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The Sinjar Anticline (Mountain) is an outstanding structural and geomorphic feature in the northwestern part of Iraq. The anticline is a double plunging with almost E – W trend dividing the gently rolling plain in which it is developed into two parts, Al-Jazira Plain in the south and Rabi’a Plain in the north. The Sinjar anticline is asymmetrical with steeper northern limb (45 – 80)° and gentler southern limb (15 – 25)°, its length is about 80 km, whereas the width ranges between (9.25 – 12. 5) km. The oldest exposed rocks belong to the Shiranish Formation, whereas the youngest rocks belong to the Fatha Formation. Different geomorphological and structural forms were observed through interpretation of satellite images, geological and topographical maps of different scales, beside field observations. Among those forms are: Abandoned alluvial fans, radial, inclined, and cross-shaped valleys, whale-back shape, wind gaps, and parasitic folds. All these forms are good indications about the lateral growth of the anticline. Neotectonic measurements were carried to estimate the rates of upward and downward movements. These estimations were performed by measuring the elevation of the contact between the Fatha (Middle Miocene) and Injana (Late Miocene) formations at different selected locations on both sides of the anticline. Keywords: Sinjar anticline, lateral growth, neotectonic movements, wind gap, abandoned alluvial fans

Iraq, like most Middle Eastern countries, is suffering from the effects of Climate Change. The effects are in form of deterioration and degradation of lands, including agricultural lands, an increase in dust storms, an increase in daily temperatures, decreasing annual rainfall, decreasing annual snowfall, decreasing annual water income in the main rivers, streams and ephemeral wadis, increasing of desertification, increasing of areas covered by sand dunes, decreasing of green areas, decreasing of wetlands. According to regional studies, the living conditions and environment after 3 - 4 decades in Iraq and some neighboring countries will be very difficult, especially due to increasing daily temperatures and decreasing annual rainfall. To conduct the current study, we have reviewed tens of published articles, and scientific reports followed by relevant interviews on TV, and daily observations of events caused by climate change. One of the most common reasons for climate change is the emission of CO2, and the most common reason contributing to the increase of the effects of climate change is the absence of awareness in the community and the deficient official preparedness. The preparedness, however, to avoid and/ or mitigate the effects of climate change is very low, not only on the governmental level but also on popular scales. Therefore, the harsh effect of climate change increasing in severity and causing great damage to infrastructure, and personal properties, and is leading to more causalities. Recommendations to mitigate the consequences of climate change are given in two scales, governmental and popular. Godkänd;2023;Nivå 0;2023-05-04 (joosat);Licens fulltext: CC BY License

The main lithological composition of different formations in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region is the carbonate rocks; some of those rocks are suitable for cement production; such as Qamchuqa Bekhme, Sinjar, Pila Spi and Anah formations. However, the six existing cement plants in are using limestone beds, five of those plants are using limestone from the Sinjar Formation, and one plant is using limestone from the Anah Formation. Recently, performed research works confirmed that the limestone beds within the Qamchuqa, Bekhme and Pila Spi formations are very suitable for cement production. The current research work deals with studying the exposed limestone beds within the Bekhme Formation at Hareer Mountain in the central part of IKR to check their suitability for the cement industry. Accordingly, we collected 12 rock samples from a section within the Bekhme Formation at an almost constant sampling interval (5 m); however, for two samples the sampling interval was 6 and 8 m (sample No. 2 and 12, respectively). Each sample represents a channel sample for the concerned sampling interval to be representative for the thickness of the sampled interval. The total thickness of the sampled section is 64 m with a covered interval of 30 m, totaling up to 94 m. The collected 12 samples were prepared at the laboratory of the University of Kurdistan Hewler and were subjected to XRF test at Mass Cement Plant (Sulaimaniyah) to check the concentration of certain oxides that are used in the Iraqi Standard for cement production. The acquired concentrations of the main oxides (CaO, MgO, Al2O3, Fe2O3, Na2O, K2O, SO3), and Cl and L.O.I. at each sample were changed to weighted averages and the results were compared with the Iraqi standards for cement industry. The result was the sampled rocks are excellent for cement production.

