 and Nafatah-1 the Mauddud rests conformably on Nahr Umr Formation which is
considered to be of Albian age. The overlying formation is the (Upper) Cenomanian Mahilban
Formation, which follows on an erosional unconformity without significant angular discordance.
The top of the Mauddud is markedly recrystallized in Awasil-5 and the base of the Mahilban is
conglomeratic and intensely glauconitic. The basal beds of the Mahilban in Nafatah-1 are cut out, due
to onlap convergence, in Awasil-5.

The entire Mauddud Formation and the uppermost beds of the Nahr Umr Formation are lacking in
Mileh Tharthar-1, to the north of Awasil, where Mahilban Limestone, with abundant derived sands
contaminating its base, rests directly on eroded Nahr Umr.

In the Makhul wells the Mauddud is unconformably overlain by Turonian Kometan Formation, there
being no equivalent for the Cenomanian Mahilban in these sections. The underlying formation, on
which the Mauddud is conformable, is the Jawan Formation. The Jawan, which is laterally equivalent
to the Nahr Umr Formation, is considered to be of Albian age throughout.

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The fauna of the Mauddud in the subsurface sections abovementioned includes Orbitolina cf. concava
(Lamarck), O. concava var. qatarica Henson (Awasil and Nafatah), T. lenticularis Henson, Cyclammina
spp., etc., with Orbitolina cf. discoidea Gras in the lower part of the formation at Makhul and Awasil,
etc.

It is manifest that the Mauddud has been correctly identified in the Basrah-Kuwait area and in
northern Iraq, and it is equally clear that it must have been deposited more or less synchronously
over the whole region from Qatar to Makhul-1. The acceptance of Albian age for the formation in
Qatar (Sugden, 1958, MS) is incompatible with the Cenomanian attribution published by Owen and
Nasr (1958) and accepted by Smout (1956).

The evidence assembled from northern Iraq unequivocally favours an Upper Albian age. The co-
occurrence of Orbitolina, cf. concava (Lamarck) and O. cf. discoidea Gras is sufficient to demonstrate
pre-Cenomanian age for the lower part of the formation at Makhul, and the constancy of the
associated fauna throughout the formation argues strongly that the age-range of the formation is not
great. Orbitolina cf. concava is not restricted to the Cenomanian, as suggested by Henson (1948), but in
northern Iraq, at least, appears to be indicative of Albian age. Specimens attributed to O. cf. concava
occur below a Middle-Upper Albian ammonite fauna at Naokelekan (see Qamchuqa Formation).
Hence the absence of Cenomanian forms, as Praealveolina spp., etc., may be more significant in
determining between Albian and Cenomanian age than is the presence of Orbitolina cf. concava.

Orbitolina concava var. qatarica certainly lived on into Cenomanian times, since this form is found with
a normal Cenomanian fauna of Praealveolina spp., in the Rumaila Formation of Basrah, etc. (Owen
and Nasr, 1958).

Smout (1956) comments that the type locality of Iraqia simplex Henson is either s Cenomanian or so
high in the Lower Cretaceous that “Cenomanian occurrence would not be surprising”. In fact, the
type locality of this species lies some 700 ft (213.4 m) below the top of the Qamchuqa Limestone in
the Rowanduz Gorge. In this section the top of the Qamchuqa is now considered to be of Albian age,
and Iraqia simplex ranges here through the lower part of the Albian and upper part of the Aptian, in
association with Orbitolina cf. concava (Lamarck) and Orbitolina cf. discoidea Gras. Hence the presence
of Iraqia simplex in the Mauddud of Basrah wells is supporting evidence for Albian rather than
Cenomanian age.

In Awasil and Nafatah the Mauddud is separated from the Mahilban by an erosional unconformity,
though the Mahilban is of sufficiently late Cenomanian age to allow of an early Cenomanian age for
the Mauddud. But it is tempting to relate the Mahilban/Mauddud unconformity, at Awasil, with the
slight disconformity reported by Owen and Nasr between the Wara Formation and the Mauddud in
Basrah and Kuwait.

The Wara Formation (Owen and Nasr, 1958) may be dated as Lower Cenomanian of even perhaps
as Upper Albian, since according to R.G.S. Hudson (unpublished reports) the overlying Ahmadi
Formation contains Turritella amotzi Shalem, T. blanckenhorni Shalem, Corbula sp. juv., Exogyra
conica (J. Sowerby), ?E. luynesi (Lartet) and Aspidiscus (Helladastraea) juv. cf. A. semhae Kossmat.
Lower Cenomanian age is probable for this assemblage (the Upper Cenomanian age, suggested by
fragmentary Neolobites sp. from within the Ahmadi, and of Metoicoceras sp. (undescribed species)
from the basal “Cythereis bahraini limestone”, is in any case ruled out by the occurrence of Aspidiscus
sp.).

Since the Wara Formation underlies Lower Cenomanian Ahmadi Formation, and overlies the
Mauddud with slight disconformity, it is extremely probable that the Mauddud is of pre-Cenomanian
age in Basrah and Kuwait.

In Qatar, where the Khatiyah rests conformably on the Mauddud, the age of the latter is established
as Albian by determination of a rich macrofauna from the basal part of the Khatiyah as Upper Albian
in age (Sugden, 1958, MS).

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It is concluded that the Mauddud is of Albian age in northern Iraq, as in Qatar, and that the formation
is of the same age in Basrah and Kuwait wells.

Northwards from Makhul the Mauddud is eliminated in the post-Albian, pre-Turonian break, so
that Turonian Kometan Formation rests unconformably on eroded Jawan Formation in the Sadid,
Hibbarah, Jawan, Najmah and Qalian wells. Still further to the north, the Qamchuqa Formation
replaces the Jawan Formation laterally, without re-entry of any recognizable equivalent for the
Mauddud. In Kurdistan, the upper part of the Qamchuqa Formation is equivalent in age and often in
facies and fauna to the Mauddud in those sections where pre-Turonian or pre-Upper Senonian erosion
did not remove great thicknesses from the top of the Lower-Middle Cretaceous limestone massif.

The Mauddud Formation does not outcrop in Iraq (or in Arabia). Its absence from the exposed areas
west of Awasil is probably due to erosional loss at the unconformity below the transgressive Rutbah
Sandstone or its lateral equivalents.

Mauddud limestone: Cretaceous (Albian)

Term used by Smout (1956), see Mauddud Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Mergi Limestone Formation: Cretaceous (Turonian) (Plate II)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1956, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Shiranish Islam, northern Iraq. The section lies about 850 m (2,788 ft)
from the village on the northern side of the road to Shiranish Nasara, and 46 m (150.9 ft) thick.
Approximate co-ordinates are 37°14’34”N, 42°50’44”E. The name a Mergi) is taken from that
of the village, lying about 1 km south of Shiranish Islam on the road to Derkar, which is the
nearest named locality to the type section, apart from Shiranish itself, which has already lent
its name to the Shiranish Formation.

Lithology: Massive, thick-bedded limestones, rather nodular at the top, white, pinkish and
light brownish, recrystallized, saccharoidal, with occasional nodules of white-weathering red
chert. Conglomeratic and dolomitized at base, with marl and recrystallized limestone pebbles.
The formation forms a massive scarp.

Fossils: Radiolites trigeri (Coquand); rudist detritus indet.; Praealveolina cretacea (d’Archiac)
subspp. indet.

Age: Turonian.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Qamchuqa Formation; contact an erosional

unconformity but without angular discordance, placed above recrystallized limestones of
the Qamchuqa, and at the base of a limestone bed, 1.8 m (5.9 ft) thick, which is extensively
dolomitized and which contains flakes of yellow dolomitized marl and micropebbles of
recrystallized limestones.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Bekhme Limestone; contact an erosional

unconformity without angular discordance, marked by a basal conglomerate, which includes
recrystallized pebbles of Mergi Limestone, with Praealveolina sp., in a matrix of pale, yellowish-
green marly limestone. The basal beds of the Bekhme Limestone Formation at this locality are
marls, with gastropodiferous limestones, and a further conglomerate, with limestone pebbles
in a calcarenitic marly matrix, occurs as a bed, 0.3 m (1 ft) thick, about 6 m (19.7 ft) above the
top of the Mergi Formation.

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Other localities: Unknown.

Remarks: Although Turonian neritic limestones are well developed in parts of the Persian Zagros
Mountain belt, such limestones have not been found in the mountain zone of Iraq, except in the single
anticline of Shiranish, where the type locality of the Mergi Limestone Formation is situated.

Absence of this formation from other areas of Kurdistan is probably due to energetic pre-Upper
Campanian erosion, and the unit may have been widely distributed in Turonian times. It is possible
that it may exist elsewhere, completely dolomitized, and therefore not distinguishable from the
Qamchuqa Formation, beneath the transgressive Bekhme Limestone.

The Turonian age determination is based upon the co-occurrence of the rudist Radiolites trigeri and of
Praealveolina cretacea subspp., and on the absence of recognized Cenomanian fossils.

The rocks here taken to comprise the Mergi Limestone correspond in age to the oligosteginal-
globigerinal Kometan Formation, but are rudist-bearing neritic limestones. They succeed an
unconformity without detected angular discordance, and they are erosionally terminated and
overlain by the widespread Bekhme Limestone. They are thus genetically, differentiable from the
superficially similar underlying Qamchuqa and overlying Bekhme formations, and they merit
separate recognition and formation rank.

middle anhydrite(s): Miocene (“lower” Miocene)

Informal term, in use in Iran (Elder, 1958). It is not impossible that this anhydrite can be correlated
with the Dhiban Anhydrite Formation of northern Iraq. See Jeribe Limestone Formation. The “middle
anhydrite” appears to be of the same general age as the “Kalhur gypsum” or “Kalhur anhydrite”.
[R.C. van Bellen]

Middle Cretaceous: Cretaceous

Daniel (1954): “Dolomitic limestones and thin black bituminous shales. Limestones: with interbedded
thick breccias, microbreccias, and conglomerates, tightly cemented, and with beds of recrystallized
limestone, limestones made up of organic debris, pellet and pseudo-oolitic limestones, any of these
being locally dolomitized or silicified, and having beds of recrystallized and/or dolomitized, porous,
oil-saturated limestone interspersed at irregular intervals”. “Breccias and conglomerates commonly
polygenetic, but components are of Middle Cretaceous limestone and there are no exotics”.

The thickness is 690 ft (210.4 m) (E.J. Daniel, op. cit.). The age-designation and description quoted
were applied to the Qamchuqa Limestone Formation as encountered in Ain Zalah-16, in the Ain
Zalah oilfield, northwest of Mosul. See Qamchuqa Limestone Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Middle Eocene shoal facies: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

In van Bellen (1956), see Avanah Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Middle Fars Formation: Miocene (“upper” Miocene) (Plate VI)

Author: Busk and Mayo (1918). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: passage beds (Pascoe, 1922); Hamrin series, in part (Pascoe, 1922); Fars series, in part
(Pascoe, 1922).

Type locality and details of section: The type locality of this formation should be in Iran from where
Busk and Mayo first described it. As Elder (1958) does not mention a type-section, the reader is
referred to Ion et al. (1951) for a detailed description of the Middle Fars Formation of the Agha Jari
oil field.

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Remarks: The Middle Fars Formation in Iraq is on the whole rather poorly developed. It is
questionable whether separation of this formation from the Upper Fars Formation serves any useful
purpose in Iraq. Owing to palaeogeographical conditions it seems that the Middle Fars Formation
changes northwards into the more continental Upper Fars Formation.

The base is taken at the top of a thick anhydrite as in Iran (Elder, 1958). The top of this anhydrite,
which is used extensively for mapping purposes in northern Iraq, is termed Ao (pronounced Ay
nought). This informally designated horizon has been widely employed as a datum horizon for
construction of structure contour maps, etc.

In general the formation consists of marine limestones, shales, siltstones, and sandstones with fish
vertebrae, crab remains, lamellibranchs and gastropods as fossils. Ripple marks occur frequently,
indicating deposition in shallow agitated water. It is very likely that the Ao anhydrite marks a time-
horizon, coinciding with the end of the barred-basin conditions of the Lower Fars Formation. The
upper limit of the Middle Fars Formation, however, where the marine Middle Fars ecology gives
place to the subcontinental Upper Fars conditions, is almost certainly diachronous.

In northern Iraq the formation occurs in wells and at surface in the Kirkuk-Pulkhana area, with
thickness varying from 0 ft to 280 ft (85.4 m). At Naft Khaneh wells show thicknesses of some 400 ft
(122 m). In southern Iraq the formation loses its identity through facies changes.

The age of the formation is probably early Upper Miocene but no factual evidence exists.

Middle Jurassic: Jurassic (uppermost Liassic-Bathonian)

Daniel (1954): “Limestone, recrystallized, dolomitic, and thin shaly beds with thin breccias in the
lower three quarters of the section, these increasing in size and number with depth where also
conglomerates occur. Most breccias appear to be crush-breccias and the conglomerates pseudo-
conglomerates of diagenetic origin, recrystallization and resorption giving rounded edges. But there
are also some fragments, locally common, of depositional conglomerates with polygenetic suites of
pebbles”.

The age-designation and description quoted were applied by Daniel to the Sargelu Formation, Alan
Anhydrite Formation and Mus Limestone Formation as identified in Ain Zalah-16. The thickness
cited is a drilled thickness (1,550 ft or 472.6 m; E.J. Daniel, op. cit.). The thicknesses estimated for
the Sargelu/Alan formation is about 1,020 ft (311 m), and for the Mus Limestone about 120 ft (36.6
m). The Alan Anhydrite Formation is atypically represented, in consequence of solutional removal
of original interbedded anhydrites: many of the breccias and conglomerates recorded are believed
to be due to leaching out of such anhydrites. The Alan and Mus formations, and the basal part of
the Sargelu are now attributed to the Upper Liassic. See Sargelu Formation, Alan Anhydrite, Mus
Limestone. [H.V. Dunnington]

Miliola and reef limestones: Oligocene (“lower” and “middle” Oligocene)

In Barber (1948), see Bajawan Limestone Formation and Shurau Limestone Formation. [R.C. van
Bellen]

Miliola limestone: Oligocene (“lower” and “middle” Oligocene)

In Henson (1950), see Bajawan Limestone Formation. In Grimsdale (1952), see Shurau Limestone
Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Miliola limestone: (Upper Oligocene ...) Oligocene (“middle” Oligocene)

In Henson (1950), see Upper Oligocene Miliola limestone and Bajawan Limestone Formation. [R.C.
van Bellen]

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Miliola limestone: (Upper Oligocene-Lower Miocene ...)

Oligocene (“upper” Oligocene)

In Henson (1950), see Upper Oligocene-Lower Miocene Miliola limestone and Bajawan Limestone
Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Miogypsinoides Zone: Oligocene (“upper” Oligocene)

The upper zone of the Azkand Limestone Formation, characterized by the presence of Miogypsinoides
complanata (Schlumberger) and the absence of Lepidocyclina s.l. spp. See also van Bellen (1956). The
Anah Limestone Formation as a whole also belongs to a Miogypsinoides zone. It is not suggested
that the Miogypsinoides zone of the Anah Limestone Formation is strictly correlatable with the
Miogypsinoides zone of the Azkand Limestone Formation. Rather it would seem that absence of
a Miogypsinoides-Lepidocyclina zone or some equivalent in the Anah Limestone Formation is due
to intolerance of Lepidocyclina s.l spp. to a back-reef environment. If this were the case the entire
Miogypsinoides horizon in the Anah Limestone would be the lateral equivalent of the Lepidocyclina-
Miogypsinoides and Miogypsinoides horizon of the Azkand Limestone. See also van Bellen (1956, p. 255,
note). [R.C. van Bellen]

Mirga Mir Formation: Lower Triassic (Lower Werfenian) (Plates II and III)
Author: R. Wetzel (1950, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Mirga Mir, north of Ora, (Amadia District, North Iraq). The formation
is exposed along the Geli Khana, slightly over 2 km south of the Turkish frontier, but the base
of the section is faulted in the stream-course. The measured and sampled section lies about 600
m (1,968 ft) west of the Geli Khana, occupying the dip slope running from the crest of the ridge,
south of Mirga Mir, and also the gentle southern scarp-slope of Mirga Mir, up to the base of the
purple and green shales of the Beduh. The top of the formation outcrops about 100 m (328 ft)
N-NW of the stream at about 37°18’4”N, 43°21’25”E. The type section is 200 m (656 ft) thick.

Lithology: Thin-bedded, grey and yellow, many limestones and shales with slump beds and
recrystallization breccias oolitic limestones at base, with wisps of sandstone.

Fossils: Pseudomonotis (Claraia) clarai Emmrich, P. (Claraia) aurita (Hauer), Anodontophora

fassaensis Wissman, A. fassaensis var. bittneri Frech, Myophoria cf. ovata Goldfuss, Spirorbis valvata
Goldfuss.

Age: Lower Triassic, Lower Werfenian.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Chia Zairi Limestone Formation; contact
conformable, and gradational over a narrow interval, taken at the base of a thick succession of
thin-bedded, soft limestones and silty marts, and above massive dolomitic limestones of the
Permian.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Beduh Shale Formation; contact gradational,
conformable, taken at the colour change from grey and yellow below to red and purple above.
The colour change is abrupt, and corresponds to a lithological change from limestones with
subordinate shales and marls, in the Mirga Mir, to shales and marls with subordinate ribs of
limestones and sandy streaks, in the Beduh.

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Other localities: Khabour Valley, at Nazdur etc., Zozan-i-Harur, and other unsampled exposures in
the Shish-Ora-Chalki area. Also in Atshan-1.

Remarks: The Mirga Mir exhibits the same general facies as does the overlying Beduh Shale
Formation, but the two units merit separate recognition on account of the marked colour difference
existing between them, and also because of the differing relative proportions of limestones and of
argillaceous sediments found above and below the horizon of colour-change, which provides a
convenient marker of mapping.

The contact with the underlying Chia Zairi is fairly clear-cut, though the uppermost Chia Zairi shows
streaks and intercalations of silt and sand which are continued in the lower part of the Mirga Mir.

In Atshan-1, the Mirga Mir is represented by sediments similar to those found in the type section. The
subsurface section shows common glauconite at various levels within the formation, which is slightly
thicker than in the exposed section at Ora.

Comparable and probably correlative rocks, of similar age, are recognized in southeastern Turkey
within the “Goyan formation” (Tasman, 1949), which also includes probable correlatives of the Beduh
Shale Formation.

Mishrif Formation: Cretaceous (Cenomanian) (Plate IV)

Author: P.M.V. Rabanit (1952, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: Mishrif formation (Smout, 1956); Mishrif formation (Fox, 1957, Fig. 3); Mishrif formation
(Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Type locality and section (from Owen and Nasr, 1958):

Location and Thickness: Zubair-3; the formation occurs between drilled depths 7,204–7,720 ft
(2,196.3–2,353.7 m), and is 516 ft (157.3 m) thick.

Lithology: The Mishrif Formation consists of: (top to base) a fine-grained, limonitic fresh-water
limestone containing Charophytae. This is followed by grey-white, dense, fractured or stylolitic
algal limestone with gastropods and shell fragments. And this in turn is followed by brown,
detrital, porous, partly very shelly and foraminiferal limestone with banks of rudists; this
limestone grades downwards into a compact marly limestone (Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Fossils: At top: Chara sp. In upper algal limestones: Permocalculus sp. nov. Elliot MS, Cisalveolina
sp., Begia spp., etc. In very shelly and foraminiferal limestones: Multispirina iranensis Reichel,
Cisalveolina fallax Reichel, C. lehneri Reichel, Praealveolina cretacea (d’Archiac) and P. cretacea var.
tenuis Reichel, Dicyclina qatarica Henson, Taberina bingistani (Henson), Pseudochrysalidina conica
(Henson), Begia spp. (of A.H. Smout, 1956), Coxites zubairensis Smout, Trocholina spp., etc.

Age: Turonian according to Owen and Nasr (1958), (but interpreted now as Cenomanian, see
Remarks).

Underlying formation and details of contact: Rumaila Formation, contact conformable,

taken at change from oligosteginal-globigerinal limestones, below, to neritic limestone, with
miliolids, Begia spp., and larger foraminifera, above.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Khasib Formation, contact termed disconformable
by Owen and Nasr (1958) but almost certainly involving a considerable sedimentary hiatus.

Other localities: All deep well sections in the Basrah area. Recognized also in KOC well sections in
northeastern Kuwait (A.F. Fox, 1957).

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Remarks: The Mishrif Formation is not represented in southeastern Kuwait, where equivalent
sediments form the upper part of the Magwa formation. It is not recognized in central Iraq (Awasil-
Fallujah area), though similar limestones with a similar though much less numerous fauna are
included within the Mahilban Formation.

The Mahilban certainly correlates in part with the Mishrif, but identity of the two units cannot be
claimed at present, since the units are not perfectly homotaxial relative to overlying and underlying
units. The Mahilban is unconformably overlain by the presumably Turonian Fahad Limestone and
succeeding Maotsi formations, and it rests unconformably and with onlap convergence on slightly
eroded Albian Mauddud Formation at Nafatah and Awasil in central Iraq. The Mishrif, on the other
hand is disconformably overlain by the presumably Upper Senonian Khasib Formation, which is
entirely unlike the Maotsi, and presumably of different age, and it is separated from the Albian
Mauddud by the largely globigerinal Rumaila and Ahmadi formations and by the shaly arenaceous
Wara Formation.

At outcrop, in the Rutbah area of the Western Desert the Mishrif is probably represented by the
correlative M’sad Formation, which carries a microfauna similar to that of the Mishrif. The rudist
Eoradiolites liratus Conrad, reported by A. Keller from the outcropping M’sad, is suspected to occur
also in the subsurface Mishrif Formation (W. Sugden and E. Hart, 1957, unpublished records).

Smout (1956) has described numerous species of the foraminiferal genus, Begia, from the Mishrif
Formation of the Basrah area. He argues for Turonian age for the rich faunas of the lower part of the
unit, but the Alveolinidae are of Cenomanian rather than Turonian age in Iran, and the rudist evidence
from Rumaila wells and macrofossil evidence as to age of the correlative M’sad Formation are
strongly in favour of a Cenomanian attribution. The upper part of the formation could be Turonian,
but the Permocalculus flora near to the top of the unit matches that from the Mahilban Formation
of the Awasil area (G.F. Elliott, unpublished reports) which is separated by unconformity from the
presumably Turonian Fahad Limestone.

The Chara limestone which occurs at the top of the Mishrif in near-crestal wells in the Zubair field is
missing in most other areas. The limonitization of the upper beds of the Mishrif and the abrupt facies
change from algal limestones to globigerinal marly limestones strongly suggest non-sequence and
an emergent episode, with erosional termination of the Mishrif. On the other hand, close correlation
between wells and fields in the Basrah area does not confirm any significant erosional convergence
below the base of the Khasib Formation. In Kuwait, however, the Mishrif and Rumaila formations
and the upper parts of the older Ahmadi Formation were eliminated at the erosional unconformity
which preceded the Upper Cretaceous transgression, and the scope of the non-sequence narrows,
significantly, to the limonitized surface atop the Mishrif as the Basrah area is approached. (Owen and
Nasr, 1958, their figure 5, etc.).

M’lusi limestone: Upper Triassic

Alternative spelling for Mulussa limestone, see Mulussa Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Mosul marble: Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

See marbre de Mossoul. [R.C. van Bellen]

Mountain limestone: Cretaceous

Obsolete name applied by Noble (1927) to the whole of the massive, feature-forming, continuous
limestone sequence of the folded mountain zone of northern Iraq. This sequence commences at
the base with the Lower Cretaceous-Albian Qamchuqa Limestone and ascends, through the Upper
Cretaceous Bekhme and Aqra limestones, into the Palaeocene-Lower Eocene Khurmala Formation in
some limited areas. See Qamchuqa Limestone, Bekhme Limestone and Aqra Limestone formations,
and also Khurmala Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

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MR/1: Oligocene (“lower” Oligocene)

In Daniel (1954), see Shurau Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

MR/2: Oligocene (“middle” Oligocene)

In Daniel (1954), see Bajawan Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

M’sad Formation: Cretaceous (Cenomanian) (Plates III and IV)

Author: F.R.S. Henson (1940, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: calcaire de M’sad (Mitchell, 1956).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: In Wadi M’sad al Rutbah, which runs due north for 20 miles from
Jebel Tarayat, 32°46’N, 40°17’E, to join the Wadi Hauran at Rutbah, 33°2’N, 40°7’E. The type
section is about 65 m (213.2 ft) thick.

Lithology: Alternating shallow marine limestones, reef limestones, shell breccias, microdetrital
limestones, chalky limestones of buff and white colour, pinkish marls, sandy marls and sands,
with a thin sandstone tongue near the base.

Fossils: None recorded from type locality.

Age: Not ascertained at type locality. Elsewhere in the vicinity of the type section, Middle
Cretaceous, Upper Cenomanian at base, probably Upper Cenomanian throughout.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Rutbah Sandstone; contact gradational,

conformable, taken at the base of the lowest limestone bed above the continuous Rutbah
Sandstone.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Tayarat Limestone Formation; contact

unconformable, following erosion, and involving non-sequence, omitting sediments of
Turonian to intra-Maastrichtian ages. Contact taken at the base of the localized basal
conglomerate of the Tayarat Formation.

Other localities: Widely exposed in the area north of Rutbah, with measured sections at An Nadhara,
Khasm Mulussa, Wadi Semhat, Ras Semhat, Rutbah, Wadi Mulussa and “Hill 270”.

Remarks: In the vicinity of the type locality the M’sad Formation grades conformably into and
perhaps interdigitates laterally with the underlying Rutbah Sandstone. It underlies an erosional
unconformity (fide H.H. Boesch, unpublished report) over which the Maastrichtian Tayarat Limestone
transgresses. The Turonian, Lower Senonian and Campanian stages are not represented by sediments
in the Rutbah-Jabal Tayarat area, though formations of these ages enter the succession in the area to
the east, southeast and south.

Passing northwards from Rutbah, through Wadi Mulussa, and along the western rim of the Ga’ara
Depression, the Tayarat Limestone is eliminated at the Cretaceous-Tertiary erosional break, and
the Palaeocene Umm er Radhuma Formation comes to rest, with near-concordance, directly on
top of the M’sad Formation, of which only the lower portions remain. The Rutbah Sandstone is
also cut out by onlap convergence in the same direction, so that, at one locality in Wadi Semhat
(33°31’5”N, 40°3’50”E), the M’sad Formation rests directly on Middle Triassic Ga’ara Sandstone, and
is overlain transgressively by Umm er Radhuma Formation. Yet further to the north, near Ras Semhat
(33°34’20”N, 40°5’25”E), at An Na’aga, (30°37’01”N, 40°8’20”E), etc., the M’sad is cut out entirely,

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and the Umm er Radhuma rests unconformably, but without visible discordance, on eroded Ga’ara
Sandstone.

The occurrence of sands and sandy limestones within the unit is a feature of this heterogeneous
formation in the area around the type locality. One thin sand bed, remarkably constant over the area
of exposure, separates the main, limestone-dominated, upper part of the formation from the thin,
basal limestone unit. The limestone carries a rich if ill-preserved macrofauna, from which Nerinea
cochleaeformis Conrad was identified by A. Keller, and by H.H. Boesch (unpublished reports). Rudists,
including Caprinula sp., and Eoradiolites liratus Conrad, were also recorded by A. Keller (unpublished
report) but have not been confirmed in post-war collections. Recent collections, identified by R.G.S.
Hudson and J. Robinson include Nerinea cretacea Conrad and N. cf. gemmifera Conrad, indicating
Cenomanian age, probably Upper Cenomanian.

The associated microfauna, which is represented throughout the formation, both above and below
the thin sandstone above-mentioned, includes Meandropsina cf. vidali Schlumberger; Cuneolina cf.
cylindrica Henson, Dicyclina cf. qatarica Henson, rare Praealveolina sp., Begia spp., Pseudochrysalidina
conica (Henson), and Taberina cf. bingistani (Henson). The microfauna is probably of Upper
Cenomanian rather than Lower Cenomanian age, and is unlikely to be younger than Cenomanian.

The M’sad Formation becomes more sandy and marly, as well as thinner, passing northwards from
Rutbah towards the Ga’ara exposures. Southwards from Rutbah the sandstone tongues, including
the persistent thin bed towards the base of the formation, wedge out, by lateral passage, into a
continuous limestone mass.

On the basis of age, microfauna and microfacies, the M’sad Formation is considered to be correlative
with the Mahilban Limestone of the Awasil area, and with the Mishrif Formation (part) of southern
Iraq from both of which it may be distinguished by its heterogeneity. Distinction will be difficult in
areas where the sand and marl components are subordinate, and intermediate areas the employment
of the hyphenated form M’sad-Mahilban formation, etc., may be necessary.

mud, lightly consolidated marine silty: Recent

In Lees and Falcon (1952), see Hammar Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Muhaiwir Formation: Jurassic (Bathonian) (Plate III)

Author: R. Wetzel (1951, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: formation de Muhaiwir, in part (Mitchell, 1956).

Type locality and section: Owing to the low dip and small relief prevailing, the type section is
defined in two separate localities.

Locations: Upper part, thickness 34.5 m (113.2 ft), in tributary of Wadi Hauran, 13 km due
east of Muhaiwir: 33°33’20”N, 41°14’0”E, Lower part, thickness 13.2 m (43.3 ft), 15 km east of
Muhaiwir on road to Qasr Amij: 33°30’20”N, 41°15’20”E. The lower beds of the type section of
the upper part are repeated in the upper beds of the type section of the lower part, the overlap
being 2–4 m (6.56-13.1 ft). The top of the section in both cases appears immediately below the
prominent, quartzitic, rusty-brown, coarse-grade, cross-bedded Rutbah Sandstone Formation.

Brief description of type sections: Upper part: 13.7 m (44.9 ft) well-bedded limestones and
marly limestones with abundant Rhynchonella spp., Terebratula sp., echinoids, gastropods,
lamellibranchs, etc., overlying 11.9 m (39 ft) of alternating sandstones, marly limestones and
oolitic limestones with patches of corals, overlying 8.9 m (29.2 ft) of soft marls with bands
of fine-grained limestones, resting on basal, fine-grained, crystalline limestone with chert
nodules. Lower part: 1 m (3.28 ft) sandy, oolitic limestones, overlying 3 m (9.8 ft) sandstones

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with occasional limestone lenses, overlying 9.2 m (30.2 ft) marly and sandy oolitic limestones
with corals, brachiopods, sponge detritus, etc., with fine grained crystalline limestone
containing chert nodules at top. Determined fossils include Dimorphoseris sp., Stylina spp.,
Amphiastrea, ? Polyphylloseris sp., Echinobrissus orbicularis (Phillips), Holectypus sarthacensis
Cotteau, Stomechinus polyporus (Agassiz), Psephechinus morieri (Cotteau),? Burmirhynchia sp.,
Sphenorhynchia plicatella (J. de C. Sow.), Sphaeroidothyris sp., Globularia spp., Ampullella sp. II Cox,
Ampullina sp. III Cox, Mactromya cf. crassa Agassiz, Ceratomya spp., Homomya gibbosa (Sow.) var.
asiatica Cox, Pholadomya compressa Agassiz, Mytilus (Arcomytilus) laitmairensis de Lor., Eligmus
rollandi Douville, Nautiloculina oolithica Mohler, Pfenderina sp., Haurania amiji Henson, Haurania
deserta Henson, Trocholina spp., sponge spicules, ostracoda, etc.

Age: Bathonian.

Underlying formation: Not seen; details of contact unknown.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Rutbah Sandstone; contact a low-angle erosional
unconformity.

Other localities: Numerous sections in the Wadi Hauran area, east and also slightly west of Muhaiwir.
Iraq Government water well, Wadi Amij.

Remarks: The Muhaiwir Formation is the youngest of an exposed sequence of erosionally terminated
rock units, which directly underlies the transgressive Rutbah Sandstone. The convergent cut-out
below the Rutbah Sandstone increases westwards, and the Muhaiwir Formation is eliminated in an
area of poor exposures and possible pre-Albian tectonic complications lying to the west of Muhaiwir.
Progressing eastwards from Muhaiwir along the Wadi Hauran, successively younger parts of the
Muhaiwir Formation enter below the sandstone, but the base of the Rutbah plunges below exposure-
level in the wadi bottoms without revealing any intervening formation between the Muhaiwir and
the Rutbah. Thus the relationships of the Muhaiwir to the immediately succeeding formation and the
nature of the latter in the uneroded sequence remain unknown.

Relations between the Muhaiwir and the older Uba’id Formation are also obscure. Whereas the
Muhaiwir Formation comprises sandy, oolitic, profusely fossiliferous, spicular, neritic limestones
with a full open-Sea fauna, of proven Bathonian age, the Uba’id is made up of dolomitic locally marly
limestones, which are pseudo-oolitic, locally replete with ostracods and sparsely macrofossiliferous,
which are entirely lacking the brachiopod-coral-echinoid-sponge debris faunas of the Muhaiwir, and
which are probably of Liassic age.

The formations are separated because of the marked facies differences existing between them, though
the contact has not been found in the field. It is accepted, for want of information that the Muhaiwir
is in direct super-position on the Uba’id Formation. The lower, unexposed part of the Muhaiwir
may include pre-Bathonian sediments, and the upper unexposed portion of the Uba’id may include
post-Liassic sediments. The contact may be gradational and conformable, but there is some reason to
expect unconformable relations between them, since erosional unconformity between Upper Liassic
Mus Limestone and slightly younger Alan Anhydrite is recognized in Mileh Tharthar-1. However,
it is possible that additional sediments, not referable either to the Uba’id or to the Muhaiwir, may
intervene between these two formations, in the area of muddled and poor exposures west of
Muhaiwir. It is possible that such intermediate formations) may lack exposure in the Wadi Hauran,
where Uba’id and Muhaiwir formations may be thrown together at the eroded surface by pre-erosion
faulting, details of which are obscured by the blanketing Rutbah Sandstone.

The Muhaiwir Formation is correlative with but readily differentiable from the upper part of the
Sargelu Formation of the subsurface Sections and of Kurdistan, into which it must grade, laterally,
eastwards. From internal correlations amongst the several sections in the Muhaiwir area, the formation
appears to thicken rather rapidly eastwards down the regional dip. The erosional convergence at the
top of the formation also reduces towards the east.

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The Muhaiwir Formation has not yet been encountered in subsurface sections in Iraq, but the intervals
lying between drilled depths 10,271–10,335 ft (3,131.4–3,150.9 m) and 10,455–10,463 ft (3,187.5–3,189.9
m) in the deep well Burgan-113 would be interpreted, according to the Iraq classification, as tongues
of Muhaiwir limestones lying within the Sargelu Formation.

Mulussa Formation: Upper Triassic (Plates III and IV)

Authors: T.F. Williamson and M.J.T. Pickles (1931, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: calcaire de Mulussa in part (Mitchell, 1956).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Not designated by the original authors. The general description
refers to the whole extent of the continuous limestone scarp forming the southern rim of the
Ga’ara Depression, around 33°30’N, and of the area to the south, between 40°18’E and 40°40’E.
For subsidiary type sections of component parts of the formation, see under Remarks. The
thickness is variable owing to erosional termination. The Mulussa Formation takes its name
from Khasm Mulussa, 33°28’30”N, 40°7’E, where its lower parts are well exposed.

Lithology: Lower part, of massive to thin-bedded, crystalline, micro-crystalline, oolitic,

pseudo-oolitic and sandy limestones, in rapid alternation, with subordinate yellow marls and
marly limestones, the whole being rather extensively dolomitized. Some silicified limestone
beds. Upper part, similar to lower, but with higher proportion of intercalated marls. The two
parts are separated at the top of a conspicuous oolitic-pseudo-oolitic, locally conglomeratic
limestone bed, informally designated the “i” marker, which may mark a slight intraformational
unconformity.

Fossils: Macrofauna, principally from the “i” marker horizon, at the junction of the upper
and lower parts, includes: cf. Pseudomonotis nigricans Stef., Myophoria aff. postera Moore, M.
cf. kefersteini (Munster), Mytilus minustus (Goldfuss), Pteria sp., ? Avicula sp., Gervillia sp.
(Determinations by A. Keller). Microfauna includes Problematina spp., Archaediscus spp.,
Trocholina spp., with “T. sp. 2” Henson 1947, frondicularids, textularids, ostracoda, etc.

Age: The age of the macrofauna was interpreted by A. Keller as Upper Triassic. Ages of
overlying and underlying formations are rather obscure. The Mulussa Formation is regarded
as Upper Triassic in part, but its age-range is not ascertained.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Ga’ara Sandstone; contact possibly

disconformable, but apparently gradational and concordant, at the base of the lowest limestone
bed and at the top of greenish grey marls (or of sandstones where the marls are absent).

Overlying formation and details of contact: Zor Hauran Formation: contact gradational and
conformable in the Wadi Hauran, at the base of a yellow-green marl bed, c. 2 m (6.56 ft) thick,
and at the top of the limestone-dominated succession. Over most of the area of exposure the
Mulussa Formation is erosionally terminated, and directly and unconformably overlain by the
Rutbah Sandstone.

Other localities: Recognized throughout the extensive area of outcrop along and south of the
southern rim of the Ga’ara Depression.

Remarks: The Mulussa Formation is a somewhat heterogeneous, limestone-dominated unit, present

in very considerable thickness in the eastern part of the Ga’ara. It pinches out laterally, westwards,
by progressive erosional loss of the upper beds. The erosional surface is overlain by the Rutbah
Sandstone, which steps over the basal extremity of the Mulussa on to Ga’ara Sandstone between
Khasm Mulussa and Wadi Semhat.

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The formation is exposed in an area of very low dips, and in consequence of the shallow exposure and
of the erosional convergence at the upper limit, it is necessary to assemble subsidiary type sections
from three different localities in order to obtain a fully representative sequence. Correlation between
the separate sections is obtained by following distinctive markers, including the “i” bed referred to in
the description. Locations of subsidiary type sections are as follow:

1) Wadi Agar Muyat: Section runs 18.5 km NNE from An Nisir, 33°20’0”N, 40°26’20”E; to Al
Alaif, 33°30’50”N, 40°28’40”E, exposing the lowest 125 m (410 ft) of the formation, of which
about 18 m (59 ft) lie above the “i” marker.

2) Wadi Hauran: Section runs along the road from H-2 Station to H-2 water wells, thence along
the Wadi Hauran, as far as 3 km east of the water wells, exposing 63 m (206.6 ft) of the
formation, of which about 15 m (49.2 ft) lie below the top of the “i” marker.

3) Wadi Hauran: Section measured at 33°26’25”N, 40°55’25”E, about 1 km southwest of base

of west limb of large meander of Wadi Hauran, northeast of Zor Hauran, exposing the
uppermost 3.8 m (12.5 ft) of the formation (following directly on the topmost bed of section
two, above) and the lower part of the overlying Zor Hauran Formation.

Total measured thickness of the formation is about 160 m (524.8 ft), but since this is measured over
a considerable distance, and since there may be considerable local and regional thickness variations
(apart from the terminal erosional convergence) the measurement is of value only as an indication of
order of magnitude of thickness in the general area of the type sections. Internal correlations suggest
a steady eastwards thickening in all units of the formation.

The overlying Zor Hauran Formation has been correlated very tentatively, on grounds of lithological
comparability and homotaxy, with the Baluti Shale Formation of Kurdistan, which is considered to be
of Rhaetic age in its type area. The Zor Hauran is differentiated from the Mulussa by the presence in the
former of marls and shales in dominant proportions, and of abundant gypsum. These characteristics
are shared by the Baluti Formation, and there is microfaunal support for the correlation: if admitted,
and if considered time-significant, Upper Triassic age for the upper part of the Mulussa Formation
would be supported. The Mulussa Formation itself is deemed to be approximately correlative with
the Kurra Chine Formation of Kurdistan (and subsurface sections).

Mushak Oolite Member: Cretaceous (of the Pilsener Limestone Formation)

(Upper Senonian)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Makhul-1; the member was encountered between drilled depths
1,816–1,920 ft (553.7–585.4 m), and is 101 ft (30.8 m) thick. The formation name is taken from
the name of the district in which Makhul-1 is situated.

Lithology: Well-formed oolites, well-graded in individual beds, but variable in grade from bed
to bed, with which are interspersed rudist-detritus limestones, composed entirely of sand- or
silt-grade rudist detritus, well rounded and sorted, but variable in grade from bed to bed. The
rudist detritus calcarenites contain occasional ooliths of appropriate grade, but the oolites are
essentially free from admixed rudist detritus. There are very minor, thin intercalations of non-
oolitic, ill-sorted, organic detritus limestones.

Fossils: Cuneolina cylindrica Henson; textularids indet.; miliolids indet.; rudist detritus; algal
debris; ?Chara sp. (1,816–1,826 ft, 553.7–556.7 m).

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Age: Upper Campanian (largely on correlation with other sections, supported by position in
the Makhul-1 sequence).

Underlying formation and details of contact: Pilsener Limestone Formation; contact

gradational, conformable.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Dibs Anhydrite Member of the Pilsener Formation;
contact gradational, conformable.

Other localities: None known.

Remarks: The Mushak Member is differentiated from the Pilsener Formation to afford recognition of
its highly characteristic, high-purity, oolitic composition. It is known only from Makhul-1. Though
occasional minor oolitic and pseudo-oolitic streaks appear commonly within the Pilsener Limestone
in other subsurface sections, these are insignificant variants within the main, detrital, neritic limestone
body.

The member grades downwards into a rather unusual development of the Pilsener Formation, which
includes marls with restricted fauna and intercalations of oolites and sand-grade rudist detritus
limestones, which are essentially similar to those which make up the Mushak Oolite: it is possible
that, elsewhere in the vicinity, the underlying Pilsener Formation here represented passes laterally
into an expanded oolitic unit, which would then merit formation status.

The member terminates gradationally at the base of an interval occupied by alternating primary
evaporites, fluffy-textured, chemical-type limestones, and dolomites. This unit is defined as the Dibs
Anhydrite Member of the Pilsener Limestone Formation, since it is in turn overlain by diagenetically
obscured but apparently normal, neritic, marine Pilsener Formation.

The Mushak Oolite and Dibs Anhydrite members together constitute a typical progressive lagoonal
episode, imminence of which is suggested, below the base of the Mushak Member, by the restricted-
fauna marl and occasional oolitic intercalations in the basal portion of the Pilsener Formation. Since
both the Mushak and Dibs members are only differentiable from the Pilsener in the single subsurface
section of Makhul-1, localization of the lagoonal conditions by some type of barrier is necessarily
invoked.

The occurence of well-graded rudist detritus, comprising the non-oolitic parts of the member,
strongly suggests that this barrier was a rudist reef, or a near-emergent rudist-detritus shoal. Thus,
although the Pilsener Formation is not a true reef in any penetrated section, suggestion is strong that a
true rudist reef may exist, north or east of, or surrounding, the Makhul well, and that its inner margin
may be not far removed from the type section.

Minor anhydrite manifestations and restricted-fauna marl intercalations in the lower part of the
Pilsener Limestone of the Awasil area wells (and ?primary anhydrite nodules within the restricted-
fauna marls of the Jib’ab Formation of Anah-1) may reflect a wide distribution of near-lagoonal
conditions, within the Upper Senonian, south and west of Makhul. But the absence of any well
developed evaporitic-oolitic depositional episodes, from areas other than Makhul, requires that the
true lagoonal conditions found in Makhul-1 must have been localized by some closed barrier-system
which excluded the Awasil and Anah areas. Nevertheless, the area of distribution of the Mushak
Oolite Member may have been very considerable.

