Kamal Haji Karim, Aras Omer Al-Khafaf and Khalid Mahmood Ismael Sharbazheri
Department of Geology, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani City
Institutions for strategic studies and scientific research-Sulaimani City
Abstract
The Balambo Formation (Garau Formation in Iran) and its equivalents such as Shuaiba,
Qamchuqa and Mauddud are very significant formations since they occur nearly in all oil
fields in Iraq and Iran. The first definition of its type section was carried out in 1947 in
the Sirwan Valley on the southwestern limb of the Balambo Anticline, about 11 km to
the southwest of Halabja town, 3 km to the east of Kawta village. In the present study,
the first definition is critically analyzed in the field and laboratory by foraminifera and
nannofossils aging. The analysis shows many problems in the thickness, stratigraphy,
location and its relation to Kometan and Shiranish formations. Many structural and
topographic characteristics (of the section) are shown to prove that the thickness of the
type section is less than that indicated previously in the first definition. In the definition
of the type locality, the Kometan Formation was not recorded, while the present study
confirms its occurrence, with a thickness of about 80 m.. The lithological and
Paleontological studies showed that the Kometan Formation has the age of Turonian –
Late Campanian and has conformable contact with both Balambo and Shiranish
formations. This does not coincide with the definition, which did not mention the
Kometan Formation and recorded the presence of erosional unconformity (missing
sediment of Santonian-Middle Campanian) under Shiranish Formation. The location of
the type section is not clear and it is combination of the three different sections in three
different areas which are located in the imbricated Zone. Topographically and
structurally, the section is so complex that a nowadays geologists will never think to
select it as a type section for definition a stratigraphical units.
Key Words:
Balambo Formation,
Kometan Formation,
Sirwan valley,
unconformity,
Gulneri Formation
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