The Pirmam and Bana Bawi anticlines are two elongated anticlines located in the central northern part of the Kurdistan Region of north Iraq (KRI), in the northeastern part of the Arabian Plate. We have used satellite images and geological maps to interpret the presented data and to calculate the rates of uplift and down wards (subsidence) amounts, besides estimating the rates of deposition and incision of some alluvial fans and stream terraces. Most of the achieved data were checked in the field. In the Pirmam anticline the rate of the uplift and subsidence is 8.613 mm/ 100 year and 7.962 mm/ 100 year, respectively, whereas in the Bana Bawi anticline the rates are 3.036 mm/ 100 year and 4.365 mm/100 year, respectively. The indications of the lateral growth are the presence of water gaps, wind gaps, en-echelon plunging, whale-back shape and different types of valleys. We have calculated the depositional and incision rates in the Kori and Bastoora streams. They are 5.204 mm/ 100 year and 5.555 mm/ 100 year, respectively in the former, whereas in the latter are 3.469 mm/100 year and 8.731 mm/ 100 year, respectively. Moreover, we have calculated the depositional and incision rates in old and recent alluvial fans. In the former, they are 1.665 mm/ 100 year and 0.722 mm/ 100 year, respectively, whereas in the latter are 3.036 and 4.365 mm/ 100 years, respectively. Godkänd;2023;Nivå 0;2023-03-30 (hanlid)

Haditha Dam is constructed on the Euphrates River in the western part of Iraq completed in 1988 and located 14 km west of Haditha town. Haditha Dam is a combined earthfill and concrete dam with a total length of 9064 m. The maximum height of the dam is 57 m from the deepest point at the river channel and dam crest level is 154.00 m (a.s.l.). The storage capacity is 6×109 m3 at normal operation water level of 143 m (a.s.l.). The exposed formations in the dam site and reservoir area are the Euphrates (Lower Miocene) and Fatha (Middle Miocene) formations. Both formations are well known in Iraq to be karstified at different intensities. The right bank of the Euphrates River is severely karstified with tens of sinkholes of different shapes, dimensions and activities. The presence of the karstified rocks is the main reason the dam has a very long grout curtain which extends along its entire length and includes the concrete powerhouse and spillway structure in the river channel, and the right and left bank extensions. The right bank extension of the grout curtain is exceptionally long due to the extent of the sinkhole area. Grouting was performed here in boreholes drilled at one-meter spacing to reduce water penetration and movement through the flank of the dam. The grout curtain under the embankment in the river section was done in two rows, while under the concrete structure it is comprised of three rows of holes. The left bank extension has two rows. The depths of all parts of the curtain varied following the karstification zones and intensities. The main aim of the current study is to elucidate and discuss the influence of the karstified rocks at the dam site and reservoir on the design and especially the length of the dam and the need for side extensions.

The road that crosses the Haibat Sultan Mountain in the northern part of Iraq; is one of the dangerous roads in this region. To perform a slope stability analysis for the dangerous parts of the road, we have used Bejerman’s Method. We have reviewed satellite images of the road and all those potential areas were checked in the field; accordingly, eleven stations were recognized. Landslide Possibility Index was determined at the studied stations following Bejerman’s field method. The road climbs the southern face (dip slope) of the mountain through very hard carbonate rocks of the Pila Spi Formation, where the bedding planes daylight in the slope face near the road cuts. This produced many large landslides. Along the northern face of the mountain, the road runs through soft clastic rocks where joint planes in the rock mass intersect and daylight in the slope face near the road cut. In order to prevent future wedge failures, a 30 m offset was created from the toe of the slope to the road. In almost all cases, the Landslide Possibility Index indicated a moderate to very high likelihood for failure along all road cuts.