Mus Limestone Formation: Jurassic (Upper Liassic, ?Lower Toarcian)

(Plates II, III and IV)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Type locality and section:

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Location and Thickness: Butmah-2; the formation was encountered between drilled depths
7,402–7,586 ft (2,256.7–2,312.8 m), and is 184 ft (56.1 m) thick. The name of the formation is
drawn from the Village of Tel Mus, situated some 5.5 km west of Butmah-2.

Lithology: (a) 7,402–7,516 ft (2,256.7–2,291.5 m): Limestone, dark to pale brown, locally
recrystallized, rarely dolomitized, generally pseudo-oolitic, with organic detritus usually
enclosed in pellets of organic origin. Some marly limestone, finely recrystallized limestone and
markedly pseudo-oolitic limestone intercalations. Gradational passage at base into:
(b) 7,516–7,586 ft (2,291.5–2,312.8 m); brownish-grey, medium-grained, saccharoidal,
recrystallized, locally dolomitized limestone, alternating with fine-grained, hard, marly
limestones and subordinate, brownish, calcareous shales. Minor intercalations of finely
granular bedded anhydrite, locally with authigenic quartz. Rare intercalations of limestones
as in a) above.

Fossils: (a) 7,402–7,516 ft (2,256.7–2,291.5 m): Echinoid spines indet.; gastropoda indet. (locally
very numerous); lamellibranch debris indet., (rather rare); ostracoda indet., (not separable);
Textularia spp, indet.; Glomospira spp. (three or more species, locally abundant); Cristellaria spp.
indet.; lagenids indet. (nodosarine forms); ? Lituola sp., Ammodiscus sp., ?cyclaminid indet.;
Haurania sp. nov.; ?Nubecularia sp.
(b) 7,516–7,586 ft (2,291.5–2,312.8 m): Vestiges of fauna as above, generally obliterated or
obscured by diagenesis.

Age: Not ascertained. Presumed Liassic, probably Upper, on regional correlation evidence.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Adaiyah Anhydrite Formation, contact

gradational, conformable, taken at the top of the highest considerable anhydrite bed underlying
the pellety fossiliferous limestones of the Mus.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Alan Anhydrite Formation, contact gradational,
conformable, taken at the base of the lowest considerable anhydrite bed overlying pellety
fossiliferous Mus Limestone.

Other localities: Adaiyah-1, Ain Zalah-16, Alan-1, Atshan-1, Makhul-2 and Mileh Tharthar-1,
Najmah-29, Qalian-1, etc. Also in Burgan-113.

Remarks: This formation includes the generally non-evaporitic, pseudo-oolitic, neritic or lagoonal
limestones, with marine fauna, which intervene between the Alan Anhydrite Formation above and
the Adaiyah Formation below, in the very wide area of distribution from which these formations are
known from subsurface sections.

The formation is readily identified by its highly characteristic microfacies aspects and unique though
limited foraminiferal fauna. It is generally clearly defined as a lithological unit, though diagenesis
(dolomitization, secondary anhydritization, and recrystallization) and (in some wells) anhydrite
intercalations and residual breccias within the Mus, (presumably due to solution of original thin,
bedded anhydrites) result in the need for selection of rather arbitrary formation limits.

The Alan Formation was not found in anhydritic faces in Ain Zalah-16, its place being filled by
chemical-type limestones and laminated calcareous shales, which grade upwards into typical Sargelu
Formation, and downwards into typical Mus Limestone.

The top of the Mus is set at the base of the lowest bedded anhydrite of the Alan Formation, and
the base of the Mus Formation is set at the top of the highest bedded anhydrite of the Adaiyah
Formation (or at the lowest overlying and highest underlying residual breccias if original anhydrite
can be presumed). Thin-bedded, fluffy-textured limestones and calcareous marls or shales intervene
between these limiting anhydrites and the typical organic facies of the Mus. The lower part of the
formation is developed as green, pyritic calcareous shales in some well-sections.

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From its position, within limits indicative of chemical-type or evaporitic deposition, and from its
contained rich if restricted fauna, it is apparent that the Mus represents the deposits of a freshening
cycle. The sea water was too highly saline to support a normal marine fauna both before and after
Mus Limestone deposition. Salinity-reduction must have been fairly widespread, and it is probable
that the formation may prove recognizable far beyond the area in which it is known at present.

The Mus is not recognized in the exposed sections of Kurdistan, nor are the limiting anhydrites
identifiable, except in the indicated subsurface sections. But the typical Mus fauna and microfacies
are represented in the middle portion of the type Sehkaniyan Formation. The dolomite units which
overlie and underlie the fossiliferous part of the Sehkaniyan are taken to be the correlatives of the
Alan and Adaiyah anhydrites respectively. Solution breccias occur in both the dolomite divisions,
suggesting that anhydrites probably were present in the upper and lower parts of the Sehkaniyan.

It is at present presumed, as a convenience that the top of the Sehkaniyan is correlative with
and equivalent in age to the top of the Alan Anhydrite, and that the Mus Limestone Formation
corresponds, more or less precisely, with the middle division (“Lithiotis limestone”) of the type
Sehkaniyan. The middle division of the Sehkaniyan is considered to be of Upper Liassic age, on
the evidence of macrofossils from the Sehkaniyan itself, and from the contiguous Sargelu and Sarki
formations.

The relationships of the Mus to the Alan Anhydrite Formation and to the Adaiyah Anhydrite
Formation appear to be conformable and gradational, with the single exception of the contact of Alan
on Mus in Mileh Tharthar-1. In this section, the Mus is terminated by an erosional unconformity, and
a sandy conglomerate appears in the base of the overlying Alan Anhydrite Formation. The Mus is
unusually dolomitized in this well, and the basal conglomeratic beds in the Alan include pebbles of
the typical Mus limestones, with ?Nubecularia pellets, etc.

There are no lateral equivalents of the Mus or of the overlying Alan Anhydrite or underlying Adaiyah
Anhydrite formations in the exposed Jurassic section in the Wadi Hauran. There, Bathonian Muhaiwir
Formation crops out adjacent to exposures of the presumably Lower Liassic Uba’id Formation, the
Upper Liassic being absented either in an intra-Liassic or early Middle Jurassic depositional and
erosional break, or by faulting.

There is suggestion of intra-Liassic regressions, which could account for the absence of the Mus from
the western area, in the unconformity of Alan Anhydrite on Mus Formation in the Mileh Tharthar
well, referred to above, and also in the occurrence of variegated shales, silts and sandstones as an
intercalation within the dominantly calcareous and evaporitic Butmah Formation. Such clastics are
found in Mileh Tharthar, and also in the Kuwait deep test well Burgan-113.

On the other hand the uppermost Liassic (Toarcian) stage is widely transgressive in Arabia, where
the Lower Toarcian Lower Marrat formation (R.A. Bramkamp and M. Steineke, 1952) is the basal
unit of the thickly developed Upper Liassic, Middle and Upper Jurassic succession which is exposed
in the Nejd. The Mus Limestone, from its lithology and facies, is also a transgressive unit, as is
the corresponding “Lithiotis limestone” of the Sehkaniyan Formation. The “Lithiotis limestone” is
correlated tentatively with the Lower Marrat of Saudi Arabia on the basis occurrence in both of a
rich Spiriferina fauna. Although this correlation is speculative at present it is accepted for purposes of
plate-drawing, etc., that the Mus is of Lower Toarcian age.

The association of rich (unidentified) faunas of minute gastropods with Glomospira spp., small
lituolids, Haurania sp. nov. (undescribed) and ?Nubecularia pellets is characteristic for the Mus in
northern Iraq. The same fauna, without Haurania sp. and ?Nubecularia, occurs sporadically in thin
limestones within the Alan Anhydrite in a few wells. The distinctive Haurania sp. is rather rare.
?Nubecularia pellets are ubiquitous in the Mus, however, affording a ready means of identifying the
rock unit, either microscopically or in the hand-specimen.

The biological affinities of ?Nubecularia sp. In question remain obscure. The characteristic pellets
comprise nuclei of organic debris, often gastropod fragments, enrolled in (?unbranched) calcareous

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tubes which wind in glomospiral fashion, and with frequent changes of direction, to form thick
encrusting coats which may attain thicknesses of several millimetres. The fine structure of the test of
the enrolling organism is often obscured by diagenesis, so that the organic nature of the pellets may
pass un-noticed.

J. Cuvillier and V. Sacal (1951, plate VII.2) figure “oolithes”, precisely similar to the “pellets” here
described, from the Bajocian of Aquitaine, though without commenting upon their organic nature.
Identical “pellets”, from the Bajocian of Bourgogne have been recorded by Rat (1953), whose
identification of the tubular organism as Nubecularia sp. is here followed, with slight doubt.

These independant records of the characteristic pseudooolitic “pellets” from Bajocian sediments in
distant areas, and their common appearance in the Mus, which is regarded as being of Upper Liassic
age, suggest that ?Nubecularia sp. as a pellet forming organism may be a very useful age-indicator,
regardless of its biological affnities. (But similar organic pellets have been observed also in Bathonian
neritic limestones in deep well sections from the Arabian Gulf region, in the Bathonian Muhaiwir
Formation of the Western Desert, and in the Permian Chia Zairi Formation).

The Mus Limestone has not been encountered in southern Iraq, where the deepest well drilled to date
barely entered the uppermost part of the Jurassic. Close equivalents of the Mus Limestone have been
recognized, however, in the deep subsurface section of the Burgan-113, occupying the depth range
11,238–12,317 ft (3,426.2–3,755.2 m) (Plate IV).

Mushorah Formation: Cretaceous (Senonian) (Plate II)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: Upper Cretaceous V, III and 1V (Daniel, 1954).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Mushorah-1; the formation occurs between drilled depths 6,600–
6,655 ft (2012.2–2,029 m), and is 55 ft (16.8 m) thick.

Lithology: Oligosteginal limestones, recrystallized, marly, slightly silicified at base, with

included pebbles of dolomitized Qamchuqa Limestone. Slightly glauconitic, and with
condensation-type microfauna at top.

Fossils: Oligostegina, abundant throughout; Bulimina prolixa Cushman and Parker; Globotruncana
lapparenti tricarinata (Quereau); G. lapp. bulloides Vogler; G. lapp. lapparenti Brotzen; G. spp.

Age: Lower Campanian-?Lower Senonian.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Qamchuqa Limestone Formation; contact

erosional, disconformable, without angular discordance, at the top of continuous dolomitized
limestones.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Shiranish Formation; contact conformable, but
involving non-sequence and perhaps slight erosion, taken at the junction of recrystallized
oligosteginal limestones, below, with globigerinal marls above.

Other localities: Ain Zalah-16, 19, 20 and 21; Butmah-1, 2 and 7; Ibrahim-1; Gusair-1; Gullar-1; Sasan-
1.

Remarks: The formation is transgressive, and onlaps on to an uneven surface of eroded Qamchuqa
Limestone, with elimination of basal section at positions which were relatively elevated at the time
of deposition. Ain Zalah-19 shows the thickest section penetrated to date, with 410 ft (125 m) drilled

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thickness; this section includes, at the base, alternations of ostracodiferous marls and limestones and
Oligostegina-rich marls and limestones, which are scarcely represented in Ain Zalah-16, and which are
absent from Mushorah-1. The age of the basal section in this well is not determinable.

Details of the Ain Zalah-19 section, designated a subsidiary type-section, are (from top to bottom):
A. 223 ft (68 m) oligosteginal limestones, with scattered globigerinids, finely comminuted macrofossil
detritus, etc.;
B. 15 ft (4.6 m) shaley and marly limestones with crowded fauna of Globigerina cretacea d’Orbigny
and Gumbelina spp.;
C. 10 ft (3 m) (approximately) limestones as above, generally shaley, with subordinate nodular chert,
and fine silt-grade chert detritus;
D. 83 ft (25.3 m) (approximately) bedded, brown, fractured chert, with subordinate limestones
and dolomite: cherts with included dolomite rhombs; vestiges of Oligostegina: locally brecciated
chert, dolomite and limestone alternations: silicifed limestones with superabundant minute
Oligostegina, and laminated cherts and limestones with similar Oligostegina, and locally with
ostracoda (become dominant towards the base);
E. 39 ft (12 m) limestones with minute Oligostegina, ostracoda, and large Anomalina sp., passing
down into recrystallized marls and marly limestones with thin walled miliolids, ostracoda, and
rare minute gastropoda: saccharoidal, fine-grained dolomite, and dolomite-chert breccia occur in
this unit as subordinate rock types.

The Mushorah Formation includes sediments intervening between the base of the Shiranish
Formation and the top of the (eroded) Qamchuqa Limestone, in the Upper Cretaceous basin of the
Ain Zalah-Butmah-Gusair-Mushorah area.

The formation is not known from surface exposures in Iraq, but a homotaxial and somewhat similar
Oligostegina marl/limestone unit, defined as the Kometan Formation, is widely exposed in the Rania
and Surdash areas of Kurdistan, and also widely distributed in the area west of the Tigris River and
south of Mosul (subsurface sections only).

The Kometan Formation is considered to be of Turonian age at its top, whilst the Mushorah
Formation is considered, on palaeontological grounds, to be correlative with the Soukhne formation
of northeastern Syria (R.C. van Bellen, MS), which embraces the Lower Senonian to mid-Campanian
time-intervals, but which excludes the Turonian.

Separation of the Kometan and Mushorah formations is justified by the view that each is restricted to
a separate, well-defined area of deposition, without any area of proven overlap, and by the finding
that the Mushorah Formation does not contain sediments so old as the youngest sediments of the
Kometan Formation. The two formations are regarded as being the oligosteginal deposits of two
separate and localized transgressions, which followed each other in time (and with intervening
regressive episode ?), but which were importantly manifested only in mutually exclusive areas.

The restricted fauna, the dominance of Oligostegina, the dwarfing of all represented species, and
the occurrence of bedded cherts within the sequence all suggest deposition under conditions of
anomalous salinity. The depositional regime was terminated, probably synchronously over the
whole area, by transgression and incursion of normally saline waters in mid-Campanian time. A brief
emergence, at least around the margins of the basin, probably preceded this transgression.

In Gusair-1, Ibrahim-1 and Sasan-1, the Mushorah directly underlies transgressive Upper Campanian
Pilsener Limestone, without angular discordance, but unconformable relations are suggested by the
abruptness of the facies-change and by rather marked faunal disconformity at the contact.

In Butmah-7 the Mushorah Formation is believed to be represented by a conglomeratic section, some

20 ft (6.1 m) thick, which intervenes between the base of the Shiranish Formation and the top of the
Rim Siltstone Formation. The conglomeratic beds include pebbles of Qamchuqa limestones and of
siltstones, and the matrix material is of silty oligosteginal marls and limestones.

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Nahr Umr Formation: Cretaceous (Albian) (Plates III and IV)

Author: D. Glynn Jones (first usage) (1948, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: Rutbah sand in part Barber (1948; Nahr Umr formation (P.M.V. Rabanit, 1951 unpublished
reports); Nahr Umr formation (Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Type locality and section (from Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Location and Thickness: Nahr Umr-2; the formation occurs between drilled depths 8,688–9,321
ft (2,648.8–2,841.8 m). It is 633 ft (193 m) thick, and is named after the well.

Lithology: “In its type locality the Nahr Umr Formation consists of black shales interbedded
with medium to fine-grained sands and sandstones with lignite, amber and pyrite”.

Fossils: Orbitolina cf. discoidea Gras, Haplophragmoides sp., Cythereis sp., etc.

Age: Albian.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Shu’aiba Formation; contact conformable and
gradational, at the base of the lowest bedded shales of the Nahr Umr, and at the top of the
limestones with shale streaks which make up the highest division of the Shu’aiba Formation.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Mauddud Formation; contact conformable and
gradational, taken at the base of the limestones of the Mauddud, and at the top of a black shale
section.

Other localities: All deep subsurface sections in the Basrah area of southern Iraq, and in central Iraq
in Awasil-5, Nafatah-1, Fallujah-1, and Mileh Tharthar-1. Also in Kuwait, Qatar, etc.

Remarks: Owen and Nasr (1958): “In Kuwait the Nahr Umr Formation, which comprises the major
part of the Burgan sub-group consists essentially of sandstone averaging about 1,150 ft (350.6 m)
thick. The Nahr Umr Formation is here divisible lithologically (and for production purposes) into
two members, which have long been known as the Third and the Fourth Sands. The Nahr Umr
Formation (Third and Fourth Sand members) together with the Wara Formation and to some extent
the intervening Mauddud Formation, comprise the main reservoir for oil in the Burgan/Magwa/
Ahmadi area”.

The prominent limestone member in the upper third of the Nahr Umr, noted in the definition, is the
Dair Limestone Member. It contains Orbitolina cf. discoidea Gras and O. cf. concava (Lamarck) with
algae, etc., and a molluscan fauna including Plicatula cf. auressensis Coquand, Orbiculoidea sp., Neithea
cf. dutrugei (Coquand) and Exogyra cf. dieneri (Blanckenhorn) (Mollusca identified by R.G.S. Hudson).
This member thins westwards and southwards, its place being taken by shales and sands. The Dair
Member is not discernible in the Kuwait fields.

“The proportion of sand to shale varies considerably between the various oilfields of the Basrah-
Kuwait area. Generally speaking the sand content increases in a southwesterly and southerly
direction. In the Burgan field for example, this unit is 1,150 ft (350.6 m) thick, made up almost entirely
of sands while in its type locality at Nahr Umr-2 the sand is in the ratio of 40 to 60” (Owen and Nasr,
op. cit.).

The view was prevalent at one time that the Nahr Umr Formation was directly equivalent to the
Rutbah Sandstone Formation of the Rutbah-Wadi Hauran region of western Iraq, and the name
Rutbah (or Rutba) sand was originally applied to the unit in Basrah, and also to the sequence of
formations (Wara/Mauddud/Nahr Umr), which are now included within the Burgan sub-group
of Kuwait (Owen and Nasr, 1958). The name “Rutbah Sand” is published in a tabulation by Barber
(1948) as a collective name to include the current Ahmadi, Wara, Mauddud and Nahr Umr formations

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of the Kuwait succession. The term Rutbah (or Rutba) Sandstone is not now applied in the subsurface
sections of southern Iraq and Kuwait, since it is now thought that the Rutbah Sandstone of western
Iraq is of Cenomanian age, and separated from the Mauddud Formation and underlying Nahr Umr
sands by a widespread erosional unconformity. (The Wara Formation of the Basrah area may be
directly equivalent to and continuous with the Rutbah Sandstone, however).

In central Iraq, the Nahr Umr is recognized only in the subsurface sections of Awasil-5, Fallujah -1,
Mileh Tharthar-1 and Nafatah-1. In these wells thicknesses range between 200–300 ft (61–91.5 m), and
the formation comprises coarse to medium-grained sandstones with only subordinate shales.

Identification of the unit, as found in the wells of the Awasil area, with the Nahr Umr Formation of
the Basrah region, rests upon lithological comparability and upon homotaxy relative to the preceding
Shu’aiba Formation and the succeeding Mauddud Formation. In the Awasil and Nafatah areas the
unit was originally named the “Nafatah sand” (H. Huber, unpublished reports), but this name has
never been substantiated by publication or formal unpublished definition, and is now obsolete.

In the Awasil-5 and Nafatah-1 the sandstones of the Nahr Umr grade upwards through silts and
shales into the Orbitolina-bearing Mauddud Formation, which is considered to be of Albian age in this
area. A thin sandy calcareous shale and limestone intercalation, within the Nahr Umr Formation in
Awasil-5 (perhaps correlative with the Dair Limestone Member of the Nahr Umr and Zubair sections)
has yielded a fauna including Orbitolina cf. concava (Lamarck), Orbitolina cf. discoidea Gras, Trocholina
altispira Henson, T. cf. intermedia Henson: this fauna indicates Albian age with very little uncertainty.
The underlying Shu’aiba Formation is considered to be Aptian in age, from evidence provided by
regional correlation, and Albian age is accepted for the whole of the Nahr Umr Formation.

The Nahr Umr rests upon dolomitized Shu’aiba Formation in the Awasil area, coarse sandstones
being in direct contact with coarsely granular dolomites, which are entirely free from detrital quartz.
An emergent episode and depositional break are inferred between the Shu’aiba and Nahr Umr
formations, from the abruptness of the lithological change and from the vacuolar, leached nature of
the top of the Shu’aiba dolomites.

Mileh Tharthar-1 shows erosional cutout of the late-Albian Mauddud Formation and of the
uppermost Nahr Umr Formation at the Albian-Cenomanian or intra-Cenomanian break underlying
the Mahilban Formation.

Between the Awasil area and Makhul-1 the Nahr Umr passes laterally into the limestone-anhydrite-
shale-marl sediments of the Jawan Formation, which are contained between recognizable Mauddud
Formation and Shu’aiba Formation. This sedimentary sequence, which is of near-evaporitic facies in
its upper parts, contains a marine macrofauna near its base which includes the Albian index-form
Globieoncha altispira Whitfield, and correlative beds in the Jawan Formation at Jawan have yielded
Knemiceras syriacum (von Buch), confirming Albian age for the Jawan Formation, near its base, and
supporting Albian age for the lower part of the laterally equivalent Nahr Umr. Thin siltstones and
silty shales and limestones in the lower part of the Jawan of Makhul well sections may be regarded
as far-reaching tongues of Nahr Umr Formation, lying far to the east or northeast of the recognized
limits of the unit.

The Rim Siltstone Formation of Alan-1, north of Mosul, is of approximately the same age as the Nahr
Umr Formation, which it has some similarities. But the Rim is excluded from the Nahr Umr because
of the great distances intervening between known areas of distribution of the two formations. The
Rim Formation derived its clastics from a source area different from that, which supplied the Nahr
Umr, and the units are genetically distinct.

Najmah Limestone Formation: Jurassic (Upper Jurassic) (Plates II, III and IV)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

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Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Najmah-29; the formation occurs between drilled depths 4,784–5,902
ft (1,458.5–1,799.4 m). It is 1,118 ft (340.9 m) thick, and is named from the well.

Lithology: Alternations of: (1) fine-grade, recrystallized limestones with matt aspect, dense,
generally featureless except for relict faunal or oolitic structures; (2) oolitic and pseudooolitic
limestones, with variable but sometimes abundant macrofossil debris; (3) coarsely granular
dolomites, with large, well formed, usually zoned rhombs; (4) thin anhydrites and associated
fluffy-textured limestones.

The first two of these rock types reflect, in some degree, original differences in deposited
sediments. The dolomite is secondary, having developed after deposition, preferentially,
in highly porous oolitic beds, original textures of which are occasionally visible in partially
or fully dolomitized rocks. The oolitic and pseudo-oolitic limestones show intragranular
calcite-mud cementation, with variable subsequent development of rhombic dolomite in the
interstitial spaces between ooliths, and with variable, fine, subsequent recrystallization leading
to production of rock type 1), the two secondary rock types being to some extent exclusive.
Argillaceous sediments are unimportant and arenaceous content is very small within the
limestones of this formation. Chert occurs in insignificant quantities throughout the formation,
but only the lowermost beds are markedly siliceous.

Fossils: Valvulinella cf. jurassica Henson (abundant 4,784–5,000 ft, 1,458.5–1,524.4 m) (rare
5,000–5,094 ft, 1,524.4–1,553 m); V. wellingsi Henson (rare 4,811–4,833 ft, 1,466.8–1,473.5 m);
V. spp. indet. (to 5,186 ft, 1,581.1 m); Nautiloculina oolithica Mohler (throughout); Pfenderina
spp. (common 4,978 to 5,600 ft, 1,517.7–1,707.3 m, rare 5,600–5,831 ft, 1,707.3–1,777.4 m);
Trochammina spp.; trochamminids indet.; Glomospira (rare, 4,789–4,911 ft, 1–460.1–1,497.3 m);
aft. Pseudochrysalidina spp. (throughout); Trocholina spp.; T. cf. elongata Leupold (5,720 ft, 1,743.9
m); T. cf. palestinensis Henson (5,076 to 5,082 ft, 1,547.6-1,549.4 m); Textularia spp.; Haurania spp.
(rare); H. amiji ? Henson (4,835–4,840 ft, 1,474.1–1,475.6 m, 5,112–5,118 ft, 1,558.5–1,560.4 m,
5,462–5,465 ft, 1,665.2–1,666.2 m); Lituola sp., rare; rare cristellarids, nodosarids, frondicularids,
rare Radiolaria; sponge debris (throughout); nodose spicules(?), (5,691 to 5,704 ft, 1735.1–1,739
m); coral and algal debris, (abundant to 5,000 ft (1,524.4 m), rare below, noted at 5,462–5,465 ft,
1665.2–1,666.2 m, 5,547–5,553 ft, 1,691.2–1,693 m, 5,580–5,586 ft, 1,701.2–1,703 m, 5,659–5,665-
5,671 ft 1,725.3–1,727.1–1,729 m, 5,689–5,691 ft, 1,734.5–1,735.1 m, 5,791–5,813 ft, 1,765.5-
–1,772.3 m, etc., rare ? Paleotrix below 5,700 ft (1,737.8 m) throughout); ostracoda, (generally
rare). Harpagodes, Pholadomya sp. (Homomya), and Rhynchonella sp., determined from 5,562 ft
(1,695.7 m), by A. Keller, (unpublished reports), are not confirmable, the macrofossil material
being no longer available, due to wartime losses.

Age: Upper Jurassic: not closely determinable within the limits of the Upper Jurassic, owing to
long and/or unknown ranges of the represented foraminiferal species.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Sargelu Formation; believed unconformable,

with Najmah Formation overstepping eroded Sargelu, taken at the base of light grey limestones
with pseudo-ooliths, and at the top of dark, dolomitized, calcareous shales with Posidonia, etc.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Garagu Formation; contact an erosional

unconformity, without detectable angular discordance, taken at the top of a continuous
limestone unit, and immediately below silty, marly limestones and marls.

Other localities: Qalian-1, between 2,880–3,780 ft (878–1,152.4 m). Also Atshan-1, Awasil-5, Makhul-
2, and Mileh Tharthar-1.

Remarks: The Najmah Formation is comprised largely of oolitic and pseudo-oolitic limestones, and
of secondary rock types produced by diagenesis of oolitic variants. It is clearly set apart from both
underlying and overlying formations, in the type section, and in the closely comparable section of
Qalian-1, by erosional breaks.
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Excellent internal correlation within the formation is possible between Qalian and Najmah. The
uppermost 230 ft (70.1 m) of beds in the Najmah section are absent from Qalian. There is also
convergence in the overlapping beds, the overlying formation in Najmah being the Hauterivian
Garagu Formation, whilst in Qalian the Najmah is succeeded unconformably by Albian Jawan
Formation.

The base of the Najmah is intensively silicified, especially at Qalian, and the highest beds of the
underlying Bathonian-Bajocian Sargelu Formation which are represented in the type section are
absent from the Qalian section. The highest surviving beds of the Sargelu Formation are extremely
dolomitized and considerably silicified in both wells.

The evidence from Najmah and Qalian demonstrates erosional unconformities separating Middle and
Upper Jurassic and Neocomian rock units. The Jurassic-Cretaceous break increases northwestwards
from Qalian, so that in the wells of a large area, embracing Ain Zalah, Butmah, Adaiyah, Sasan, etc.,
Aptian (or perhaps even Albian) Sarmord Formation rests unconformably upon eroded Middle Jurassic
Sargelu Formation. Atshan-1 presents a section, which is intermediate between those of Najmah and
Qalian and those of the Ain Zalah area: marly limestones of the Sarmord rest unconformably upon
an eroded remnant of the Najmah Formation, which is only 345 ft (105.2 m) thick, as compared with
1,118 ft (340.9 m) in Najmah-29 and c. 900 ft (274.4 m) in Qalian-1. This remnant is equivalent to the
basal part of the unit in the Qalian and Najmah sections.

South and southwest of Najmah, the Najmah Limestone has not been found in thick development in
any of the wells drilled at Makhul, Awasil or Mileh Tharthar. Instead, in these wells, the eroded top of
Sargelu is overlain by a rather thin sequence of calcareous shales, interbedded with oolitic, pseudo-
oolitic and coprolithic limestones, which grades upwards, through fluffy-textured and chemically
deposited inorganic limestones into the thick more or less continuous anhydrites of the Gotnia
Anhydrite Formation. Since some of the unusual lithofacies found in this thin sequence of beds can
be matched in the lower part of the Najmah Formation of Najmah-29 and Qalian-1, the sequence
is identified with the Najmah Formation, and it is accepted that the Gotnia Anhydrite is a lateral
equivalent of the upper and major part of the type Najmah.

East of Qalian, the Najmah and Gotnia formations are unknown, though an anhydritic unit, the
Barsarin Formation, occurs in the exposed sections of the mountain fold-belt and in Kirkuk-109.
This unit is considered to be correlative with the upper part of the Gotnia Anhydrite of the Awasil
area, and it is conjectured that, prior to the deep-reaching erosion of post-Upper Jurassic and pre-
Hauterivian times, the Najmah Formation of the area around Najmah and Qalian was overlain by a
bedded anhydrite unit, correlative with and linking the Gotnia and Barsarin formations.

The Barsarin Formation is considered to be of Kimmeridgian age in Kurdistan, since it underlies the
Middle Tithonian base of the Chia Gara Formation and overlies Lower Kimmeridgian ammonite
faunas in the Naokelekan Formation. The Naokelekan, lying between the Kimmeridgian Barsarin and
the eroded top of the Middle Jurassic Sargelu Formation, is homotaxial with the Najmah Formation.
Whereas the Najmah comprises clean-washed calcarenites, oolitic limestones and similar calcareous
shoal-type sediments, and is thick (over 330 m, 1,082.4 ft in the type section) the Naokelekan
comprises black, bituminous, ammonite-bearing shales and limestones, seldom exceeding 20 m (65.6
ft) in thickness.

The Naokelekan has yielded ammonites of Lower Kimmeridgian, Upper Oxfordian and doubtful
Callovian ages: by homotaxy the age of the Najmah may be presumed to lie within these limiting ages.
Hence an Upper Jurassic and pre-Kimmeridgian or, at youngest, Lower Kimmeridgian age is inferred
for the Najmah Formation. Since the Najmah Formation is 1,118 ft (340.9 m) thick at Najmah, and was
obviously, and perhaps considerably thicker prior to pre-Hauterivian erosion, it is improbable that it
can be entirely of Lower Kimmeridgian age.

The microfauna of the Najmah, with Valvulinella jurassica Henson, V. wellingsi Henson, Pfenderina spp.,
Nautiloculina oolithica Mohler, and Haurania spp., etc., cannot be used for strict dating of the Najmah,
since in the Arabian Gulf region, which is the only region from which distribution of similar faunas is

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adequately known, the named Valvulinella species do not overlap with Pfenderina or Haurania, nor do
Pfenderina and Haurania co-occur in Arabia (Sugden, 1958, MS).

Valvulinella jurassica and V. wellingsi, in the upper part of the Najmah, argue for correlation with some
part of the succession Qatar Formation/Fahahil Formation/Darb Formation of the Qatar sequence
(W. Sugden, op. cit.), which covers the age-range Lower Kimmeridgian to “Corallian” and which
corresponds (according to Sugden) with the succession Arab/Jubaila/Hanifa formations of Arabia
(Arkell, 1952; Bramkamp and Steineke, 1952).

In Qatar, Pfenderina species in the Jurassic are limited to the Araej formation (Sugden, 1958, MS)
which Sugden correlates with the Upper and Middle Dhruma formation of Arabia. These divisions
of the Dhruma are considered to be of Middle Bathonian to Upper Bathonian age, on the evidence of
ammonite faunas (Arkell, 1952; Bramkamp and Steineke, 1952).

But elsewhere in Arabia, Pfenderina species co-occur with Valvulinella jurassica and Valvulinella
wellingsi in association with Upper Jurassic macrofossils (e.g. Hudson, 1954b, 1955, etc.).

Haurania species are known from the Bathonian Muhaiwir Formation of western Iraq, and from the
Mus Limestone of northern Iraq, which is considered to be of late Liassic or uppermost Liassic age.
This genus has not been recorded (in publication) from rocks younger than Bathonian (though it
appears, with Valvulinella sp., and other Upper Jurassic forms in undescribed samples from southwest
Persia).

Absence of high Jurassic indices, as Clypeina jurassica Favre, from the highest beds of the Najmah,
and the presence of Valvulinella species, together argue for an Upper Jurassic but probably pre-
Kimmeridgian age. The Pfenderina-Haurania elements argue for earlier Upper Jurassic or for Middle
Jurassic age, but Middle Jurassic age appears to be ruled out by the position of the Najmah above an
erosional break that post-dates at least the major part of the Bathonian. Hence the existing Najmah
Formation of Najmah probably spans much of the age-range, Callovian-Oxfordian, which is accepted
for the lower part of the Naokelekan Formation of Kurdistan.

The erosional break between the Upper Jurassic Najmah Formation and the Middle Jurassic Sargelu
Formation (also suspected but as yet unproven between the Naokelekan Formation and the Sargelu
in the mountain-fold belt) may be equated fairly confidently with the hiatus separating the Middle
Callovian Tuwaiq Mountain Limestone from the Bathonian Dhruma formation in the Tuwaiq region
of Saudi Arabia (Arkell, 1952, 1956; Threalls and Hasson, 1957).

Wells drilled in southern Iraq have not extended far enough into the Jurassic to confirm or deny
the presence or absence of the Najmah Formation in this area. But in Kuwait the deep test well
Burgan-113 has passed through the greater part of the Jurassic succession. In this well the pre-Middle
Tithonian Upper Jurassic is represented by a thick sequence of rock salts and anhydrites (between
drilled depths 8,475 (2,583.5) and about 9,985 ft (3,044.2)) overlying pseudo-oolitic limestones, fluffy-
textured and coprolithic limestones, and calcareous shales (between approximate drilled depths
9,985–10,136 ft (3,044.2–3,090.2 m). The lower unit can be correlated confidently with the intervals
identified as Najmah Formation in the Awasil, Mileh Tharthar and Makhul wells of central Iraq. The
overlying salt and anhydrite sequence is deemed to be directly equivalent to the Gotnia Anhydrite
Formation of central Iraq, and therefore to include, in evaporite facies, lateral equivalents of the upper
and major part of the type Najmah Formation.

Naokelekan Formation: Jurassic (Upper Jurassic) (Plates II and III)

Authors: R. Wetzel and D.M. Morton (1950, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel]

Synonymy: beds a-c; and a beds d-h, in part (L.F. Spate, 1950).

Type locality and section:

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Location and Thickness: Near Naokelekan, Rowanduz district, northeast Iraq. At road-
side and in stream bed, 500 m (1,640 ft) northwest of Naokelekan Village, at approximately
36°36’00”N; 44°44’10”E. The type section is 14 m (45.9 ft) thick.

Lithology: The uppermost 3 m (9.8 ft) are obscured in the type section and area, but include
laminated shaly limestones at the top. The next underlying 4 m (13.1 ft) are limestones, hard,
dark grey or bluish, mottled, with ammonite traces, calcite veined (= “Mottled bed” of informal
field nomenclature). The lowermost 7 m (23 ft) are of thin-bedded, extremely bituminous
limestones and dolomites, with intercalated, black, bituminous, calcareous shales (= “coal
horizon” of informal field nomenclature).

Fossils: Uppermost unit: no fossils. “Mottled bed” (at base): Vinalesphinctes “. nov., ?
Ataxioceras sp. indet.; “coal horizon”: Perisphinctids, Prosospinctes sp., ?Epipeltoceras sp.;
Planites (Ataxioceras) sp. indet., Klematosphinctes aff. mirus (Bukowski), Glochiceras nimbatum
(Oppel), Neospidoceras sp. indet., Vinalesphinctes ? sp. indet., Trimarginites aff. arolicus (Oppel),
Ochetoceras sp. juv. aff. canaliculatum (v. Buch), (all from near the top of the division). Peltoceras
indicus Spath, perisphinctids, ? Reineckia sp., (all from near base of the division).

Age: Argovian (Upper Oxfordian) at top of “coal horizon”, possibly Callovian at base of “coal
horizon”. Age at top not known in type section, but possibly Lower Kimmeridgian from
correlation with other sections.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Sargelu Formation; contact apparently

conformable, taken at the top of thin-bedded cherty limestones with Posidonia ornati Quenstedt,
and below soft, brown, papery shales with thin, dark grey dolomites.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Barsarin Formation; contact presumed

conformable, but obscured in the type section where the overlying basal beds of the Barsarin
are grey, brown and purple shales, and the highest collected exposed beds of the Naokelekan
are the upper part of the mottled beds. A supplementary type section, including the upper part
of the formation, has been studied at Gara, near Amadia (see Remarks).

Other localities: Most sections in the northern and northeastern mountain-fold zone which expose
Middle Jurassic-Upper Jurassic units, including measured and sampled sections at Shiranish, Chalki,
Ora, Ser Amadia, Chia Gara, Ru Kuchuk, Kurrek, Naokelekan, Barsarin, Rania, Sargelu, Qai’Gah, and
Sirwan. The top of the formation may have been penetrated in Kirkuk-109.

Remarks: The formation is named from the Naokelekan section, which is readily accessible. The most
fossiliferous beds yet encountered in the formation are those of the “coal horizon” at Naokelekan.
Lithological subdivisions, whilst generally recognizable in most sections throughout Kurdistan, are
best differentiated in the Chia Gara sections, one of which is here described as a supplementary type
section.

The Gara section lies in the core of the Chia Gara fold, west-southwest of Gara Village (37°00’28”N,
43°25’30”E). The Naokelekan Formation is here 28 m (91.8 ft) thick, and comprises:
A. 12 m (39.4 ft): laminated shaly bituminous limestones, alternating with bituminous shales and
dark blue, fine-grained limestones. No fauna noted.
B. 6 m (19.7 ft): light grey-bluish, hard, fine-grained dolomitic limestones, thinly bedded but
weathering into a prominent scarp, faintly mottled, calcite veined (= “Mottled bed”), with
Nebrodites ? sp. inlet., Planites ? sp. inlet., Discosphinctes ? sp. inlet.
C. 10 m (32.8 ft): thin-bedded, highly bituminous dolomites, alternating coarse and fine grained,
with subordinate dolomitic shales. Intensely crumpled and contorted locally as a result of pre-
consolidation slumping, and with tendency to weather into large “phacoidal” (loaf-shaped)
masses. Ammonites include Ataxioceras inconditus (Fontannes), perisphinctids inlet., Ostrea cf.
Liogryphaea balli (Stefanini).

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The tripartite division of the formation, into: (1) “thin-bedded, laminated limestones”, (2) “mottled
bed” and (3) “coal horizon”; is recognizable in most sections. The uppermost bed of the “coal
horizon” in the supplementary type section is the bed “i” which Spath (1950) referred to the Lower
Kimmeridgian in his discussion of the ammonite succession at Chia Gara. These same beds in
other sections, including the type section, have yielded rich ammonite faunas, which Spath later
determined as of Upper Oxfordian age (unpublished reports). The evidence for presence of any
Callovian sediments within the “coal horizon” is very slender, hinging upon a dubious ?Reineckia
sp. from the type section, and a single perisphinctid (?Choffatia sp.) from the base of the formation at
Kurrek.

The underlying “Posidonia bed”, of the Sargelu Formation are certainly of Middle Jurassic age,
and most probably the uppermost Bathonian is not faunally represented. The faunal suggestion of
stratigraphical non-sequence between the Sargelu and the Naokelekan is therefore strong. But no
evidence of erosional unconformity or depositional hiatus has been observed in the field.

It is therefore accepted that the few metres of unfossiliferous beds, between the top of the Sargelu and
the Upper Oxfordian ammonite beds in the upper part of the “coal horizon”, may be a condensed
sedimentary succession, in which the entire Callovian and Lower Oxfordian (and perhaps uppermost
Bathonian) stages may be represented.

The ammonite fauna from the “Mottled bed” in the Gara section suggests Lower Kimmeridgian age
(L.F. Spath, unpublished report), as do Ataxioceras sp. inlet., and Idoceras (or Pianites ?) sp. inlet. from
the same beds at Kurrek, and Ataxioceras polyplocus (Rein.) and Streblites tenuilobatus Oppel, which
were identified many years ago from about this horizon in Shiranish (but which have not been
found again in recent examination of the Shiranish section). If the “Mottled bed” is indeed of Lower
Kimmeridgian age and if the succession from Bathonian to Kimmeridgian is complete, the “coal
horizon” must be admitted as embracing sediments of the whole of the Callovian and Oxfordian
stages.

Such a degree of stratal condensation, without non-sequence or erosional unconformity, is a strain

on credulity, especially when it is considered that the incomplete succession of Callovian-Oxfordian
sediments in Central Arabia attains a thickness of 316 m (1,036.5 ft) at outcrop (Arkell, 1952;
Bramkamp and Steineke, 1952). The Najmah Formation of subsurface sections in northern Iraq,
which is considered to be equivalent in age to the pre-Kimmeridgian part of the Naokelekan, has an
incomplete thickness of over 330 m (1,082.4 ft). The concept of the Naokelekan as a condensed unit of
long age-duration within a continuous succession of sediments may require review in the future.

Spath (1950) suggested the presence of depositional breaks, within the succession above the a “Mottled
bed” and below the “phacoid beds” of the Middle Tithonian part of the Chia Gara Formation, in order
to explain the large time-range indicated, by the ammonite evidence, for the mere 33 m (108.2 ft) of
intervening undated sediments. However, it appears much more readily credible that the “Mottled
bed” to Middle Tithonian succession may be complete than that the Sargelu Formation to “Mottled
bed” sequence is unbroken, especially as the Barsarin Formation may be regarded fairly legitimately
as a regressive and slowly sedimented evaporitic unit.

The “coal horizon” derives its name from the fact that, in several localities, the limestones and shales
comprising it are so rich in bitumen that they have been quarried locally for use as fuel.

The Naokelekan has not been encountered in deep wells west of the Tigris River: in the MPC Northern
Area, west and north of Mosul, all Upper Jurassic sediments are absent in the Cretaceous/Jurassic
unconformity, which places Aptian or Albian Sarmord Formation directly upon eroded Middle
Jurassic.

In Atshan -1, Qalian-1 and Najmah-29, contemporaneous sediments are in oolitic-neritic limestone
facies (Najmah Formation), and attain considerable thicknesses. The Najmah follows unconformably
upon eroded Bathonian Sargelu Formation, indicating important ?Callovian/Bathonian emergence

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in the central Tigris area, and adding further grounds for suspicion that the Naokelekan/Sargelu
contact in Kurdistan may not be conformable, in spite of appearances.

Southwards from Najmah, to Makhul-1 and 2, the Najmah Formation is believed to pass laterally
into the anhydrite mass of the lower part of the Gotnia Formation. It is interesting to find that, at the
Chalki exposures, the upper unit of the Naokelekan shows a rather similar approach to evaporitic
depositional conditions, presaging those which prevailed during deposition of the later anhydritic
Barsarin Formation.

The Naokelekan Formation, in much the same facies as in the Kurdistan exposures, may have been
entered, but not penetrated, in Kirkuk-109, beneath anhydritic Barsarin Formation.

