ABSTRACT

We present the geomorphological map of the northwestern part of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, where the landscape expresses the tectonic activity associated with the Arabia-Eurasia convergence and Neogene climate change. These processes influenced the evolution of landforms and fluvial pathways, where major rivers Tigris, Khabur, and Great Zab incise the landscape of Northeastern Mesopotamia Anticlinal ridges and syncline trough compose the Zagros orogen. The development of water and wind gaps, slope, and karsts processes in the highlands and the tilting of fluvial terraces in the flat areas are the main evidence of the relationship between tectonics, climate variations and geomorphological processes. During the Quaternary, especially after the Last Glacial Maximum, fluctuating arid and wet periods also influenced local landforms and fluvial patterns of the area. Finally, the intensified Holocene human occupation and agricultural activities during the passage to more complex societies over time impacted the evolution of the landscape in this part of Mesopotamia.

摘要

我们展示了伊拉克库尔德斯坦地区西北部的地貌图，其中的景观表达了与阿拉伯-欧亚大陆汇合和新近纪气候变化相关的构造活动。这些过程影响了地貌和河流路径的演变，其中底格里斯河、哈布尔河和大扎布主要河流切割美索不达米亚东北部背斜脊和向斜槽构成扎格罗斯造山带的地貌。高原水风隙、坡度和岩溶过程的发育以及平原地区河流阶地的倾斜是构造、气候变化和地貌过程关系的主要证据。在第四纪期间，特别是在末次盛冰期之后，干旱和湿润时期的波动也影响了该地区的当地地貌和河流格局。最后，随着时间的推移，在向更复杂的社会过渡期间，全新世人类占领和农业活动的加剧影响了美索不达米亚这一地区的景观演变。