The Iraqi Western and Southern deserts are part of the Iraqi Stable Shelf (Inner Platform) that belongs to the Arabian Plate. Therefore, both deserts lack tectonic forms like folds, faults; however, very rarely faults and regional lineaments can be seen in both deserts. Although both deserts are tectonically stable; but tens of Neotectonic indications can be seen everywhere in both deserts. Among those indications are: Straight valleys, perpendicular valley bending's, sinkholes aligned along straight lines, dislocated valleys, knickpoints within valleys aligned along straight lines, regional lineaments, anomalous valley shapes, trends and types, dissected alluvial fans. We have used existing geological maps of different scales and Esri World Imagery to recognize those Neotectonic indications. All those recognized features are excellent indications that both the Iraqi Western and Southern deserts are tectonically not stable. Accordingly, new terminology is suggested instead of the Stable Shelf (Inner Platform) that is “Less Disturbed Shelf”.

There are many hazardous roads in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) which traverse through mountainous terrains. One of these roads was selected for a geotechnical assessment in this paper. The road crosses the Haibat Sultan Mountain, north of Koya town in IKR; it is one of the most dangerous roads in this region. Annually, traffic is blocked by various types of slope failures along this road. There are numerous observed examples where bedding planes in the slope face daylight next to the road. To assess the road geotechnically, several stations of the Haibat Sultan Crossing road were studied to determine their stability using the Kinematic Analysis Method. A total of 11 stations were identified with the highest potential for slope failure. It was determined that only four stations (Nos. 4, 5, 7 and 9) could be evaluated using kinematic analyses. The kinematic analyses for the four stations were performed using DipAnalyst 2.0 software. The analyses identified the potential failure areas and their factors of safety (F.S.). The factors of safety at these four stations were calculated and ranged between 0.66 – 0.85 indicating unstable slopes. Based on this information, remedial measures were recommended at these locations and along associated sections of the road.

Shanidar Cave is located in north Iraq (Kurdistan Region), it is one of the most well-known caves in the region due to its archeological significance. It is an archaeological site which is located within Bradost Mountain north of Erbil city. In the cave, eleven skeletons of Neanderthals, have been found dating back to 65000 – 35000 years B.C., they were called Shanidar (1-11). The cave also contains two later proto-Neolithiccemeteries. The cave is developed due to dissolution of limestone beds of the Qamchuqa Formation which forms the carapace of Bradost Mountain (anticline). Currently, the cave and the downslopes to the foothills of the mountain are limited by a fence. The cave can be reached by a paved road to the foothills level, then by stepping following artificially constructed leader which is designed and constructed by local materials from stones and wood giving to the leader a natural view. The Shanidar cave is highly recommended to be a national Geopark due to its archeological significance

A stream survey was conducted in the Sidakan vicinity in the northeastern part of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, which covered the catchment area of the main stream. The covered area is about 450 km2. The exposed rocks in the study area are mainly igneous with subordinate sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. The catchment area was divided into 14 sub-basins using Global Mapper software. The junction point of the valleys at the end of each sub-basin was sampled. From each junction point, 2 stream sediments were collected. The samples were sieved using the wet method into 2 mm fractions, before the fractions were subjected to x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The results obtained from both tests were used to calculate the concentrations of 9 elements (Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, U, Ag, V, Zn, and Cd). The element concentrations are presented in 9 concentration maps after normalizing the concentration values. Some anomalous results were found. The average concentrations of Ag and Cd were nearly 120 and 266 times higher than the background concentrations (6 mg/kg and 16 mg/ kg, respectively). The acquired data also showed interesting average concentrations for the elements Co, Cr, Ni, and U (280 mg/kg, 999 mg/kg, 375 mg/kg, and 12 mg/kg, respectively). All of these anomalous concentrations are discussed and possible reasons for their existence are given.