Thicknesses of the Naokelekan range between 8.5 m (27.9 ft) at Barsarin and 34 m (111.5 ft) at Ru
Kuchuk, but only three of the thirteen measured sections show more than 20 m (65.6 ft).

Nazaz zone: Pliocene

Obsolete term introduced by Pascoe in 1922. It included Pascoe’s phase d of his Kurd series, both of
which are also now obsolete terms. See Upper and Lower Bakhtiari formations. [R.C. van Bellen]

Nijili Formation: Triassic (?Middle Triassic) (Plate III)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1954, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: In the Ga’ara Depression, in recent stream course on southern
face of gravel ridge about 7 km east-northeast from Bir Mulussa. Approximate geographical
coordinates, 33°32’10”N, 40°11’50”E. The formation is named after the Ghadir an Nijili, which
is a stream-debouchure breaking the southern rim of the Ga’ara Depression about 6.25 km
N195°E from the type section. In the type section it is greater than 16 m (52.5 ft) thick as the
base not exposed.

Lithology: Flaky, saliferous marls and shales, dominantly yellow and green in colour, with
some purplish bands, and with two thin beds of sandstone near to the base.

Fossils: Indeterminate plant remains at contact with overlying Ga’ara Sandstone.

Age: Not known. See Remarks.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Not exposed.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Ga’ara Sandstone; contact concordant, taken at
base of continuous sandstone and at top of the argillaceous beds: the transition is abrupt, and
a depositional hiatus is suspected at the contact.

Other localities: None known.

Remarks: The Nijili Formation has strong lithological similarities to the lower part of the Geli Khana
Formation, and to parts of the Beduh Formation of Kurdistan. It is considered to be of approximately
the same age as one or other of these units, though this acceptance must be based, at present, on mere
lithological comparability and general homotaxy. The tentative rock-unit correlation of the Nijili with
part of the Middle Triassic rock-unit succession of Kurdistan implies some probability that the Ga’ara
Sandstone is of Middle Triassic or younger age.

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Nummulites-Lepidocyclina zone: Oligocene (“ middle” Oligocene)

In van Bellen (1956). The older faunizone of the Baba Limestone Formation, characterized by the
presence and co-existence of Nummulites intermedius-fichteli d’Archiac and Haime and various
Lepidocyclina s.l. spp. (Lepidocyclina ephippoides Jones and Chapman, Lepidocyclina yurnagunensis
Cushman and Nephrolepidina marginata (Michelotti). For further details see van Bellen (1956). [R.C.
van Bellen]

Nummulite limestone: Oligocene (“lower” and “middle” Oligocene)

In Barber (1948). See Baba Limestone Formation and Sheikh Alas Limestone formation. [R.C. van
Bellen]

Nummulites zone: Oligocene (“lower” Oligocene)

In van Bellen (1956). The only faunizone recognized in and comprising the whole of the Sheikh Alas
Limestone Formation. It is characterized by the presence of Nummulites intermedius-fichteli d’Archiac
and Haime to the exclusion of lepidocyclinids. Other fossils are Rotalia viennoti Greig, indeterminate
small radiate nummulites and Subterraniphyllum thomasi Elliott. For further details see van Bellen
(1956). [R.C. van Bellen]

Oligocene Miliola limestone: Oligocene (“middle” Oligocene)

In Henson (1950), see Bajawan Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Ora Shale Formation: Carboniferous-?Devonian

(Lower Tournaisian, or Upper Devonian-Lower Tournaisian) (Plate II)

Author: R. Wetzel (1952, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Ora fold (Amadia District, northern Iraq). The exposures of the
formation are much faulted and obscured by scree. The lower 96 m (314.9 ft) were measured
and sampled in a section running southwards, from base located 1,000 m (3,280 ft) N250°E
from Ora Police Post (which is at approximately 37°16’56”N; 43°21’55”E). The upper 130 m
(426.4 ft) are obscured by scree on this section line, and the type section is deflected 300 m (984
ft) west, along the strike, and then runs southward for 180 m (590.4 ft), up to the base of the first
prominent limestone cliff. The thickness of the section is 226 m (741.3 ft).

Lithology: Black, finely micaceous, calcareous shales, with olive-green, blocky, silty marls;
ribs and thin lentils of organic, detrital limestones and of fine-grained sandstones occur
intermittently through the succession.

Fossils: Avonia praelongus Sowerby and Spirifer julii Dehee are recorded from near the top of the
formation, and Spirifer verneuili Murchison and other brachiopods occur near the base.

Age: ?Lower Tournaisian or Upper Devonian-Lower Tournaisian transition.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Kaista Formation; contact conformable and
gradational, taken at top of thin-bedded, dark blue, argillaceous limestones (weathering
to ochreous colour), and below the lowest black, micaceous, calcareous shales of the Ora
Formation.

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Overlying formation and details of contact: Harur Limestone Formation; contact conformable
and gradational, by alternation, taken at the change from dominant limestones above to
dominant shales below.

Other localities: Kaista and Harur, near Chalki, Khabour Valley, and other outcrops intermediate
between and continuous with these exposures; Geli Sinat and Shish areas, northwest of Shiranish.

Remarks: Lengthy consideration of this formation is unnecessary, since the Palaeozoic stratigraphy
of Kurdistan will be fully discussed in a forthcoming paper by R. Wetzel, D.M. Morton and R.G.S.
Hudson et al. (1958, in preparation). Publication of a comprehensive account of the faunas of the
Palaeozoic units is also projected (Hudson, et al., 1958, in preparation).

The Ora Shale is defined to include the sediments, dominated by black, micaceous, calcareous shales,
which intervene between the underlying Kaista Formation (of which the upper part is limestone) and
the younger Harur Limestone Formation.

The faunal evidence at present available suggests that the Devonian-Tournaisian transition is
probably represented by sediments within the Ora.

Although the formation has gradational upper and lower limits, within a succession in which
deposition was apparently continuous, it is readily mappable in the field.

Parts of the “Harbol limestone formation” of southeastern Turkey (Tasman, 1949) are homotaxial and
closely comparable with the Ora Shale.

Orbitolina concava limestone: Cretaceous (Albian)

Informal name, formerly applied in the subsurface sections of Basrah, Kuwait and the Arabian
Gulf region, to the Albian Mauddud Formation. For the most part, references to the “Orbitolina
concava limestone” are restricted to unpublished reports of oil companies, but there are occasional
published mentions of the name (e.g. Barber, 1948). Obsolete term: see Mauddud Formation. [H.V.
Dunnington]

Orbitolina discoidea limestone: Cretaceous (Aptian)

Informal name, formerly applied, in the subsurface sections of Basrah, Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf
region, to the Aptian Shu’aiba Formation. For the most part, references to the “Orbitolina discoidea
limestone” are restricted to unpublished reports of oil companies, but there are occasional published
mentions of the name (e.g. Barber, 1948). Obsolete term: see Shu’aiba Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Palani Formation: Oligocene (“lower” Oligocene) (Plate VI)

Author: van Bellen (1956). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: globigerina limestone, in part (Barber, 1948); globigerinal limestones and marls, in part
(Baker, 1953); Go/1 (Daniel, 1954).

Type locality and details of section:

Location and Thickness: Kirkuk-85 (K/85) drilled on the Tarjil Plunge of the Kirkuk structure;
the formation occurs between drilled depths of 3,192–3,400 ft (973.1–1,036.6 m), and is 208 ft
(64 m) thick.

Lithology: Somewhat dolomitized globigerinal marly limestone. The fauna has not yet been
analyzed.

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Age: This formation is considered to be of “lower” Oligocene age, though strict correlation
with the European Lower Oligocene is not claimed.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The Palani Formation occurs above the Eocene
Jaddala Formation, and the contact appears to be unconformable (van Bellen, 1956).

Overlying formations and details of contact: The Sheikh Alas Formation of “lower”
Oligocene age overlies this formation conformably, the contact being gradational with some
interfingering.

Other localities: This formation occurs in most wells on the Kirkuk structure south of the Lesser Zab
River and in wells on the Bai Hassan structure. At surface, the formation is found in the northern
dome of Qarah Chauq Dagh structure, especially near the Village of Palani. Further towards the north
the unit is found again in Qalian-1 and Gusair-1. Towards the west it occurs in Abu Jir-1, Hit-1, and
Mileh Tharthar-1.

Remarks: The formation is the offshore equivalent of the Sheikh Alas Formation. Full details can be
found in van Bellen (1956).

passage beds: Miocene (“upper” Miocene)

Obsolete term: see Middle Fars Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

paucialveolata zone: Oligocene (“lower” Oligocene)

In van Bellen (1956). The older faunizone of the Shurau Formation, which derives its name from
the index fossil, Austrotrillina paucialveolata Grimsdale. Other fossils occurring in this zone include
Heterillina hensoni Grimsdale, Archaias operculiniformis Henson, Subterraniphyllum thomasi Elliott,
Peneroplis evolutus Henson, Peneroplis thomasi Henson, Halkyardia minima (Liebus) and numerous
miliolids. See van Bellen (1956). [R.C. van Bellen]

phases a, b, c, d, a: Miocene-Pliocene (“upper”, Miocene-Pliocene)

Informal terms introduced by Pascoe in 1922. See Upper Fars Formation (phase a), Lower Bakhtiari
Formation (phases b and c), Upper Bakhtiari Formation (phases d and e). [R.C. van Bellen]

Pila Spi Limestone Formation: Eocene (“middle” and “upper” Eocene) (Plate VI)

Author: G.M. Lees (1930, unpublished report). Redefined by R. Wetzel (1947, unpublished report).
Emended and augmented by R.C. van Bellen (1957, unpublished report). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: None.

Type location and section:

Location and Thickness: Pila Spi (35°12’30”N, 44°11’00”E); the formation is 277 ft (85 m)
thick.

Lithology: The higher part shows well-bedded bituminous limestone, weathering white,
chalky and crystalline, with bands of pale green marl or white chalky marl with buckled
bedding planes; bands of buff chert nodules towards the top, traces of fossils; 186 ft (56.7
m) thick. The lower part shows well-bedded limestones, hard though of chalky appearance,
porous or vitreous, bituminous or white, poorly fossiliferous, algal and shell sections in calcite,
91 ft (27.7 m) thick. Bitumen impregnation is very localized at outcrop. Where absent, the
limestones are white and buff.

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Fossils: Chilostomellids, miliolids, peneroplids, all indeterminable.

Age: Probably “middle” and/or “upper” Eocene.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The Pila Spi Formation rests on Gercüs
Formation. The contact is sometimes gradational through interfingering, sometimes it appears
to be marked by a conglomerate; see Remarks on Gercüs Formation.

Overlying formation and details of contact: At the type locality Lower Fars Formation overlies
this unit, with a strong unconformity.

Other localities: The Pila Spi Limestone Formation is found in the area surrounding and including
the following localities: Aj Dagh, Aqra, Chemchemal-2, Dohuk, Ghilizarda, Jebel Maqlub, Koi Sanjak,
Pila Spi, Pirmum Dagh, Ser Amadia, Shiranish and Surdash.

Remarks: It is desirable for a number of reasons to describe a supplementary type section. The Pila
Spi Limestone in its type section is practically unfossiliferous because of strong recrystallization and
dolomitization. Moreover, recent dam construction developments in Iraq threaten the entire type
section, which will be submerged below the level of an artificial lake that is to be impounded by a
dam near Derbannd-i-Khan.

As a supplementary type section that will eventually replace the type section of this formation, the
section at Kashti on the Baranand Dagh has been chosen.

Type locality and details of supplementary type section:

Location and Thickness: At 35°06’35”N, 45°42’10”E on the Baranand Dagh near Pila Spi,
where the section is 620 ft (189 m) thick.

Lithology: Dolomitic chalky limestone with a few less dolomitized bands, rare chert
intercalations, traces of subooliths, rare concentrations of gastropod debris.

Fossils: Miliolids (Pyrgo sp.), chilostomellids occur throughout. Better fossiliferous material
occurs between 340–400 ft (104–122 m) above the base of the formation: chilostomellids,
miliolids, Peneroplis dusenburyi Henson, Praerhapidionina huberi Henson, Pyrgo sp., Rhapidionina
urensis Henson, Rhipidionina williamsoni Henson, valvulinids. A second fossiliferous band
occurs about 50 ft (15 m) above the first one and contains substantially the same fauna but
includes Rhipidionina macfadyeni Henson.

Age: “upper” and/or “middle” Eocene age is accepted, as interfingering occurs between a
unit in the Western Desert (see Dammam Formation) which contains the same fauna (known
informally as the “Tuqaiyid fauna”) and a definite Upper and Middle Eocene shoal fauna (from
the Dammam Formation).

Underlying formation and details of contact: The Pila Spi Limestone Formation overlies the
Kolosh Formation, which shows intercalations of Sinjar Limestone Formation. The contact is
unconformable and marked by a conglomerate.

Overlying formation and details of contact: The Pila Spi Limestone Formation in this
supplementary type locality is covered by the Lower Fars Formation, and contact is
unconformable.

Remarks: The formation is, in general, a lagoonal sediment. Most of the dolomites are probably of
primary origin. It is therefore a chemical rather than an organic lagoonal formation. The fauna is
rather stunted and includes undetermined molluscs and lituonellids (near Shaqlawah, fide F.R.S.
Henson, unpublished report).

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Laterally, it passes southwestwards into the Avanah Limestone Formation with interfingering in the
transitional zone. Lower Fars Formation covers the Pila Spi unit in most areas where the formation
is known. In the north, however, near Shiranish, and in a number of other neighboring sections,
“upper” Oligocene Anah Limestone overlies the Pila Spi, again unconformably, although the contact
is very much obscured because of recrystallization and dolomitization. In the field this unconformity
is hardly or not visible, but it can be detected quite clearly by examination of thin sections.

Algal remains from various places, determined by G. F. Elliott, may be put on record here: Lithoporella
melobesoides Foslie (from Banik), Thyrsoporella silvestrii Pfender (from Koi Sanjak), Cymopolia cf.
elongata (Defrance) (from the Chia Gara area). Echinoids from the Shiranish section were determined
by R.G.S. Hudson (unpublished report) as Sismondia cf. polymorpha Duncan and Sladen.

It should also be mentioned that typical Pila Spi Limestone Formation interfingers with limestones
with Nummulites bayhariensis Checchia Rispoli on Baski Zanur Dagh at Qishlaq Qafur Agha Gorge.

Pilsener Limestone Formation: Cretaceous (Upper Senonian) (Plates II and III)

Author: ?N.M. Brodie (1935, unpublished records). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Jawan-2; the formation occurs between drilled depths 2,274–3,452 ft
(693.3–1,052.4 m), and is 1,178 ft (359.1 m) thick.

Lithology: From 2,274–2,300 ft (693.3–701.2 m): globigerinal and argillaceous limestones, largely
recrystallized, with comminuted macrofossil debris increasing downwards. From 2,300–3,100
ft (701.2–945.1 m): organic detritus limestones, locally much dolomitized, with highly
characteristic fauna (see below) grading to and intercalated with argillaceous limestones with
macrofossil debris as above. From 3,100–3,482 ft (945.1-1061.6 m): coarse- to medium-grade
dolomites, replacing organic detritus limestones as above; intraformational heterogeneous
conglomerate at 3,367 ft (1,026.5 m); rare recrystallized oligosteginal-globigerinal limestone
intercalations between 3,367–3,452 ft (1,026.5–1,052.4 m). Basal conglomerate, with dolomitized
marl matrix, and fluffy textured and recrystallized limestone pebbles.

Fossils: Globotruncana stuarti (de Lapparent); G. lapparenti subspp.; Globigerina cretacea

d’Orbigny; Gumbelina spp.; Anomalina ammonoides (Reuss); A. spp.; etc., echinoid and shell
debris, ostracods, etc., and scattered rudist detritus down to 3,100 ft (945.1 m). Between 2,300–
3,100 ft (701.2–945.1 m), abundant rudist debris (Radiolitidae); fragmentary ostreids; echinoid
spines and plates; algal debris; including Corallinacidae indet.; and Monolepidorbis douvillei
Astre; Cuneolina cylindrica Henson; Pseudedomia complanata Eames and Smout; Rotalia skourensis
Pfender; Rotalia spp.; Quinqueloculina sp.; Valvulammina sp. indet.; meandropsinids indet.
(rare); Inoceramus sp.; ostracoda indet.; etc. Below 3,100 ft (945.1 m) Globotruncana lapparenti
subspp.; Oligostegina; (and obscured macrofossil vestiges in detrital portions).

Age: Upper Campanian-Lower Maastrichtian.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Kometan Formation; with erosional break, but
probably without angular discordance. Base of the Pilsener Formation is a heterogeneous
conglomerate.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Shiranish Formation; conformable, probably

gradational, obscured by diagenesis. Contact taken at the lithological change from marls above
to recrystallized limestones below.

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Other localities: Alan-1, Anah-1, Awasil 1-5 inclusive, Fallujah-1, Gusair-1, Hibbarah-1, Hit-1,
Ibrahim-1, Jawan-1 and 9; Makhul-1 and 2; Mileh Tharthar-1, Nafatah-1; Najmah-2, 21, 22, 23, 24 and
29; Qaiyarah-13 and 17; Qalian-1, Qasab-2, 3, 5, 5a, 6 and 10; Sadid-1 and Sasan-1.

Remarks: The name “Pilsener Formation” was originally applied to the reservoir formation of
Upper Cretaceous age from which oil was first produced, from Jawan-2, during 1935. The name is
an unfortunate one, deriving from a jocular comparison of the Cretaceous crude oil to the familiar
beverage, but it is too deeply rooted in company reports and correspondence to be replaced by a
new formation name, and since the formation cannot be drawn into synonymy with any established
named unit, the existing nomenclatural situation is accepted and the Pilsener Limestone Formation
formally defined from the original subsurface section. (This procedure is contra-indicated by Article
7 Remarks b and h, but justified by appeal to Article 9 of the “Classification and Nomenclature of
Rock-Units”, Rules, 1932) (Ashley et al., 1939).

The Pilsener Limestone embraces the neritic shoal-type limestones of the Upper Senonian transgressive
cycle, found (in subsurface sections only) west of the Tigris River. Though in the past it has been
suggested that the Pilsener is an offshoot from the exposed Bekhme Limestone Formation and Aqra
Limestone Formation of the Kurdistan foothills, continuity with these formations is improbable, and
remains to be proven. It seems more probable that the Pilsener Formation and the Aqra-Bekhme
formations represent neritic developments, respectively on the eastern and (north) western sides of
a complex depositional basin, separated by an area in which globigerinal-”bathyal” sedimentation
prevailed throughout the time during which the neritic Pilsener (and Aqra-Bekhme) limestones were
being deposited in the marginal areas.

Whether or not this interpretation is correct, the Pilsener Limestone of the MPC Central Area is
sufficiently different in facies to demand separate nomenclatural recognition, at least until continuity
with the Aqra-Bekhme reef-type limestones has been strongly evidenced by additional subsurface
sections.

In its type area around Jawan, the formation is characterized by abundant debris of rudists (never
recovered in their entirety), and by a numerically-rich microfauna, poor in species, which includes
abundant Monolepidorbis douvillei Astre, common Pseudedomia complanata Eames and Smout, and
occasional Cuneolina cylindrica Henson. The rudist fragments were originally determined as Biradiolites
quadratus (d’Orbigny), and Turonian age deduced for the formation, but this age attribution was later
corrected by A. Keller to Campanian-Maastrichtian. Present-age limitation of the Pilsener Formation,
at its type locality, to the Upper Campanian to possibly lower Maastrichtian, is based, in part, upon
regional considerations; in part, upon microfossil evidence gathered from other subsurface locations,
and carried back to the type section by interwell-marker correlations; and in part, upon the age of the
basal overlying Shiranish Formation, as determined from Globotruncana species ranges.

The contact with the overlying sediments appears to be gradational wherever these latter are
globigerinal marls of the Shiranish Formation, though locally intense glauconitization may indicate
local breaks in sedimentation. In some sections (Alan-1, Awasil area wells) the Shiranish Formation
cover, if ever present, suffered removal during the Cretaceous-Tertiary break, and diageneticaily
obscured Pilsener Limestone directly underlies marly Lower Eocene Aaliji Formation.

The lower boundary is in most areas transgressive, following an emergent episode. Pilsener
Limestone rests variously, without proven angular discordance, on Turonian Kometan Formation
(MPC Central Area including Makhul), on Turonian Maotsi Formation (Awasil area), or on eroded
Albian Qamchuqa Limestone as in Alan-1. In Anah–1, the formation grades downwards into the
monotonous Campanian Jib’ab Marl Formation. In the northern wells Gusair-1, Ibrahim-1 and
Sasan-1, the basal unit of the Pilsener rests directly upon Mushorah Formation, the relations being
unconformable or diastemic but without angular discordance.

The lower part of the formation is generally dolomitized, often with loss of all original textural detail.
In the Alan well, the Pilsener is divided into two separate portions by a thick wedge of Shiranish
Formation (which includes thin minor intercalations of “Pilsener-type” neritic limestones). Similar

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bipartition is found in Gusair-1, Ibrahim-1 and Sasan-1, where there is a thick development of Pilsener
Limestone at the base of the Upper Campanian, separated from a higher Pilsener tongue, about 100 ft
(30.5 m) thick, by many hundreds of feet of marls or marly limestones of the Shiranish Formation.

Passing southwestwards from Qaiyarah through Makhul to Awasil, the top of the Pilsener Limestone
is found in sediments of decreasing age. In Anah-1, and in the Awasil area wells, the upper part
of the formation is of early Maastrichtian age, carrying a rich assemblage of stick bryozoa, and a
“Lepidorbitoides” fauna, with: Lepidorbitoides minor (Schlumberger); Omphalocyclus macropora (Lamarck);
a primitive Omphalocyclus; Cristellaria spp.; Rotalia spp.; Monolepidorbis sp.; (rare, not found at the
top); Pseudedomia complanata Eames and Smout; Globigerina cretacea d’Orb.; Globotruncana lapparenti
bulloides Vogler; G. lapparenti tricarinata (Quereau); G. stuarti (de Lapparent); G. spp.; Gumbelina striata
(Ehrenberg); G. spp.; Pseudotextularia varians Rzehak; Oligostegina (low in the sections).

Macrofossil indications in the upper part of the formation include rare rudist detritus, common
echinoid elements, rare corallinacid algae (fragmentary), sponge spicules, and Inoceramus prisms
(common, increasingly common downwards). Glauconitic horizons are frequent in the Awasil wells,
and conglomeratic beds occur at several horizons, not correlatable from well to well. Nafatah-1 shows
a comparable section with rare intercalations of globigerinal marls.

The lower boundary of the formation is somewhat obscure in the Awasil area. Below the
“Lepidorbitoides limestone”, referred to above, there is a thick, dolomitized, recrystallized, neritic
limestone development with: Cerithium baumgartneri Bohm (fide A. Keller); Solariella sp. (fide A.
Keller); gastropod vestiges; miliolids; Valvulammina sp.; Textularia spp. (including elongate form).

This subdivision, not recognized in the nomenclature, but referred by Keller and Huber (unpublished
report) to the Lower Senonian, contains (at some horizons) anhydrite nodules, and some possibly
bedded anhydrites, suggesting broad correlation with the Dibs Anhydrite Member of Makhul-1.
These sediments overlie a considerable thickness of nondescript marly limestones with minute
globigerinids, gumbelinids, etc., and comminuted echinoid debris, the base of the Pilsener being set
at the change from dominance of neritic limestone (dolomitized) to dominance of marly limestone.
The oldest determinable fauna above this contact is of Upper Campanian age, the youngest fauna
occurring below it is of Turonian age, and it is accepted that the Upper Campanian Pilsener Limestone
Formation is separated from the Turonian Maotsi Formation by a depositional break corresponding
to the Lower Senonian time interval. But Keller’s attribution of the lower part of the Pilsener, as above
defined, to the Lower Senonian cannot be discredited on the evidence now available.

The Pilsener Limestone of the Awasil area is erosionally terminated at the Cretaceous-Tertiary break:
the basal Tertiary conglomerates include pebbles of globigerinal marls of Upper Senonian mid-
Maastrichtian age, suggesting that a cover of Shiranish marls originally extended over the area, and
that this will have survived erosion in the down-dip area to the east.

The Pilsener Formation of Anah-1 is closely comparable with that of the Awasil area. Monolepidorbis
douvillei Astre occurs at the base of the formation, and Lepidorbitoides minor (Schlumberger) and
Orbitoides apiculata Schlumberger are found at the top, whilst Orbitoides media occurs rarely between
these extremes. It differs markedly from the Awasil Pilsener in containing abundant conglomeratic
and sandy intercalations, indicating denudation of a not distant source, but these intercalations
are not anywhere significant enough to warrant the introduction of an additional formation name.
The formation is overlain by and probably grades upwards into a phosphatic (Maastrichtian) marl
formation (the Digma Formation), which is not represented in any other known section. It is underlain
by the very thick Jib’ab Marl Formation, which replaces part of the much thinner basal neritic
limestone sequence of Awasil-5 and Nafatah-1, and for which Upper Senonian age is accepted.

In Makhul-1, the Pilsener Formation includes a thick oolitic development near the base, which is
followed by a unit by diagenesis), the appearance of these two prominent rock-unit variants are
distinguished as the Mushak Oolite Member and the Dibs Anhydrite Member respectively.

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Although the Pilsener Limestone is not demonstrably a true reef limestone in any penetrated
section (being generally characterized by fore-reef shoal fauna and lithology where not obscured by
diagnesis), the appearance of these two prominent rock units of lagoonal type in the Makhul-1 section
suggests the existence of enclosing reef conditions, in this locality at least. The sediments underlying
the Mushak Oolite in this well comprise alternations of Pilsener-type limestones with marls and
marly limestones with restricted faunas; these marls and limestones may be correlative with the
Jib’ab Marl Formation of Anah-1.

The Pilsener Limestone is not recognized in wells of the Basrah area, in southern Iraq. Instead, in
this area, a succession of six formations is defined, between the top of the Middle Cretaceous Mishrif
Formation and the base of the Palaeocene Umm er Radhuma Formation. These six formations, in
ascending stratigraphical order, are the Khasib, Tanuma and Sa’di formations and the Hartha, Qurna
and Tayarat formations, the lower group being separated from the upper by an erosional unconformity
between the Sa’di and Hartha (E. Hart, unpublished report). A similarly placed unconformity can be
discerned within the Pilsener of the Awasil-Fallujah area. The generally globigerinal-oligosteginal
Sa’di, Tanuma and Khasib formations of the Basrah succession, may be represented in the Awasil area
by neritic limestones and associated sediments within the lower parts of the Pilsener: the Sa’di at least
probably is so represented, since the characteristic fauna of rare detrital limestones within it is found
also in the lower part of the Pilsener. Alternatively the Tanuma and Khasib formations may have no
correlatives in the Awasil-Fallujah area, where the non-sequence between the Maotsi Formation and
the Pilsener may have eliminated the equivalents of these units. Improbably, the Maotsi and Fahad
formations of Awasil, etc., may be marly neritic limestone equivalents for the Tanuma and Khasib
formations of Basrah.

The Hartha Formation of the Basrah succession is comparable with and probably laterally continuous
with the upper part of the Pilsener Limestone of central Iraq. But the Pilsener may also include neritic
limestone equivalents for the Qurna Formation of the Basrah wells, as well as equivalents for the
lower part of the Tayarat Formation.

Pirispiki Red Beds Formation: ?Ordovician (Plate II)

Author: R. Wetzel (1950, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Ora (Amadia District, North Iraq). The lower part of the section runs
southwards, from base at 650 m (2,132 ft) 255°E of Ora Police Post (37°16’56”N; 43°21’55”E).
This part of the section is terminated by a small fault. The uppermost 11.5 m (37.7 ft) are
exposed further west, with base at 1,000 m (3,280 ft) 250°E of the Police Post, the top of the
section corresponding to the top of a coarse quartzite bed. The section is 83 m (272.2 ft) thick.

Lithology: White, massive, cross-bedded quartzites, with thick aggregates of reddish marls
and sandstones, and with lenticular intercalations of conglomerates containing detritus of
green igneous rocks. (1) Uppermost division of 33 m (108.2 ft): red, marly sandstones and
conchoidal, silty mudstones, some dolomitic, with sporadic thin penecontemporaneous
conglomerates containing pebbles of red sandstone, quartzite and green igneous rocks. (2)
24 m (78.7 ft): white, cross-bedded quartzite, with pitted top-surface, alternating downwards
with red and purple, soft sandstones and shales. (3) 16 m (52.5 ft): yellowish brown, well-
bedded sandstone, with bands of rusty red shales. (4) Basal division of 10 m (32.8 ft): blocky
siltstones, conchoidal, soft, brownish, weathering pale grey-greenish; grading locally to green,
fine-grained, soft sandstone with onion-weathering habit. Occasional ribs of hard, ferruginous,
quartzitic sandstones, resembling the underlying Khabour Quartzite.

Fossils: None seen.

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Age: ?Ordovician (from continuity with the Khabour Quartzite-Shale Formation).

Underlying formation and details of contact: Khabour Quartzite-Shale Formation; contact

apparently conformable and gradational, taken at the top of a succession of thin-bedded
quartzites and micaceous shales with Cruziana, and below the 10 m (32.8 ft) thick basal division
of the Pirispiki, which weathers as a bed of soft, featureless, silty, marl. The Khabour shales
are olive green to brown in colour below the contact, the basal Pirispiki is bright green by
contrast, passing upwards into dominant red and purple colours. The contact is clear-cut, but
the reappearance of thin beds of hard quartzites, indistinguishable from those of the Khabour,
within the basal division of the Pirispiki, suggests that there may be no depositional break
between the two formations.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Kaista Formation; contact without angular
discordance, but accepted as coinciding with a major erosional unconformity separating
?uppermost Devonian Kaista from ?Ordovician Pirispiki. Contact taken at the base of a bed of
cross-bedded, dark grey to olive brown quartzites 10 m (32.8 ft) thick, and above an interval of
21 m (68.9 ft) of brown purplish, soft marls which include thin bands of white quartzite near
the top. The break lies 30 m (98.4 ft) above the bottom of a thin conglomerate, which occupies
at Ora a stratigraphical position corresponding approximately to that occupied by the lower
part of the Chalki Volcanics in the Kaista section.

Other localities: Harur and Kaista, near Chalki, Khabour Valley, and other outcrops continuous
along the strike with that of the measured section at Kaista; Geli Sinat and Shish areas, northwest of
Shiranish.

Remarks: The Pirispiki Red Beds are an aggregate of somewhat heterogeneous sediments, deposited
during a period of igneous activity following the end of Khabour Quartzite sedimentation. The
deposits are of mixed marine and terrestrial origin.

At the type locality (Ora), the Pirispiki beds were first mapped as a dominantly red clastic unit,
in sharp but gradational contact with the underlying Khabour quartzites and grading up into the
Kaista Limestone, which is of very late Devonian age. This relationship prompted early dating of the
Pirispiki as Devonian. Since the underlying Khabour quartzites were later referred to the Ordovician,
on fossil evidence, an obscure break was accepted between the two formations, despite absence of
any observed field evidence of discontinuity.

In the later-studied Kaista section, however, the Chalki Volcanics intervene, near (but not at) the top of
the Pirispiki Formation as originally defined, and with the volcanics there occur penecontemporaneous
conglomerates with igneous elements.

Although there is no sign of angular discordance, and Pirispiki lithological characters persist for
some metres above the Chalki Volcanics, the latter (with associated conglomerates) provide the
most definite evidence of a ?Caledonian break, which must exist somewhere in the small interval
between the Devonian Kaista Formation and the Cambro-Ordovician Khabour quartzites. The break
may reasonably be placed at the top of the volcanics, whilst the upper limit of the Pirispiki may be
taken at their base, or at the top of the conglomerates where volcanic rocks are not present in situ.
Persistence of Pirispiki lithological characters, above the base of the overlying Kaista Formation thus
differentiated, is attributed to reworking of clastics as transgression proceeded.

The sudden change in colour from drab olive greens and browns at the top of the Khabour, through
bright greens into reds and purples at the base of the Pirispiki may be accounted for by the influence
of volcanic activity in nearby areas.

Although conformity is accepted between the Khabour and the Pirispiki, the abrupt colour change
at the boundary and the sudden disappearance of stress micas which abound in parts of the
Khabour suggest that the conformity may be illusory. If so, the Pirispiki could be of any age from
Lower Ordovician to uppermost Devonian. The formation, with its included Chalki Volcanics, is

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suggestively similar to the “Old Red Sandstone” (Devonian), with volcanics and intrusives, of
the Elburz. If Devonian age for the Pirispiki should be confirmed, conformity may be admitted,
eventually, between the Pirispiki and the overlying Kaista Formation.

Evidence of igneous pebbles within the formation suggests that the red beds may pass laterally into
an expanded development of Chalki Volcanics, which from the amount of detritus of volcanic rocks
represented in the shingle of the Geli Khana (Ora) are judged to be widely exposed in the Ser Ashuti
Mountain in the continuous area in Turkey.

The formation is named after the Mountain of Pirispiki, which constitutes the southern flank of the
Ora Anticline, west of Ora Village. The type section lies beneath the northern scarp at the base and at
the eastern end of Pirispiki.

Pseudedomia complanata limestone: Cretaceous (Upper Campanian)

This is an informal name, applied to neritic limestones, which occur in the upper parts of the Sa’di
Formation in some areas of southern Iraq, where the erosional scope of the unconformity between
the Sa’di Formation and the overlying Hartha Formation is small. See Sa’di Formation. [H.V.
Dunnington]

purple shale group: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

In Richardson (1924), see Gercüs Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Qamchuqa Limestone Formation: Cretaceous (Hauterivian-Albian)

(Plates II and III)

Author: R. Wetzel (1950, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: Qamchuqa limestone excluding Valanginian (Hudson, 1954); Quamchuga Dolomite

(Anon., 1955); Qamchuqa limestone (Anon., 1955).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Qamchuqa, Sulaimaniya Liwa, northeast Iraq. The section runs along
the gorge to Sarmord, with top at 35°54’03”N, 45°03’05”E, and base at 35°54’12”N, 45°03’21”E.
The formation is named after the gorge of Qamchuqa (= Qamshko, etc.). The section is 799 m
(2,620.7 ft) thick.

Lithology and fossils (from top to base):

Upper dolomite unit, 192 m (629.8 ft) thick, comprising generally coarsely crystalline, granular,
rhombic and mosaic dolomites replacing neritic, organic limestones with molluscan detritus.
Miliolids, Cuneolina sp., Pseudochrysalidina sp., sponge spicules and ?Munieria baconica
Deecke, ?Salpingoporella muhlbergii (Lorenz) and Permocalculus inopinatus Elliott occur in an
undolomitized intercalation near the base.
Upper limestone unit, 28 m (91.8 ft) thick, of detrital limestones, locally argillaceous, locally
dolomitized, with Cuneolina pavonia var. parva Henson, Cuneolina sp., Orbitolina spp.,
Pseudochrysalidina conica (Henson), ?Valvulammina sp., and indeterminate fragments of
echinoids, molluscs, etc.,
Middle dolomite unit, 316 m (1,036.5 ft) thick, of coarsely crystalline mosaic or saccharoidal
dolomite with some interstitial calcite.
Middle limestone unit, 147 m (482.2 ft) thick, of massive rather argillaceous limestones, part-
dolomitized; rare disseminated quartz silt occurs in association with a glauconitic horizon
in the middle of this unit. Fossiliferous throughout, with macrofossil debris and Choffatella
decipiens Schlumberger, Cuneolina spp., Orbitolina cf. discoidea Gras, O. sp., Pseudochrysalidina
conica (Henson), Trocholina cf. lenticularis Henson, T. spp., miliolids, etc.; and scaphopoda; also

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167
van Bellen et al.

Munieria baconica Deecke, Permocalculus inopinatus Elliott, Acicularia cf. antiqua Pia, Triploporella
sp.,
Lower dolomite unit, comprising 55 m (180.4 ft) of very coarsely crystalline dolomite without
significant vestiges of original fauna.
Lower limestone unit, 61 m (200.1 ft) thick, of massive limestone with rather argillaceous
matrix, abundant macrofossil detritus; microfauna includes Choffatella decipiens Schlumberger,
Cuneolina sp., Pseudochrysalidina conica (Henson), P. sp., Trocholina cf. lenticularis, T. spp.,
Pseudocyclammina sp., etc.; locally with abundant sponge spicules, scaphopoda; algal flora,
locally rich, includes Munieria baconica muhlbergi (Lorenz).

Age: Albian to intra-Barremian.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Sarmord Formation; contact conformable and
gradational, taken at the base of the massive, cliff-farming limestone and above the marls and
marly limestones of the Sarmord.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Kometan Formation; contact an erosional

unconformity but without angular discordance in the type section, at junction of dark, white-
weathering, thin-bedded glauconitic, oligosteginal limestones above and dark brown, dark
brown-weathering saccharoidal dolomites below.

Other localities: Measured and sampled sections at Alana Su, Balikian, Banik, Bekhme, Chia Gara,
Dokan, Pir-i-Mugurun, Hajiawa, Isumaran, Koi Sanjak, Kurrek, Rania, Ru Kuchuk, Ser Amadia,
Shaqlawah, Shiranish, etc.; Adaiyah-1; Ain Zalah-16, 19, 20 and 21; Alan-1, Atshan-1; Butmah-2 and
7; Gullar-1, Gusair-1, Ibrahim-1, Kirkuk-109 and Sasan-1.

Remarks: The Qamchuqa Limestone Formation is the important, massive, feature-forming limestone
unit of the Middle-Lower Cretaceous succession in Kurdistan. It forms the carapace of some of the
more impressive anticlinal mountains in the folded belt, including Pir-i-Mugurun, Sefin Dagh, Harir-
Dagh, etc., and in it are cut the spectacular gorges of Rowanduz, Balikian, Bekhme, Dokan, etc.

The upper boundary coincides throughout the area of occurrence, so far as is known, with an erosional
unconformity which is never associated with any noticeable angular discordance, but which places
transgressive Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian or older units upon eroded Qamchuqa.

The lower boundary is placed conventionally at the base of the continuous neritic (though often
now dolomitized) limestones, the underlying formation being in most areas the marl-dominated
Sarmord Formation. Since the Sarmord embraces sediments deposited in neritic to pseudobathyal
environments, and thus includes neritic limestones in its topmost parts, the Sarmord-Qamchuqa
passage is gradational in some sections including the type section, where the highest thick marl bed
in the Sarmord is separated from the base of the Qamchuqa by 11 m (36.1 ft) of neritic limestones with
only minor marl intercalations.

In the Banik section (Plate II), the Qamchuqa rests unconformably, but without angular discordance,
on the Garagu Formation, which is a complex, heterogeneous unit comprising sands, ferruginous
and glauconitic oolites, and coralliferous reef-bank limestones. In Alan-1, the formation immediately
underlying the Qamchuqa is the Rim Siltstone, which is here underlain by Sarmord Formation. The
change from marly to neritic limestone sedimentation was manifested at different times during
the Lower Cretaceous in different parts of Kurdistan, so that the Qamchuqa/Sarmord formation
boundary is widely diachronous within the limits Hauterivian to early Albian.

The Qamchuqa passes laterally, westwards, between Kirkuk and the Tigris River, into the
Jawan Formation, which is underlain by Sarmord Formation. The same lateral passage occurs
southwestwards from the Aim Zalah area and southwards from Mosul. Sasan-1 and Ibrahim-1
show vertical alternations of Qamchuqa and Jawan formations, repeated over several hundreds of
feet of section. The Jawan Formation comprises am aggregate of rock types, including precipitated

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Stratigraphic Lexicon of Iraq

limestones, anhydrites, fluffy-textured limestones, shales and marls, which evidence deposition
under semi-lagoonal or anomalously saline conditions.

The Qamchuqa passes eastwards, by lateral change, and with considerable intertonguing, into
“bathyal” globigerinal/radiolarian shales, marls and limestones, forming part of the Balambo
Formation, which ranges in age from Neocomian to Turonian. The formation-change, which is clearly
exhibited in the excellently exposed scarps of the crest and southeastern plunge of Pir-i-Mugurun,
has been illustrated and discussed by Henson (1950).

In parts of Kurdistan (Rania Plains, Naoruen, Diyana, etc.), the Balambo Formation is found in
oligosteginal limestone facies. The upper part of the Balambo Formation, in oligosteginal facies,
becomes readily differentiable from the maim bulk of the Balambo in the area approaching the eastern
limits of the Qamchuqa. This oligosteginal-globigerinal limestone unit, defined as the Kometan
Formation, occurs over a large area, transgressive over eroded Qamchuqa limestones. This is the
relationship that is found in the type locality and in Kirkuk-109. However, at Dokan, Hajiawa and
Sarchinar, in the general area of the Qamchuqa Gorge, a further oligosteginal unit occurs, intermittently,
between the eroded top of the Qamchuqa and the base of the Kometan. This unit, which contains
a Cenomanian planktonic microfauna and occasional ammonites, including Acanthoceras sp., is
separated by a further erosional unconformity from the overlying Turonian Kometan. Locally around
Dokan, and also in Kirkuk-116, on the Avanah Dome of the Kirkuk Anticline, a thin, bituminous shale
unit of Lower Turonian age, bounded at top and bottom by erosional unconformities, intervenes
between the Kometan and the Cenomanian oligosteginal limestone unit.

The Cenomanian oligosteginal unit is defined as the Dokan Limestone and the thin Turonian shale
is recognized in the nomenclature as the Gulmeri Shale. Both these units are patchily distributed
and variable in thickness where they overlie Qamchuqa Limestone. They were perhaps preserved
from early Turonian erosion only in slight depressions in the erosion surface, which terminates the
Qamchuqa.

Although the occurrences of the Dokan Limestone are rather insignificant in volume, they have some
importance for the evidence they provide as to the age of the upper limit of the Qamchuqa. Until
recently it had been accepted that the “massive Lower-Middle Cretaceous limestone” ranges in age
from Barremian to Cenomanian. This acceptance was based upon the occurrence, in the upper parts
of some sections of the Qamchuqa, of orbitolina species of the group of O. cf. concava (Lamarck)
(Henson, 1948), which are generally considered to indicate Cenomanian age. On the other hand
the entire absence of Praealveolina spp., and other characteristic Cenomanian foraminifera from all
Kurdistan sections (except Shiranish) and from all subsurface sections of the Qamchuqa has been
highly anomalous. The facies of the Qamchuqa reflect environments of deposition in which the
alveolinids should have thrived.

Latterly, W. Sugden (in published reports) has emphasized that the type horizon of Orbitolina concava
var. qatarica Henson and associated Orbitolina cf, concava (Lamarck), in the Mauddud Formation of
Qatar (Sugden, 1958, in preparation; and this lexicon) is associated with an Albian macrofauna.

In the Naokelekan section of Kurdistan, Orbitolina cf. concava (Lamarck) occurs in detrital feature-
forming tongues of Qamchuqa Formation within the Balambo Formation, here in radiolarian facies
and bearing ammonites. O. cf. concava is bracketed between Lyelliceras? sp. indet, below and a
Lysteroceras-Prolysteroceras-Pervinqueria-Hamites fauna above; the upper fauna was considered by L.F.
Spath to be of Middle-Upper Albian age (unpublished reports), again indicating Albian age for O. cf.
concava.

