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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Journal of Petroleum Geology

Abstract

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Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.2, No.2, pp. 181-197, 1979

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

SHIFTING DEPOSITIONAL AXES OF IRAQ: AN OUTLINE OF GEOSYNCLINAL HISTORY

M. W. Ibrahim*

*Department of Geology, Imperial College, London SW7.


Abstract

Isopach-lithofacies maps, presented in this paper as maps showing depositional axes (depo-axes) for successive informal lithostratigraphic groups of sedimentary units, are applied to outline the tectonic history of Iraq. Five geosynclinal stages are recognised: (a) Intra-Cratonic Basinal stage, (b) Early Orthogeosynclinal stage, (c) Late Orthogeosynclinal stage, (d) Idiogeosynclinal stage and (e) Exogeosynclinal stage. In general, throughout those stages, depo-axes were always migrating away from the tectonically-elevated crustal elements during tectonic events and advancing towards them after the lapse of each tectonic pulse when normal sedimentation was resumed. The pattern, history and position of the axes of deposition determined the hydrocarbon migration directions: these were generally from the ENE towards the WSW of Iraq.

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