When a dam is built, its safety becomes a constant concern for the owner, the public and for governments. Therefore, continuous observation through routine inspections and safety reviews become necessary. Acting as protectors of public safety, governments and professional organizations save no effort in the promulgation of legislations and laying out guidelines for such inspections and reviews. These issues are discussed here starting with the basic first step of visual inspections by the operators and the follow up of detailed safety reviews by specialists. Careful visual inspections assisted by instrumentation measurements may reveal an early negative issue such as, but not limited to, increased seepage, increased uplift pressure, signs of weakness like cracking in the body of the dam, or dams’ slope sloughing, and even damaged hydraulic control equipment. Documenting and reporting these observation helps in taking remedial measures in good time and may lead to more intensive safety reviews. Suggested check lists for the inspection engineers are given here, but these may be tailored for each dam according to its needs. These lists cover issues common to both embankment and concrete dams, and include other specific issues related to each type of them. Metal equipment take their share by listing such areas as corrosion, fatigue and cracking, tear, and wear and so on. Instrumentation measurements are also given their due consideration by giving brief mention of types of measurements needed and points to be observed in instrumentation control work. Finally, guidelines, rules, and legislations for Dam Safety Reviews are generally discussed giving examples from four countries in the world. Validerad;2020;Nivå 1;2020-09-29 (johcin)

The use of geophysical methods in dam sites investigations and safety monitory has proved their good value and versatility in many earthfill dam sites as early as the 1920s. In the following years great development has occurred in the methods, application procedures and tools used. They may be considered today as good ways for carrying out observation tasks on existing dams in non-intrusive and much faster and cheaper ways than the traditional geotechnical methods. It is possible using them to discover anomalies in the dam body or its foundation at an early stage and allowing quick intervention repair works. These methods seek to register and present variations in the basic geotechnical material properties in dams such as; bulk density, moisture content, elasticity, mechanical properties of rocks, electrical resistivity and mineralogy and magnetic properties and so forth. Such variations can indicate increasing seepage flow, progression in cracks’ sizes, formation of voids, caverns and other instability manifestations. Depending on how any investigation is carried out and the targeted anomaly, there is now selection of these methods such as: Electromagnetic Profiling (EM), Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Self- Potential (SP), Ground Penetration Radar (GPR), variety of Seismic Methods (SM) which can be applied using such equipment as in Seismic refraction, Seismic Reflection, Multi Analysis of Rayleigh surface waves (MASW) instruments, or using Refraction Micrometer (ReMi), macro-gravity method, and Cross-Hole Seismic Tomography. In addition, Temperature Measurements and other less used methods can be used like Microgravity measurement, Magnetic Profiling and Radio Magnetotelluric methods. An attempt is made here to cover the details of these methods, their advantages and limitations and to prove their usefulness in many dam sites all over the world. One observed issue is their adaptability to embankment dams more than to concrete dams and their popularity for checking seepage related problems and material changes within dam bodies and their foundations such as formation of voids and sinkholes. Validerad;2020;Nivå 1;2020-09-29 (johcin)

Dam Safety and dam incidents are treated here looked at from the "Human Factors" perspective. An attempt is made to explore these factors as an important drive in impairing dams’ safety and increases their risks. Distinction is drawn between the "Normal Human Caused Incidents" and the "Extraordinary Human Caused Incidents" together with the description of their root origins and subsequent consequences. The first type includes unintentional mistakes, errors and flaws committed by the operators of dams inadvertently, in addition to negligence, lack of experience or overconfidence. Such failings can happen in manual operation of dams, or through the use of their Supervision, Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems as in industrial control system (ICS). They can occur also due to flaws in software or even in the application of information and communication technology (ICT) in remote control operations. As for the second group; the extraordinary human factors, they are defined here as those committed by man with the full understanding of their possible damage. They are done purposely for destabilizing dams after thoughtful and carefully meditated decision making process and they are manifested in acts of war, sabotage and terrorists actions. In this modern age, these acts are characteristics of hackers’ attacks on dam(s) operating systems. This is done through the use of cyberspace by the widespread interconnected digital technology with the accompanying advances in the communication technologies. As such, these technologies have made remote control of such systems possible. Not limited to this, dams remain now, as they were always in the past, the obvious targets in wars and conflicts to inflict losses on the enemy and to use them as weapons, and for terrorism actions for challenging governments. Examples of the aforementioned threats are described with examples given from real cases to elucidate the dangers involved. Lessons to be learned from these incidents are derived and recommendations are presented to be followed to avoid risky situations. Validerad;2020;Nivå 1;2020-09-29 (johcin)