Elsewhere, as in the Rumaila Formation of the Basrah area (Owen and Nasr, 1958), O. cf. concava and
O. concava var, qatarica Henson do occur in undoubted Cenomanian sediments, but associated with
numerous other Cenomanian indices, including Praealveolina spp., etc.

Orbitolina concava var, sefini Henson 1948 is described from fairly near to the top of the Qamchuqa
Formation in the Chineran Tang section of Sefin Dagh, near Shaqlawah, where it is associated with

O. cf. concava (Lamarck) and small ostreids referred dubiously by J.A. Douglas to ?Exogyra flabellata
Goldfuss. The ostreids are indecisive as to age, and the associated microfauna, though lacking decisive
elements, can be matched exactly in indisputably pre-Cenomanian sections of the Qamchuqa.

Since Orbitolina cf, concava and varieties can no longer be accepted as indicative of Cenomanian rather
than Albian age of the containing rocks, and since the outlying oligosteginal Dokan Formation at
Dokan, Hajiawa, etc., is Cenomanian in age and follows upon a considerable erosional unconformity,
it is concluded that the Qamchuqa Formation probably does not include rocks of Cenomanian age.

It is admitted that the break between oligosteginal Dokan Formation and Qamchuqa Formation
at Dokan, etc., may be a result of intra-Cenomanian emergence or near-emergence, and that the
Qamchuqa sedimentation may have continued into early Cenomanian times prior to regression. But
as yet no uneroded remnants of any such sediments attributable to the Qamchuqa Formation are
known. Perhaps they were removed during the Cenomanian-Turonian regression, or else (together
with the Turonian rock units) during the post-Turonian-pre-Upper Campanian emergent episode.

Neritic Cenomanian limestones do occur in the subsurface sections of Mushorah-1 and Gullar-1,
where they are superimposed on but probably not in depositional continuity with the Qamchuqa.
These limestones are accorded separate formation rank as the Gir Bir Formation: their present
distribution is probably related to buried fault-trough conditions, and the original area of their
deposition may have been limited to a graben area which originated during Cenomanian times.

The Mahilban Formation of the Awasil, Fallujah, Mileh Tharthar and Nafatah wells is also a
Cenomanian neritic limestone, which follows an erosional break, post-dating deposition of the Albian
Mauddud Formation. But the area of distribution of this unit lies far to the west and south of the
western and southern known limits of the Qamchuqa Formation.

Turonian rudist-bearing limestones, with Praealveolina spp., occur in the Shiranish section of Kurdistan,
but these are separated by an erosional unconformity from the underlying Qamchuqa Formation,
which is probably of Aptian age at its top in this area. These Turonian limestones, formerly included
with the Qamchuqa in unpublished classifications, are now recognized as an independent formation
under the name “Mergi Limestone”. They may be regarded as the neritic-limestone equivalents of
the oligosteginal Kometan Formation, which have escaped the elsewhere-general removal during
pre-Upper Campanian erosion.

The upper boundary of the Qamchuqa is usually dolomitized, and very often overlain by
conglomerates at the base of the overlying formation, whether this is the Upper Campanian Bekhme
Limestone (as at Bekhme, Chia Gara, Rowanduz, Ser Amadia area etc.), Turonian neritic limestone (as
at Shiranish; v. Mergi Limestone), the Turonian oligosteginal Kometan Formation (as at Qamchuqa,
etc.), or the Cenomanian oligosteginal Dokan Formation (as at Dokan, Hajiawa, Pir-i-Mugurun, and
Sarchinar).

Although lithological subdivision of individual sections is always practicable, it has not been found
possible to distinguish rock-unit subdivisions of the formation, on a consistent basis, in the field, over
any considerable area. Nor is it considered desirable to do so, since the formation as defined embraces
an apparently continuous limestone body, which is of essentially similar primary lithological
character throughout.

A fresh-water or brackish-water limestone intercalation, with specialized miliolids and locally

abundant Chara sp., occurs within the Albian part of the formation in the Gund-i-Shikavt section
(Plate I), and similar limestones are found within the Albian at Koi Sanjak and Balikian. It is
considered probable that these Chara limestones are correlative from section to section.

Lithological and weathering characteristics of the different sections are controlled largely by the
extent to which dolomitization has proceeded, and by the vertical distribution of dolomite in the
column. The principal dolomitized units are very variable in position from section to section, their
limits transgressing bedding planes to a marked degree, even along the strike, within the areas of

single exposed anticlines. Some dolomite units, though inconsistent in stratigraphic position, are
continuous over considerable distances and may be consistent in lithological habit (e.g. of distinctive
cellular texture, or with distinctive black-and-white zoning of rhombs, etc.) throughout large
exposures, and perhaps from structure to structure.

The section in the Qamchuqa Formation in the Bekhme Gorge, Greater Zab River, has been described
briefly by Hudson (1954), but the present authors include the blue-grey argillaceous limestones of
Hudson’ “Valanginian” division in the Balambo Formation.

The Qamchuqa Limestone was at one time termed the Judea Limestone from mistaken correlation
with the massive Cenomanian neritic limestone formation of Palestine, the Lebanon, etc. This term
has been confined for the most part to unpublished reports of oil companies, though it has appeared
in occasional publications relating to Iraq (e.g. Barber, 1948).

Qara Chauq (calcaire de ...): Miocene (“ lower” Miocene)

See calcaire de Qara Chauq. [R.C. van Bellen]

Qara Chauq formation: Miocene (“lower” Miocene)

In Mitchell (1956). See Euphrates Limestone Formation (NB: not Avanah Limestone Formation). See
also Qara Chauq limestone. [R.C. van Bellen]

Qarah Chauq group: Oligocene-Miocene (Oligocene-”lower” Miocene)

In Barber (1948); see Kirkuk Group and its formations, Euphrates Limestone Formation, and Qara
Chauq limestone. [R.C. van Bellen]

Qara Chauq limestone: Eocene-Miocene

(“middle” Eocene-”lower” Miocene)

This name was introduced by G.M. Lees (1930, unpublished report) in substitution for the informal
term “main limestone” (q.v.) which had been applied to the oil reservoir unit at Kirkuk, and to partly
equivalent outcrops at the neighboring Mountain of Qara Chauq Dagh. After its subdivision into
smaller units, the composite limestone was re-ranked as the Qara Chauq group (F.R.S. Henson,
unpublished report). Subsequent authors have applied the names Qarah Chauq or Kara Tchauq (q.v.)
with varying qualifications to the whole or parts of the succession represented at the type locality.
The term has now been discarded; see Avanah Limestone Formation of the Kirkuk Group, Euphrates
Limestone, Jeribe Limestone. [R.C. van Bellen]

Quamchuqa dolomite: Cretaceous (Barremian-Albian)

Alternative term and spelling used (Anon., 1955) for Qamchuqa Limestone Formation, which see.
[H.V. Dunnington]

Quamchuqa limestone: Cretaceous (Barremian-Albian)

Alternative spelling of Qamchuqa Limestone (Anon., 1955). [H.V. Dunnington]

Qurna Formation: Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) (Plate IV)

Author: P.M.V. Rabanit (1952, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: Qurna formation (Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Type locality and section (from Owen and Nasr, 1958)

Location and Thickness: Zubair-3; the formation occurs between drilled depths 5,210–5,590 ft
(1,588.4–1,704.3 m), and is 380 ft (115.9 m) thick.

Lithology: Buff or ash-grey globigerinal marl, sometimes dolomitic, and occasional marly
limestone beds with a rich microfauna, (Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Fossils: Cytherella spp., Bairdia spp., Nodosaria sp., Globotruncana spp., Cristellaria spp.,
Gyroidina naranjoensis White, Anomalia sp., Marssonella oxycona (Reuss), Gaudryina sp., Bolivina
incrassata Reuss, Buliminella laevis (Beissel), Cibicides beaumontianus (d’Orbigny), Bolivinoides
draco (Marsson), Textularia cretosa Plummer, etc.

Age: Maastrichtian.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Hartha Formation, contact disconformable.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Tayarat Limestone Formation, contact

conformable, at the junction of dolomitic limestones above with globigerinal marls below.

Other localities (Owen and Nasr, 1958): All deep subsurface sections in the Basrah area. All deep
subsurface sections in Kuwait (but see Remarks). Supplementary reference section in Kuwait in
Burgan-10, between drilled depths 3,095–3,365 ft (943.6–1,025.9 m).

Remarks: According to Owen and Nasr, the Qurna Formation passes into white to grey, dense,
marly microcrystalline limestones, often with grey chert nodules, in southeastern Kuwait. This more
calcareous variant has not always been distinguished from the underlying Hartha Formation in this
area the equivalents of the Qurna and Hartha together have been termed the “Bahra formation” in
unpublished oil company reports. The Bahra formation figures upon a recently published diagram
illustrating the geological succession in southwest Kuwait (A.F. Fox, 1957). The thickness of the
Qurna Formation varies between 250 (76.2) and 450 ft (137.2 m), being thinnest in the Rumaila field
(Owen and Nasr, 1958). In northern Iraq the Qurna is not recognized in the current classification,
but precisely similar globigerinal marls of the same age make up part of the much thicker Shiranish
Formation.

R/1-R/8: Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

Informal notations for markers in the Upper Red Bed, see Lower Fars Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Radhuma: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

The name, adopted by Mitchell (1956) from unpublished oil company reports, is misspelled in his
publication, and confusable with the Umm en Radhuma Formation which is of Palaeocene-Lower
Eocene age. See Radhuma beds (Middle Eocene). [R.C. van Bellen]

Radhuma (terme de ...): Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see terme de Radhuma and Dammam Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Radhuma, Umm er …formation: Palaeocene (Palaeocene-Lower Eocene)

See Umm er Radhuma Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Ratawi Formation: Cretaceous (Hauterivian-Valanginian) (Plate IV)

Author: S.N. Nasr (1950, unpublished reports). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy. Owen and Nasr (1958).

Type locality and section (from Owen and Nasr, op. cit.):

Location and Thickness: Ratawi-1; the formation occurs between drilled depths 10,870–11,585
ft (3,314–3,532 m). It is 715 ft (218 m) thick, and takes its name from this well.

Lithology: Greenish black shales, slightly pyritic, massive in the upper part, interbedded in
the lower part with stringers and beds of buff pyritic, pseudo-oolitic, detrital limestones with
fossils.

Fossils: Pseudocyclammina lituus (Yokoyama), Ostrea rectangularis Sowerby, Terebratula cf.

squamosa Mantell.

Age: Neocomian (Owen and Nasr, 1958); probably Hauterivian-Valanginian by regional

correlation.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Yamama Formation (according to Owen and
Nasr, op. cit.). See Remarks.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Zubair Formation, contact conformable.

Other localities: Zubair-24, 38, etc., Rumaila-4 and Rachi-1. Also in Kuwait: Burgan-113, Magwa-1
and Umm Gudair-1 (Owen and Nasr, 1958), and in wells in the Qatar Peninsula (Sugden, 1958, MS)

Remarks: The upper shaly part of the Ratawi Formation carries a locally abundant microfauna,
with Choffatella decipiens Schlumberger, Cyclammina spp., Trocholina spp., and Pseudocyclammina
spp., including P. cf. lituus (Yokoyama) and P. cf. kelleri Henson (det. H.V. Dunnington). The upper
boundary, with the Zubair Formation, is placed at the top of a thin pellety limestone which contains
abundant debris of the alga Lithocodium aggregatum Elliott (E. Hart, unpublished records). Cyclammina
greigi Henson occurs in some abundance at about the base of this interval.

The lower part of the Ratawi, with detrital limestone intercalations, includes Cyclammina greigi at the
top, with Pseudocyclammina lituus (Yokoyama), P. cf. lituus, P. cf. kelleri, Trocholina spp., Cristellaria sp.,
and algal, bryozoan and stromatoporoid fragments. Macrofossils include Exogyra sinuata Sowerby,
Terebratula cf. squamosa Mantell, Anomia sp., Pecten (?Synocyclonema) cf. P. alpinus Mayer, ?Venus
pilatina Mayer, Cylindrites sp., Kingena spp., including K. cf. Zeilleria tamarindus (Sowerby) in Douville,
etc.

The upper shaly beds contain fine quartz silt in parts. It is considered that the lower part of the Ratawi
formation, with limestone intercalations, corresponds approximately in stratigraphic position with
the Garagu Formation of northern and central Iraq. The upper part of the formation is represented
by coarse sandstones, silts and silty shales in the wells of the Awasil area, these being identified as
Zubair Formation. Hence the upper part of the Ratawi formation is stratigraphically equivalent to the
lower part of the Zubair Formation of the Awasil, Fallujah and Mileh Tharthar wells (Plate IV).

The age of the upper shaly division of the Ratawi is probably Hauterivian, on the evidence of the
foraminiferal association. Lima carteroniana d’Orbigny, recorded from the immediately overlying
beds of the Zubair Formation strengthens this attribution, since this form is especially abundant in
the Hauterivian of other parts of Tethys (R.G.S. Hudson, unpublished report). The lower part of the
Ratawi is considered to be of Valanginian age, largely from correlation with the better-dated Garagu
Formation.

The base of the Ratawi in the type section is set at the top of a thick sequence of fine-grained, marly
often pellety limestones, which have been variously treated in unpublished nomenclatures by P.M.V.
Rabanit, S.N. Nasr, W. Sugden and others.

The upper parts of these limestones should perhaps best be referred to the lower Yamama Formation
of Qatar (Sugden, 1958, MS), and Owen and Nasr (1958 MS) did identify them with the Yamama of
the Saudi Arabian classification. They correspond in fauna and broadly in facies with the Zangura
Formation of central Iraq. For further discussion see under Yamama Formation.

red beds: upper, Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

See upper red beds and Lower Fars Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

red clay and sandstone series: Miocene-Pliocene (“upper” Miocene-Pliocene)

Obsolete term of Pascoe (1922). See Lower and Upper Bakhtiari formations and Upper Fars Formation.
[R.C. van Bellen]

red shale: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

Discarded term, formerly used by Iraq Petroleum Company geologists in unpublished reports. Used
in a published report (Anon., 1955). See Gercüs Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Rim Siltstone Formation: Cretaceous (Albian or ?Aptian) (Plate II)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Alan-1; the formation occurs between drilled depths 3,678–3,861 ft
(1,121.3–1,177.1 m), and is 183 ft (55.8 m) thick.

Lithology: Marls, dark grey or greenish, silty, pyritic, and siltstones, marly, with thin
sandstones, sandstone nodules and pockets (some anhydritized). Thin marls with anhydrite
stringers. Prominent sandstones at 3,678–3,681 ft (1,121.3–1,122.3 m) and 3,792–3,798 ft
(1,156.1–1,157.9 m).

Fossils: None identified. Plant vestiges (fide A. Keller).

Age: Presumed Albian (or possibly but less probably Aptian) from position in the sequence,
and from correlation with better dated sections.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Sarmord Formation; conformable, gradational,

taken at the base of lowest occurrence of siltstone.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Qamchuqa Limestone Formation; ?conformable,

?gradational, taken at the top of continuous marls with silts.

Other localities: Butmah-7.

Remarks: This unit is named after the mound and Village of Tel ar Rim, 4 km north of Kisick Keupri,
and lying on the north flank, western extremity, of the Jebel Alan, about 14 km west-northwest of
Alan-1. It is accorded formation rank in acknowledgement of its unity as an arenaceous sedimentary
deposit in a predominantly non-arenaceous section and area.

The age of the overlying limestone sequence is not palaeontologically attested, since all faunal
evidences have been obscured by extensive dolomitization and recrystallization processes. This

altered limestone is taken to be the Qamchuqa Limestone Formation, from correlation with other
subsurface sections.

The Qamchuqa Limestone is somewhat anomalous in the Alan well since it includes at’ its base
marly limestones, and some chemical-type limestones and evaporites. However it is known that the
Qamchuqa Formation of the Kurdistan and MPC Northern Area sections changes, north of Qalian-1,
into chemical-type limestones and anhydrites with subordinate neritic limestone (defined in aggregate
as the Jawan Formation). The anhydritic lower part of the presumed Qamchuqa Limestone, in Alan-1,
may be taken as representing a transition in lithofacies towards the typical Jawan Formation.

The identification of the underlying marl and limestone unit with the Sarmord Formation is
unsupported by any palaeontological evidence, but there is close lithological similarity between
this unit in Alan and the Sarmord of Ain Zalah and Butmah well sections. In Alan-1 the marl and
limestone unit lies on eroded Middle Jurassic Sargelu Formation as does the Sarmord in Ain Zalah,
Butmah, etc. At Alan the base of the unit is a breccia-conglomerate containing pebbles of Sargelu
Formation in a matrix of dolomitized marl.

The Rim Siltstone Formation appears also in the section penetrated in Butmah-7, which did not reach
the base of the formation. In this well, the Rim is covered by a conglomeratic zone some 20 ft (6.1 m)
thick, which includes Rim Siltstone, Qamchuqa Limestone and Mushorah Formation components
(the latter apparently as matrix rather than pebbles). This conglomeratic unit (which is regarded
tentatively as representing the Mushorah Formation) intervenes between the top of the Rim and the
base of the transgressive Upper Senonian Shiranish Formation.

The Rim is not represented in other sections in Iraq, though silt occurs locally in the Albian or
Upper Aptian parts of the Qamchuqa, and also at the base of the Sarmord. The Garagu Formation
is also markedly arenaceous in part. However, in the Syria Petroleum Company’s Ghouna-1, in
northeastern Syria, a clear correlative of the Rim appears, in the “Upper Ghouna Beds” (unpublished
name) which are siltstones, closely comparable with the Rim, which lie conformably below ?Albian
neritic limestones (correlative with the Qamchuqa) and conformably above Aptian marls and marly
limestones with Orbitolina cf. discoidea Gras (equivalent to the Sarmord Formation). These last rests
with erosional unconformity on Middle Jurassic dolomitized limestones (equivalent to the Sargelu
Formation).

The Rim is considered to be Albian or late-Aptian in age, from its position between Albian Qamchuqa
Formation and Aptian Sarmord, but this age attribution depends entirely upon lithological
correlations, since fossils are lacking in the type section not only in the Rim itself, but also in the
presumed Qamchuqa and Sarmord formations.

The Nahr Umr Formation of the Makhul-Awasil area and of southern Iraq is considered to be
probably correlative, but the two formations are recognized as separate units because of the great
distance between their areas of occurrence, and because of the probability that they derive their
clastics from different areas of provenance.

rubbly limestone: Oligocene (“middle” Oligocene)

In de Boeckh et al. (1929), see Baba Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Rudhuma beds: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

This informal unit, introduced by H. Huber in unpublished work in 1944, is dealt with in the Remarks
on the Dammam formation. It is miss-spelt by Mitchell (1956) as Radhuma or terme de Radhuma,
thereby causing confusion with the Umm er Radhuma Formation of “lower” Eocene and Palaeocene
age. [R.C. van Bellen]

Rumaila Formation: Cretaceous (Cenomanian) (Plate IV)

Author: P.M.V. Rabanit (1952, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: Rumaila limestone (Smout, 1956); Rumaila formation (Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Type locality and section (from Owen and Nasr, 1958):

Location and Thickness: Zubair-3; the formation occurs between drilled depths 7,720–8,072 ft
(2,353.7–2,461 m), and is 352 ft (107.3 m) thick.

Lithology: Fine-grained marly limestones and marls of deep-water facies passing downwards
into a fine-grained whitish chalky limestone.

Fossils: Oligostegina and Globigerina spp., throughout Orbitolina concava var. qatarica Henson
rare, restricted to the middle of the unit.

Age: Middle Cretaceous (Turonian-Cenomanian, according to Owen and Nasr, op. cit., but now
considered to be of Cenomanian age throughout; see Remarks).

Underlying formation and details of contact: Ahmadi Formation; contact conformable, taken
at the top of the black fissile ostracodiferous shales.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Mishrif Formation; contact conformable, at top of
oligosteginal limestones lacking larger foraminifera, miliolids, etc., and underlying the richly
fossiliferous limestones of the Mishrif.

Other localities: All deep subsurface sections in the Basrah area of southern Iraq. Recognized also in
northeastern Kuwait (A.F. Fox, 1957).

Remarks: The thickness of the formation varies considerably. In the Basrah oilfields it ranges between
140 (42.7) and 400 ft (122 m) (Owen and Nasr, op. cit.). In southeastern Kuwait the Rumaila Formation
is not differentiated from the Mishrif, these two formations being replaced laterally by the Magwa
formation. The Magwa has been eroded from the crestal areas of Burgan, Magwa and Ahmadi, but
occurs in progressively increasing thickness down the flanks of these structures (Owen and Nasr, op.
cit.).

The age of the Rumaila Formation is considered to be Cenomanian, since both the overlying Mishrif
Formation and the underlying Ahmadi Formation are now attributed to this stage. The Orbitolina
concava var. qatarica fauna, recorded from within the formation in some wells, is supporting evidence
for pre-Turonian age. For discussion of age of the overlying unit see Mishrif Formation.

The Rumaila does not occur in the subsurface sections of the Awasil-Fallujah area, in central Iraq,
where the Mahilban Limestone of Cenomanian age, rests unconformably on slightly eroded Mauddud
Formation of Albian age. The Mahilban is considered to be broadly equivalent to the Mishrif of
southern Iraq. The equivalents of at least the upper parts of the type Rumaila may be represented,
however, in neritic limestones at the base of the Mahilban. More probably the equivalents of the Wara,
Ahmadi, Rumaila and perhaps basal Mishrif formations of the Basrah area are eliminated from the
Awasil and Fallujah well sections in the Mishrif/Mauddud unconformity.

Rus Formation: Eocene (“lower” Eocene) (Plate VI)

Author: Sander (1952). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: Rus Formation (Mitchell, 1956).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: The type locality of this formation is in Saudi Arabia at 26°19’.5N,
50°10’.0E. A supplementary section in Iraq is given by Owen and Nasr in Zubair-3: between
2,673–2,980 ft (814.9–908.5 m) drilled depth), with a thickness of 307 ft (94 m).

Lithology: Predominantly anhydrite with some unfossiliferous limestones, blue shale and
marl.

Fossils: None reported.

Age: Probably “lower” Eocene, see Remarks.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The Rus Formation covers the Umm er Radhuma
Formation conformably.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Evidence exists for an unconformable contact
between the Rus Formation and the overlying Dammam Formation. See Remarks.

Other localities: The formation is known in all wells drilled in the southern Iraq area except in those
drilled on the Nahr Umr structure.

Remarks: The stratigraphic position of the Rus Formation, which is unknown at outcrop in southern
Iraq, is difficult to define. However, the ages of the overlying Dammam Formation and of the
underlying Umm er Radhuma Formation depend on the age accepted for the Rus.

Both the Dammam and the Umm er Radhuma formations have been subdivided for mapping
purposes into a number of informal field units. The Umm er Radhuma Formation contains the
Ghurra beds at the base and the Basita beds at the top. The Dammam Formation is subdivided (see
the Remarks on the Dammam Formation) into four units, as follows: (1) Tuqaiyid, Ghanimi, Barbak,
Rudhuma unit; (2) Shabd, Shawiya, Huweimi (limestone) unit; (3) Huweimi (chalk), Shabicha, Sharaf
unit; and (4) at the base, the Wagsa unit (See the definition of the Dammam Formation for remarks on
these units). None of these units is recognizable in wells lying to the east of the area of outcrops.

In those wells the base of the Dammam Formation shows a fauna of Alveolina elliptica (Sowerby),
Nummulites discorbinus (Schlotheim), Nummulites gizehensis Forskal and Nummulites lucasanus
d’Archiac. This fauna is of Middle Eocene age. This fauna occurs in sediments, which rest directly on
the Rus Formation in the well sections.

The base of the Dammam Formation in the field is, however, not characterized by this particular
fauna. There the basal limestones contain a Lower Eocene fauna with Operculina libyca Schwager, at
the base of the Wagsa beds. These Wagsa beds appear to rest unconformably on the underlying Umm
er Radhuma Formation without intervention of the Rus Formation.

The middle Eocene fauna of the Dammam Formation of the wells appears higher up in the Dammam
Formation in the field, in the limestone facies of the Huweimi (limestone) Beds.

It would seem therefore that the limestones with Operculina libyca fauna of the surface exposures
change, towards the offshore area, into strata of the Rus Formation as found in the wells.

Similarly, the second unit of the Dammam in the field (the Huweimi (chalk)/Shabicha/Sharaf beds)
has no equivalent in the Dammam of the wells, and a facies change into the Rus Formation can well
be accepted again.

Recapitulating, in the writer’s own view it is perfectly possible that the two lower units of the
Dammam formation in the field (the Wagsa beds and the Sharaf/Shabicha/Huweimi (chalk) beds)
change facies towards the offshore region into part of the Rus Formation as found in the wells.

Both the offshore facies and the shore facies were subsequently covered by a Middle Eocene
nummulitic facies, found in the field at the base of the third unit of the Dammam formation the
Huweimi (limestone) /Shawiyah/Chabd beds. This correlates quite well with the base of the
Dammam formation in the wells. This concept of the formations and Beds concerned and of their
relationship is expressed by the accompanying schematic sketch.

There is at present, no proof that the sketched relationships are correct. The proffered solution seems
to be the most logical one, fitting all the available facts. The unconformity between the Wagsa beds
and the Umm er Radhuma has been contested of late. Its existence is not vital to the hypothesis.

There is slight indication of an unconformity between the Rus and the Dammam Formation in the
wells, where a grey-green shale of approximately seven ft (2.1 m) thickness occurs near or at the base
of the Dammam. No such unconformity appears to have been found in the field, but the lower (chalk)
Huweimi beds contain white or pinkish chalks of fresh-water appearance (Ramsden and Andre,
unpublished report 1953). On the other hand, the upper (limestone) Huweimi beds are definitely
representative of a marine shoal limestone.

Within these chalks of fresh-water appearance, however, there occur chalky limestones with
lamellibranchs. This disturbing factor has not been investigated properly in the field as yet. To date
there does not seem to be much reason to doubt the existence of a prominent fades change between
lower and upper Huweimi beds.

The nummulitic Dammam correlates quite clearly between exposures and subsurface occurrences,
although the exposures are more varied and subsurface occurrences are rather uniform.

There is, however, another possible explanation for the absence of the Rus Formation in the surface
sections. It is possible that percolating ground water has removed the anhydrite, so that the apparent
unconformity is not an original one. Facies change from Wagsa beds and lower (chalk) Huweimi
beds into Rus Formation remains feasible in this case because the correlation of upper (limestone)
Huweimi beds with the lower Dammam formation in the wells remains probable. The result remains
much the same in this case therefore, except that the pre-Wagsa unconformity did not exist originally.
As mentioned before, this does not affect the postulations as to lateral relationships, which are
illustrated above.

Rutbah sand: Cretaceous (Albian)

Obsolete term used by Barber (1948). See Mauddud Formation, Nahr Umr Formation. Not Rutbah
Sandstone Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Rutbah Sandstone Formation: Cretaceous (Cenomanian) (Plates III and IV)

Authors: W.T. Foran and A. Keller (1937, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: gres de Rutbah (Mitchell, 1956).

Type locality and section: (Type section selected by F.R.S. Henson, 1940):

Location and Thickness: At northeastern end of promontory lying between the Wadi Ubeila
and Rutbah, and about 4 km northwest of the settlement of Rutbah, after which the formation
is named. The base of the formation is at approximately 33°04’20”N, 40°12’50”E, and it is 23 m
(75.4 ft) thick.

Lithology: Vari-coloured, white and ferruginous, coarse to fine sands and sandstones, locally
cemented to quartzites. Basal parts possibly of continental origin, upper parts marine.

Fossils: None found.

Age: Pre-Cenomanian or early Cenomanian, since overlain by Upper Cenomanian M’sad

Formation. Post-Triassic or Upper Triassic, since underlain unconformably by Upper Triassic
Mulussa Formation. Age not ascertained within these limits at the type locality. For age
determination on evidence of regional correlations see Remarks below.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Mulussa Formation; contact unconformable,

erosional, discordant.

Overlying formation and details of contact: M’sad Formation; contact transitional, gradational,
taken at the base of the first definite limestone bed above the continuous sandstones of the
Rutbah Sandstone.

Other localities: Widely exposed around Rutbah and as isolated remnants overlying the Mulussa
limestone plateau, to the east of Rutbah. In the Wadi Hauran, east and west of Muhaiwir.

Remarks: The Rutbah Sandstone transgresses over an extensive eroded surface, which exposes
Bathonian Muhaiwir Formation in the eastern Wadi Hauran, and Ga’ara Sandstone of probably
Middle Triassic age in the western part of the Ga’ara Depression area. The formation is about 18 m
(59 ft) thick in the vicinity of the type section, but pinches out rapidly to the north and northwest,
between the Ga’ara Sandstone Formation and the M’sad Formation. It thickens considerably to the
east, where it is unconformably overlain by Miocene limestone around and east of Muhaiwir. It is
homotaxial with the “gres lignitifere” of G. Zumoffen, and with the so-called “Nubian sandstone”
of the Lebanon, etc. It has been loosely equated with the Nahr Umr Formation of the subsurface
sections, with which it may be continuous, but it seems much more probable that these two units are
genetically distinct and that the Rutbah Sandstone lies over the eroded outcrops of the Nahr Umr in
the area of no exposures lying between Muhaiwir and the Awasil area (Plates III and IV).

Whereas the Nahr Umr Formation is considered to be of early Albian age, grading upwards into the
late-Albian Mauddud Formation, the Rutbah Sandstone is probably of Cenomanian age at its type
locality, where it is overlain by the Upper Cenomanian M’sad Formation. The M’sad Formation is
probably approximately age-correlative with the Mahilban Limestone of the Awasil area, and the
Rutbah Sandstone at Rutbah is probably of the age of part of the non-sequence between the Mauddud
and Mahilban formations at Awasil. This interpretation is preferable to the earlier-held concept of the
Rutbah-Nahr Umr formations as comprising a single diachronous sandstone deposit.

The Cenomanian age for the upper part of the sandstone is argued from the fact that it grades upwards
into the M’sad Formation, which is considered to be of Upper Cenomanian age on the evidence of
gastropod, rudist and foraminiferal faunas. Cenomanian age for the base of the formation at Rutbah is
speculative. The lateral relationships of the Rutbah Sandstone and the M’sad Formation are obscure.
The latter includes variable sandstone and sandy limestone tongues, which may interdigitate laterally
with the Rutbah Sandstone proper: because of uncertainty as to this relationship, the sandstone
tongues in the M’sad are excluded from the Rutbah Sandstone and considered to be components of
the M’sad Formation.

The Rutbah Sandstone, which overlies the Bathonian Muhaiwir Formation in the Wadi Hauran around
and east of Muhaiwir, at one time was considered to be of Aquitanian-Oligocene age in that area, the
confusion arising through misdating of the coral fauna of the Muhaiwir Formation as Oligocene. The
name “Hauran sandstone” (“Hauran quartzite”) was informally applied to the sandstone during
this period of misunderstanding, and though never defined or published, this name has been fairly
widely utilized for sandy sediments, which do actually occur below the Lower Miocene limestones
in other areas. The unpublished “Hauran sandstone” is a junior synonym for the Rutbah Sandstone,
and its use is now abandoned: it should not be confused with the “Zor Hauran Formation”, which is
now formally defined as the rock unit which intervenes between the (?Liassic) Uba’id Formation and
the (?Upper Triassic) Mulussa Formation, in the Wadi Hauran, below the Rutbah Sandstone, west of
Muhaiwir.

The name Rutbah (or Rutba) sand (or sandstone) was formerly applied to the Nahr Umr Formation
of southern Iraq, and also to those units of the Kuwait succession which are now designated,
collectively, the Burgan sub-group (Owen and Nasr, 1958). For the most part, such usage was
confined to unpublished reports of oil companies, etc., but Barber (1948) included in his publication a
stratigraphical table for the Kuwait succession, which groups the Ahmadi, Wara, Mauddud and Nahr
Umr formations of current classifications as subdivisions of the Rutbah sand.

S/1-S/3: Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

Informal marker limestones in the saliferous beds (informal subdivision of the Lower Fars Formation
in the Kirkuk structure). See Lower Fars Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Sa’di Formation: Cretaceous (Upper Senonian) (Plate IV)

Author: P.M.V. Rabanit (1952, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: Sa’di formation (Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Type locality and section (from Owen and Nasr, 1958):

Location and Thickness: Zubair-3; the formation occurs between drilled depths 6,013–6,943 ft
(1,833.2–2,116.8 m), and is 930 ft (283.5 m) thick.

Lithology: White, chalky, marly, globigerinal limestone with a well developed marl bed,
distinguished in the nomenclature as the Hamrina marl member, lying between drilled depths
6,570–6,765 ft (2,003–2,062.5 m).

Fossils: Very fossiliferous, with species of Nodosaria, Palmula, Marginulina, Cristellaria,

Globotruncana, Gumbelina, etc.

Age: Upper Senonian (Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Underlying formation and details of contact: Tanuma Formation; contact conformable, at top
of black calcareous shale and at the base of white, chalky, limestone.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Hartha Formation; contact an erosional

unconformity.

Other localities: All deep well sections in the Basrah oilfields area. Recognized also in KOC wells at
Radhautain, Bahra, etc., in northeastern Kuwait (Owen and Nasr, op. cit.).

Remarks: The Sa’di Formation is not recognized in southeastern Kuwait where the equivalents of
this and the underlying Tanuma and Khasib formations are probably represented by the Gudair
Formation in areas of full development of the latter. However, the Gudair thins very markedly over
structural highs, partly as a result of erosion of its upper parts at the Bahra/ Gudair unconformity.
The Bahra is considered to be the equivalent in southeastern Kuwait of the Qurna and Hartha (Owen
and Nasr, 1958; Fox, 1957).

Although Owen and Nasr (1958) indicate that the contact of the Sa’di with the overlying Hartha
Formation is conformable in the Basrah area, recent work by E. Hart (unpublished report) has shown
that this contact is an erosional unconformity, corresponding with that already noted between the
Bahra and Gudair formations in Kuwait (Owen and Nasr, op. cit.).

In structural depressions, where the erosional cut-out is smallest, the upper part of the Sa’di
Formation includes organic detrital limestones with a characteristic microfauna including Pseudedomia
complanata Eames and Smout, Cuneolina cylindrica Henson, Archaecyclus mid-orientalis Eames and
Smout and Rotalia skourensis Pfender. This limestone, recognized informally as the “Pseudedomia

complanata limestone” is absent over the crests of structural uplifts of Cretaceous age. The same faunal
association occurs in the Gudair formation of southeastern Kuwait, and in the Pilsener Limestone
of northern Iraq in wells west and south of Mosul. In the latter area the fauna is determined as
of Upper Campanian age since it occurs above limestones with Monolepidorbis spp., Cosinella sp.,
Pseudosiderolites heracleae (Arni) and Globotruncana stuarti (de Lapp.).

Basinwards, as in Nahr Umr-2, the sequence becomes practically all marl with only a few marly
limestone beds. Southwards towards Kuwait the Sa’di is well developed in Bahra-1 between 5,025
(1,532) and 5,600 ft (1,707.3 m), but thins out considerably towards Burgan and eventually disappears.
In the Basrah area its thickness varies between 315 ft (96 m) (Nahr Umr) and 1,279 ft (389.9 m)
(Rumaila). (Owen and Nasr, 1958).

The Sa’di Formation, the overlying Hartha and Qurna and the underlying Tanuma and Khasib
formations are not recognized in northern Iraq. The more neritic components of these units have
equivalents of close comparability within the Pilsener Limestone Formation of MPC wells lying
between Fallujah-Awasil and Alan. The Hartha/Sa’di break of the Basrah area is certainly present as
an intraformational break of some importance within the Pilsener Limestone of the Fallujah-Awasil
area. This unconformity may also be related to that which is present locally, between the Aqra and
Bekhme limestones, in the mountain-fold zone of northeastern Iraq.

The dominantly globigerinal portions of the Sa’di, Qurna and Khasib formations are closely
comparable with parts of the Shiranish Formation of northern Iraq, of which they might be considered
to be out-lying tongues.

saliferous beds: Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

Informal unit of the Lower Fars Formation, see which. [R.C. van Bellen]

Sardakh conglomerate: Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene-” lower” Eocene)

Discarded term, used by Iraq Petroleum Company geologists in unpublished reports. Used in a
published report (Anon., 1955). See Kolosh Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Sargelu Formation: Jurassic (Middle Jurassic)

Author: R. Wetzel (1948, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Surdash anticline, Sulaimaniya District, northeastern Iraq. The type
section is in the course of the stream which flows northwards through Sargelu Village; the base
lies about 280 m (918.4 ft) north of the stream confluence at Sargelu, and the top about 430 m
(1,410.4 ft) north of this confluence, at approximately 35°52’44”N; 45°9’25”E. The section is 115
m (377.2 ft) thick.

Lithology: Thin-bedded, black, bituminous limestones, dolomitic limestones and black, papery
shales, with streaks of thin black chert in the upper parts.

Fossils: In uppermost 12 m (39.4 ft): Posidonia ornati Quenstedt, ?Posidonia somaliensis Cox,
oppelids, Parkinsonia sp., Stephanoceras sp., occasional plant remains. In next lower 21 m (68.9
ft): poor impressions of ammonites. In lowermost 82 m (269 ft): Rhynchonella curviceps Dal
Piaz (non Quenstedt), Rhynchonella cf. rosenbuschi Haas and Petri, Rhynchonella de lottoi Dal
Piaz, Posidonia cf. opalina (Quenstedt), Gryphaea cf. balli (Stefanini), “Hammatoceras” sp. indet.,
leptolepid (? Thrissops sp.). (H.V. Dunnington).

Age: Bathonian at top, uppermost Liassic at base.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Sehkaniyan Formation; contact conformable

and gradational, taken at the top of massive-bedded, brown-weathering, dolomitic limestone,
and below thinner-bedded, blue-weathering, cherty, brittle, laminated limestones.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Naokelekan Formation; contact apparently

gradational and conformable, taken below thin-bedded, highly bituminous contorted beds
without chert, and above thin-bedded black limestones with abundant chert and abundant
Posidonia ornati.

Other localities: All sections in Kurdistan which expose the Jurassic, including measured and
sampled sections at Sirwan, Sehkaniyan, Qal’Gah, Rania, Naokelekan, Kurrek, Rowanduz Ru
Kuchuk, Isumaran, Chia Gara, Ser Amadia, Ora, Chalki, Shiranish, Banik, etc. Subsurface sections,
west of the Tigris River, in Adaiyah-1, Ain Zalah-16, Alan-1, Atshan-1, Butmah-2, Gullar-1, Ibrahim-1,
Makhul-2, Mileh Tharthar-1, Najmah-29 and Qalian-1. Also in Kuwait in Burgan-113.

Remarks: The Sargelu Formation is defined to include the sequence of thin-bedded, foul-water,
calcareous-argillaceous sediments which occupies, in Kurdistan, the section between the highly
bituminous Naokelekan Formation (above) and the massive dolomites of the Sehkaniyan Formation
(below).

The lower boundary, with the Sehkaniyan, is generally sharp, but may be obscured by extensive
dolomitization of the lower beds of the Sargelu (as at Ora and Ser Amadia). In such cases the accepted
lithological limit between the Sargelu and Sehkaniyan formations may be significantly diachronous
over small distances. Where the complication of dolomitization of the Sargelu is absent, the base of
the formation is probably more or less isochronous over the whole of northern Iraq.

The upper boundary of the Sargelu is placed within a succession of essentially similar thin-bedded
limestones, but can be closely defined, in every studied section, by the absence of chert and abundant
Posidonia from the overlying Naokelekan and by the extremely bituminous and usually contorted
nature of the lower beds of this formation.

The Sargelu is of Middle Jurassic age at its top, and the Naokelekan is a highly condensed succession
of Upper Jurassic age. Although no unconformity has been observed at outcrop, and ammonite
evidence for presence of most of the Upper Jurassic stages from ?Callovian to ?Lower Kimmeridgian
has been gleaned from various localities of the Naokelekan, it is possible that several non-sequences
are involved within this formation, and also that the contact of Naokelekan on Sargelu is non-
sequential, with most of the Callovian unrepresented by sediments.

In MPC well sections Najmah-29 and Qalian-1, Mileh Tharthar-1 and Atshan-1, there is erosional
unconformity between the Sargelu Formation and the overlying Najmah Formation, which must
correspond broadly in age with the Naokelekan.

The Sargelu Formation of the Kurdistan exposures can be correlated closely, subdivision by
subdivision, from locality to locality, over a distance of more than 350 km. The facies is constant
throughout, thicknesses varying progressively from 125 m (410 ft) in the southeast (Sirwan) to about
20 m (65.6 ft) in the northwest (Ora and Chalki regions).

At Ru Kuchuk, the lower part of the Posidonia- and chert-bearing division of the Sargelu is markedly
silty, and contains plant impressions of the Bradyphyllum-Pagiophyllum group, cf. Pagiophyllum
expansum (Feistmantel), indicating proximity to emerged land to the northeast.

The Sargelu, in sections other than the type, has yielded numerous ammonites, including
perisphinctids, reineckeiids, morphoceratids, Oppelia spp., Amoeboceras sp., Stephanoceras sp., etc.,
mostly from the upper part of the formation. A large ichthyosaurid (not yet identified) has been
collected from within the lower Rhynchonella-bearing beds.

In subsurface sections of MPC wells, north and west of Mosul, the Sargelu Formation is eroded, and
overlain unconformably by Aptian (or ? Albian) Sarmord Formation. The amount of erosional cut-out
at the top of the Sargelu varies considerably from section to section. The Posidonia-bearing beds are
well developed, (though absent in some well sections, presumably due to erosion). The thicknesses
of the Sargelu found in the wells considerably exceed those measured in the area of outcrop, being
greatest in the south (350 m, 1,148 ft in Najmah-29).

In all wells which have passed through the Sargelu, the formation is conformably and gradationally
underlain by the anhydrites and fluffy-textured limestones of the Alan Anhydrite, the correlative in
subsurface sections of the upper, dolomitic division of the Sehkaniyan Formation.

The Sargelu is readily identifiable in well cuttings from the ubiquitous occurrence of the problematical
fossil figured by J. Cuvillier and V. Sacal (1951, PL VIII, fig. 2) and regarded by these authors as debris
of filamentous algae.

The name Paleotrix has been proposed for these supposed algae by F. Ferasin (1956), who notes their
presence in the Lias of Cimolais (Udine) and of the Alpi Feltrini.

In Aquitaine, according to Cuvillier and Sacal, the profuse relics of this widely distributed organism,
whatever its affinities, are found in rocks of late Middle Liassic to Upper Jurassic age. In all studied
sections in northern Iraq they characterize the Middle Jurassic Sargelu Formation, and they are absent
or only tare in Upper Jurassic and Liassic rock units. But their value as age-indicators is reduced
slightly by the fact that they occur also, in great abundance, over a restricted vertical range, in the
Upper Triassic Kurra Chine Formation.

In many subsurface and some surface sections, such ?filamentous algae and undeterminate scattered
Radiolaria, ostracoda and minute frondicularids and nodosarids are the only fossils noted through
the greater part of the Sargelu. This assemblage is extremely widespread, and seldom lacking, except
near the base of the unit. In surface exposures of the formation, details of the biofacies are often
obscured by dolomitization.

