Changes

Elevations rise in northeastern Iraq. Most of the Kirkuk embayment of the Zagros foldbelt is covered by Neogene sediments, except for elongated northwest-trending anticlines that expose older strata. Surface elevations rise up to 850 m (2788 ft) on the Qara Chauq Dagh anticline ([[:file:M106Ch12Fig01.jpg|Figure 1]]). There are many towns and cities in this region, including Mosul and Kirkuk.

Elevations rise in northeastern Iraq. Most of the Kirkuk embayment of the Zagros foldbelt is covered by Neogene sediments, except for elongated northwest-trending anticlines that expose older strata. Surface elevations rise up to 850 m (2788 ft) on the Qara Chauq Dagh anticline ([[:file:M106Ch12Fig01.jpg|Figure 1]]). There are many towns and cities in this region, including Mosul and Kirkuk.

The High Zagros Nappe zone further to the northeast is characterized by large anticlinal mountains that expose Cenozoic to Paleozoic sediments as well as igneous and metamorphic rocks. Elevations are higher across this region, reaching 3586 m (11765 ft) on the Iraq-Iran border east of Rowandaz (Figure 1). Major gorges cut by rivers, such as the Zab River that runs into the Dijlah River near Jabal Qara Chauq Dagh, form exposures that are the type sections for many formations.

The High Zagros [[Nappe]] zone further to the northeast is characterized by large anticlinal mountains that expose Cenozoic to Paleozoic sediments as well as igneous and metamorphic rocks. Elevations are higher across this region, reaching 3586 m (11765 ft) on the Iraq-Iran border east of Rowandaz (Figure 1). Major gorges cut by rivers, such as the Zab River that runs into the Dijlah River near Jabal Qara Chauq Dagh, form exposures that are the type sections for many formations.

One effect of the surface relief of Iraq is the flow of groundwater deeply within the sediments of the Mesopotamian foredeep, from the somewhat higher Arabian platform in western and southern Iraq, as well as within synclines in the Kirkuk embayment of the Zagros foldbelt. Freshwater extends far into the subsurface because of these flows.

One effect of the surface relief of Iraq is the flow of groundwater deeply within the sediments of the Mesopotamian foredeep, from the somewhat higher Arabian platform in western and southern Iraq, as well as within synclines in the Kirkuk embayment of the Zagros foldbelt. Freshwater extends far into the subsurface because of these flows.