Tailings’ Dams are mining waste impounding structures. They differ from conventional dams in purpose, design and operation. Percentage wise their failures are higher and posing considerably more safety concerns, causing long lasting devastation on communities, environment, and animal and plant ecosystem. Two basic types of embankment tailings structures are used for tailings impoundments; the Retention Dams and the Raised Dams. Retention dams are built in one operation to a full height, while construction of Raised Dams is a continuous process lasting for the whole useful life of the mine. Raised Dams are favored over Retention dams as they can be enlarged and expanded as the extraction works continue with time. Raised embankment dams themselves can be of three alternative designs according to the method used in construction; the Downstream, Upstream and Centerline structures. This designates the direction in which the embankment crest moves in relation to the initial embankment at the base as successive lifts are added. Resulting from the used method of tailings weight disposition, the Upstream Raised Dams are the least safe in earthquake prone areas as compared to the other two types due to its higher possibility of liquefaction, so they are not favored in highly seismic areas. The disadvantage of Downstream Raised Dams is their use of larger land areas. Centerline Raised Dams are a compromise between the other two. Tailing Dams failure may occur due to: dam instability, overtopping, internal erosion, or combination of these. Instability can result from faulty design and/ or faulty tailings deposition method. Internal erosion can follow saturation of the fill due to fast rate of work and close proximity of the water pond to the dyke combined with downstream gullying, and overtopping happens in case of faulty water management and/ or inoperable decan system. Careful analysis of historic failures and drawing out new lessons from them can help reducing failure probability and enhance tailings’ dams’ safety.

Silica-sand is one of the main additives in cement production. Cement plants in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region had been using silica sand which is 98% quartz that was quarried from the Iraqi Western Desert. However, during the last decade, it was not possible to supply these cement plants with material from this location; therefore, the silica sand was imported from Iran. Recently, radiolarian chert of the Qulqula Group was quarried from the Sharbazhar Quarry in Kurdistan and used in some cement plants in the Kurdistan Region. This research was performed to study the specifications of the chert which is interbedded with claystone of the Qulqula Group that can be used as an alternative to silica-sand from other regions outside of Kurdistan. Five samples were collected from the Sharbazhar Quarry and subjected to XRF testing. The acquired results were encouraging; therefore, 20 additional samples were collected from the quarry, but also from other outcrops of the Qulqula Group along the road towards Sulaimaniyah city. The collected samples were subjected to XRF testing and the results showed that the weighted average of the SiO2 in the quarried chert–claystone deposit is 83.71%., when the plants used claystone:chert ratio is 3:2; as it is used with mix-raw material in some cement plants in the Bazian district. This deficiency in the weighted average of the SiO2 is overcome by adding more chert from the chert–claystone deposit to the raw-mix.

Qara Dagh anticline is one of the main anticlines in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region with NW – SE trend. It is a double plunging anticline almost symmetrical and consists of six minor anticlines some of them exhibit en-echelon plunges. The anticline shows many indications of lateral growth which indicate Neotectonic activities. Among those indications is the Darbendi Bazian abandoned alluvial fan. In this study, the details of the fan are presented and discussed as interpreted from satellite images. The interpreted data is checked in the field and it is found that the alluvial fan is a large fan showing typical symmetrical fan. It is a single stage fan covered by fine materials. The thickness of the fan ranges from (2.5 – 6) m, whereas its length and width are 4.18 km and 1.35 km, respectively. The fan was originated from Tinal stream which was draining the area behind the apex towards south and south west and nowadays flows in an opposite direction. The alluvial fan’s geometry, constituents, genesis and mode of deposition are given and discussed.