In the Wadi Hauran exposures of the Western Desert area, sediments contemporaneous with
the upper part of the Sargelu are in sandy, oolitic-pseudo-oolitic facies, with rich echinoid-coral-
brachiopod-foraminiferal faunas. The rocks are included in the Muhaiwir Formation. They are not
acceptable within the definition of the thin-bedded, shaly Sargelu Formation, which was deposited
in a euxinic environment very different from that, which supported the flourishing neritic faunas of
the Muhaiwir.

Wells in the Basrah area of southern Iraq have not reached as deep as the Middle Jurassic succession.
But close correlatives for the Sargelu Formation have been recognized in the KOC deep test Burgan-
113, where they occupy most of the drilled depth range 10,136–11,066 ft (3,090.2–3,373.8 m). In this
well section the euxinic Posidonia-bearing shales and limestones equivalent to the Sargelu embrace
two tongues of pellety neritic limestones (10,271–10,335 (3,131.4–3,150.9 m) and 10,455 to 10,463 ft
(3,187.5–3,189.9 m), drilled depths) which in the Iraq classification would be interpreted as tongues
of Muhaiwir Formation.

Sarki Formation: Jurassic (Lower Liassic) (Plates II and III)

Author: R. Wetzel (1952, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Chia Gara, south of Amadia, North Iraq. The type section runs 170° E
from a point about 200 m (656 ft) west of Baluti Village (i.e. from about 36°59’37”N; 43°28’16”E),

up a stream course which drains the southern (strike) slope of Chia Gara (elevation 7,298 ft,
2,225 m). The top of the formation lies about 600 m (1,968 ft) south-southwest of Baluti. The
formation is 303 m (993.8 ft) thick.

Lithology: Upper division of 181 m (593.7 ft). Soft, grey dolomites, highly cavernous, and
weathering into massive beds of “cargneule” type, alternating with soft, featureless, friable,
cherty dolomites, and with grey and yellowish shales and blocky marls with melikaria (box-
work structures). Lower division of 122 m (400.2 ft). Thin-bedded, cherty and dolomitic
limestones, fine-grained to porcellanous, pale grey, weathering whitish, alternating with
friable, cherty shales, and occasional dark, sugary dolomites. Also commonly-occurring thin
bands of shell-breccias, oolitic limestones, micro-conglomerates, and recrystallization breccias.
Dark brown, massive-bedded dolomites at base.

Fossils: The upper division contains only rare Archaediscus sp., ? Problematina, minute
gastropods, fish debris and ? algal elements, etc. The lower division carries a similar fauna,
with ? Trocholina sp., Glomospira spp., etc., and also thin beds crowded with cyrenids, cf.
Eomiodon indicus Cox.

Age: Liassic (possibly including part-Rhaetic, but regarded as Liassic only, by convention).

Underlying formation and details of contact: Baluti Shale Formation; contact conformable
and gradational, taken at top of interbedded green and grey shales and dolomitic limestones,
and at base of dark brown massive dolomites, which constitute the lowest feature-forming unit
in the Sarki.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Sehkaniyan dolomite Formation; contact

conformable, taken at base of dark brown, massive dolomite unit, 60 m (196.8 ft) thick, and at
top of splintery, yellow-green shales with limestones.

Other localities: Sirwan Gorge, Qal’Gah, Surdash, Sehkaniyan, Rania, Naokelekan, Barsarin, Chia
Gara, Ora, Chalki area, Shiranish, etc.

Remarks: The Sarki Formation is a succession of rapidly alternating evaporitic and oolitic-chemical
limestones with argillaceous intercalations, which differs in minor details, rather than in fundamental
characters, from the succeeding Sehkaniyan Formation, and from the underlying Baluti Shale
Formation and older Kurra Chine, and Geli Khana formations.

It is set apart from the underlying Baluti Shale Formation by the green colour and predominantly
shaly character of the Baluti, which stand in marked contrast to the more massive-weathering, dark-
brown, lower, dolomitic beds of the Sarki.

It is also differentiated readily from the Sehkaniyan by colour differences and by weathering habit,
but in this instance it is the Sehkaniyan, which is contrastingly massive-bedded and dark brown, and
the Sarki which is shale containing and of lighter colour.

Although no gypsum is seen at outcrop in the type Sarki, its original frequent presence is indicated
by the prevalence of box-work structures and “cargneuses” (dolomitic skeletons left after removal of
soluble minerals by solution).

In the Sirwan Gorge section, the limits of the Sarki are not readily identifiable, but the unit as a whole
is characterized by contorted dolomites, residual solution rubble, and rare undissolved gypsium
lenticles.

At Rania, the formation is represented by 231 m (757.7 ft) of soft, cavernous, featureless dolomites
and brecciated limestones (which are probably brecciated following solutional loss of originally
interbedded gypsum).

The Shiranish section shows about 232 m (761 ft) of dark dolomites, with residual breccias at the base
of the section, yellowish marls towards the top, and an olive-green, shale-dominated interval in the
middle of the unit.

In the type and several other sections, the lower parts of the unit, where containing Eomiodon spp., etc.,
are distinguished as the “Cyrenia beds”. Although the “Cyrenia beds”, as a whole, can be correlated
from section to Section, the upper and lower boundaries are not always clear and sometimes appear
to be markedly diachronous. The apparent diachronism is in part a consequence of alternation by
dolomitization, which is manifested to various degrees in different parts of different Sections.

Though most “cyrenids” are confined to fresh or brackish-water habitats, Eomiodon is considered to
be marine (L.R. Cox, 1935). The “Cyrenia beds” contain Spongiostroma sp. at Naokelekan, and the rare
foraminifera, distributed through the formation, indicate a marine environment throughout.

The age of the Sarki Formation is not firmly established. The Eomiodon fauna is the only internal
indication as to age, and none of the represented Species, of which there are probably several, is
firmly identified with Eomiodon indicus Cox. Eomiodon indicus was first described from the Kioto
limestone of Attock, from beds at first considered to be of uppermost Triassic or lowermost Jurassic
age, but later redetermined as intra-Liassic.

The underlying Kurra Chine is dated as Upper Triassic, perhaps including part-Rhaetic in its upper
portion.

The overlying Sehkaniyan contains an ill-dated Lithiotis-Spiriferina fauna, akin to and probably
correlative with that which is regarded as being of early Liassic age in southwestern Persia (Kent et
al., 1951), in association with a foraminiferal fauna (Haurania sp., Lituola sp., and ? Nubecularia pellets)
which is more likely to be uppermost Liassic or early Bajocian than early Liassic. The Middle Jurassic
alternative is excluded, because late Liassic age has been attributed to Rhynchonella and Posidonia
faunas from the base of the Sargelu Formation, which lies conformably upon the Sehkaniyan.

For purposes of plate-portrayal, and purely as a convention, it is accepted that the Baluti Shale
Formation is of Rhaetic age, that the Kurra Chine Formation is of Upper Triassic age, and that the
Sarki Formation and succeeding Sehkaniyan are of Liassic age (excluding the uppermost part of the
Liassic, which is represented in the basal beds of the Sargelu), the “Lithiotis limestone” division of the
Sehkaniyan being Shown as Lower Toarcian (See Sehkaniyan Formation).

The Sarki Formation is not recognized in the outcrops of the Wadi Hauran, in the Western Desert of
Iraq, but it may be correlated with the somewhat similar and probably more or less contemporaneous
Uba’id Formation (part). However, the Uba’id and Sarki formations are sufficiently dissimilar in
gross and in fine lithological characters to justify the retention of both names in the Stratigraphic
classification.

The Butmah Formation, of deep Subsurface sections west of the Tigris River, is homotaxial with the
Sarki, in that it lies above the Baluti Formation and below the Adaiyah Anhydrite Formation, which
is firmly correlated with the basal dolomitic unit of the Sehkaniyan.

The Butmah and Sarki are maintained as separate formations, despite a fair degree of similarity in
the general range of variation in lithology shown by the units, because the Butmah has consistent
characteristics in subsurface sections, which are not matched in the outcropping formation.

Thus the Butmah contains thick-bedded anhydrites and fluffy-textured chemical limestones,
numerous marker-type oolitic, pseudo-oolitic and pellety limestones, bedded chert (locally), and
a persistent slightly arenaceous component which are absent from the Sarki. Primary dolomites
are common in the Butmah, but secondary dolomites are rare. On the other hand, secondary
dolomitization is a rather persistent feature of the Sarki. The “Cyrenia beds”, which characterize the
lower part of the Sarki, have not been observed in the subsurface unit.

Nevertheless the Butmah and Sarki contain in common a sufficient number of highly characteristic
lithofacies variants to add considerable support to the homotaxial correlation of the units.

The Butmah Formation is thicker, in most wells in which it has been found, than is the Sarki Formation
at its thickest known development at Sirwan (c. 450 m, 1,476 ft). Subsurface thicknesses of the Butmah
average 500 m (1,640 ft), but the Sarki exceeds 200 m (656 ft) only in a few sections.

Sarmord Formation: Cretaceous (Valanginian-Aptian) (Plates II and III)

Author: R. Wetzel (1950, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel and H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Surdash anticline, Sulaimaniya District, northeastern Iraq. The type
section is made up in two different areas. The upper 182 m (597 ft) of the formation are exposed
in the Qamchuqa Gorge section, with the lowest exposure in the vicinity of Sarmord Village
(35°54’18”N; 43°2’7”E) and the top of the formation some 250 m (820 ft) southwest of the
village, at the foot of the massive limestone scarp of the Qamchuqa Formation. The lower 273
m (895.4 ft) are described from the section in the course of the stream which flows northwards
through Sargelu Village. The top of this part of the section (corresponding to the base of the
section exposed at Sarmord) lies about 1 km north of the village (35°52’54”N; 45°9’28”E) and
the base of the formation is exposed about 800 m (2624 ft) north of the village. The section is
455 m (1,492.4 ft) thick.

Lithology: Brown and bluish marls, buff weathering, with alterations of marly neritic
limestones.

Fossils: Uppermost 80 m (262.4 ft): Astrocoenia sp. nov. Hudson (in preparation), Heteraster
couloni Agassiz, Heteraster oblongus Brongniart var. musandamensis Lees, Pholadomya cf. esmarki
Nils., Potamides phillipsi Leymerie, Trochus sp., etc. Choffatella decipiens Schlumberger, etc.,
Actinoporella sp., Permocalculus inopinatus Elliott, etc., Salpingoporella cf. muhlbergi (Lorenz). No
significant fauna in lower 375 m (1,230 ft).

Age: Barremian at top, Hauterivian at base.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Balambo Formation; contact conformable and
gradational, taken at the base of buff-weathering unfossiliferous marls and at the top of thin-
bedded, grey weathering ammonitiferous limestones with shales.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Qamchuqa Limestone Formation; contact

gradational and conformable, placed at base of continuous neritic limestones.

Other localities: Shiranish Islam, Chia Gara, Ser Amadia, Banik, Rowanduz Gorges, Kurrek,
Hadiena, Rania, Pir-i-Mugurun, etc. Subsurface localities include Adaiyah-1, Ain Zalah-6 and 19,
Alan-1, Atshan-1, Butmah-2, Gullar-1, Gusair-1, Ibrahim-1, Kirkuk-109, Makhul-1 and 2, Najmah-29,
and Sasan-1.

Remarks: The Sarmord was defined to include the succession of neritic to deep-water marls and
associated neritic limestones, which intervene, in the sections of the Surdash-Rania-Rowanduz
area, between the thin-bedded, ammonitiferous, radiolarian limestones and shales of the Balambo
Formation, below, and the massive organic-detrital limestones of the Qamchuqa Formation, above.
However, typical Sarmord Formation sediments are found over an area greatly exceeding that in
which the formation was first defined, and the unit is now recognized in a variety of settings in most
of the studied parts of northern Iraq.

The formation passes, eastwards from the type area, into the continuous body of the “bathyal”
Balambo Formation. The passage is usually gradational, and by intercalation, so that in some areas
it may be necessary to recognize a complicated succession of intertonguing components of the two
formations, or else to differentiate a transition zone of mixed formations (treated in the naming by
hyphenation, thus: Balambo-Sarmord formation). Similarly gradual or alternating passage may be
encountered in vertical sections, where the Sarmord passes downwards by alternation into Balambo
Formation. Again, a transition zone of mixed formations may require recognition, (expressed in the
nomenclature, in this case, as “Sarmord/Balambo formation”).

The Sarmord also grades upwards into the massive neritic Qamchuqa Limestone, and since the
Sarmord itself may include tongues or lentils of neritic limestones, there may be doubt, locally, as to
the precise position in the succession, which should he chosen as the lower limit of the Qamchuqa
and as the top of the Sarmord. Occasionally the marl components of the Sarmord may wedge out to
negligible streaks, producing a near-continuous body of neritic limestones, which is more realistically
identified with the Qamchuqa Limestone than with the laterally-equivalent Sarmord. Thus, as at
Bekhme, the Qamchuqa may directly overlie Balambo Formation.

In the Amadia area, and in some other localities, a sandy, oolitic, reef-type limestone unit, of
Valanginian-Hauterivian age, occurs below the Sarmord, and above the Tithonian-Berriasian Chia
Gara Formation. This oolitic-organic detrital unit is separately recognized, as the Garagu Formation.
The transition from Garagu upward into Sarmord is usually gradational and conformable, but at
Banik the Garagu is overlain unconformably by Qamchuqa Limestone, the Sarmord Formation
vanishing convergently into the break between late Barremian or early Aptian Qamchuqa and early
Hauterivian Garagu.

In Kirkuk-109, the Garagu Formation appears as a tongue within the Sarmord Formation, into which
it grades both upwards and downwards. The upper division of the Sarmord, here exceptionally
calcareous, occupies a normal position between Garagu Formation, of Valanginian-Hauterivian
age, and Aptian-Barremian Qamchuqa. The lower division of the Sarmord carries a fauna of the
Pseudocyclammina, kelleri Henson faunizone (early Valanginian-Berriasian) near its top, and a probably
Berriasian microfauna, with Spirocyclina, in intensely glauconitic, conglomeratic, gastropodiferous,
marly limestones at its base.

The underlying formation in this section is the Karimia Mudstone, which is deemed to be of
Berriasian (and ?Tithonian) age the contact of Sarmord on Karimia Formation is considered to be
unconformable, though without angular discordance. The break is considered to lie within the
Berriasian, and the section provides the record of greatest known age for the base of the Sarmord
Formation. The lower “tongue” of the Sarmord in Kirkuk-109 is believed to pass laterally and
gradationally, southwestwards, into the Berriasian-Valanginian Zangura Formation of Makhul wells,
etc.

In Najmah-29 and Makhul-1 and 2, the Sarmord is found as a neritic marly limestone unit, lying
below the Shu’aiba Formation (which comprises neritic limestones or dolomites of Aptian age,
here representing the Qamchuqa Formation of the area to the north and east). In Najmah-29 the
Sarmord passes downwards, directly, into detrital limestones of the Garagu Formation, which is here
transgressive over eroded pre-Kimmeridgian Najmah Formation. In Qalian-1, the Shu’aiba, Sarmord
and Garagu formations are cut out in the Cretaceous/Jurassic unconformity.

The Makhul wells show a thin development of sandy Zubair Formation below the Sarmord and
above the Garagu, and in the area to the west and south the entire Sarmord Formation is replaced,
laterally, by the Zubair Formation sands.

In Makhul and Najmah the Sarmord is principally of Barremian age, though possibly including early
Aptian and late Hauterivian. It carries locally rich foraminiferal faunas (Cyclammina spp., Choffatella
decipiens Schlumberger, etc., with Orbitolina cf. discoidea Gras in the upper parts).

North of Qalian, in MPC well sections at Ain Zalah, Butmah, Sasan, Ibrahim, Alan, Atshan, etc.,
the Sarmord, as a marl formation with neritic limestone components, is the basal transgressive unit
of the Cretaceous rock sequence. It lies on an eroded surface which exposed pre-Kimmeridgian
Najmah Formation (in Atshan-1) to Middle Jurassic Sargelu Formation (in other cited wells), and it
carries a poor Orbitolina fauna, with Orbitolina cf. discoidea Gras. The age of the Sarmord, in this area
and setting, is Aptian or perhaps even early Albian. It passes upwards, gradationally, into Albian
Qamchuqa Formation.

In Alan-1, the upper part of the Sarmord is replaced gradationally by the geographically restricted
Rim Siltstone Formation.

In the exposed areas of Kurdistan the lateral passage into Balambo Formation downwards and
northeastwards, into Garagu Formation downwards and (in general) northwestwards, and into
Qamchuqa Formation upwards, confers upon the boundaries of the Sarmord a degree of diachronism,
which is unusual in northern Iraq. Thus, the facies-and formation-change, from neritic marls of
the Sarmord into bathyal, shales, etc., of the Balambo, occurred in Albian times at Naokelekan, in
Hauterivian times at Sarmord, and in Valanginian times at Rania, whilst neritic marls attributed to
the Sarmord were first deposited in Berriasian times in the Kirkuk area.

The sections of Ser Amadia and Chia Gara include Sarmord Formation, here of only about half the
thickness found in the type section, but straddling a very different and probably greater time range.
The uppermost beds of the Sarmord are of Aptian (or even perhaps Albian) age, with Orbitolina
cf. discoidea Gras, Cuneolina pavonia var. parva Henson, Pseudochrysalidina sp., etc., this fauna being
associated here with scattered sand grains. At the base of the formation, and above the Garagu,
occur limestones and marls with a rich fauna, including Heteraster cf. oblongus Brongniart, H.
couloni (Agassiz) var. depressus var. nov. Hudson (in preparation), Strombus cf. incertus d’Orbigny,
Opis cf, neocomiensis d’Orbigny, Choffatella decipiens Schlumberger, Cyclammina cf. greigi Henson,
Pseudocyclammina cf. lituus (Yokoyama), etc. This Barremian fauna, from the base of the unit at Chia
Gara, is similar to and of the same age as the fauna from the top of the Sarmord in the type section.

The lower parts of the Ammonite shale group of Khumi in southwestern Persia, described by Kent
et al. (1951), are closely comparable with the Sarmord Formation as here defined: there can be but
little doubt that the formations are correlative. Orbitolina and Heteraster beds, reported by Turkunal
(1951) from Hakari, 50 km northeast of Ora, from shaly and marly limestones, include faunas which
match those found in the type Sarmord and at Chia Gara: these beds are certainly to be considered as
correlatives of the Sarmord Formation.

In southern Iraq the place of the Sarmord Formation in the succession is taken by the Zubair
Formation and by the upper part of the Ratawi Formation into which the basal beds of the Zubair of
the Awasil area pass, laterally, towards Basrah.

Satina Evaporite Member: Permian (of the Chia Zairi Limestone)

(Upper Permian) (Plate II)

Author: R. Wetzel (1950, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: On northern slope of ridge lying between the Geli Khana above Ora,
and the Ora cirque, in beds dipping northwards. The base of the member lies about 1.6 km due
north of the Ora Police Post (37°16’38”N, 43°21’37”E). The section is 61 m (200.1 ft) thick.

Lithology: Featureless, vacuolar dolomites with recrystallization breccias and recrystallized,

dolomitic marls with blockwork. Some thin bands of silicified limestone at base, containing
microfossils.

Fossils: Microfauna, not yet determined; microflora includes the alga Epimastopora minima
Elliot (1956a), from close to the base of the member.

Age: Upper Permian, as for the remainder of the Chia Zairi Limestone.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Lower part of the Chia Zairi Limestone;
conformable.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Upper part of the Chia Zairi Limestone;
conformable.

Other localities: Jebel Satina, northeast of Ora; Chia-i-Zinnar, at Harur, Kaista, etc.

Remarks: The Satina Member is defined to include the succession of evaporites and dolomites,
which was precipitated, presumably during temporary closing of connection with the open sea, in
the middle of the Chia Zairi rhythmic subsidence. The presence of residual recrystallization breccias
and dolomitized marl with block work suggests that these sediments were originally associated with
anhydrite, which has later been dissolved at outcrop. Some sand occurs at the base of the member at
Harur, where the thickness is 77 m (252.6 ft).

The general picture visualized is that of normal, shallow sea conditions in the lower half of the Chia
Zairi. Coral-reef growth, shoaling or tectonic warping (?) divided the sea bottom into different basins,
impeded circulation, and limited inflow from the ocean. Evaporite deposition began, and continued
until subsidence was sufficiently increased to re-establish connection with the open sea.

The member is excellently exposed in the southwestern scarps of the Jebel Satina, northeast of Ora,
from which locality the name is derived.

second pay, Ain Zalah field: Cretaceous

(Albian and ?Lower Senonian-Upper Campanian)

This name (Daniel (1954), in current use for the lower of the two producing reservoirs in the Ain Zalah
oilfield of northern Iraq, is not truly a stratigraphic term, since it is determined by the distribution
of producible oil within the crestal part of the Ain Zalah anticline, in the Qamchuqa and Mushorah
formations and in the lower part of the Shiranish Formation. Nevertheless, there is an inevitable
tendency to apply the name, loosely, as a stratigraphical term, to the Qamchuqa Formation wherever
situated and whether or not oil-containing. [H.V. Dunnington]

second pay, Zubair field: Cretaceous (Cenomanian)

Informal name, applied in the Zubair field and other fields in the Basrah area of southern Iraq, to
porous oil-containing limestones within the Mishrif Formation. Although not a stratigraphical unit,
since defined on the presence or absence of oil within a limestone formation, there is an inevitable
tendency for the term second pay to be applied as a substitute for Mishrif Formation in informal
reports and perhaps in publications. [H.V. Dunnington]

Sehkaniyan Formation: Jurassic (Upper Liassic) (Plates II and III)

Authors: R. Wetzel and D.M. Morton (1950, unpublished report). [R. Wetzel and H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Surdash anticline, Sulaimaniya District, northeastern Iraq. The
type section is in the stream, lying 1 km southwest of Sehkaniyan Village, and the top of the
formation lies in the main stream valley, at approximately 35°52’55”N; 45°8’0”E. The section
is 180 m (590.4 ft) thick. The Sehkaniyan Formation, as such, is not represented in any known
subsurface section.

Lithology: Upper division of 51 m (167.3 ft): dark, foetid, saccharoidal dolomites and dolomitic
limestones, locally with chert. Middle division of 44 m (144.3 ft): organic and pellety limestones,
locally dolomitized, with silicified fossils and some chert, in beds of thickness 1 m (3.28 ft)
(towards top) to 20 cm (towards base); dark blue to dark brown at top, greenish grey at base.
Lower division of 85 m (278.8 ft): dark, saccharoidal dolomites and subordinate dolomitized
limestones, with pseudobreccias (probably replacing solution-brecciated gypseous marls) at
top.

Fossils: Indeterminate gastropod and lamellibranch vestiges, locally, in upper and lower
dolomite divisions. The middle division is fairly richly fossiliferous and has yielded Lithiotis
sp., Spiriferina sp. cf. S. ampla Bittner, Spiriferina spp., Zeilleria sp., gastropods indet.; echinoid
debris indet., Haurania sp.; Lituola sp., lituolids indet., trochamminids indet., cristellarids
indet., Glomospira spp., ? Nubecularia sp. (pellet forming), ostracods: algae, including Boueina
hochstetteri Toula var. liasica Le Maitre.

Age: Liassic, probably Upper Liassic, by regional correlation.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Sarki Formation; contact gradational and
conformable, taken at base of dark brown massive dolomite unit, 60 m (196.8 ft) thick, and at
top of splintery, yellow-green shales with limestones.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Sargelu Formation; contact gradational and
conformable, taken at top of massive-bedded, brown-weathering, dolomitic limestone, and
below thinner-bedded, blue-weathering, cherty, brittle, laminated limestones.

Other localities: Sirwan Gorge, Chia Gara, Ser Amadia, Ora, Chalki, Shaver Valley, etc., and in the
cores of many of the anticlines of Kurdistan.

Remarks: The Sekhaniyan Formation is feature-forming unit, which is easily identifiable in all the
deeper sections of Kurdistan. In all studied sections other than the type section the unit is dolomitized
throughout, and it is only in the type section that the middle division is discernible as a fossiliferous
limestone unit.

The Sehkaniyan is readily differentiated in the field from the overlying Sargelu Formation and from
the underlying Sarki Formation because of its massive weathering habit and dark-brown weathering
colour.

The middle fossiliferous limestone division has been termed the “Lithiotis limestone”, and is considered
to be possibly correlative with the Lithiotis-bearing limestones recorded from near the base of the
Jurassic succession in southwest Persia (Kent et al., 1951, p. 143), which are there taken to indicate
Liassic age. Boueina hochstetteri Toula var. liasica Le Maitre was described from the Middle Liassic of
Morocco. A fairly late Liassic age is Suggested by arguments based on regional correlation.

The overlying Sargelu Formation, in the type-Section, has yielded Posidonia cf. opalina (Quenstedt)
and Gryphaea cf. balli (Stefanini), together suggesting highest Liassic or lowest Bajocian age. Late
Liassic (or lowermost Bajocian?) Rhynchonella spp. have been collected from the lower part of the
Sargelu in other Sections.

The underlying Sarki Formation contains an Eomiodon fauna, which is considered to be of Rhaetic or
more probably Liassic age, and the Baluti Shale Formation, which underlies the Sarki is referred to the
Rhaetic (though with some dubiety).

Since the Sargelu/Sehkaniyan/Sarki/Baluti Sequence is conformable, and since the “Lithiotis

limestones” occurs only 51 m (167.3 ft) below the base of the Sargelu (which is, at oldest, late Liassic),
but 388 m (1,272.6 ft) above the (?)Rhaetic Baluti Shale Formation, it is probable that the Lithiotis fauna
is of late rather than early Liassic age.

The microfauna is of little assistance in assessing the age of the formation. ?Nubecularia nodules
of precisely similar appearance to those found in the Lithiotis limestones occur in the Bajocian of
Bourgogne (Rat, 1933), but are known also, in Iraq, from the Bathonian Muhaiwir Formation and
from the Permian Chia Zairi Limestone.

Haurania sp., which occurs in some abundance in the “Lithiotis limestone”, is not identifiable with
either of Henson’s species (Henson, 1948), which are most probably of Bathonian age in their type
locality.

Whatever the precise ages of the “Lithiotis limestone” and of the containing Sehkaniyan Formation
may be, the “Lithiotis limestones” division is clearly correlative with the Mus Limestone Formation,
since the microfaunas of these two units match in every particular. The Mus is known only from
subsurface sections in wells west of the Tigris River. It is overlain by the Alan Anhydrite Formation
and underlain by the Adaiyah Anhydrite Formation, which are taken to correspond with the upper
and lower dolomitic divisions of the Sehkaniyan Formation in the type Section.

The Mus and the Lithiotis limestone division of the Sehkaniyan both exhibit features suggesting
significant freshening of rather highly Saline seas. Such freshening episodes in the Arabian Gulf-
Iraq-Iran region are normally associated with transgressions. In the Arabian sections described by
Bramkamp and Steineke (1952) and Arkell (1952, 1956) the basal transgressive unit of the Jurassic is
the Lower Toarcian Lower Marrat Formation.

It is suggested that the Toarcian transgression manifested by the Marrat formation in Arabia is that
which is initiated in Iraq and Kuwait by the freshening episode indicated by the facies of the “Lithiotis
limestone” and of the Mus Limestone. The resulting correlation of the “Lithiotis limestone” with the
Lower Marrat is strongly supported by the presence of abundant Spiriferina spp. in both, and by the
absence of this genus from other Liassic formations in Iraq. It is accepted, for the purpose of plate
construction, that the Mus Formation and “Lithiotis limestone” are of Lower Toarcian age.

Though the Mus Formation is correlative with the “Lithiotis limestone” of the type section of the
Sehkaniyan Formation, it is not practicable to subdivide the Sehkaniyan at outcrop, in areas other than
the type area, since the majority of sections show a continuous dolomite and dolomitized limestone
succession from the top of the Sarki Formation to the base of the Sargelu. The Mus Formation was
already well established in the subsurface nomenclature (unpublished) when its equivalence with the
“Lithiotis limestone” of Sehkaniyan was demonstrated. These nomenclature, despite admission that a
rather precise correlative, circumstances justify retention of the Mus Formation in the in similar facies
and lithology, is now known in surface exposures.

Semhat formation: Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene)

Name formerly applied in unpublished reports by IPC geologists to the phosphatic basal beds of the
Umm er Radhuma Formation in the Ga’ara area. [R.C. van Bellen]

Senonian-Lower: Cretaceous (Lower Campanian-Santonian)

See Mushorah Formation and remarks under the entry for Senonian-Upper. [H.V. Dunnington]

Senonian-Upper: Cretaceous (Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian)

This age designation has been applied generally, in unpublished reports and occasional published
papers (e.g. Grimsdale, 1952; Dunnington, 1955; 1958, MS; etc.) to rock units of Upper Campanian
to Maastrichtian age (see Stratigraphical Index region northwest of Mosul, is not usually included
with in the region northwest of Mosul, is not usually included with in the Upper Senonian, though it
includes Lower Campanian sediments. The natural divisions, within the Senonian of Iraq, lie in the
middle of the Campanian, which is subdivided by the unconformity between Shiranish Formation
and the Mushorah Formation, and approximately at the Maastrichtian/Campanian boundary, which
is marked by local unconformities and non-sequences in several areas. [H.V. Dunnington]

série d’Asmari: Oligocene-Miocene (Oligocene-”lower” Miocene)

G. Macovei used this term from Iran nomenclature first in 1938 to designate what are now known as
the formations of the Kirkuk Group and the Euphrates Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

série d’Imam Hassan: Cretaceous (Maastrichtian)

Term from Iran nomenclature used by Nicolesco (1933). See Imam Hassan limestone. [H.V.
Dunnington]

série de l’Euphrate: Miocene (“lower” Miocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see Euphrates Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Serikagni Formation: Miocene (“lower” Miocene) (Plate VI)

Author: R.C. van Bellen (1955, unpublished report 1955). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: marnes crayeuses jaunatres (Dubertret, 1935).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Near the Village of Bares, at 36°20’30”N, 41°29’00”, near the Jebel Sinjar. The
section is 475 ft (plus 20 ft?) (145 m - plus 6 m?) thick.

Lithology: The entire section consists of globigerinal chalky limestones with a few more
calcareous bands.

Fossils: The macrofauna consists of undetermined echinoids and lamellibranchs. The

microfauna shows amongst others the following foraminifera: Anomalina grosserugosa Gumbel,
Anomalina rotula d’Orbigny, Bolivina arta Macfadyen, Cibicides ?acknerianus (d’Orbigny),
Cibicides mexicanus Nuttali, Cibicides praecinctus (Karrer), Eponides ?haidingeri (d’Orbigny),
Eponides nanus (Reuss), Globigerina bulloides d’Orbigny, Globigerina subcretacea Lomnicki,
Globigerinoides rubra (d’Orbigny), Globigerinoides triloba (Reuss), Gyroidina soldanii d’Orbigny,
Hopkinsina bononiensis (Fornasini), Marginulina decorata (Reuss), Nonion scaphum (Fichtel and
Moll), Planulina wuellerstorfi (Schwager), Planulina cf. wuellerstorfi (Schwager), Spiroplectammina
carinata (d’Orbigny), Uvigerina cf. beccarii Fornasini, Uvigerina urnula d’Orbigny, Vaginulina
legumen (Linn.).

Age: “lower” Miocene, see Remarks.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Jaddala Formation underlies the Serikagni
Formation unconformably, the unconformity being demonstrated by absence of Oligocene
sediments. Scouring of the sea-bottom on which Oligocene sediments might have been
deposited is considered to be responsible for this absence of off-shore Oligocene sediments.

Overlying formation and details of contact: The Dhiban Anhydrite Formation overlies this
unit conformably and generally gradationally.

Other localities: The Serikagni Formation can be considered to be the off-shore facies of the Euphrates
Limestone. It occurs, interfingering with the Euphrates limestone, in the Qaiyarah, Jawan and Qasab
areas and in Qalian-1, Adaiyah-1, and Gusair-1 and in Ibrahim-1. Further offshore it occurs without
significant Euphrates Limestone, underlying Dhiban Anhydrite, in the Injana, Pulkhana and Jambur
areas, and in Hibbarah-1. See also Euphrates Limestone Formation.

Remarks: The facies of this formation is far more variable than can be seen in its type locality. The
distance from the shore at which sediments were deposited determines the facies found. An attempt
to distinguish members with a validity not restricted to their immediate area of original recognition
was frustrated because of this strong variability. The unit ranges in lithology and faunifacies from
purely globigerinal marly sediments to algal (reef) limestones with all (intermediate) gradations.
Interfingering with other facies within this formation occurs frequently, probably as a result of slight
oscillations of depth of deposition. These oscillations were probably occasioned by local changes in
the rate of supply of sediment rather than by tectonic movements, so that regional correlation of the
resulting facies changes is not possible.

Although, in the type area, Dhiban Anhydrite overlies the Serikagni, the overlying unit further to the
east is the Euphrates Limestone.

Jaddala Formation underlies the Serikagni in its type area, but Ibrahim Formation is found to underlie
it slightly further to the east. The Azkand Formation can also occur directly below the Serikagni as
in Adaiyah-1. In the Qasab area, a thin anhydrite, perhaps correlatable with the basal anhydrite,
underlies it.

The base of the Serikagni Formation is frequently subconglomeratic, marking an erosional

unconformity. The characteristic lithofacies of the subconglomeratic beds comprises globigerinal
limestones, in which the chambers of the globigerinids are filled with extraneous carbonaceous
material, and which contain pyritized pellets and blackened subooliths. Sections showing this
subconglomeratic basal development include Ibrahim-1 and Injana-1.

The relationships of this formation to the Euphrates Limestone Formation and to the Dhiban Anhydrite
Formation are fully discussed under the Remarks on the Euphrates Limestone Formation.

Shabicha beds: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

The authors of this informal term, introduced for mapping purposes, are H. Huber and R.M.
Ramsden, in an unpublished report issued in 1945. See Dammam formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Shabicha (terms de ...): Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see Shabicha beds and Dammam Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

shale series: Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene)

In Noble (1926). See Kolosh clastics Formation, Tanjero Clastic Formation, Shiranish Formation,
Cretaceous shale series. [R.C. van Bellen]

Sharaf beds: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

The authors of this informal term are H. Huber and R.M. Ramsden, in an unpublished report in 1945.
See Dammam Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Sharaf (terms de ...): Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see Sharaf beds and Dammam Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Shawiya beds: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

H. Huber introduced this informal term in an unpublished report issued in 1944. See Dammam
formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Shawiya (terme de ..): Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see Shawiya beds and Dammam Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Sheikh Alas Limestone Formation: Oligocene (“lower” Oligocene) (Plate VI)

Author: van Bellen (1956). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: limestone with N. intermedius-fichteli (de Boeckh et al., 1929); Kara Tchauq Dagh series
(Nicolesco, 1933, part); calcaire d’Asmari, in part (Macovei, 1938); série d’Asmari, in part (Macovei,
1938); calcaire de l’Euphrate” (?) in part (Macovei, 1938); Nummulite limestone, in part (Barber, 1948);
Qarah Chauq group, in part (Barber, 1948); FO/l (Daniel, 1954).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: About 800 yards (732 m) N252°E of the Village of Sheikh Alas
(35°54’38”N, 43°35’30”E) on the northern dome of the Qarah Chauq Dagh. The section is 85 ft
(26 m) thick.

Lithology: Dolomitic and recrystallized, generally porous and occasionally rubbly limestones.

Fauna: Obscured Nummulites intermedius-fichteli d’Archiac and Haime.

Age: The formation is considered to be of “lower” Oligocene age, though strict correlation with
the European Lower Oligocene is not claimed.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Eocene shoal limestones underlie this formation
in its type locality.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Shurau Formation overlies this formation
conformably.

Other localities: A number of other sections on the northern dome of the Qarah Chauq Dagh show
this formation at outcrop. It also occurs in wells along the northeastern flank of the Bai Hassan
structure and on the Kirkuk structure between the Lesser Zab river and the southern end of the
Baba Dome. Further north, the formation has been found in Qalian-1, and in wells on the Ain Zalah
structure. In the west it occurs in Anah-1, Awasil-1, Hit-1 and Nafatah-1. It also occurs at surface in
the Wadi Kheskeh es Sharqi.

Remarks: The formation is considered to be the fore-reef facies of the Shurau Limestone. One zone
is recognized in it on the basis of the fauna, but this comprises the entire formation: the Nummulites
zone. Details can be found under that heading. Further, extensive remarks can be found in van Bellen
(1956).

Shiranish Formation: Cretaceous (Upper Senonian) (Plates II and III)

Author: F.R.S. Henson (1940, unpublished report). [R.Wetzel and H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: lower thin bedded limestone (R.K. Richardson, 1924); Cretaceous shale series, in part
(A.H. Noble, 1927); série d’Imam Hassan (Nicolesco, 1933); Ain Zalah limestone (Baker, 1953);
Shiranish marl (Anon., 1955).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Shiranish Islam, near Zakho, northern Iraq. The type section is in
outcrops immediately above and below the village, at 37°11’32”N; 42°50’30”E. The section is
227.8 m (747.2 ft).

Lithology: Upper division of 99 m (324.7 ft) of blue marls, overlying lower division of 128.8
m (422.5 ft) of thin bedded marly limestones. The beds weather in a typical pale blue colour
but are dark blue (or black where bituminous) on fresh fracture. Globigerinal sediments
throughout.

Fossils: Planktonic foraminifera are abundant, the following species being represented inter
alia: Globigerina cretacea d’Orbigny, G. aspera (Ehrenberg), Rugoglobigerina spp., Gumbelina striata
(Ehrenberg), G. globulosa (Ehrenberg), G. spp., Pseudotextularia elegans (Rzehak), P. varians
Rzehak, Globotruncana arca Cushman, G. fornicata Plummer, G. gagnebini Tilev, G. gansseri Bolli,
G. leupoldi Bolli, G, lapparenti subspp., G. cf. rosetta (Carsey), G. stuarti (de Lapparent), etc. Also
Bolivina incrassata Reuss, B. spp., cristellarids, etc. Inoceramus cf. regularis d’Orbigny (rare),
macrofossil detritus.

Age: Upper Cretaceous: Maastrichtian at top, Maastrichtian or late Upper Campanian at base.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Bekhme Limestone; contact conformable, at the
top of dolomitized neritic limestones and at the base of recrystallized thin-bedded globigerinal
limestones.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Aaliji (marl) Formation; contact seemingly
conformable, but with marked faunal break, corresponding to the Tertiary/Cretaceous contact.
See Remarks.

Other localities: Occurs in most Kurdistan sections which expose the Upper Cretaceous rocks (but
not in Aqra, Chia Gara or Ser Amadia, etc.); Jebel Sinjar, Qarah Chauq Dagh (Azkand cirque). All
MPC subsurface sections reaching the Upper Cretaceous except Anah-1 and the wells of the Abu Jir-
Awasil-Hit-Mileh Tharthar area; Chemchemal-2, Injana-5, Kirkuk-109, Kirkuk-116; deep wells at Naft
Khaneh.

Remarks: The Shiranish Formation comprises the globigerinal marls and limestones of the
Upper Senonian (Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian) transgressive cycle. It passes northeastwards,
diachronously, into the Tanjero Clastic Formation, the contact being gradational in most sections.
The Shiranish also tongues laterally into contemporaneous reef and fore-reef limestone complexes,
developed preferentially at the base of the transgressive sequence, in the Upper Campanian-?Lower
Maastrichtian (Bekhme Limestone) and at the top of the Shiranish, or at the Tanjero-Shiranish
transition, generally in the later Maastrichtian (Aqra Limestone).

In the type section, Bekhme Limestone intervenes between the base of the Shiranish Formation and
the underlying Turonian Mergi Limestone. In many other localities the Bekhme Limestone is not
developed, and Shiranish Formation rests directly on eroded Qamchuqa Limestone of Albian age,
or on Balambo Formation, which is the globigerinal marl and limestone equivalent, laterally, of the
Qamchuqa Limestone.

Direct contact between Shiranish Formation and Qamchuqa Formation is apparently conformable,
but everywhere or almost everywhere involves a depositional and usually erosional break.

Deposition between Middle and Upper Cretaceous may have been continuous, or nearly so, in
some areas near to the eastern borders of Iraq (Balambo, Naft Khaneh, etc.), where the upper part of
the Balambo is of Turonian age and where the Shiranish may include Lower Senonian globigerinal
marls.

In some areas (Gerwa Zhori, Qamish, Ru Kuchuk, ?Bekhme, etc.), there is evidence of depositional
break and erosional unconformity between the Shiranish Formation and underlying Bekhme
Formation, but in general the passage from Shiranish into Bekhme or Aqra Limestone Formation
appears to be gradational.

The Aqra Limestone may appear within the Shiranish Formation (and more often within the
overlying Tanjero Clastic Formation) as tongues or lentils, or it may entirely replace the upper part of
the Shiranish, as at Zibar, etc. Also, the Bekhme and Aqra limestones may amalgamate into a thick,
continuous, massive limestone unit, entirely replacing the laterally-equivalent Shiranish Formation,
as at Chia Gara, Ser Amadia and (perhaps) Aqra.

In the subsurface sections of Ain Zalah, Mushorah, Butmah, Adaiyah, etc., and in wells in northeastern
Syria (Ghouna-1, etc.), the Shiranish Formation rests concordantly, but probably with diastem and
locally with erosional unconformity, on the Mushorah Formation, which comprises oligosteginal
marls and limestones, with cherts, etc., and which is of lower Campanian age at its top.

In the general area of Dokan-Pir-i-Mugurun, in the Rania area and in wells at Kirkuk and
Chemchemal, the Shiranish Formation, of Upper Campanian age at its base, rests on late Turonian
Kometan Formation, the contact being always unconformable, but without angular discordance.

West of the Tigris River, from Qalian to Makhul, the basal Upper Senonian sediments are in neritic
limestone facies, differentiated as the Pilsener Limestone, which passes laterally eastwards and also
upwards, by gradation and intercalation, into the lower part of the Shiranish. In this area the Pilsener
rests unconformably, but without angular discordance, on the Kometan Formation, and it is overlain,
conformably and gradationally, by marls of the Shiranish Formation.

The Ibrahim, Gullar, Gusair, and Sasan wells show a basal unit of the Pilsener, overlying Lower
Campanian-?Lower Senonian Mushorah Formation, and grading up into globigerinal marls of
the Shiranish Formation. A thick tongue of Pilsener Limestone occurs within the upper part of the
Shiranish Formation in the Sasan and Gusair wells, etc., and in Alan-1 the Shiranish is reduced to a
fairly thin tongue of marly sediments above and below thick divisions of Pilsener Limestone.

At Hadiena district, between Ora and Amadia, the Upper Cretaceous is represented by haematitic,
conglomeratic limestones in which occasional intercalations of Shiranish Formation marls and
limestones occur. Rather than endeavour to recognise the complicated intertonguing of Shiranish and
conglomeratic limestones in this area, the whole complex of sediments is treated as an independent
formation - the Hadiena (fragmental limestone and marl) formation. The Hadiena passes laterally
into Shiranish Formation, by interdigitation, towards Chalki and Banik, etc.

The Shiranish Formation is widely exposed in the core of the Jebel Sinjar, where it is atypical in
containing stringers, lenses and beds of intra-formational conglomerates. The larger part of the
Maastrichtian is absent from the Sinjar area. The Lower Maastrichtian and high Upper Campanian
are thickly represented. In this area the Shiranish has numerous Lower Maastrichtian ammonites,
and the Upper Campanian form, Bostrychoceras polyplocum (Roemer), appears near to the base of the
exposures. The bottom of the Shiranish Formation is not exposed on Jebel Sinjar.

