Structural evolution of the northwestern Zagros, Kurdistan Region, Iraq and alternative models for formation of a curved mountain chain

摘要

Introduction The studied area in Kurdistan Region of Iraq lies across an apparent important topographic/structural boundary between southern lowlands and northern, folded and imbricated mountains (Fig. 1). It also encompasses an important change in structural orientation of the northern Zagros, from general NW-SE to E-W trends. Geological mapping and structural observations both in the mountains (Mesozoic -Paleogene) and in the lowlands (Neogene) were carried out.