Handreen, Zozik and Tanoun are three major anticlines in the northern part of Iraqi Kurdistan Region located NE of Rawandouz town. All anticlines are oriented NW-SE with a steep southwestern limb. The length and width of Handreen, Zozik and Tanoun anticlines are 20.2 km, 23 km, 27 km, and 10 km, 4.7 km and 2.5 km, respectively. The anticlines are separated by very narrow synclines. However, Tanoun anticline is thrusted over Zozik anticline causing the disappearance of the synclinal axis between the two folds. The oldest exposed rocks in Handreen anticline are the Cretaceous age, in Zozik anticline are the Upper Jurassic rocks, whereas in Tanoun anticline, the Lower Jurassic rocks are exposed. The carapace of Handreen and Zozik anticlines is built up by Bekhme and Qamchuqa formations and that of Tanoun anticline by the Qamchuqa Formation. Satellite images and geological maps were used to recognize the geomorphological and structural features which were checked and confirmed in the field. Handreen, Zozik and Tanoun anticlines show clear geomorphological and structural features which indicate their lateral growth. Among those features are water gaps, wind gaps, forked-shaped valleys, curved valleys, inclined (curved) valleys, radial valleys, abandoned alluvial fans, wale-back shape, en-echelon folds and folds with malty domes.

Safeen anticline is one of the most complicated anticlines in Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR), with NW–SE trend. Structurally, the anticline is truncated by different types of faults; some of them are deep-seated faults, which have complicated the subsurface form of the anticline. The anticline includes two domes with two parasitic anticlines and synclines along both limbs. Moreover, two hanging synclines exist northeastwards and one southwestwards. Six possible deep seated transversal faults may occur along the anticline, dissecting the anticline in NE–SW trend and extending northeastwards and southwestwards. Moreover, the deep-seated faults dissect many anticlines on both sides of the Safeen anticline. The deep-seated faults have contributed to the complexity of the anticline, as compared to other anticlines in the Zagros Fold–Thrust Belt, especially inside IKR, and have negative impact to the oil exploration activities in the anticline. Therefore, the drilled Safeen Oil well 01 has missed the target. We have used satellite images from land viewer website + Terraincognita app to study the structural style of the anticline, and to recognize different structural features. Field investigation was carried out to check the interpreted data. Validerad;2022;Nivå 1;2022-07-01 (sofila)

Shanidar Cave is one of the most well-known caves in Iraqi Kurdistan Region. It is an archaeological site located within Bradost Mountain north of Erbil city. Eleven skeletons of Neanderthals, have been found within the cave dating back to 65000 – 35000 years, they were called Shanidar (1 – 11). The cave also contains two later "proto-Neolithic" cemeteries.

Dams are engineering structures constructed for different purposes. They are of different sizes, shapes and types. In all cases, many essential studies should be carried out before deciding the location, type and size of the dam. Among those studies is the geological investigations which should be carried out to deduce the geological conditions in the most relevant site, depth of the foundations and their types, cut-off depth, type of the available construction materials, and type of the expected geological hazards. Without proper geological investigations, the siting of a dam will cause serious hazards during construction and during commissioning of the dam. In this study, Mosul Dam case is considered as the consequences of inadequate geological investigations which were carried out by the contractor and supervised by Swiss Consultant. The location of the dam site and its foundations are built over a highly karstified area, where gypsum and limestone beds are exposed and exist deep under the ground surface, and even deeper than the foundations. Accordingly, grouting treatment was carried out and still on going, but all the attempts to have a safe and relevant dam were in vain. In this study we have provided the essential studies which should be included during the geological investigation to have a safe and sound dam.

Aqra Anticline is a double plunging anticline, oriented NW–SE with a steep southwestern limb and even overturned. Geomorphological features are interpreted using satellite images, as a result, it was found that the anticline shows clear geomorphological and structural features which indicate the lateral growth of the anticline. Among those features are water gaps, wind gaps, forked-shaped valleys, curved valleys, inclined valleys and dislocated and abandoned alluvial fans. Some of the vague interpreted features were checked and confirmed in the field.