Where the Shiranish Formation is the uppermost rock unit of the Cretaceous, the relations with the
overlying unit are usually unconformable, the topmost beds of the original Shiranish having been
removed by erosion; but there is seldom any apparent angular unconformity. The overlying unit

is most often of Palaeocene-Lower Eocene age, the formation most frequently encountered above
the Shiranish being the globigerinal marly Aaliji Formation. In some areas (as on Jebel Sinjar) the
overlying formation may be the Sinjar Limestone, which is the neritic limestone equivalent of the
globigerinal, marly Aaliji and of the flysch-like clastic Kolosh.

In spite of the absence of angular discordance, unconformity between the Upper Cretaceous
Shiranish Formation and the overlying formation is usually demonstrable, because the uppermost
Maastrichtian is not present, and the age of the topmost Cretaceous beds differs widely from section
to section. Often the unconformity is marked by extreme glauconitization of the overlying beds, by
conglomerates at the base of the Tertiary units, by pitting and solution or by limonitization of the top
of the Shiranish, or by absence of any sediments attributable to the Palaeocene-Lower Eocene interval
from the section immediately overlying the top of the Shiranish. Usually the unconformity is marked
by juxtaposition of rocks, which differ in lithology.

In the type section, however, the top of the Cretaceous appears in the middle of an apparently
continuous sequence of blue marls with subordinate marly limestones, the upper part of which is
attributed to the Aaliji Formation on faunal evidence. In this section the basal Aaliji is of Palaeocene
but not early Palaeocene age, whilst the Shiranish Formation at its top is of Upper Maastrichtian but
not uppermost Maastrichtian age. The basal Aaliji contains rare derived Cretaceous microfossils,
and an indigenous fauna largely made up of minute globigerinids, which are glauconite-filled. The
uppermost Shiranish beds are slightly recrystallized marls, with a normal planktonic foraminiferal
fauna. Sedimentary bitumen appears at the extreme base of the Palaeocene, as minute specks, small
blebs and pea-sized pebbles.

The close lithological similarity of the Shiranish and Aaliji formations in this section makes distinction
of the formation-boundary difficult in the field. Nevertheless, it is argued that the palaeontological
break, the glauconitization and appearance of derived Cretaceous fossils in the basal Palaeocene,
and the occurrence of pebbles of sedimented bitumen immediately above the palaeontological break,
together constitute demonstration of a significant unconformity.

Since the Shiranish Formation is locally made up largely of globigerinal limestones, locally entirely
of marl, and elsewhere divisible into limestone and marl units, it is practicable to utilize in different
areas, or in different parts of the same section, the terms “Shiranish limestone” or “Shiranish marl” in
place of the more inclusive “Shiranish Formation “.

From its palaeogeographical distribution, and from relationships with other recognized rock units,
it is apparent that the Shiranish Formation represents the open-sea equivalent of varied littoral and
sub-littoral clastics and neritic reef-type and associated limestones.

Two rather similar rock units which were deposited contemporaneously with part of the Shiranish,
but which are recognized as independent formations, are the Digma marl and the Jib’ab Marl, both
recognized only in the subsurface section of Anah-1.

The Jib’ab is unlike the Shiranish in that normal and numerous planktonic foraminifera are lacking.

It comprises the deposits of an isolated and probably deep basin rather than of the open-sea, and
hence is genetically differentiable from the Shiranish.

The Digma is characterized by extremely abundant foraminiferal faunas in which only very few
species are found. Again the restriction and luxuriance of fauna argue for special and isolated
conditions, which are not encountered in the open-sea sediments of the Shiranish.

The Shiranish Formation is not identified in southern Iraq, where the Upper Cretaceous succession has
been subdivided into six units, corresponding to variations in lithology encountered in the several oil-
fields. From top to base, the succession comprises the Tayarat/Qurna/Hartha formations, overlying
the Sa’di/Tanuma/Khasib formations. Of these, the Tayarat and Hartha formations are neritic

limestones and the Qurna is a globigerinal marl-limestone unit, the Sa’di and Khasib formations are
for the most part globigerinal marls and limestones and the Tanuma is a black ostracodiferous shale.

The Maastrichtian Qurna and the Upper Campanian Sa’di (part) and Khasib Formation resemble parts
of the Shiranish Formation closely, and on the regional view could be regarded as southwestwards-
attenuating tongues of this formation. The boundary between the Hartha and the underlying Sa’di
Formation is an erosional unconformity of early Maastrichtian or late Upper Campanian age, perhaps
corresponding to the unconformity between Shiranish Formation and Bekhme Limestone at Gerwa
Zhori, Ru Kuchuk, ?Bekhme, etc.

Rock units correlative and closely comparable with the Shiranish Formation are widely distributed in
southeastern Turkey (“Germav shale”, part of authors, “Kermav series”, lower part, of J.H. Maxson, in
Tromp, 1941), and in southwestern Persia (“Upper Cretaceous Marl Group”, etc., of authors, v. Kent et al.,
1951). The “blue Senonian marls” of G.M. Lees (unpublished reports, etc., relating to Iraq) are equatable
with the Shiranish.

Oil is produced from fractured upper beds of the Shiranish Formation in the Ain Zalah and Butmah
oilfield (Daniel, 1954; Baker, 1953; Dunnington, 1955). This fractured limestone reservoir has been
termed the Ain Zalah “first pay” in unpublished oil company reports, and also in occasional
publications (e.g. Daniel, 1954). The Shiranish Formation itself, in the Ain Zalah region, at one time
was designated the Ain Zalah limestone, but this usage is now abandoned.

The upper part of the Shiranish has been proved to contain a small oil accumulation in the Baba Dome
of the Kirkuk field (Dunnington, l958).

The formation attains a maximum known thickness of over 5,000 ft (1,524.4 m) in Sasan-1.

Dokan Dam Project Report Age Current Nomenclature

Germav Formation (part) Upper Campanian Maestrichtian Tanjero clasticts formation
Shiranish Marl Upper Campanian Shiranish formation
Upper Shiranish Limestone Turonian Kometan formation
Shiranish Shale Turonian Gulneri shale formation
Lower Shiranish Limestone Cenomanian Dokan limestone formation
Quamchuqa Dolomite and
Albian and older Qamchuqa limestone formation
Quamchuqa Limestone

In the Dokan Gorge area the name Shiranish has been applied correctly to the Shiranish Formation
(termed the Shiranish marl in Anon., 1955) but also, incorrectly, to underlying Turonian and
Cenomanian units. The nomenclature applied in the above-mentioned report, and the current
classification are shown below:

Shiranish limestone, lower: Cretaceous (Turonian)

See upper Shiranish limestone, Shiranish Formation, Kometan Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Shiranish limestone, upper: Cretaceous (Turonian)

See lower Shiranish limestone, Shiranish Formation, Dokan Limestone Formation. [H.V.
Dunnington]

Shiranish marl: Cretaceous (Upper Campanian)

Term used in Anon. (1955) for the lower part of the Shiranish Formation in the area of the Dokan
Dam. [H.V. Dunnington]

Shiranish shale: Cretaceous (Turonian)

Name applied in Anon. (1955) to the Turonian bituminous shale unit intervening between the
Kometan limestone and Dokan Limestone in the Dokan Gorge area. The place name is pre-occupied
for the Shiranish Formation, and the unit is now defined as the Gulneri Shale Formation. [H.V.
Dunnington]

Shu’aiba Formation: Cretaceous (Aptian) (Plates II, III and IV)

Author: P.M.V. Rabanit (1951, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: Shu’aiba formation (Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Type locality and section (from Owen and Nasr, 1958):

Location and Thickness: Zubair-3; the formation occurs between drilled depths 9,870–10,132
ft (3,009–3,089 m), and is 262 ft (79.9 m) thick.

Lithology: The transgressive cycle of the Shu’aiba Formation starts at the base with a pseudo-
oolitic limestone containing angular sand grains. This is followed upwards by a fine grained,
argillaceous limestone grading into chalky limestone, and about 30 ft (9.1 m) of crystalline
limestones with glauconite and globigerinids. Overlying this limestone a sequence of
limestones and shale streaks forms the top of the formation. (Owen and Nasr, op. cit.)

Fossils: Rare Orbitolina cf, discoidea Gras, and rare Choffatella decipiens Schlumberger (at base
only). Globigerinids in upper part.

Age: Aptian.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Zubair Formation; contact conformable and
gradational, taken at the top of the first shale bed below the Orbitolina cf. discoidea limestone.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Nahr Umr Formation; contact conformable, taken
at the base of the first considerable shale bed above the limestones with shale streaks of the
upper part of the Shu’aiba.

Other localities: All deep subsurface sections in the Basrah area of southern Iraq, and in Kuwait,
where Burgan-113 is a reference section. Also in central and northern Iraq in Awasil-5, Fallujah-1,
Makhul-1 and 2, Mileh Tharthar-1, Nafatah-1, Najmah-29, etc.

Remarks: In its type area, the Shu’aiba Formation is a dense fine grained whitish limestone with
rare Orbitolina cf. discoidea and Choffatella decipiens. Laterally it passes into dolomites or dolomitic
limestones which are coarsely crystalline, porous and cavernous with recrystallized rudistae”.

This unit is widespread on the western side of the Arabian Gulf and is remarkably constant
lithologically throughout the area with a thickness of 200–300 ft (61–91.4 m). In Qatar Peninsula an
inconformity exists between the (equivalent of the) Shu’aiba Formation and the overlying Nahr Umr
Formation. This is not however the case in the Basrah-Kuwait area and the contacts with both the
overlying and underlying thick sand formations are very gradational (Owen and Nasr, op. cit.).

Formerly the unit was termed the “Orbitolina discoidea limestone”, in unpublished oil company
reports, etc., and this informal name is still in use in some circles.

In northern Iraq the Shu’aiba Formation is represented in the subsurface sections of Awasil-5, Fallujah-
1, Makhul-1 and 2, Mileh Tharthar-1, Nafatah-1, and Najmah-29, and perhaps also in Sasan-1, where
rock-unit relationships are confused by interdigitation and remain to be clarified. Thicknesses range
between about 100–200 ft (30.5–61 m), the thickest section being that in Fallujah-1.

In the Awasil area, identification of the Shu’aiba is based principally upon its position between
overlying Nahr Umr and underlying Zubair formations, which is entirely analogous to the position
found in the type area. The Shu’aiba is a vacuolar secondary dolomite, replacing rudistiferous
limestones, in Awasil-5 and in Nafatah-1, but the faunal vestiges are almost obscured by diagenetic
alteration and no age determination would be possible on the intrinsic evidence provided by these
wells. In Fallujah-1 the formation, though strongly dolomitized, includes abundant determinable
vestiges of Orbitolina cf. discoidea, indicative of Aptian or Barremian age.

Whereas the passage from Shu’aiba Formation to Nahr Umr Formation is said to be gradational and
conformable in Basrah wells, it is extremely abrupt in the sections of the Awasil area. The uppermost
Shu’aiba is coarsely crystalline, vacuolar, and leached, without any vestiges of arenaceous or
argillaceous content. The basal unit of the Nahr Umr introduces coarse, argillaceous, non-calcareous
sandstones, and there is no suggestion of any transition or gradation whatever. In order to explain
the extreme dolomitization of the Shu’aiba, and the abrupt transition from non-arenaceous to
coarse-grade sand deposition, it is accepted that the Shu’aiba is separated from the Nahr Umr by an
unconformity, without angular discordance.

In Awasil, Nafatah, Fallujah and Mileh Tharthar wells the Shu’aiba grades downwards, through
dolomitized calcareous shales and siltstones, into typical sandstones of the Zubair Formation. The
base of the Shu’aiba is placed at the top of the highest shales, and at the base of the continuous
dolomitized limestones.

Northeastwards from Awasil, the Zubair passes laterally into the neritic marly Sarmord Formation,
which may itself contain beds of Orbitolina limestones. In Makhul wells, where the Shu’aiba is
dolomitized, the boundary with undolomitized marly limestones of the Sarmord is clear. In Najmah-
29, still further north, the lower part of the Shu’aiba is coarsely dolomitic, though the upper beds are
only slightly dolomitized Orbitolina limestones: the boundary is placed at the top of a bed of plastic,
pyritic green marls.

The Nahr Umr Formation passes northeastwards from the Awasil area into the anhydritic and shaly
Jawan Formation, which is of Albian age throughout. This unit, slightly silty in Makhul, but without
significant clastics in Najmah, directly overlies the Shu’aiba in these areas. The contact is probably
an erosional break, but without angular discordance. Northwards from Najmah, in Qalian-1, the
Shu’aiba is cut out entirely in the pre-Albian break, Jawan Formation resting upon eroded Najmah
Formation (Upper Jurassic).

The Shu’aiba is not represented in subsurface sections north to northeast from Qalian, where Aptian
or Albian marls and limestones of the Sarmord Formation transgress over eroded Middle Jurassic
Sargelu Formation.

Eastwards from Makhul and Najmah, the Shu’aiba probably passes directly into the neritic Qamchuqa
Formation, which is of comparable facies, and usually dolomitized extensively. The Qamchuqa
ranges in age from Barremian, or older, to Albian, and the Shu’aiba cannot be distinguished within
this larger aggregate of neritic limestones: nor has the Albian/Aptian break been distinguished
within the Qamchuqa, either in Kirkuk-109 or 116, or in the more distant exposed sections of the
mountain-zone of Kurdistan.

The Shu’aiba Formation is of Aptian age in northern Iraq as in Zubair, on the evidence of foraminiferal
faunas which include Orbitolina cf. discoidea Gras, O. discoidea vars., and (in the lower part of the unit)
Choffatella decipiens Schlumberger. Such faunas are found in the Makhul wells and in Najmah-29. The
Awasil and Nafatah sections have provided no useful evidence as to age, though the underlying
Zubair Formation is of Aptian or Barremian age in these wells and the overlying (and unconformable)
Nahr Umr Formation is considered to be Albian.

The Shu’aiba is not exposed in the area of Cretaceous outcrops to the west of Awasil (Wadi Hauran,
etc.). The oldest Cretaceous unit exposed in the Wadi Hauran is the Cenomanian Rutbah Sandstone,
which rests unconformably and with very slight angular discordance upon eroded formations
ranging in age from Middle Jurassic to Middle Triassic. The erosional convergence at the base of the
transgressive Rutbah Sandstone diminishes eastwards, down the regional dip. It is presumed that
the Rutbah is transgressive over the eroded western end of the Shu’aiba Formation, beneath Upper
Cretaceous and Tertiary cover, somewhere in the area lying between Awasil and the Wadi Hauran.

Shurau Limestone Formation: Oligocene (“lower” Oligocene) (Plate VI)

Author: van Bellen (1956). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: Kara Tchauq Dagh series, in part (Nicolesco, 1933); calcaire d’Asmari, in part (Macovei,
1938); série d’Asmari, in part (Macovei, 1938); calcaire de l’Euphrate (?), in part (Macovei, 1938);
Qarah Chauq group, in part (Barber, 1948); Miliola and reef limestones, in part (Barber, 1948); LL and
M. Oligocene Miliola limestone (Henson, 1950); lower reef limestone, in part (Henson, 1950); Miliola
limestone (Grimsdale, 1952); MR/1 (Daniel, 1954).

Type locality and section:

Localition and Thickness: unnnamed well in Kirkuk field (not noted in Lexicon). The
formation is 60 ft (18 m) thick.

Lithology: About 18 ft (5.5 m) of grey dense limestone and about 42 ft (13 m) of porous corallina
limestone.

Fossils: Abundant miliolids, rare Rotalia viennoti Greig and a few Algae occur, apart from the
typifying fauna of Austrotrillina howchini (Schlumberger), Austrotrillina paucialveolata Grimsdale
and Archaias operculiniformis Henson.

Age: The age of this formation is most probably “lower” Oligocene, but no claim is made for
strict correlation with the European Lower Oligocene.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The Sheikh Alas Formation underlies this unit
conformably.

Overlying formation and details of contact: The unit is covered unconformably, by Baba
Limestone Formation. The unconformity is marked by a faunal and facies change, details of
which can be found in van Bellen (1956).

Other localities: This formation has been found in a number of other wells on the Kirkuk structure,
between the Lesser Zab River in the northwest and the southeastern end of the Baba Dome. Shurau
Limestone also occurs in sections on the northern dome of the Qarah Chauq Dagh. More towards the
west it has been found in Anah-1, Hit-1 and in wells in the Awasil area. It also occurs at surface in the
Wadi Kheskeh es Sharqi.

Remarks: Extensive remarks on this formation and its relation to other formations of similar age can
be found in van Bellen (1956). The formation is considered to be the back-reef facies of the Sheikh Alas
and Palani formations.

It can be subdivided on the basis of fossil content into a Subterraniphyllum-zone (after the index fossil
Subterraniphyllum thomasi Elliott, formerly Dendrophyllum gurgurdanensis Thomas MS) - formerly
called the Dendrophyllum-zone - and a paucialveolata-zone (after the index fossil Austrotrillina
paucialveolata Grimsdale). Further details have been given in van Bellen (1956), and can also be found
under the respective headings.

silty argillaceous globigerinal marls: Palaeocene-Eocene

(Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene)

In van Bellen (1956), see Aaliji Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Sinjar Limestone Formation: Palaeocene-Eocene

(Palaeocene-” lower” Eocene) (Plate VI)

Author: A. Keller (1941, unpublished report). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: calcaires brechiques et calcaires massives (Dubertret, 1935).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Near the Village of Mamissa, on the Jebel Sinjar, at 36°22’33”N,
41°41’23”E, where the section is 577 ft (176 m) thick.

Lithology: Limestone, showing elements of algal reef facies, a lagoonal miliolid facies and a
shoal nummulitic facies. Usually recrystallized and yellowish of colour.

Fossils: Alveolina globosa Leymerie, Alveolina primaeva Reichel, Dictyoconus arabicus Henson,
Dictyokathina simplex Smout, Idalina sinjarica Grimsdale, Miscellanea miscella (d’Archiac and
Haime), Nummulites atacicus Leymerie, Opertorbitolites sp., Saudia labyrinthica (Grimsdale),
Taberina daviesi Henson, discocyclinids, miliolids, operculinids, valvulinids, Parachaetetes
asvapatii Pia.

Age: Palaeocene, “lower” Eocene.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The Upper Cretaceous Shiranish Formation
underlies this unit unconformably, the unconformity being marked by a complete faunal and
facies change.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Middle Eocene Jaddala Formation overlies the
Sinjar Limestone unconformably, the contact being marked by “ravinement” and glauconite
concentration.

Other localities: In numerous sections in the mountain area this formation occurs, either alone or
interfingering with the Kolosh Formation. Kashti, Derbannd-i-Bazian, Koi Sanjak, Surdash, Sundur
and Banik are well known studied localities. It is found in a number of MPC wells, as Mushorah-
1, wells in the Butmah area, and Alan-1. In these wells the Sinjar usually interfingers with Aaliji
Formation and/or Kolosh Formation. It also occurs in the Chemchemal-2.

Remarks: A great number of algae has been recorded by Elliott (1955b, 1956c) from various exposures
of this formation in the mountain area.

In Kurdistan this formation usually underlies the Gercüs Formation and it is generally found to
interfinger with the Kolosh Formation. It marks the reef-like facies of the Palaeocene and “lower”
Eocene, separating rather ineffectively the off-shore Aaliji Formation from the near-shore Kolosh
Formation. The Sinjar reefs and shoals did not form a continuous wall but rather a number of separate

reef-banks and islands, which controlled the irregular distribution of the shoal and lagoonal facies.
Gaps between the reef-banks and shoals allowed admission of Kolosh clastic-type sediments to the
zone of off-shore sedimentation in which the globigerinal Aaliji Formation was deposited.

Sinjar limestone lenticle: Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene)

Used in a published report (Anon., 1955). See Sinjar Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

strates de Kara Tchauq Dagh: Oligocene-Miocene

Obsolete term, introduced by Nicolesco (1933). See all formations of the Kirkuk Group, Euphrates
Limestone, Jeribe Limestone. See also Qara Chauq limestone. [R.C. van Bellen]

Subterraniphyllum zone: Oligocene (“lower” Oligocene)

Author: van Bellen (1956). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: Dendrophyllum zone (van Bellen,1956).

The younger zone of the Shurau Formation characterized by absence of Austrotrillina paucialveolata
Grimsdale and presence of Subterraniphyllum thomasi Elliott. Subterraniphyllum thomasi Elliott
1957 replaces Dendrophyllum gurgurdanensis Thomas MS (nomen nudum), and the zone formerly
designated the Dendrophyllum zone (van Bellen, 1956) is now redesignated the Subterraniphyllum
zone. Other fossils are Austrotrillina howchini (Schlumberger) and numerous miliolids. For further
details see van Bellen (1956).

Sulaiy Formation: ?Jurassic-Cretaceous (?Tithonian-Berriasian)

The Sulaiy limestone is defined from outcrop in Saudi Arabia (Steineke and Bramkamp, 1952;
Bramkamp et al., 1956, etc.). In its type area the Sulaiy overlies the Hith Anhydrite Formation, and it
underlies the Yamama Formation, the Hith being of presumed Upper Jurassic age, and the Sulaiy of
presumed Lower Cretaceous age.

In southern Iraq and Kuwait the Sulaiy has not been differentiated, but the limestones immediately
underlying the Ratawi Formation in Ratawi-1 have been referred to the Yamama Formation
(unpublished reports) and the Upper Jurassic “salt and anhydrite” of Burgan-113, in Kuwait (Owen
and Nasr, 1958), is considered to be correlative, in its upper parts, with the Hith Anhydrite of Arabia,
Qatar, etc. Hence the Sulaiy Formation may be considered to be represented in the fine grained
limestone succession which intervenes between recognizable Yamama Formation and the top of the
“salt and anhydrite” in Burgan-113. But since the boundary between the Yamama and the Sulaiy
has not been firmly fixed, either in this well or in Ratawi-1, the succession lying below the Ratawi
Formation and above the “salt and anhydrite” is treated as a combined unit, the Yamama/Sulaiy
formation.

The Sulaiy is homotaxial and probably correlative with the Makhul Formation of wells in central
Iraq. The Makhul is considered to be of Middle Tithonian-Berriasian age, and the Sulaiy probably
of like age. Since these two formations are of comparable lithology, it is probable that they will be
combined, eventually, into a single formation, the Sulaiy limestone, the name Makhul Formation
being discarded as a junior synonym.

Surdkah conglomerate: Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene)

Misspelling (Anon., 1955) for Sardakh conglomerate, which see. [R.C. van Bellen]

T/1-T/13: Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

Informal marker notations in the “transition beds”. See Lower Fars Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Tanjero Clastic Formation: Cretaceous (Upper Senonian) (Plate III)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1952, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington and R. Wetzel]

Synonymy: Cretaceous shale series, in part (Noble, 1927); flysch series, in part (de Boeckh et al., 1929);
Germav formation, in part (Anon., 1955).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Sirwan Valley, near Halabja, North Iraq; between Kani Karweshkan
and the scarp of Nador. The measured and sampled section runs from 1 km south of Kani
Karweshkan, at about 35°7’42”N, 45°54’14”E, directly across the dip, and tangential to the large
curve of the river. The thickness of the section is 2,018 m (6,619 ft).

Lithology: Upper part, of 1,532 m (5,025 ft) of silty marls, siltstones, sandstones, conglomerates,
and sandy or silty organic detrital limestones, with intercalations of organic reef and shoal-type
limestones. Lower part, of 484 m (1,587.5 ft) of globigerinal marls and rare marly limestones
with silt; silt content diminishing downwards. The non-calcareous clastics throughout are
dominated by chert and green-rock detritus; the conglomerates in the upper part include
pebbles of Mesozoic limestones of various ages, of dolomites and recrystallized limestones,
and of radiolarian cherts. The upper part of the formation is rapidly variable, both vertically
and laterally, in the immediate vicinity of the measured type section.

Fossils: Upper part: Gryphaea vesicularis (Lamarck); Hippurites cf. morgani Douville; Hippurites
(Orbignya), spp. nov. Hudson (in preparation); Praeradiolites cylindraceus (Desmoulins), Turbo
clathratus Binkhorst; Vaccinites cf. galloprovincialis Douville Loftusia morgani Douville, Loftusia
elongata Cox, L. persica Brady, L. sp. nov. Hudson (in preparation); Omphalocyclus macropora
(Lamarck), Siderolites calcitrapoides Lamarck: planktonic foraminifera, including: Globotruncana
stuarti (de Lapparent), G. leupoldi Bolli, G. lapparenti subspp., G. arca Cushman, G. fornicata
Plummer, G. spp., Gumbelina spp.: smaller foraminifera indet.; Pseudolithothamnium album
Pfender, Trinocladus sp., Ovulites sp. Lower part: Loftusia elongata Cox; Siderolites calcitrapoides
Lamarck; Globigerina cretacea d’Orbigny, Globigerina spp., Globigerinella cf. aspera (Ehrenberg),
Globotruncana calcarata Cushman, G. leupoldi Bolli, G. stuarti (de Lapparent), G. fornicata
Plummer, G. cf. marginata (Reuss), G. lapparenti cf. bulloides Vogler, G. lapparenti tricarinata
(Quereau), G. spp., Gumbelina spp., Pseudotextularia cf. elegans (Rzehak); smaller foraminifera
indet., etc.

Age: Upper Cretaceous. Upper part; Maastrichtian throughout. Lower part; Maastrichtian at
top, late Upper Campanian at base.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Shiranish Formation; contact gradational

and conformable, placed at the lowest occurrence of silt-grade clastics (serpentine-chert
sands) which corresponds approximately to a change of weathering colour from French blue
(Shiranish Formation) below to olive green (Tanjero Formation) above.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Kolosh clastics Formation; contact a major
unconformity, without angular discordance, but with marked palaeontological break, with
extensive derivation of mid-Maastrichtian fossils into the overlying Palaeocene, and with
conglomerate, 32 m (105 ft) thick, at the base of the Kolosh.

Other localities: Throughout the eastern zone of Kurdistan, in most sections which expose Upper
Cretaceous sediments, including measured and sampled sections at Gundi-i-Shikavt, Dar-a-Tesu,

Sareshma, Zibar, Diza, Naoruen, Mazna, Diyana, Naokelekan, Endezah, Shaikhan, Kometan, Balki,
Zar Gelli, Koi Sanjak, Surdash, Ru Kuchuk, Rowanduz, Razan, Zhazkok, Mergassor, Argosh, Pila Spi,
etc. Also in Chemchemal-2.

Remarks: The very variable deposits of the Tanjero Formation are largely restricted to a deep trough-
like depression, which originated in Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian times. This trough runs north-
northwest to south-southeast through northeastern Iraq, cutting obliquely across the grain of the late-
Tertiary structures, and it continues northwestwards into eastern Turkey, and south-southeastwards,
more or less in line with the Zagros folding, into southwestern Persia.

Correlatives in Persia have been termed “Maastrichtian flysch” v. H. de Boeckh et al., in Synonymy;
also Kent et al., 1951). In southeastern Turkey, equivalent sediments constitute the lower part of the
Germav formation (= Kermav, Kirmav, etc., shale, marl etc.) (v. Tromp, 1941; Tasman, 1949; A. Ten
Dam, 1952, etc.) .

The Tanjero sediments were deposited contemporaneously with the globigerinal marls and limestones
of the Shiranish Formation, which may occupy the full Upper Cretaceous succession in areas, which
are remote from the source of clastics.

The clastics were derived from an uplifted orogen of some nature, which lay immediately to the
northeast of Iraq’s northeastern borders. They comprise pebbles and finer grade detritus of many
different Mesozoic limestones, which range in age from Triassic to Turonian, and abundances of
green-rock fragments and of radiolarian cherts, which range in age up to Cenomanian. Derived
isolated Radiolaria are common detrital elements both in the Tanjero and in the succeeding
(Palaeocene) Kolosh clastic Formation. It is useful to refer to the characteristic detrital suite as “flysch
type elastics”, without inferring any present, compressional, “Alpine” orogeny, however.

The base of the formation is usually gradational into globigerinal marls or marly limestones of the
Shiranish Formation, indicating that entry of clastics did not commence until the Upper Campanian-
Maastrichtian transgression was under way. The first clastic accumulations occurred in the northeast,
and the formation encroached progressively towards the southwest to that the Tanjero/Shiranish
boundary is markedly diachronous (H.V. Dunnington, 1955).

Clastic-free intervals of globigerinal marls, precisely similar, to those of the Shiranish Formation,
may occur above the lowest clastics of the Tanjero, especially near to the base of the formation. In
some cases the conventional acceptance of the lowest clastics as marking the base of a continuous
Tanjero Formation may obscure important intertonguing. In such cases it may be preferable to
identify Shiranish and Tanjero Formation tongues, on the basis of presence or absence of “flysch type
clastics”.

Reef- and fore-reef-type limestones of both Upper Campanian age (Bekhme Limestone) and
Maastrichtian age (Aqra Limestone) occur, locally, as intertonguing lentils within the Tanjero and
Shiranish formations, preferentially towards the top of the Tanjero, and at approximately the Tanjero-
Shiranish transition. In some areas (as Aqra(?), Ser Amadia, Chia Gara, etc.), the Bekhme and Aqra
Limestone may amalgamate into a massive continuous limestone unit, extending downwards from
the Tertiary/Cretaceous unconformity to the base of the Upper Cretaceous, and excluding entirely
the Shiranish and Tanjero formations.

Wherever age determination is possible, a considerable palaeontological and stratigraphical break

is indicated between the Tanjero and the overlying rock units, except in those cases where the Aqra
Limestone succeeds the clastic formation.

The immediately following unit varies considerably from area to area. Most usually it is one or other
of the four Palaeocene-Lower Eocene units which are recognized (Kolosh clastic Formation, Aaliji
(marl) Formation, lagoonal Khurmala Formation, organic-detrital Sinjar limestone Formation). In
other localities the Gercüs red beds (?Middle Eocene) or the Middle Eocene Pila Spi Limestone lie

unconformably, but without angular discordance, on eroded Tanjero, whilst in the extreme northeast,
the unconformity, which is locally an angular discordance also, is between Maastrichtian Tanjero
Formation and the Miocene Govanda Formation.

In most of these cases, unconformity is manifested by basal conglomerates in the Tertiary units, or
by extensive derivation of Maastrichtian fossils into the Tertiary units, or by an erosional surface
at the top of the Tanjero (or by two or all of these indications). The Govanda/Tanjero relations are
particularly impressive. The Govanda transgresses across an eroded land surface, which truncates
the Tanjero at a low angle. The surface is marked, over large areas, by a deep, red-stained, weathered
zone, and patchy; polygenetic conglomerates occur in depressions within it. The basal Govanda
is largely comprised of derived Maastrichtian fossils, which persist upwards for several tens of ft
into the Miocene. Similar though less spectacular relations are found between the Tanjero and the
Palaeocene Khurmala formations, locally, as at Dar-a-Tesu, etc.

During the widely expressed Tertiary/Cretaceous break, the environmental controls on facies
distribution were changed considerably, and it is unusual to find Maastrichtian rock units in any
particular facies overlain by precisely similar rock units of Palaeocene age. But the areas of deposition
of the Tanjero and Kolosh clastic formations do overlap, and in some cases it may be necessary to fall
back upon palaeontological age determination in order to differentiate between these two similar
rock units.

Notwithstanding the widespread evidence for a Tertiary/ Cretaceous unconformity, it is conceivable

that, in some areas, deposition of Tanjero and Kolosh may have been continuous (though no instance
has been encountered). In such case it would be desirable to select an arbitrary, palaeontologically-
controlled division between Tanjero and Kolosh, corresponding, perhaps, to the Tertiary/Cretaceous
age boundary, rather than to obscure an elsewhere genetically important break by reference of the
Tanjero and Kolosh to a single formation.

The northeastern limit of distribution of the Tanjero has not been closely studied in the field. It is
frequently concealed beneath the over thrusts of the frontier mountains, which are comprised of
principally Tertiary sediments, some metamorphozed, and of volcanic and igneous rocks. There is
evidence that the northeastern shore-line is closely approached in the Naoruen and Balki-Endezah
areas of Kurdistan, where the clastics contained in the formation are extremely limited in variety and
clearly derived from nearby sources. At Zaita between Shirwan and Argosh, the Tanjero is cut out in
the pre-Miocene break, and “lower” Miocene Govanda Formation rests directly on eroded Albian or
older Qamchuqa Formation. G.M. Lees (1930, unpublished report) recorded shore-line conglomerates,
marking the northeastern limit of Tanjero deposition, in the Gankawa Seurala area, near Choarta.

The mutual relationships between the Tanjero Clastic Formation and the Campanian Hadiena
(fragmental limestone and marl) Formation of the northwestern frontier area are obscure. Although
the Hadiena is replete with detritus, this is mostly of penecontemporaneous limestones and cherts,
and of haematite, with occasional abundances of quartz grains. The “flysch-type clastics” are entirely
lacking from the Hadiena, whilst the characteristic haematites, cherts and quartz grains of the
Hadiena are virtually absent from the Tanjero. Speculations as to the significances of these and other
marked differences between the formations must await further study of the Hadiena and further
enquiry into the Cretaceous palaeogeography of the area to the north of Amadia and Chalki.

The formation is named after the Tanjero River, which drains in to the Diyala from the northwest at
Shaqmaidan, near Halabja. The thickest developments of the Tanjero lie within the catchment drained
by this river.

Tanuma Formation: Cretaceous (?Upper Campanian) (Plate IV)

Author: P.M.V. Rabanit (1952, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: Tanuma formation (Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Type locality and section (from Owen and Nasr, 1958):

Location and Thickness: Zubair-3; the formation occurs between drilled depths 6,943–7,040 ft
(2,116.8–2,146.3 m), and is 97 ft (29.6 m) thick.

Lithology: Black shale with streaks of detrital limestones. The shales are fissile; the limestones
are grey, marly, microcrystalline, pyrite spotted, detrital, with glauconite and dolomite crystals
throughout. An oolitic limestone streak appears in the upper part of the formation; the ooliths
have a core of pyrite or glauconite.

Fossils: The detrital limestones contain Monolepidorbis sp., Cristellaria sp., ostracods and
Bryozoa.

Age: Upper Senonian (Owen and Nasr, 1958) (see Remarks).

Underlying formation and details of contact: Khasib Formation; contact conformable, at the
change from black fissile shales above to grey marly limestones below.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Sa’di Formation; contact conformable, at the
change from globigerinal marly limestone above to black fissile shales below.

Other localities: All deep subsurface sections in the Basrah area.

Remarks: In the Basrah wells the Tanuma Formation varies in thickness from 20–170 ft (6.1–51.8
m). It has not been formally recognized in southeastern Kuwait, where equivalents are probably
represented in the lower part of the Gudair Formation, though cut out by onlap convergence in areas
of structural uplift. It is recognized in northeastern Kuwait (Fox, 1957) where the underlying and
overlying formations are the Sa’di and Khasib formations respectively, as in the Basrah area.

In northern Iraq the Shiranish Formation includes variants identical in facies and age with the
Tanuma. The age of the formation is given as Upper Senonian by Owen and Nasr (1958), but the
fauna appears to justify an Upper Campanian age attribution.

Tarjil Formation: Oligocene (“middle” Oligocene) (Plate VI)

Author: van Bellen (1956). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: Qarah Chauq group, in part (Barber, 1948); Globigerinal marls and limestones (Baker,
1948); Go/2 (Daniel, 1954).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Kirkuk-85 (K/85); the formation occurs between drilled depths
2,828–3,192 ft (862.2–973.2 m), and is 350 ft (107 m) thick.

Lithology: Slightly dolomitized globigerinal marly limestone.

Fossils: Apart from the not yet determined smaller foraminiferal fauna, the formation contains
Nummulites intermedius-fichteli d’Archiac and Haime, Lepidocyclina s.l. spp., Rotalia viennoti
Greig and other larger foraminifera, which are also found in the Baba Limestone Formation.

Age: A “middle” Oligocene age has been adopted for this formation. No claim is made of strict
correlation with the European Middle Oligocene.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The Palani Formation underlies this unit
unconformably, the unconformity being marked by a concentration of glauconite.

Overlying formation and details of contact: The Baba Limestone Formation grades
downwards into this unit, the contact is therefore conformable.

Other localities: A few additional wells on the southern part of the Baba Dome of the Kirkuk structure
(the Tarjil plunge) show this formation. It occurs also in one well on the southwest flank of the Bai
Hassan structure. To the southeast the unit occurs in Kor Mor-2. Northwest of the Kirkuk area it has
been encountered in Qalian-1 and Gusair-1 and in Gullar-1. The formation is recognized also in Mileh
Tharthar-1 in western Iraq.

Remarks: Extensive remarks on this formation and on its relation to other Oligocene units can be
found in van Bellen (1956). The formation is the off-shore equivalent of the Baba Limestone, into
which it grades both upwards and laterally. The age of the formation can be established only if
interfingering with Baba Limestone can be observed, or if ages of overlying and underlying units can
be determined, or if larger foraminifera occur (the smaller foraminifera have not been examined as
yet).

Tayarat Limestone Formation: Cretaceous (Upper Senonian) (Plates II and IV)

Author: F.R.S. Henson (1940, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: Tayarat limestone (Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Scarp-face and crest of Jebel Tayarat (Tayarat non Ayarat), 21
miles nearly due south of Rutbah (32°46’N, 40°17’E). The thickness is about 30 m (98.4 ft)
(incomplete).

Lithology: Rubbly, porous; white, buff and pink; rather chalky, fossiliferous, recrystallized,
dolomitized, locally sandy limestone, conspicuously more massive at the base.

Fossils: Loftusia morgani Douville. Omphalocyclus macropora (Lamarck).

Age: Maastrichtian.

Underlying formation and details of contact: M’sad Formation; contact an erosional

unconformity, taken at the base of a localized conglomerate.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Not seen at the type locality.

Other localities: Southwestern Desert of Iraq (Macfadyen, 1938); oil well sections in the Basrah area
(Zubair, Nahr Umr, Ratawi and Rumaila wells) and in Kuwait (Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Remarks: The Tayarat Limestone is the local and only representative, in the Rutbah-Ga’ara area,
of the sediments of the widespread transgression of Upper Cretaceous time. The formation has a
total thickness of some 48 m (157.4 ft) in the Tayarat-Thoba area, and is terminated by an erosional
unconformity. The overlying formations, presumably of Palaeocene or Lower Eocene age, have not
been studied west of the type locality.

Passing northwards from Jebel Tayarat through Jebel Thoba, and towards the western rim of the
Ga’ara Depression, the Tayarat Limestone is cut out progressively, by the erosion of its upper parts,
and also perhaps by onlap convergence. In the sections of a Hill 270, (33°18’0”N, 40°10’30”E), and
Khasm Mulussa (33°18’30”N, 40°7’E), the formation is absent, the Palaeocene Umm er Radhuma
Formation resting discordantly on eroded M’sad Formation. The convergence increases northwards,
so that, at Ras Semhat, the Umm er Radhuma rests directly on Triassic Ga’ara Sandstone.

The details of the erosional convergence from Tayarat to An Nadhara have not been studied.

The Tayarat is younger than the Pilsener Limestone, which is found at the top of the Cretaceous
succession in wells of the Awasil area, some 250 km east-northeast of the type locality. Nevertheless,
these two units may be continuous between these two areas; in this event, at least the upper part of
the Pilsener in this area could fall into junior synonymy with the Tayarat.

In facies, fauna and age the Tayarat bears a close resemblance to parts of the Aqra Limestone Formation
of Kurdistan. The two formations are recognized as separate units because of the great distance
separating their areas of distribution, and because they are genetically and palaeogeographically
distinct. The Tayarat pertains to the gently shelving southwestern margin of the Upper Cretaceous
basin, whereas the Aqra was developed only in the northeast, within and along the southwestern
margin of the deep trough of Maastrichtian times, in which the thick flysch-like Tanjero Formation
was deposited.

In southern Iraq and in Kuwait the Tayarat is recognized as the uppermost unit of the Upper
Cretaceous. In these areas, according to Owen and Nasr (1958), the unit is: essentially in the same
facies as in its type locality, it consists of brownish and dark grey granular crystalline, dolomitic and
sometimes anhydritic limestones and whitish limestones interbedded with minor quantities of thin
but diagnostic black bituminous pyritic shales. The top of this formation has been taken at the top of
the first black shale immediately below which the first Loftusia appears.

“The formation as a whole is of shallow-water deposition and is often highly porous. Species of
Loftusia and Lepidorbitoides are common in the limestones and Omphalocyclus in the shales. The
thickness of this formation varies between 300 (91.5) and 900 ft (274.4 m), with a probable average of
500 ft (152.4 m). In Zubair-3 it occurs between 4,482–5,210 ft (1,366.5–1,588.4 m).

In the Basrah area the Tayarat conformably overlies the Qurna Formation, which is a globigerinal
marl and marly limestone unit, comparable with the upper parts of the Shiranish Formation, of which
it might be considered to be an outlying tongue.

Formations closely comparable with the Tayarat are known at outcrop in Saudi Arabia (Aruma
Formation; Bramkamp and Steineke, 1952; Thralls and Hasson, 1957, etc.) and in well sections in
Arabia, and in Qatar (Simsima Formation, Sugden, 1958, MS).

terme de Basita: Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see Basita beds and Umm er Radhuma Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

terme de Chabd: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see Chabd beds, Dammam Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

terme de Ghurra: Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see Ghurra beds and Umm er Radhuma Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

terme de Huweimi: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see Huweimi beds and Dammam Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

terme de Radhuma: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see Rudhuma beds and Dammam Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

terme de Shabicha: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see Shabicha beds and Dammam Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

terme de Sharaf: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see Sharaf beds and Dammam Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

terme de Shawiya: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see Shawiya beds, Dammam Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

terme de Tuqaiyid: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see Tuqaiyid beds and Dammam Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

terme de Wagsa: Palaeocene-Eocene (“lower” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see Wagsa beds and Umm er Radhuma Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Thamama Group: Cretaceous (Lower Cretaceous)

The Thamama Group was originated in Saudi Arabia (Steineke and Bramkamp, 1952) to embrace the
Buwaib, Yamama and Sulaiy limestone formations, which intervene between the Wasi’a Formation
and the top of Hith Anhydrite Formation. At outcrop, the group includes a major unconformity
between the Buwaib and the underlying Yamama, Sulaiy and Hith formations (Bramkamp et al.,
1955). In the coastal provinces of Saudi Arabia, where the succession is more complete, the Thamama
group has been recognized for some years as embracing the succession lying between the top of the
“Orbitolina discoidea limestone” (Shu’aiba Formation) and the top of the Hith Anhydrite.

The group has been formally recognized in southern Iraq (Owen and Nasr, 1958) where its upper part
includes the Shu’aiba Formation, Zubair Formation and Ratawi Formation. The base of the group has
not been reached in any well in this area, though it was approached in Ratawi-1.

The Thamama Group is not a recognized rock unit in northern Iraq. [H.V. Dunnington]

third pay, Zubair field, Cretaceous (Barremian)

This name is applied to the upper of two productive oil-filled sandstone reservoirs lying within
the Zubair Formation of the Zubair oilfield, in southern Iraq. Although the Third Pay is not a
stratigraphical unit in the strict sense, since the acceptance of the term pay presupposes the presence
of oil, there is an inevitable tendency to utilize the name rather than to refer to a stipulated sandstone
interval within the Zubair Formation. The term has appeared in occasional publications (e.g. Lees,
1953). [R.C. van Bellen]

transition beds: Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

Informal unit of the Lower Fars Formation. See Lower Fars Formation. Equivalent to “zone of thin
limestones in the Lower Fars” (Lees, 1933).

transition zone: Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

Informal unit of the Lower Fars Formation. See Lower Fars Formation. Equivalent to zone of thin
limestones in the Lower Fars (Lees 1933). [R.C. van Bellen]

Tuba member: Cretaceous (Cenomanian)

See Ahmadi Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Tuqaiyid beds: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

An informal term introduced by T.F. Williamson and D.C. Rogers in an unpublished report in 1941.
See Dammam formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Tuqaiyid (terme de ...): Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see terme de Tuqaiyid and Dammam Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Uba’id Formation: Jurassic (Liassic) (Plate III)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1954, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: calcaire de Mulussa, in part (Mitchell, 1956).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Along the Wadi Hauran, from a point 2 km northwest of the junction
of Wadi Hauran and Wadi Husainiya, 5 km west of Muhaiwir, at approximate 33°32’0”N,
41°2’50”E, to the junction of Wadi Hauran and Wadi Uba’id, at 33°30’20”N, 40°58’40”E. The
formation is named after the Wadi. It is 75 m (246 ft) where exposed, upper limit unknown.

Lithology: 1.6 m (5.2 ft) hard, crystalline limestones with nodules of grey flint, overlying: 36.9
m (121 ft) of pseudo-oolitic, ostracodiferous, dolomitized and recrystallized limestones, with
subordinate marl and marl-and-limestone intercalations, overlying: 36.4 m (119.4 ft) of similar
limestones, more dolomitized, without significant marl intercalations, and with abundant
chert nodules.

Fossils: Archaediscus sp., Problematina sp., ostracoda, and lamellibranchs.

Age: Not ascertained. The microfauna indicates Liassic or Triassic age, but is indeterminate
between these alternatives. The next younger exposed formation, the Muhaiwir Formation,
carries a rich Bathonian fauna. The underlying Zor Hauran Formation is correlated, tentatively,
with the Baluti Shale Formation of Kurdistan, for which Rhaetic age is accepted, and the
macrofauna from the next underlying Mulussa Formation indicates Upper Triassic age. Thus,
on the basis of regional correlation, the Uba’id Formation is probably Liassic in age.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Zor Hauran Formation, contact gradational;
conformable, arbitrarily placed at the base of the lowest cherty dolomites, a little above the top
of the highest yellow, gypsiferous marls.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Rutbah Sandstone; contact an erosional

unconformity, with convergence (due to erosion) increasing towards the west.

Other localities: Scattered exposures in the Wadi Hauran area, west of Muhaiwir. Not known
elsewhere.

Remarks: The Uba’id Formation is clearly set apart from the underlying, marl- and shale-dominated
Zor Hauran Formation by the absence of any but insignificant argillaceous components from its lower
parts, and by the presence of abundant chert. The upper limit of the formation in the full depositional
succession has not been observed: it may yet be traced, below the Rutbah Sandstone, in the area of
muddled and poor exposures between the type locality and Muhaiwir.

The base of the next younger exposed unit, the Muhaiwir Formation, has not been located in the field.
It should be exposed between Muhaiwir and Wadi Uba’id. It is probable that the Muhaiwir Formation
directly overlies the Uba’id Formation. There is evidence of erosional unconformity within the Liassic
of Mileh Tharthar-1, and thus some reason for supposing that the contact, wherever situated, may be
unconformable.

It was thought originally that the highest beds of the type section for the Uba’id Formation were
continuous and correlative with beds low down in the Muhaiwir Formation east of Muhaiwir, but
this correlation is not supported by laboratory studies. The Uba’id Formation comprises restricted -
fauna - near-evaporitic limestones and dolomites; normal neritic limestones are absent. The Muhaiwir
Formation carries an abundant, normal, neritic fauna. The Bathonian age of the pertinent beds in the
Muhaiwir Formation is established: the age of the supposedly correlative beds in the Uba’id section
is not established, but they are considered to be much older than Bathonian. Extensive diachronism
of the formation boundaries concerned is not conceivable in the setting in which they are found, and
over the rather small distances involved. It has been suggested that the proximity in place of the
exposures of the Uba’id and Muhaiwir formations, below the base of the Rutbah Sandstone, may be
due to faulting, upthrown in the east, preceding the pre-Albian erosional episode.

The Uba’id is probably in part a correlative of the Butmah Formation of the subsurface sections west
of the Tigris River, and also of the Sarki Formation of Kurdistan exposures. All three formations show
broad similarities, but each has individual characteristics not matched in the others. The Uba’id lacks
argillaceous components and is characterized by an abundance of chert, whilst chert is a rarity in the
Butmah, and interbedded shales are commonplace. Because of such fundamental differences, and
also because the Uba’id-Butmah correlation remains tentative and vague, the retention of the Uba’id
as a separate formation is justified.

Umm er Radhuma Formation: Palaeocene-Eocene

(Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene) (Plate VI)

Authors: Steineke and Bramkamp (1952). Defined first by Steineke, Bramkamp and Sander (1958).
[R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: Radhuma formation (Fox, 1956, 1957); formation d’Aidah (Mitchell, 1956); formation
d’Auja (Mitchell, 1956). Non synonymy: terme de Radhuma (Mitchell, 1956), Radhuma formation
(Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: The formation was originally named from Saudi Arabia. Owen and
Nasr refer to a supplementary type section from the Basrah area: Zubair-3, between 2,980–4,482
ft (908.5–1,366.4 m) drilled depth, with a thickness of 1,502 ft (458 m).

Lithology: Anhydritic and dolomitic limestone, mostly dull white or buff, microcrystalline
porous. Chert occurs in the higher part of the formation.

Fossils: Fossils are rare, but one horizon at the top contains Alveolina dolioliformis Schwager,
Alveolina oblonga d’Orbigny and Alveolina ovoidea d’Orbigny. Operculina libyca Schwager has
also been reported. R.G.S. Hudson (1951, unpublished report) records Pseudomiltha (Lucina)
gigantea Deshayes and Turritella cf. carinifora Deshayes.

Age: Palaeocene and “lower” Eocene.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The Upper Cretaceous Tayarat Formation
occurs below this unit, reputedly conformably, but widespread unconformity between Upper
Cretaceous and Tertiary in Iraq suggests that the contact is unconformable here as well.

Overlying formation and details of contact: The Rus anhydrite Formation overlies the Umm
er Radhuma Formation conformably in the supplementary type section.

Other localities: The formation occurs at surface southwest and west of a line joining Ansab, Shabicha
and Lussuf. The formation also occurs in all deep wells drilled west of Nahr Umr.

Remarks: For field mapping purposes two informal limestone units have been recognized within
this formation on the basis of their topographical expression as scarps in the otherwise rather flat
desert. The lowest of these units, the Ghurra beds, is defined from the scarp situated about 50 km
west-southwest of the Wagsa water wells. The locality lies about 2 km southwest of triangulation
point S. 85. The Ghurra beds are 118 ft (36 m) thick in this locality but the base is not exposed so that
this is a minimum thickness. The fauna consists largely of algae, miliolids, ostracods and valvulinids,
and is non-diagnostic. The age is Palaeocene, however, as it underlies Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene
Basita beds, the second informal unit. The upper part of these Basita beds is eroded in the type area. A
type locality occurs about 18 km (11 miles) southwest of Aidah where 49 ft (15 m) is exposed. Fossils
include Alveolina primaeva Reichel, Dictyoconus cf. walnutensis Carsey, Operculina libyca Schwager and
Saudia cf. discoidea Henson. A macrofauna, collected from various localities, includes Cardita aegyptiaca
Fraas and Conoclypeus aft. delanouei de Loriol.

It is as yet unproved whether the base of the Umm er Radhuma coincides with the base of the
Ghurra beds. Nor is it certain that the Wagsa beds should not be included in the Umm er Radhuma
Formation, rather than in the Dammam Formation, the procedure adopted here.

The formation increases greatly in thickness eastwards. In the Batn scarp, close to the frontier with
Saudi Arabia, in a composite section near Aidah, the measured thickness is 705 ft (215 m). 1,435 ft
(437.5 m) are attributed to the unit in Ratawi-1 and the thicknesses in Zubair wells exceed 1,500 ft
(457.3 m).

For additional discussion, especially concerning the contact with the overlying Rus Formation, see
“Remarks” on that formation.

The formation also occurs at surface in western central Iraq. Along the western rim of the Ga’ara
Depression it transgresses over the pre-Tertiary outcrops of the Maastrichtian Tayarat Limestone and
the Cenomanian M’sad Formation and Rutbah Sandstone onto deeply eroded Middle Triassic Ga’ara
Sandstone. It is absent from the southwestern parts of the Ga’ara and from the Wadi Hauran.

undifferentiated Fars: Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

Informal term, see under Govanda Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Upper Bakhtiari Formation: Pliocene (Plate VI)

Authors: Busk and Mayo (1918). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: red clay and sandstone series, in part (Pascoe, 1922); Kurd series, in part (Pascoe, 1922);
phases d and e (Pascoe, 1922).

Type locality and details of section: The type locality of this formation, first described from Iran,
should be in that country, but Elder (1958) does not describe one. Ion et al. (1951) give a useful and
extensive description of the formation as developed in the Agha Jani oil field.

Remarks: The formation in northern Iraq is identical with its Iranian equivalent. It is largely made up
of coarse and thick fluviatile and estuarine conglomerates, products of erosion of the rising mountain
ranges, deposited in one or more sinking troughs in front of those ranges.

Alluvium covers the formation unconformably in the unfolded area. In parts of the foothills and
folded zones residual and terrace gravels of Recent and Pleistocene age rest with high angular
discordance on deeply eroded Upper Bakhtiari and older formations.

The Upper Bakhtiari Formation overlies the Lower Bakhtiari Formation. The contact is probably
markedly diachronous, as structures continued to rise throughout the deposition of these two units.
Local unconformities occur throughout the formation, increasing in scope towards the crests of the
folds. The contact with underlying Lower Bakhtiari, which is usually drawn at the first appearance of
the thick conglomerates, which characterize the formation, is usually an erosional unconformity.

In southern Iraq, sediments of a similar nature occur within the Dibdibba Formation.

Upper Cretaceous flysch: Cretaceous (Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian)

This is not a defined rock-stratigraphic term. See Tanjero Clastics Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Upper Cretaceous-section I: Cretaceous (Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian)

This unit described in some detail by Daniel (1954), is the Shiranish Formation as encountered in Ain
Zalah-16. [H.V. Dunnington]

Upper Cretaceous-sections II, III and IV: Cretaceous

(?L. Senonian-Lower Campanian)

These units, described in some detail by Daniel (1954), comprise the Mushorah Formation, as
encountered in Ain Zalah-16 and 19. See Mushorah Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Upper Eocene shoal facies: Eocene (“upper” Eocene)

In van Bellen (1956), see Avanah Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Upper Fars Formation: Miocene (“upper” Miocene) (Plate VI)

Authors: Busk and Mayo (1918). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: red clay and sandstone series, in part (Pascoe, 1922); Kurd series, in part (Pascoe, 1922);
phase a (Pascoe, 1922).

Type locality and details of section: The type locality of this formation should be in Iran from where
Busk and Mayo first described it. Elder (1958) fails to mention one, however. Ion et al. (1951) give a
detailed description of the formation in the Agha Jani oil field.

Remarks: This formation consists, in Iraq as in Iran, of subcontinental and continental purple, red,
brown and grey marls, silts, siltstones, sandstones and grits. Rare fresh-water limestones also occur.
The unit occurs widespread at surface in North Iraq but loses its identity, probably in the Dibdibba
Formation, in South Iraq.

Its lower limit is marked by the change from marine Middle Fars conditions to subcontinental Upper
Fars conditions. It is almost certainly markedly diachronous. The contact with the Lower Bakhtiari
Formation, its upper limit, is marked by the first appearance of pebbles in sandstones, sometimes by
an actual pebble bed. Again, this contact is probably diachronous.

Although no fossil evidence has been found, it is probable that the age is high Miocene.

Upper Oligocene limestone: Oligocene (“upper” Oligocene)

In Henson (1950), see Anah Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Upper Oligocene Miliola limestone: Oligocene (“middle” Oligocene)

In Henson (1950), see Bajawan Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Upper Oligocene-Lower Miocene Miliola limestone:

Oligocene (“upper” Oligocene)

In Henson (1950), see Anah Limestone Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

upper red beds: Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

Informal unit of the Lower Fars Formation. See Lower Fars Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Upper Senonian: Cretaceous (Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian)

See Senonian-Upper. [H.V. Dunnington]

upper Shiranish limestone: Cretaceous (Turonian)

Name applied in Anon. (1955), to the Turonian Kometan limestone Formation in the Dokan Gorge
area. The place name is pre-occupied, the Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian Shiranish Formation
having priority. See Kometan Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

Wagsa beds: Eocene (“middle” Eocene)

An informal term introduced by H. Huber and R.M. Ramsden in an unpublished report in 1945. See
Dammam Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Wagsa (terms de ...): Palaeocene-Eocene (Palaeocene-”lower” Eocene)

In Mitchell (1956), see terms de Wagsa and Umm er Radhuma Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Wara Formation: Cretaceous (Cenomanian or Albian) (Plate IV)

Authors: Owen and Nasr (1958). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: Wara sandstone (= Dibdibba Formation)

Remarks: The Wara Formation is defined from Burgan-113, in the Burgan field of Kuwait, in the
following terms: “The Wara Formation in Kuwait averages 180 ft (54.9 m) in thickness and consists
of a series of alternating fine grained sandstones and siltstones with interbedded grey shales in the
upper part and grey shales in which a large lenticular sand body is often present (previously called
the “Second Sand”) in the lower part. The shales are often lignitic and may contain amber. Both
sands and shales are often glauconitic, particularly in the lower part of the formation. Fossils include
Exogyra cf, columba (Lamarck), Orbitolina, Trigonia, Ostrea, etc.”

The Wara Formation is conformably overlain by the Ahmadi Formation while the lower contact with
the Mauddud suggests a slight disconformity. The Wara Formation has been traced northwards to
the Basrah area and is represented by black silty unfossiliferous shales and siltstones some 50–60 ft
(15.2–18.3 m) thick, which contain, in Rumaila and Ratawi, a bed of fine-grained, oil-saturated sand,
some 7–10 ft (2.1–3 m) thick. (Owen and Nasr, op. cit.).

The age of the Wara Formation is not evidenced by contained fauna. The overlying Ahmadi carries
a Cenomanian macrofauna, and the age of this unit must be fairly early Cenomanian, since the
succeeding Rumaila and Mishrif formations are also attributed to this stage. The underlying
Mauddud Formation is referred to the Albian, and the lower parts of the Khatiyah Formation of
Qatar, for which Sugden (1958, MS) accepts Albian age, are considered to include correlatives of the
Wara at their base. At present it may be stated that the Wara is of either early Cenomanian or of late
Albian age. The existence of disconformity between the Wara and the Albian Mauddud, and the
conformity of the boundary with the overlying Cenomanian Ahmadi Formation argue, perhaps, for
Cenomanian rather than Albian age for the Wara Formation.

In the wells of the Basrah area, where the Wara is thin and not always readily distinguished, the
now obsolescent Asara formation was originally defined (R.M.V. Rabanit, unpublished reports) to
accommodate the measures which now make up the Wara and Ahmadi formations.

The Wara Formation is not recognized north of the Basrah oilfields. In the wells of the Awasil-Fallujah-
Mileh Tharthar area, possible equivalents are cut out of the few known well-sections by an erosional
unconformity which places fairly late-Cenomanian Mahilban Limestone upon eroded Mauddud
Formation (or upon Nahr Umr Formation in the case of the Mileh Tharthar well). The unconformity
at the top of the Mauddud in this area is correlated with the disconformity between the Wara and the
Mauddud, which Owen and Nasr record in the Basrah-Kuwait area.

In the exposed areas of the Wadi Hauran-Rutbah region, the outcropping Rutbah Sandstone may be
considered to be a direct correlative of the Wara, as may the outcropping Wasi’a formation of Saudi
Arabia (Steineke and Bramkamp, 1952; Bramkamp et al., 1956).

Wasi’a Group: Cretaceous

The Wasi’a Formation, as defined at outcrop in Saudi Arabia (Steineke and Bramkamp, 1952), is a
sandstone unit of Cenomanian age which rests unconformably upon the eroded top of the Albian
or older Biyadh Formation (Bramkamp et al., 1956) and which is unconformably overlain by the
calcareous Upper Senonian Aruma Formation.

Following practices introduced by the Arabian American Oil Company’s geologists in the coastal
provinces of Saudi Arabia, the term Wasi’a Group has been formally recognized in southern Iraq
(by Owen and Nasr, 1958) to accommodate the formations lying between the base of the Khasib
Formation and the top of the Shu’aiba Formation in the deep subsurface sections of the Basrah area.

The group as thus limited in southern Iraq comprises in descending stratigraphical order the Mishrif,
Rumaila and Ahmadi formations, which are considered to be of Cenomanian age, the thin Wara
Formation, which may be of Cenomanian or uppermost Albian age and which is probably continuous
with and directly correlative with the type Wasi’a Formation, and the Mauddud and Nahr Umr
formations which are of Albian age.

This grouping is a somewhat unnatural one in southern Iraq, though in the oilfields of Kuwait it
has virtue in that it combines within the limits of one group the sandstone reservoir units, which
are productive of oil in the Burgan field, etc. The economic unity of these stratigraphically diverse
reservoir sands was further emphasized, in Kuwait and southern Iraq by the recognition of the
Burgan subgroup (obsolescent term) within the Wasi’a Group. This subgroup embraced the Wara,
Mauddud and Nahr Umr formations, the Wara including the “First Sand” and “Second Sand” and
the Nahr Umr the “Third Sand” and “Fourth Sand” of the Burgan field.

In Kuwait and southeastern Iraq the contact of Wara Formation on Mauddud Formation is
disconformable (Owen and Nasr, op. cit.). The disconformity becomes a major unconformity passing
southwestwards to the Wasi’a Formation outcrops, and northwestwards to the outcrops of the
corresponding Rutbah Sandstone of the Western Desert area of Iraq.

The Wasi’a Group is not recognized in the subsurface sections of the Awasil-Fallujah area of central
Iraq, where an important erosional unconformity, probably omitting the equivalents of the

Wara, Ahmadi and Rumaila formations of southern Iraq, intervenes between the Mauddud Formation
and the Cenomanian Mahilban Formation. [H.V. Dunnington]

X: Miocene (“ middle” Miocene)

Informal marker in the saliferous beds, see Lower Fars Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Y: Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

Informal marker of the saliferous beds, see Lower Fars Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Yamama Formation: Cretaceous (Berriasian-Valanginian)

The Yamama Formation is defined from outcrop in Saudi Arabia (Steineke and Bramkamp, 1952;
Bramkamp and others, 1956, etc.). The name applied, in unpublished reports, to the upper part of
the limestone succession underlying the Ratawi formation in Ratawi-1. For discussion see Yamama/
Sulaiy formations. [H.V. Dunnington]

Yamama/Sulaiy formations: ?Jurassic-Cretaceous

(?Tithonian-Berriasian) (Plate IV)

The Yamama Formation is a fragmental limestone unit, which is defined from outcrop in Saudi
Arabia (Steineke and Bramkamp, 1952; Bramkamp et al., 1956, etc.). A corresponding unit has been
widely identified in subsurface sections in the eastern provinces of Saudi Arabia, and the formation
name has been applied in widely read, unpublished reports, to the upper part of a more or less
continuous pellety limestone sequence, which underlies the shaly Ratawi Formation in the Ratawi
well of southern Iraq (BPC), and also in Burgan-113, in Kuwait.

In central Iraq the Zangura Formation of the Awasil, Mileh Tharthar, Makhul and Fallujah wells is
similar in gross lithology and is homotaxial, relative to the overlying beds with Pseudocyclammina
lituus, etc. (lower part of Ratawi Formation of Ratawi-1, which is regarded as equivalent to the
Garagu Formation of wells of central Iraq).

The basal beds encountered in the Ratawi well and the correlative and additional slightly older beds in
Burgan-113, above the top of the “salt-anhydrite series”, were not attributed to any named formation
by Owen and Nasr (1358). However, if the upper part of the pre-Ratawi succession is attributed to
the Yamama, the lower part of these beds, lying between the base of the Yamama and the top of the
“salt-anhydrite series” should be attributed to the Sulaiy Formation, following Arabian subsurface
nomenclature, since the top of the salt “anhydrite series” is equated stratigraphically with the top of
the Hith Anhydrite, which underlies the Sulaiy in the wells of the Hasa Province, etc..

The lower part of pre-Ratawi Formation succession of Ratawi-1 can be correlated satisfactorily with
the Makhul Formation of central Iraq, though this is rather more argillaceous than the sediments,
which are encountered in the Ratawi well.

For the present, it is accepted that the succession underlying the Ratawi Formation in Ratawi-1
corresponds broadly with the Yamama/Sulaiy formations of the Saudi Arabian out-crops (though
the upper part of the outcropping Yamama probably corresponds to the lower part of the Ratawi
Formation, and the position of the Yamama/Sulaiy contact in the Ratawi well section is not known).

According to P.M.V. Rabanit (unpublished reports) the succession in Ratawi-1, which is now attributed
to the Yamama/Sulaiy formations, comprises in descending stratigraphical order 6 units:

(1) 625 ft (190.5 m) of fine grained detrital limestones alternating with oolitic and suboolitic
limestones. Loose ooliths abundant at the base. Pseudocyclammina aff. lituus (Yokoyama) and
large Trocholina spp. thoughout. Spirocyclina sp. from about 210 (64) to 160 ft (48.8 m) above
the base. Terebratula cf.. sanctae-crucis Catigras and Globularia sp. have been determined by
R.G.S. Hudson (unpublished reports) from the lower half of this interval.
(2) 40 ft (12.2 m) of brown spicular detrital limestone.
(3) 260 ft (79.3 m) of mostly brown detrital limestone, shaly in part, with abundant organic
remains. Pseudocyclammina sp. nov. MS, occasional Trocholina sp., and small miliolids.
(4) 74 ft (22.6 m) of brown recrystallized limestone with extremely rare organic remains.
(5) 36 ft (11 m) of dark grey hard limestone with streaks of currentbedded slightly arenaceous
shale with ?Calcisphaera, Ammobaculites.
(6) 68 ft (20.7 m) of spicular limestone, dark grey, hard, massive, pyritic.

The lithological succession below the Ratawi Formation in Burgan-113, in Kuwait, of which the upper
part corresponds approximately to the section described above, has been described in outline by
Owen and Nasr (1958).

Age of the upper part of the Sulaiy/Yamama in Ratawi is fairly certainly basal Cretaceous,
Pseudocyclammina cf. lituus, Spirocyclina sp., and Terebratula cf. sanctae-crucis being recorded elsewhere
in Iraq from basal Valanginian or Berriasian units. Pseudocyclammina sp. nov. MS, from unit (3) is
associated with Pseudocyclammina kelleri Henson at the base of the Zangura Formation of central Iraq
wells, for which Berriasian age is argued (see Zangura Formation).

The abrupt change between almost unfossiliferous recrystallized limestones of unit (4) and the
abundantly fossiliferous unit (3) is probably to be correlated with the similar change shown between
the Makhul Formation and the Zangura Formation in the wells of the Awasil area. The Makhul is
dated as Middle Tithonian near to its base, and this age is probable for the limestones immediately
overlying the “salt-anhydrite series” in Burgan-113. The age of units (4), (5) and (6) of the Ratawi well
is probably Tithonian by correlation with the central Iraq succession. [H.V. Dunnington]

Z: Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

Informal marker in the transition beds. See Lower Fars Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Zahra (formation de ...): Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

See formation de Zahra, and Zahra Formation. [R.C. van Bellen]

Zahra Formation: (“middle” Miocene) Miocene (Plate VI)

Author: T.F. Williamson (1941, unpublished report). [R.C. van Bellen]

Synonymy: “Formation de Zahra” (Mitchell, 1956).

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Faidhat az Zahra 7 km (4.3 miles) south of the Busaiya-Salman track,
65 km (40 miles) west of Busaiya. The thickness is variable, the greatest thickness described is
about 100 ft (31 m).

Lithology: Whitish and reddish limestones, locally sandy, red and purple sandy marls,
calcareous sands. Probably of fresh-water origin.

Fossils: Chara sp., Melanoides tuberculata Mueller, Planorbis sp., Vivipara sp. Some of the
limestones show tubular holes probably made by reed stalks.

Age: Probably Miocene; see Remarks.

Underlying formation and details of contact: The formation rests on marls with Ostrea
latimarginata Vredenburg (indicative for Lower Fars) at the Shaib Hisb.

Overlying formation and details of contact: The formation unconformably underlies recent
gravels in the Radhuma-Chabd area.

Other localities: The unit is widespread in the entire Southwestern Desert. Mention may be made of
occurrences in the Sulman Depression, Faidhal al Shifalahiya, Ghanimi, Faidhal al Radhaim, Chabd,
Zum, Galaib, and Shawiya.

Remarks: The age of the formation is unknown. Balance of opinion is in favour of a Miocene (Fars) age
for a number of reasons, principally because the formation occurs on marls with Ostrea latimarginata
Vredenburg in the Shaib Hisb area. But the similarity of much of its lithology to such units as the
Dibdibba Formation, the residual recent and Pleistocene gravels and the Ghar Formation make
positive recognition in the field difficult. More fieldwork is necessary to evaluate this unit properly.
The correlation as adopted on Plate VI is by no means the only possible one. Reasons for its adoption
have been given in the remarks on the Ghar Formation.

Locally there is evidence that the Zahra Formation is folded; limestone ridges, giving the impression
of anticlinal structures, can be followed over considerable distances. See, however, the Remarks on
the Dammam formation.

Zangura Formation: Cretaceous (?Berriasian-Valanginian) (Plate III)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1953, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Awasil-5; the formation occurs between drilled depths 4,395–4,850
ft (1,339.9–1478.7 m), and is 455 ft (138.7 m) thick. The formation derives its name from the
Village of Zangura, which is situated on the south bank of the Euphrates, opposite to and
southeast of the Ain al Naft seepage.

Lithology: Alternations of fine-grade to very fine-grade pseudo-oolitic limestones (throughout);

fine to medium-grade pseudo-oolitic limestones with comminuted organic debris (near top);
finely granular recrystallized limestones, argillaceous limestones and calcareous mudstones,
some dolomitized, some recrystallized, some fluffy-textured, some vaguely pseudo-oolitic,
many more or less pyritic, and calcareous shales: coarsely granular dolomite (especially
around 4,450 ft (1,356.7 m) drilled depth). Proportion of shales and mudstones to limestones
increases downwards, limestones predominating throughout.

Fossils: Exogyra sp. (4,726–4,741 ft, 1,440.9–1,445.4 m) (4,827 ft, 1,471.6 m); Astarte sp. (4,726–
4,741 ft, 1,440.9–1,445.5 m); Aptychus sp. (fide A. Keller) (near base); gastropod, echinoid and
algal debris (especially in upper half); sponge spicules (throughout); Pseudocyclammina sp.;
P. kelleri Henson (4,605–4,834 ft, 1,404–1,473.8 m); Trocholina spp. indet. (upper part only);
?Haurania sp. (near base); Nautiloculina oolithica Mohler; (4,850 ft, 1,478.7 m), possibly caved,
but in situ above 4,840 ft (1,475.6 m); Conicospirillina basiliensis Mohler (4,823–4,826 ft, 1,470.4–
1,471.3 m); miliolids (small to minute, common minute forms in pseudo-oolitic intercalations
from top to bottom of the formation); textularids (small forms indet.) (throughout); Glomospira
sp. (small forms) (at base); tintinnids (lower half of formation).

Age: Valanginian at top, probably Berriasian at bottom (see Remarks).

Underlying formation and details of contact: Makhul Formation; at the base of a pseudo-oolitic
limestone interval, and atop a sequence of tight, chemical-type, recrystallized, argillaceous
limestones: contact either diastemic or unconformable (see Remarks).

Overlying formation and details of contact: Garagu Formation; seemingly gradational,

conformable, at the base of the lowest oolitic or pellet-type, organic detritus limestone of the
Garagu.

Other localities: Makhul-1 between drilled depths 4,050–4,508 ft (1,234.8–1,374.4 m); also in Fallujah-
1, Makhul-2, and Mileh Tharthar-1.

Remarks: The Zangura Formation embraces the upper (and believably Cretaceous) part of the
heterogeneous succession of related rocks of the calcareous mudstone-pseudo-oolitic limestone suite,
which intervenes between the clearly defined top of the underlying Gotnia Anhydrite Formation and
the base of the neritic, oolitic, Garagu Formation, in Awasil-5. The lower part of this rock succession
is defined as the Makhul Formation.

An interval (4,640–4,834 ft, 1,414.6–1,473.8 m), distinguished by common occurrence of

Pseudocyclammina kelleri Henson, associated macrofossil detritus and a restricted foraminiferal
fauna, has, been distinguished in unpublished reports as the “Pseudocyclammina kelleri faunizone”.
With the exception of this faunally differentiated interval, this and the underlying formation show
a progression by alternation, from fluffy-textured, chemical limestone sedimentation at the base,
through shale with subordinate, fine-grade, pseudo-oolitic limestones, to coarser-grade, pseudo-
oolitic, organic-detrital limestone with very subordinate shales, at the top.

There is a rather abrupt acceleration of this progression at about 4,850 ft (1,478.7 m), which is taken as
the limit between the Zangura and Makhul formations.

The top of the formation is placed at the base of the lowest oolitic limestones and coarse-grade, pellet-
type, organic - detrital limestones of the Garagu Formation (these two rock types appearing together
in the same sample, and both being alien to the lithological suite admitted in the Zangura formation).
But the coarsening in grade of the pseudo-oolitic limestone components of the Zangura formation
upwards, and the increased proportion of comminuted organic detritus in the highest beds, suggest a
gradational approach towards true oolith- and pellet-forming conditions, and the distinction between
the Zangura and Garagu formations is rather difficult in some sections in which the two formations
have been found. In such sections a transition zone of Garagu/Zangura formation is recognized.

The relationships of the Zangura to the underlying Makhul Formation in Awasil-5 and in Makhul-1
appear to be conformable, or nearly so, though there is a pronounced faunal break corresponding to
the lithological change at which the formation boundary is placed. The Pseudocyclammina kelleri fauna,
above the break, indicates Berriasian (probably only late Berriasian) age, whereas the very poor fauna
from below the break, including aptychi, Lombardia spp., and other problematical organisms, all ill-
preserved, appears to be of Tithonian age. Ammonites were recorded from the Makhul Formation
of Makhul-1, by A. Keller (unpublished reports) but the possibly critical specimens were lost during
war-time disorganization, and no further ammonite faunas have been recovered during postwar
operations.

In Mileh Tharthar-1 and in Makhul-2, however, although the Zangura Formation is represented much
as in the type section, and in commensurate thickness, the underlying Makhul is reduced in thickness
from the c. 450 ft (137.2 m) found in the type section and in Makhul-1 to about 20 ft (6.1 m). Moreover,
the attenuation are found to be the result, not of bed-by-bed thinning, but of absence from Makhul-2 and
Mileh Tharthar-1 of the major uppermost part of the formation as found in Makhul-1 and Awasil-5.

The attenuation by absence of upper beds of the Zangura, the lithological change, the break in faunal
continuity, and the rather vague indications of Upper Berriasian age for the lower Zangura and of
Tithonian age for the Makhul, are taken to indicate an erosional unconformity between the two
formations, at least in Mileh Tharthar-1 and in Makhul-2, and possibly also in the fuller sections at

Awasil-5 and Makhul-1 (in spite of the appearance of conformity). The existence of the break is taken
to justify the recognition of two separate formations within a lithological succession, which comprises
rather similar rock types throughout.

This nomenclatural practice is further justified by the reflection that the Cretaceous/Jurassic break,
thus accepted in this area, expands northwards into an important non-sequence of wide compass.
Also, there is evidence of important tectonic events, including block-faulting and tilting, which
affected the Jurassic rocks, but which pre-dated the deposition of the lowest authenticated Cretaceous
sediments.

In Kirkuk-109, although the Zangura formation is not recognized, the overlying Garagu Formation is
typically represented, as a tongue within the Sarmord Formation. The part of the Sarmord lying below
the Garagu in this well is of late-Berriasian or of early Valanginian age, with a Pseudocyclammina kelleri
fauna near its top, and with a lower fossiliferous horizon characterized by Spirocyclina sp. The base of
the Sarmord Formation is intensely glauconitic, and it overlies, directly, the thick, monotonous and
largely unfossiliferous Karimia Mudstone Formation, for which Berriasian and perhaps uppermost
Jurassic age is argued. In this well, that part of the Sarmord Formation, which occurs below the
Garagu Formation may be reckoned the lateral equivalent of the Zangura.

It is probable that the “Cretaceous/Jurassic” break, manifested in Kirkuk-109 by superposition of

subconglomeratic, glauconitic, neritic Sarmord Formation on the perhaps basinal and semi-bathyal
Karimia Mudstone, is situated not between Berriasian and Tithonian sediments, but within the
Berriasian. It is also possible that the non-sequence is shorter here than in Awasil-5, despite the great
similarity of the Zangura and Makhul formations at Awasil.

The Zangura formation is homotaxial with and was probably deposited synchronously with the
lower part of the Huwaila formation of Qatar (Sugden, 1958, MS) (the upper part of the Huwaila
being partly equivalent to the Garagu).

The Zangura formation in its type section includes the type locality from which Pseudocyclammina
kelleri was described by Henson (1948), age of the type horizon being given as Argovian-Callovian,
on the basis of determinations by A. Keller of macrofossil faunas which are no longer available owing
to war-time losses. This age-attribution is certainly in error for the type section, and P. kelleri has been
reported (in unpublished reports) from several localities in Iraq, always in sediments of Valanginian
to late-Berriasian age. This is the age-range, which is allowed, in Awasil-5, by current concepts as to
the age of the Zangura. These concepts do not rest upon the presence of P. kelleri in the formation.

In the recently drilled Fallujah-1 the Zangura formation is very much thicker than in Awasil-5, to the
west, and it includes much coarse quartz sand and silt which is absent from Awasil. In the lower part
of the formation at Fallujah, Pseudocyclammina kelleri is underlain by sediments containing abundant
Calpionella alpina Lorenz and Calpionella elliptica Cadisch. These tintinnids are indicative of Tithonian
or younger age. The same tintinnids occur, interbedded with radiolarian shales, in the underlying
Makhul Formation in this well.

No outcrops of the Zangura or of any equivalent rock unit appear in the exposures in the Wadi
Hauran or Ga’ara areas, to the west of the type-section. Presumably the Zangura was eliminated from
these areas by erosion during emergence preceding deposition of the Cenomanian Rutbah Sandstone
Formation.

The Zangura has not been formally identified in southern Iraq, but the upper part of the succession
underlying the Ratawi Formation in Ratawi-1 is probably correlative, though attributed tentatively to
the Yamama Formation (See Yamama/ Sulaiy formations).

Zinnar formation: Permian

See Chia Zairi Limestone Formation.

Zewa group: Rhaetic-Jurassic; (Zewa dolomite: etc.): (Rhaetic-Liassic)

This is an obsolete term, originally applied to embrace the Baluti, Sarki and Sehkaniyan formations of
the northeastern mountain zone of Iraq. [H.V. Dunnington]

zone of thin limestones in the Lower Fars: Miocene (“middle” Miocene)

Informal term (G.M. Lass, 1933); see transition zone, transition beds, Lower Fars Formation. [R.C. van
Bellen]

Zor Hauran Formation: ?Rhaetic (Plates III and IV)

Author: H.V. Dunnington (1951, unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: None.

Type locality and section:

Location and Thickness: Lower part of section; 1 km southwest of base of west limb of large
meander, northeast of Zor Hauran (approximate coordinates: 33°26’25”N; 40°55’25”E). Upper
part of section; eastern limb of Wadi Hauran meander, 32 km northeast of H-2 water wells, and
20 km west of Muhaiwir (approximate coordinates: 33°28’40”N, 40°56’0”E). The formation is
about 45 m (147.6 ft) thick.

Lithology: Yellow and green gypsiferous marls and shales (dominant in the lower part,
subordinate in the upper part), interbedded with yellow-green marly limestones, oolitic and
pseudo-oolitic limestones, and dolomitized limestones (dominant in the upper part).

Fossils: Ill-preserved Lingula sp., Myophoria sp., Archaediscus sp., Glomospira spp., Trocholina sp.
2 Henson 1947, T. spp., ostracoda, echinoid elements.

Age: Not ascertained: possibly Rhaetic, on basis of tentative correlation with the Baluti Shale
Formation of Kurdistan, assuming isochronous distribution of the characteristic lithological
suite, and accepting Rhaetic age for the Baluti Shale Formation in its type locality.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Mulussa Formation; contact gradational,

conformable, taken at base of yellow-green marl unit, 2.2 m (7.2 ft) thick, and at top of
limestone-dominated sequence.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Uba’id Formation; contact gradational,

conformable, arbitrarily placed at base of the lowest chert-containing dolomite bed, a little
above the top of the highest yellow, gypsiferous marls.

Other localities: Scattered exposures in the Wadi Hauran west of Muhaiwir.

Remarks: The upper part of the unit includes, within the formation, evidence of emergence in
the form of a conglomeratic bed with an indurated ferruginous crust. It is possible that the upper
boundary of the formation should be brought down to this emergent horizon, the uppermost 18 m
(59 ft), in which marls and shales are rather subordinate, remaining for attachment to the overlying,
dominantly calcareous Uba’id Formation or for differentiation as a separate unit.

The Zor Hauran is accorded recognition as a formation in acknowledgement of its dominantly

argillaceous and evaporitic characteristics, which stand in contrast to the predominantly calcareous
sediments of the Mulussa and Uba’id formations.

Tentative correlation of the Zor Hauran Formation with the Baluti Shale Formation of Kurdistan
carries suggestion that the formation may be of Rhaetic age. Rhaetic age is accepted but not proven
for the Baluti Shale Formation, which lies between proven Liassic and proven Triassic. Other greenish
shale-marl units, in other areas, have also been dated tentatively as Rhaetic, and there is some
justification for regarding the characteristic lithological suite as non-diachronous in its distribution.

The Mulussa Formation, which underlies the type Zor Hauran, is of (Upper) Triassic age in part, and
the overlying Uba’id Formation carries a microfauna of Liassic or late-Triassic affinities, so that it is
improbable that the Zor Hauran is much younger or much older than Rhaetic.

West of the type locality, in the Wadi Hauran, the formation directly underlies the transgressive
Rutbah Sandstone, and its upper beds are eliminated progressively, westwards, by erosional cut-out
at the unconformity separating the Rutbah Sandstone from the Jurassic-Triassic.

The name Zor Hauran Formation should not be confused with the term “Hauran sandstone”, which is
an informal appellation, never defined, but utilized, in some widely read, unpublished, oil-company
reports, for the Rutbah Sandstone as exposed in the vicinity of Muhaiwir.

Zubair Formation: Cretaceous (Lower Aptian-Hauterivian) (Plates II and IV)

Author: First usage (D. Glynn Jones, 1948); first formal definition (S.N. Nasr and J.M. Hudson, 1953,
unpublished report). [H.V. Dunnington]

Synonymy: Zubair formation (Owen and Nasr, 1958).

Type locality and section (from Owen and Nasr, 1958):

Location and Thickness: Zubair-24; the formation occurs between drilled depths 10,368–11,645
ft (3,160.8–3,550.3 m), and is 1,277 ft (389.3 m) thick.

Lithology: The Zubair Formation comprises from top to bottom, the following subdivisions:
320 ft (97.6 m): shales with two distinct zones of sandstones and minor amounts of siltstones.
350 ft (106.7 m): sandstones (predominating), fine grained, with subsidiary shales and siltstones.
230 ft (70.1 m): shales, black or greenish black, fissile, hard, with occasional sandstone streaks.
170 ft (51.8 m): Sandstones (predominating), very fine grained with subsidiary Siltstone beds.
210 ft (64 m): shales, greenish-black, fissile with a sandstone-siltstone zone.

Fossils: Orbitolina cf. discoidea Gras, Choffatella decipiens Schlumberger, Cristellaria spp.,
Cuneolina sp., Trocholina sp., Exogyra sp., Cerithium sp., Lima carteroniana d’Orbigny (at base)

Age: Lower Cretaceous; Lower Aptian-Barremian according to Owen and Nasr (1958), but
perhaps better interpreted as basal Aptian or uppermost Barremian to Hauterivian.

Underlying formation and details of contact: Ratawi Formation; contact conformable, at the
top of the highest limestone underlying the shales and siltstone of the Zubair.

Overlying formation and details of contact: Shu’aiba Formation; contact conformable and
gradational, at the top of the black fissile shales of the uppermost subdivision.

Other localities: All deep subsurface sections in the Basrah area of southern Iraq, and in central Iraq
in Awasil-5, Fallujah-1, Makhul-1 and 2, Mileh Tharthar-1, etc. Also in Kuwait, where Burgan-113 is
a reference section.

Remarks: Economically this is an all important unit in the Basrah area since all the production of the
BPC is derived from it (Owen and Nasr, op. cit.).

In its type areas, in subsurface sections in the Zubair oil field, Basrah Liwa, southern Iraq, the
Zubair Formation comprises over 1,250 ft (381.1 m) of sandstones, siltstones and shales; it is overlain
conformably and gradationally by the Aptian Shu’aiba Formation, and underlain conformably and
gradationally by shales of the Valanginian-Hauterivian Ratawi Formation.

In Awasil-5, Fallujah-1, Mileh Tharthar-1 and Nafatah-1, the Zubair Formation is recognized as a
sandstone unit, with subordinate shales, which grades upwards through silty shales into the base of
the overlying Shu’aiba Formation, the contact being entirely conformable. To the northeast of Mileh
Tharthar-1 the formation passes laterally, by interdigitation, into the Sarmord Formation. Makhul-1
and 2 provide sections in which much reduced tongues of Zubair Formation siltstones occur, within
the Sarmord, which grades downwards into a sandstone unit, about 75 ft (22.9 m) thick, which is
referred to the Zubair Formation proper.

In all these wells the Zubair Formation conformably overlies the Garagu Formation, which is a sandy,
oolitic, and reef-bearing limestone complex, of Hauterivian-Valanginian age in this area. The Garagu
is correlative with the lower part of the Ratawi Formation of the southern Iraq sections, so that the
Zubair Formation is not strictly homotaxial in the Basrah and Awasil areas. The lower parts of the
Zubair in Awasil, etc., are represented laterally, in the Basrah area, by the shales of the upper part of
the Ratawi Formation.

In the Makhul wells, the Sarmord Formation, underlying the Shu’aiba and overlying and
interdigitating with the Zubair Formation, includes limestones and shales, with a locally abundant
early Aptian and/or Barremian fauna of Orbitolina cf. discoidea Gras, O. discoidea var. delicata Henson,
Choffatella decipiens Schlumberger, Trocholina spp., and Cyclammina cf. greigi Henson. The Zubair
Formation itself in these wells includes thin alternations of silty limestones, which contain abundant
Choffatella decipiens and Cyclammina spp., Trocholina spp., and Nautiloculina cf. oolithica Mohler, but no
Orbitolina species. This assemblage suggests early Barremian or Hauterivian age.

In Makhul, the Zubair grades down into the heterogeneous Garagu Formation, which is here
markedly sandy and includes bedded and rather ferruginous sandstones. The base of the Zubair
Formation is set above the highest oolitic limestone of the Garagu, coinciding with a position about
20 ft (6.1 m) above the highest occurring Pseudocyclammina lituus (Yokoyama), and some 180 ft (54.9
m) above the lowest occurrence of abundant Choffatella decipiens.

In Awasil-5, the Zubair Formation is almost 1,100 ft (335.4 m) thick, and is comprised largely of thick
beds of coarse sandstones, with siltstones and minor shales, which have not yielded any significant
fauna. The Zubair passes gradationally but rather abruptly downwards, through a thin sandstone-
siltstone-shale transition, into oolitic Garagu Formation, which is composed largely of limestones,
without sand, and from which bedded sandstones are lacking. Pseudocyclammina lituus appears at
the top of the Garagu in this well and common Choffatella decipiens is limited to the uppermost 20 ft
(6.1 m) of the limestones. It is considered that the upper part of the Garagu in the Makhul wells is
represented laterally by the bedded sandstones at the base of the Zubair Formation in Awasil-5.

The age of the Zubair Formation in northern Iraq is probably early Aptian to Hauterivian in Awasil,
Fallujah, Nafatah and Mileh Tharthar, and early Barremian to late Hauterivian in Makhul. The convergence
of the formation, by lateral interdigitation with the Sarmord Formation above and with the Garagu below,
is rapid, and the Zubair is not recognizable in wells lying north of Makhul (though sandy beds and locally
distributed subordinate sandstones are widespread in the Garagu, and probably represent the same
incursion of clastics as is manifested in the basal bedded sandstones of the Zubair at Awasil).

There are no exposures or subsurface sections evidencing the Zubair Formation to the west of
Awasil. It is presumable that the formation is cut out, between Awasil and Wadi Amij, at the regional
erosional unconformity underlying the Rutbah Sandstone, which is the oldest Cretaceous unit known
from surface exposures in the Wadi Hauran east of Muhaiwir.

The thick development of Zubair Formation in Awasil-5 was named the “Awasil sand” by H. Huber
(1940, unpublished reports) but this name is obsolete and was never substantiated by publication.

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UNPUBLISHED REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE

of the following geologists of the IPC and Associated Companies
and of the British Oil Development Company:
Al-Naqib, K.M. Greig, D.A. Perry, R.G.
Andrau, E.W.K. Grimsdale, T.F. Pickles, M.J.T.
André, C. Hart, E. Pitt, T.A.
Bellen, R.C. van Henson, F.R.S. Rabanit, P.M.V.
Bennett, J. Hesketh, E.J. Ramsden, R.M.
Beydoun, Z.R. Hopkins, D.T. Reeves, J.W.
Biraud, F. Hotchkiss, H. Robinson, J.
Boeckh, H. de Hubbard, G.H. Rogers, D.C.
Boesch, H.H. Huber, H. Rutgers, A.Th.C.
Brodie, N.M. Hudson, J.M. Schmidt, C.
Browne, R.V. Hudson, R.G.S. Schors, W.
Chatton, M.C. Hume, W.B. Shaw, E.W.
Collomb, G.R. Humphreys, A.P. Smith, J.E.
Cox, B.B. Jaccard, J.P. Smout, A.H.
Crank, K. James, A.V. Storey, T.P.
Damesin, L.C.F. Keller, A. Sugden, W.
Daniel, E.J. Kitchin, W. Taylor, P.B.
Dixon, C.G. Kümel, F. Templeton, R.S.M.
Drummond, J.M. Lees, G.M. Thompson, K.F.M.
Dunnington, H.V. Loys, F. de Tiratsoo, E.N.
Dunstall, W.J. Marie, M. Trowbridge, A.C.
Dusenbury, A.N. McGinty, J. Venn, F.J.
Elliott, G.F. McKinley, S.C. Viennot, P.
Evans, R.du B. Mestre, R.E. de Walmsley, P.
Field, H.A. Medaisko, G. Wellings, F.E.
Foran, W.T. Mitchison, M.V. Wetzel, R.
Fothergill, T. Morton, D.M. Williams-Mitchell, E.
Fowle, L.V.A. Muir, J.M. Williamson, T.F.
Gee, A.F.H. Nasr, S.N. Wilson, Y.P.
Glynn-Jones, D. Noble, A.H.
Gosling, F. Outram, F.H.

STRATIGRAPHICAL INDEX

Ordovician: Chalki Volcanics Formation, Khabour Quartzite-Shale Formation, Pirispiki Red Beds
Formation.

Lower Ordovician: Khabour Quartzite-Shale Formation.

Upper Ordovician: Chalki Volcanics Formation, Pirispiki Red Beds Formation.

Devonian: Kaista Formation, Ora Shale Formation.

Upper Devonian: Kaista Formation, Ora Shale Formation.

Lower Carboniferous: Harur Limestone Formation, Ora Shale Formation.

Permian: Chia Zairi Limestone Formation, Darari formation, Satinah (evaporite) Member, Zinnar
formation.

Triassic: Baluti Shale Formation, Beduh Shale Formation, Ga’ara Sandstone Formation, Geli Khana
Formation, Kurra Chine Formation, Mirga Mir Formation, M’lusi limestone, Mulussa Formation,
Nijili Formation, Zewa dolomite, Zewa group, Zor Hauran Formation.

Lower Triassic: Beduh Shale Formation, Mirga Mir Formation.

Werfenian: Beduh Shale Formation, Mirga Mir Formation.

Middle Triassic: Ga’ara Sandstone Formation, Geli Khana Formation, Nijili Formation.

Upper Triassic: Baluti Shale Formation, “i” marker, Kurra Chine Formation, M’lusi limestone,
Mulussa Formation.

Rhaetic: Baluti Shale Formation, Zewa dolomite, Zewa group, Zor Hauran Formation.

Jurassic: Adaiyah Anhydrite Formation, Alan Anhydrite Formation, Barsarin Formation, Butmah
Formation, Chia Gara Formation, clastics (unnamed), coal horizon, Cyrenia beds, Gotnia Anhydrite
Formation, Hith Anhydrite Formation, Karimia Mudstone Formation, Lithiotis limestone, Lower
Jurassic; Makhul Formation, Middle Jurassic, Muhaiwir Formation, Mus Limestone Formation,
Najmah Limestone Formation, Naokelekan Formation, Sargelu Formation, Sarki Formation,
Sehkaniyan Formation, Sulaiy Formation, Uba’id Formation, Yamama/Sulaiy formations, Zewa
dolomite, Zewa group.

Liassic: Adaiyah Anhydrite Formation, Alan Anhydrite Formation, Butmah Formation, clastics
(unnamed), Cyrenia beds, Lithiotis limestone, Lower Jurassic, Middle Jurassic, Mus Limestone
Formation, Sargelu Formation, Sarki Formation, Sehkaniyan Formation, Uba’id Formation, Zewa
dolomite, Zewa group.

Lower Liassic: Butmah Formation, clastics (unnamed), Cyrenia beds, Sarki Formation, Zewa
dolomite, Zewa group.

Upper Liassic: Adaiyah Anhydrite Formation, Alan Anhydrite Formation, Lithiotis limestone, Lower
Jurassic, Middle Jurassic, Mus Limestone Formation, Sargelu Formation, Sehkaniyan Formation,
Zewa dolomite, Zewa group.

Toarcian: Mus Limestone Formation, Lithiotis limestone, Sehkaniyan Formation.

Middle Jurassic: Middle Jurassic, Muhaiwir Formation, Sargelu Formation.

Bajocian: Sargelu Formation.

Bathonian: Middle Jurassic, Muhaiwir Formation, Sargelu Formation.

Upper Jurassic: Barsarin Formation, Chia Gara Formation, coal horizon, Gotnia Anhydrite Formation,
Hith Anhydrite Formation, Karimia Mudstone Formation, Makhul Formation, Najmah Limestone
Formation, Naokelekan Formation, Sulaiy Formation, Yamama/Sulaiy formations.

Callovian: coal horizon, Gotnia Anhydrite Formation, Najmah Limestone Formation, Naokelekan
Formation.

Oxfordian: coal horizon, Gotnia Anhydrite Formation, Najmah Limestone Formation, Naokelekan
Formation.

Kimmeridgian: Barsarin Formation, Gotnia Anhydrite Formation, Hith Anhydrite Formation,

Najmah Limestone Formation, Naokelekan Formation.

Tithonian: Chia Gara Formation, Karimia Mudstone Formation, Makhul Formation, Sulaiy
Formation, Yamama/Sulaiy formations.

Middle Tithonian: Chia Gara Formation, Makhul Formation, Sulaiy Formation, Yamama/Sulaiy
formations.

Upper Tithonian: Chia Gara Formation, Karimia Mudstone Formation, Makhul Formation, Sulaiy
Formation, Yamama/Sulaiy formations.

Cretaceous: Ahmadi Formation, Ain Zalah limestone, Aqra Limestone Formation, Aruma Group,
Asara formation, Auja formation, Awasil sand, Bahra formation, Balambo Formation, Bekhme
Limestone Formation, blue and purple shale group, cap rock shale, Cenomanian, Cenomanian
limestones, Chia Gara Formation, Cosinella zone, Cretaceous shale series, Crioceras zone, Cythereis
bahraini limestone, Dair Member, Dibs Anhydrite Member, Digma Formation, Dokan Limestone
Formation, Duvalia zone;

Fahad limestone formation, first pay reservoir-Ain Zalah field, “flysch facies”, fourth pay-Zubair
field, Garagu Formation, Germav formation, Gir Bir Limestone Formation, Globigerina marls, Gulneri
Shale Formation, Hadiena Formation, Hamrina marl member, Hartha Formation, Hauran sandstone,
Hibbarah Anhydrite Member, Hoplites zone, Imam Hassan limestone, Jawan Formation, Jib’ab Marl
Formation, Judea Limestone, Karimia Mudstone Formation, Khasib Formation, Kirmav formation,
Kometan Formation;

Lower Cretaceous, Lower Senonian, lower Shiranish limestone, lower thin bedded limestones,
Maastrichtian flysch, Mahilban Limestone Formation, Makhul Formation, Maotsi Formation,
Mauddud Formation, Mauddud limestone, Mergi Limestone Formation, Middle Cretaceous, Mishrif
Formation, Mountain limestone, M’sad Formation, Mushak Oolite Member, Mushorah Formation,
Nahr Umr Formation, Orbitolina concava limestone, Orbitolina discoidea limestone, Pilsener Limestone
Formation, Pseudedomia complanata limestone;

Qamchuqa limestone, Qamchuqa Limestone Formation, Qamchuqa dolomite, Qurna Formation,

Ratawi Formation, Rim Siltstone Formation, Rumaila Formation, Rutbah sand, Rutbah Sandstone
Formation, Sa’di Formation, Sarmord Formation, second pay-Ain Zalah field, second pay-Zubair
field, Senonian-Lower, Senonian-Upper, Série d’Imam Hassan, shale series, Shiranish Formation,
Shiranish marl, Shiranish limestone-lower, Shiranish shale, Shu’aiba Formation, Sulaiy Formation;

Tanjero Clastic Formation, Tanuma Formation, Tayarat Limestone Formation, Thamama group,
third pay-Zubair field, Tuba member, Upper Cretaceous flysch, Upper Cretaceous-Section I, Upper
Cretaceous-Section II, Upper Cretaceous-Section III, Upper Cretaceous-Section IV, upper Shiranish
limestone, Wara Formation, Wasi’a Group, Yamama Formation, Yamama/Sulaiy formations, Zangura
Formation, Zubair Formation.

Lower Cretaceous: Awasil sand, Balambo Formation, Chia Gara Formation, Crioceras zone, Duvalia
zone, fourth pay-Zubair field, Garagu Formation, Hoplites zone, Judea Limestone, Karimia Mudstone
Formation, Lower Cretaceous, Makhul Formation, Mountain limestone, Orbitolina discoidea limestone,
Qamchuqa Limestone Formation, Quamchuqa dolomite, Quamchuqa limestone, Ratawi Formation,
Rim Siltstone Formation, Sarmord Formation, Shu’aiba Formation, Sulaiy Formation, Thamama
Group, third pay-Zubair field, Yamama Formation, Yamama/Sulaiy formations, Zangura Formation,
Zubair Formation.

Berriasian: Chia Gara Formation, Karimia Mudstone Formation, Makhul Formation, Sulaiy
Formation, Thamama group, Yamama Formation, Yamama/Sulaiy formations, Zangura Formation.

Valanginian: Balambo Formation, Crioceras zone, Garagu Formation, Hoplites zone, Ratawi
Formation, Sarmord Formation, Thamama Group, Yamama Formation, Zangura Formation.

Lower Valanginian: Balambo Formation, Crioceras zone, Garagu Formation, Ratawi Formation,
Sarmord Formation, Thamama Group, Yamama Formation, Zangura Formation.

Upper Valanginian: Balambo Formation, Garagu Formation, Hoplites zone, Ratawi Formation,
Sarmord Formation, Thamama Group.

Hauterivian: Awasil sand, Balambo Formation, Duvalia zone, Garagu Formation, Hoplites zone, Judea
Limestone, Mountain limestone, Qamchuqa Limestone Formation, Ratawi Formation, Sarmord
Formation, Thamama Group, Zubair Formation.

Barremian: Awasil sand, Balambo Formation, fourth pay-Zubair field, Judea Limestone, Mountain
limestone, Qamchuqa Limestone Formation, Quamchuqa dolomite, Quamchuqa limestone, Sarmord
Formation, Thamama Group, third pay-Zubair field, Zubair Formation.

Aptian: Balambo Formation, Judea Limestone, Lower Cretaceous, Mountain limestone, Orbitolina
discoidea limestone, Qamchuqa Limestone Formation, Quamchuqa dolomite, Quamchuqa limestone,
Rim Siltstone Formation, Sarmord Formation, Shu’aiba Formation, Thamama Group, Zubair
Formation.

Middle Cretaceous: Ahmadi Formation, Asara formation, Balambo Formation, cap rock shale,
Cenomanian, Cenomanian limestones, Cythereis bahraini limestone, Dair Member, Dokan Limestone
Formation, Fahad Limestone Formation, Gir Bir Limestone Formation, Gulneri Shale Formation,
Hauran sandstone, Hibbarah Anhydrite Member,

Jawan Formation, Judea Limestone, Kometan Formation, lower Shiranish limestone, Mahilban
Limestone Formation, Maotsi Formation, Mauddud Formation, Mauddud limestone, Mergi
Limestone Formation, Middle Cretaceous, Mishrif Formation, Mountain limestone, M’sad Formation,
Nahr Umr Formation, Orbitolina concava limestone, Qamchuqa Limestone Formation, Quamchuqa
dolomite, Quamchuqa limestone;

Rim Siltstone Formation, Rumaila Formation, Rutbah sand, Rutbah Sandstone Formation, Sarmord
Formation, second pay-Ain Zalah field, second pay-Zubair field, Shiranish limestone-lower, Shiranish
limestone-upper, Shiranish shale, Tuba member, upper Shiranish limestone, Wara Formation, Wasi’a
Group.

Albian: Asara formation, Balambo Formation, Cenomanian limestones, Dair Member, Hibbarah
Anhydrite Member, Jawan Formation, Judea Limestone, Mauddud Formation, Mauddud limestone,
Middle Cretaceous, Mountain limestone, Nahr Umr Formation, Orbitolina concava limestone,
Qamchuqa Limestone Formation, Quamchuqa dolomite, Quamchuqa limestone, Rim Siltstone
Formation, Rutbah sand, Sarmord Formation, second pay-Ain Zalah field, Wara Formation, Wasi’a
Group.

Cenomanian: Ahmadi Formation, Asara formation, Balambo Formation, cap rock shale, Cenomanian,
Cenomanian limestones, Cythereis bahraini limestone, Dokan Limestone Formation, Gir Bir Limestone
Formation, Hauran sandstone, lower Shiranish limestone, Mahilban Limestone Formation, Mishrif
Formation, M’sad Formation, Rumaila Formation, Rutbah Sandstone Formation, second pay-Zubair
field, Shiranish limestone-lower, Tuba member, Wara Formation, Wasi’a Group.

Turonian: Balambo Formation, Fahad Limestone Formation, Gir Bir Limestone Formation, Gulneri
Shale Formation, Kometan Formation, Maotsi Formation, Mergi Limestone Formation, Shiranish
limestone-upper, Shiranish shale, upper Shiranish limestone.

Upper Cretaceous: Ain Zalah limestone, Aqra Limestone Formation, Aruma Group, Auja formation,
Bahra formation, Bekhme Limestone Formation, blue and purple shale group, Cosinella zone,
Cretaceous shale series, Dibs Anhydrite Member, Digma Formation, first pay reservoir-Ain Zalah
field, “flysch facies”, Germav formation, Globigerina marls;

Hadiena Formation, Hamrina marl member, Hartha Formation, Imam Hassan limestone, Jib’ab Marl
Formation, Khasib Formation, Kirmav formation, Lower Senonian, lower thin bedded limestones,
Maastrichtian flysch, Mountain limestone, Mushak Oolite Member, Pilsener Limestone Formation,
Pseudedomia complanata limestone, Qurna Formation;

Sa’di Formation, second pay-Ain Zalah field, Senonian-Lower, Senonian-Upper, Série d’Imam
Hassan, shale séries, Shiranish Formation, Shiranish marl, Tanjero Clastic Formation, Tanuma
Formation, Tayarat Limestone Formation, Upper Cretaceous flysch, Upper Cretaceous-section I,
Upper Cretaceous-section II, Upper Cretaceous-section III, Upper Cretaceous-section IV.

Lower Senonian (Coniacian - Santonian - Lower Campanian): Lower Senonian, Mushorah Formation,
second pay-Ain Zalah field, Senonian-Lower, Upper Cretaceous-section II, Upper Cretaceous-section
III, Upper Cretaceous-section IV.

Upper Senonian (Upper Campanian-Maastrichtian): Ain Zalah limestone, Aqra Limestone

Formation, Aruma Group, Bekhme Limestone Formation, blue and purple shale group, Cosinella
zone, Cretaceous shale series, Dibs Anhydrite Member, Digma Formation, first pay reservoir-Ain
Zalah field, “flysch facies”;

Germav formation, Globigerina marls, Hadiena Formation, Hamrina marl member, Hartha Formation,
Imam Hassan limestone, Jib’ab Marl Formation, Khasib Formation, Kirmav formation, lower thin
bedded limestones, Maastrichtian flysch, Mountain limestone, Mushak Oolite Member, Pilsener
Limestone Formation, Pseudedomia complanata limestone, Qurna Formation;

Sa’di Formation, second pay-Ain Zalah field, Senonian-Upper, Série d’Imam Hassan, shale series,
Shiranish Formation, Shiranish marl, Tanjero Clastic Formation, Tanuma Formation, Tayarat
Limestone Formation, Upper Cretaceous flysch, Upper Cretaceous-section I, Upper Senonian.

Upper Campanian: Ain Zalah limestone, Aqra Limestone Formation, Aruma Group, Bekhme
Limestone Formation, blue and purple shale group, Cosinella zone, Cretaceous shale series, Dibs
Anhydrite Member, “flysch facies”, Germav formation, Globigerina marls, Hadiena Formation,
Hamrina marl member, Hartha Formation, Jib’ab Marl Formation, Khasib Formation, Kirmav
formation, lower thin bedded limestones;

Maastrichtian flysch, Mountain limestone, Mushak Oolite Member, Pilsener Limestone Formation,
Pseudedomia complanata limestone, Sa’di Formation, second pay-Ain Zalah field, Senonian-Upper,
shale series, Shiranish Formation, Shiranish marl, Tanjero Clastic Formation, Tanuma Formation,
Upper Cretaceous flysch, Upper Cretaceous-section I.

Maastrichtian: Ain Zalah limestone, Aqra Limestone Formation, Aruma Group, Bahra formation,
Bekhme Limestone Formation, blue and purple group, Cretaceous shale series, Dibs Anhydrite

Member, Digma Formation, first pay reservoir-Ain Zalah field, “flysch facies”, Germav formation,
Globigerina marls, Hadiena Formation, Hartha Formation, Imam Hassan limestone;

Kirmav formation, lower thin bedded limestones, Maastrichtian flysch, Mountain limestone, Pilsener
Limestone Formation, Qurna Formation, Senonian-Upper, Série d’Imam Hassan, shale series,
Shiranish Formation, Tanjero Clastic Formation, Tayarat Limestone Formation, Upper Cretaceous
flysch, Upper Cretaceous-section I.

Tertiary: Aaliji Formation, Aidah formation, Anah Limestone Formation, Ao, Asmari, Asmari
limestone, Auja formation, Avanah Limestone Formation, Azkand Limestone Formation, B/1, B/
2, B/3, B/4, Baba Limestone Formation, Bahrein series, Bajawan Limestone Formation, Bakhtiari
formation, Bakhtiari Group, Bakhtiari series, bancs de l’Asmari, Bar Bak beds, basal anhydrite, basal
Fars conglomerate, Basita beds, blue and purple shale group;

calcaire d’Asmari, calcaire de l’Asmari, calcaire de l’Euphrate, calcaire de Qara Chauq, calcaires
brechiques et calcaires massives, cap rock, Chabd beds, Chama limestone formation, “chemical
limestone”, conglomeratic stage, couches de Dj. Atchan, Cretaceous shale series, Dammam
Formation, Damman formation, delicata zone, Dendrophyllum zone, Dhiban Anhydrite Formation,
Dibdibba beds, Dibdibba Formation, Dohuk formation, «dolomitic» limestone;

Euphrates Limestone Formation, Fars Group, Fars series, Fem, Feu, first pay (zone)-Kirkuk, first pay-
Zubair, «flysch facies», Fo/1, Fo/2, formation d’Aidah, formation d’Auja, formation de Zahra, Gem,
Gercüs Formation, Germav formation, Geu, Ghanimi beds, Ghar Formation, Ghurra beds, Globigerina
limestone, Globigerinal marl, Globigerinal marls and limestones, Govanda Limestone Formation,
Hanjir backreef complex, Hanjur black reef complex, Hasa Group, Huweimi beds;

Ibrahim Formation, Jaddala Formation, Jeribe Limestone Formation, Kalhur anhydrite, Kalhur
gypsum, Kalhur limestone, Kara Tchauq Dagh series, Khurmala Formation, Kifri coal, Kirkuk Group,
Kirkukensis zone, Kirmav formation, Kolosh Formation, Kurd series, Kuwait Group;

Lailuk limestone formation, Lepidocyclina-Miogypsinoides zone, Lepidocyclina zone, limestones

containing Lepidocyclina cf. formosa, limestone with cerithiae, limestones with N. intermedius-fichteli,
Lower Bakhtiari Formation, Lower Fars Formation, Lower-Middle Oligocene Miliola limestone,
lower reef limestone; main limestone, marbre de Mossoul, marnes claires jaunatres, marnes crayeuses
jaunatres, middle anhydrite(s), Middle Eocene shoal facies, Middle Fars Formation, Miliola and reef
limestone, Miliola limestone, Miogypsinoides zone, Mountain limestone, Mosul marble, MR/1,
MR/2;

Nazaz zone, Nummulites-Lepidocyclina zone, Nummulite limestone, Nummulites zone, Oligocene

Miliola limestone, Palani Formation, passage beds, paucialveolata zone, phase a, phase b, phase c,
phase d, phase e, Pila Spi Limestone Formation, purple shale group, Qara Chauq formation, Qarah
Chauq group, Qara Chauq limestone, R/1, R/2, R/3, R/4, R/5, R/6, R/7, R/8, Radhuma, red clay
and sandstone series, red shale, rubbly limestone, Rudhuma beds, Rus Formation;

S/1, S/2, S/3, saliferous beds, Sardakh conglomerate, Semhat formation, série d’Asmari, série
d’Imam Hassan, série de l’Euphrate, Serikagni Formation, Shabicha beds, shale series, Sharaf beds,
Shawiya beds, Sheikh Alas Limestone Formation, Shurau Limestone Formation, silty argillaceous
globigerinal marls, Sinjar Limestone Formation, Sinjar limestone lenticle, strates de Kara Tchauq
Dagh, Subterraniphyllum zone, Surdkah conglomerate;

T/1, T/2,’ T/3, T/4, T/5, T/6, T/7, T/8, T/9, T/10, T/11, T/12, T/13, Tarjil Formation, terme de
Basita, terme de Chabd, terme de Ghurra, terme de Huweimi, terme de Radhuma, terme de Shabicha,
terme de Sharaf, terme de Shawiya, terme de Tuqaiyid, terme de Wagsa, transition beds, transition
zone, Tuqaiyid beds;

Umm er Radhuma Formation, Undifferentiated Fars, Upper Bakhtiari Formation, Upper Eocene
shoal facies, Upper Fars Formation, Upper Oligocene limestone, Upper Oligocene Miliola limestone,

Upper Oligocene-Lower Miliola limestone, upper red beds, Wagsa beds, X, Y, Z, Zahra Formation,
zone of thin limestones in the Lower Fars.

Palaeocene: Aaliji Formation, Aidah formation, Auja formation, Bahrein series, blue and purple shale
group, calcaires brechiques et calcaires massives, “chemical limestone”, Cretaceous shale series, first
pay (zone)-Kirkuk, “flysch facies”, formation d’Aidah, formation d’Auja, Germav formation, Ghurra
beds;

Hanjir back-reef complex, Hanjur black reef complex, Hasa Group, Khurmala Formation, Kirmav
formation, Kolosh Formation, Mountain limestone, Sardakh conglomerate, Semhat formation, shale
series, silty argillaceous globigerinal marls, Limestone Formation, Sinjar limestone lenticle, Surdkah
conglomerate, terme de Basita, terme de Ghurra, Umm er Radhuma Formation.

Eocene: Aaliji Formation, Aidah formation, Asmari limestone, Avanah Limestone Formation, Bahrein
series, Barbak beds, Basita beds, blue and purple shale group, calcaires brechiques et calcaires
massives, Chabd beds, “chemical limestone”, couches de Dj. Atchan, Cretaceous shale series,
Dammam formation, Damman formation, Dohuk formation, Fem, Feu, first pay (zone)-Kirkuk,
“flysch facies”, formation d’Aidah;

Gem, Gercüs Formation, Germav formation, Geu, Ghanimi beds, Ghurra beds, Globigerina limestone,
Globigerinal marl, Globigerinal marls and limestones, Hanjir back-reef complex, Hanjur black reef
complex, Hasa Group, Huweimi beds, Jaddala Formation, Khurmala Formation, Kirmav formation,
Kolosh Formation;

main limestone, marnes claires jaunatres, Middle Eocene shoal facies, Mountain limestone, Pila Spi
Limestone Formation, purple shale group, Radhuma, red shale, Rudhuma beds, Rus Formation,
Sardakh conglomerate, Semhat formation, Série d’Imam Hassan, Shabicha beds, shale series, Sharaf
beds, Shawiya beds, silty argillaceous globigerinal marls, Limestone Formation, Sinjar limestone
lenticle, Surdkah conglomerate;

terme de Basita, terme de Chabd, terme de Ghurra, terme de Huweimi, terme de Radhuma, terme
de Shabicha, terme de Sharaf, terme de Shawiya, terme de Tuqaiyid, terme de Wagsa, Tuqaiyid beds,
Umm er Radhuma Formation, Upper Eocene shoal facies, Wagsa beds.

“Lower“ Eocene: Aaliji Formation, Aidah formation, Avanah Limestone Formation, Bahrein series,
Basita beds, blue and purple shale group, calcaires brechiques et calcaires massives, «chemical
limestone», Cretaceous shale series, Dammam Formation, Damman formation, first pay (zone)-
Kirkuk, «flysch facies», formation d’Aidah, Germav formation, Ghurra beds;

Hanjir back-reef complex, Hanjur black reef complex, Hasa Group, Khurmala Formation, Kirmav
formation, Kolosh Formation, Mountain limestone, Rus Formation, Sardakh conglomerate, shale
series, silty argillaceous globigerinal marls, Sinjar Limestone Formation, Sinjar limestone lenticle,
Surdkah conglomerate, terme de Basita, terme de Ghurra, terme de Wagsa, Umm er Radhuma
Formation.

“Middle“ Eocene: Asmari limestone, Avanah Limestone Formation, Bahrein series, Barbak beds,
blue and purple shale group, Chabd beds, couches de Dj. Atchan, Dammam Formation, Damman
formation, Dohuk formation, Fem, first pay (zone)-Kirkuk, Gem, Gercüs Formation, Ghanimi beds,
Globigerina limestone, Globigerinal marl, Globigerinal marls and limestones, Hasa Group, Huweimi
beds, Jaddala Formation;

main limestone, marnes claires jaunatres, Middle Eocene shoal facies, Pila Spi Limestone Formation,
purple shale group, Radhuma, red shale, Radhuma beds, Shabicha beds, Sharaf beds, Shawiya beds,
terme de Chabd, terme de Huweimi, terme de Radhuma, terme de Shabicha, terme de Sharaf, terme
de Shawiya, terme de Tuqaiyid, Tuqaiyid beds, Wagsa beds.

“Upper” Eocene: Asmari limestone, Avanah Limestone Formation, Bahrein series, couches de Dj.
Atchan, Dammam Formation, Damman formation, Feu, first pay (zone)-Kirkuk, Geu, Globigerina
limestone, Globigerinal marl, Globigerinal marls and limestones, Hasa Group, Jaddala Formation,
Limestone with cerithiae, main limestone, marnes claires jaunatres, Pila Spi Limestone Formation,
Upper Eocene shoal facies.

Oligocene: Anah Limestone Formation, Asmari limestone, Azkand Limestone Formation, Baba
Limestone Formation, Bajawan Limestone Formation, basal anhydrite, calcaire d’Asmari, calcaire de
l’Euphrate, delicata zone, Dendrophyllum zone, “dolomitic” limestone, first pay (zone)-Kirkuk, Fo/1,
Fo/2, Globigerina limestone, Globigerinal marls and limestones, Go/1, Go/2;

Ibrahim Formation, Kara Tchauq Dagh series, Kirkuk Group, Kirkukensis zone, Lepidocyclina-
Miogypsinoides zone, Lepidocyclina zone, limestones containing Lepidocyclina cf. formosa, limestone
with cerithiae, limestones with N. intermedius-fichteli, Lower-Middle Oligocene Miliola limestone,
lower reef limestone, main limestone, Miliola and reef limestones, Miliola limestone, Miogypsinoides
zone, MR/1, MR/2;

Nummulites-Lepidocyclina zone, Nummulite limestone, Nummulites zone, Oligocene Miliola

limestone, Palani Formation, paucialveolata zone, Qarah Chauq group, rubbly limestone, série
d’Asmari, Sheikh Alas Limestone Formation, Shurau Limestone Formation, strates de Kara Tchauq
Dagh, Subterraniphyllum zone, Tarjil Formation, Upper Oligocene limestone, Upper Oligocene-Lower
Miocene Miliola limestone, Upper Oligocene Miliola limestone.

“Lower” Oligocene: Asmari limestone, calcaire d’Asmari, calcaire de l’Euphrate, Dendrophyllum

zone, first pay (zone)-Kirkuk, Fo/1, Globigerina limestone, Globigerinal marls and limestones, Go/
1, Kara Tchauq Dagh series, Kirkuk Group, limestones with N. intermedius-fichteli, Lower-Middle
Oligocene Miliola limestone, lower reef limestone, main limestone, Miliola and reef limestones,
Miliola limestone, MR/1;

Nummulite limestone, Nummulites zone, Palani Formation, paucialveolata zone, Qarah Chauq group,
série d’Asmari, Sheikh Alas Limestone Formation, Shurau Limestone Formation, strates de Kara
Tchauq Dagh, Subterraniphyllum zone.

“Middle“ Oligocene: Asmari limestone, Baba Limestone Formation, Bajawan Limestone Formation,
calcaire de l’Euphrate, delicata zone, first pay (zone)-Kirkuk, Fo/2, Globigerinal marls and limestones,
Go/2, Kara Tchauq Dagh series, Kirkuk Group, Kirkukensis zone, Lepidocyclina zone, limestones
containing Lepidocyclina cf. formosa,

main limestone, Miliola and reef limestones, Miliola limestone, MR/2, Nummulites-Lepidocyclina
zone, Nummulite limestone, Qarah Chauq group, Rubbly limestone, série d’Asmari, strates de Kara
Tchauq Dagh, Tarjil Formation, Upper Oligocene Miliola limestone.

“Upper“ Oligocene: Anah Limestone Formation, Asmari limestone, Azkand Limestone Formation,
calcaire d’Asmari, calcaire de l’Euphrate, «dolomitic limestone», first pay (zone)-Kirkuk, Ibrahim
Formation, Kara Tchauq Dagh series, Kirkuk Group, Lepidocyclina-Miogypsinoides zone, main
limestone, Miogypsinoides zone, Qarah Chauq group, série d’Asmari, strates de Kara Tchauq Dagh,
Upper Oligocene limestone, Upper Oligocene-Lower Miocene, Miocene Miliola limestone.

Miocene: Ao, Asmari, Asmari limestone, B/1, B/2, B/3, B/4, bancs de l’Asmari, basal Fars
conglomerate, calcaire d’Asmari, calcaire de d’Asmari, calcaire de l’Euphrate, calcaire de Qara Chauq,
cap rock, Chama limestone formation, Dhiban Anhydrite Formation, Dibdibba beds, Dibdibba
Formation, Euphrates Limestone Formation, Fars Group, Fars series, first pay-Zubair, formation de
Zahra;

Ghar Formation, Govanda Limestone Formation, gypsiferous series, Hamrin stage, Jeribe Limestone
Formation, Kalhur anhydrite, Kalhur gypsum, Kalhur limestone, Kara Tchauq Dagh series, Kurd

series, Kuwait Group, Lailuk limestone formation, Lower Fars Formation, marbre de Mossoul,
marnes crayeuses jaunatres, middle anhydrite(s), Middle Fars Formation, Mosul marble;

passage beds, phase a, Qara Chauq, formation, R/1, R/2, R/3, R/4, R/5, R/6, R/7, R/8, red clay
and sandstone series, S/1, S/2, S/3, saliferous beds, série d’Asmari, série de l’Euphrate, Serikagni
Formation, strates de Kara Tchauq Dagh, T/1, T/2, T/3, T/4, T/5, T/6, T/7, T/8, T/9, T/10, T/11,
T/12, T/13, transition beds, transition zone, undifferentiated Fars, Upper Fars Formation, upper red
beds, X, Y, Z, Zahra Formation, zone of thin limestones in the Lower Fars.

“Lower“ Miocene: Asmari, Asmari limestone, bancs de l’Asmari, basal Fars conglomerate, calcaire
d’Asmari, calcaire de l’Euphrate, calcaire de Qara Chauq, Chama limestone formation, Dhiban
Anhydrite Formation, Euphrates Limestone Formation, Govanda Limestone Formation, Jeribe
Limestone Formation;

Kalhur anhydrite, Kalhur gypsum, Kalhur limestone, Kara Tchauq Dagh series, Lailuk limestone
formation, marnes crayeuses jaunatres, middle anhydrite(s), Qara Chauq formation, Qarah Chauq
group, série d’Asmari, série de l’Euphrate, Serikagni Formation, strates de Kara Tchauq Dagh.

“Middle“ Miocene: Ao, B/l, B/2, B/3, B/4, cap rock, Fars Group, Fars series, first pay-Zubair,
Formation de Zahra, Ghar Formation, gypsiferous series, Hamrin stage, Kuwait Group, Lower Fars
formation, marbres de Mossoul, Mosul marble, Oligocene Miliola limestone, R/1, R/2, R/3, R/4,
R/5, R/6, R/7, R/8, S/1, S/2, S/3;

saliferous beds, strates de Kara Tchauq Dagh, T/1, T/2, T/3, T/4, T/5, T/6, T/7, T/8, T/9, T/10,
T/11, T/12, T/13, transition zone, undifferentiated Fars, upper red beds, X, Y, Z, Zahra Formation,
zone of thin limestones in the Lower Fars.

“Upper” Miocene: Dibdibba beds, Dibdibba Formation, Fars Group, Fars series, gypsiferous series,
Kurd series, Kuwait Group, Middle Fars Formation, passage beds, phase a, red clay and sandstone
series, Upper Fars Formation.

Pliocene: Bakhtiari formation, Bakhtiari Group, Bakhtiari series, conglomeratic stage, Dibdibba
beds, Dibdibba Formation, gypsiferous series, Kifri coal, Kurd series, Kuwait Group, Lower Bakhiari
Gormation, Nazaz zone, phase b, phase c, phase d, phase e, red clay and sandstone series, Upper
Bakhtiari Formation.

Pleistocene: Dibdibba beds, Dibdibba Formation, Kuwait Group.

Recent: alluvial clays and sands, alluvium at Amara, Hammar Formation, lightly consolidated
marine silty mud.

Table 7
Wells cited in Text and Plates

BOD = British Oil Development

(ex-BOD)
BPC = Basrah Petroleum Company
IPC = Iraq Petroleum Company
KOC = Kuwait Oil Company
MOD = Mosul Oil Development
MPC = Mosul Petroleum Company

Well Company Completed Latitude Longitude Elevation P1 P5

Abu Jir-1 MPC *33°14’N *42°53’E Y Y
Adaiyah-1 MPC (ex-BOD) March 14, 1938 36°10.5’N 42°49’E 1,246 ft (379.9 m) Y Y
Ain Zalah-6 MPC N N
Ain Zalah-9 MPC N N
Ain Zalah-16 MPC *36°40’N *42°36’E Y Y
Ain Zalah-19 MPC *36°41’N *42°33’E Y Y
Ain Zalah-20 MPC N N
Ain Zalah-21 MPC N N
Alan-1 MPC (ex-BOD) September 2, 1955 36°28’N 42°49’E 1,229 ft (374.7 m) Y Y

August 10, 1935

Anah-1 MPC (ex-BOD) 34°20’24”N 41°15’48”E 996 ft (303.7 m) Y Y
Or April 9, 1939
Atshan-1 MPC *36°9’N *42°55’E Y Y
Awasil-1 MPC (ex-BOD) *33°28’N *42°56’E Y Y
Awasil-2 N N
Awasil-3 N N
Awasil-4 N N
Awasil-5 MPC (ex-BOD) March 26, 1940 33°26’34”N 42°54’30”E 323 ft (98.5 m) Y Y
Bahra-1 SE Iraq N N
Burgan-62 KOC, Kuwait Burgan field N N
Burgan-113 KOC, Kuwait Burgan field N N
Butmah-1 *36°26’N *42°45’E Y Y
Butmah-2 MPC June 1, 1954 36°38’N 42°39’E 1,880 ft (573.2 m) Y Y
Butmah-7 *36°27’N *42°47’E Y Y
Chemchemal-1 N N
Chemchemal-2 IPC *35°33’N *44°50’30”E Y Y
Fallujah-1 MPC *33°27’30”N *43°34’E Y Y
Ghouna-1 NE Syria *36°7’5”N *41°2’25”E Y Y
Gullar-1 MPC *36°39’30”N *42°22E Y Y
Gusair-1 MPC *36°33’30”N *42°28E Y Y
Hibbarah-1 MPC (ex-BOD) July 2, 1935 35°48’30”N 43°0’49”E 841.6 ft (256.6 m) Y Y
Hit-1 MPC *33°38’30”N *42°49’30”E Y Y
Ibrahim-1 MPC September 28,1957 36°19’12”N 42°38’15”E 1,670 ft (509.1 m) Y Y
Injana-5 IPC *34°27’25”N *44°39’30”E Y Y
Jawan-1 MPC *35°55’N *42°59’E Y Y
Jawan-2 MPC (ex-BOD) August 10, 1935 35°56’56”N 43°02’12”E 952 ft (290.2 m) Y Y
Jawan-9 MPC N N
Khanuqah-1 IPC *35°21’N *43°16’30”E Y Y
Kirkuk-85 IPC July 1, 1949 35°26’42”N 44°25’28”E 1,130 ft (344.5) Y Y
Kirkuk-109 IPC February 6, 1953 35°33’08.23”N 44°18’55.05”E 1,193 ft (363.7 m) Y Y
Kirkuk-114 IPC June 31, 1954 35°56’15.50”N 43°45’21.78”E 1,185 ft (361.3 m) Y Y
Kirkuk-116 IPC January 17, 1948 35°47’28”,99N 43°59’06”,34E 1,291 ft (393.5 m) Y Y
Kor Mor-2 IPC N N
Makhul-1 MPC (ex-BOD) June 5, 1939 35°10’36”N 43°22’16” 1,505 ft (458.8 m) Y Y
Makhul-2 MPC (ex-BOD) *35°1’30”N *43°28’E Y Y
Mileh
MPC *34°11’N *42°43’E Y Y
Tharthar-1
Musaiyib-1 BPC *32°48’55”N *44°24’E Y Y
Mushorah-1 MPC September 10,1949 36°57’03.46N 42°25’41.75”E 1,531 ft (466.8 m) Y Y
Nafatah-1 MPC (ex-BOD) February 18, 1939 33°27’55”N 43°08’19”E 290 ft (88.4 m) Y Y
Nahr Umr-1 BPC *30°45’N *47°40’E N Y
Nahr Umr-2 BPC March 4, 1950 30°44’15”N 47°41’45”E 21.7 ft (6.6 m) N Y
Najmah-2 MPC *35°51’N *43°6’E Y Y

Najmah-21 MPC N N
Najmah-22, MPC N N
Najmah-23, MPC N N
Najmah-24 MPC N N
Najmah-29 MPC (ex-BOD) September 9, 1939 35°53’14”N 43°9’21”E 943.9 ft (287.8 m) Y Y
Qalian-1 MPC *36°8’N *43°5’30”E Y Y
Qaiyarah-13 MPC (ex-BOD) *35°48’10”N *43°15’E Y Y
Qaiyarah-17 MPC N N
Qaiyarah-21 MPC (ex-BOD) *35°50’55”N *43°12’30”E Y Y
Qasab-2 MPC *35°55’25”N *43°6’30”E Y Y
Qasab-3 MPC N N
Qasab-5a MPC N N
Qasab-5 N N
Qasab-6 MPC N N
Qasab-10 MPC *35°58’55”N *42°59”E Y Y
Quwair-1 *36°2’N *43°30’E Y Y
Ratawi-1 BPC March 18, 1950 30°33’22”N 47°05’45”E 107.9 ft (33 m) N Y
Sadid-1 **IPC or MPC *35°29’N *43°1’30”E Y Y
Sasan-1 **IPC or MPC? *36°25’N *42°25’E Y Y
Zubair-1 N N
Zubair-3 BPC February 21, 1951 30°23’01”N 47°43’29”E 51.9 ft (15.8 m) N Y
Zubair-24 BPC August 22, 1953 30°22’00”N 47°36’46”E 42.53 ft (12.96 m) N Y
Zubair-31 BPC October 24, 1953 30°31’00”N 47°36’34”E 20.3 ft (6.2 m) N Y

* Approximately
**Referred to as IPC individually but MPC in long lists of wells.

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