Abstract

Iraq is located in the northeastern part of the Arabian Plate, which is colliding with the Iranian Plate. The collision between the two plates has developed the tectonic framework of the Iraqi territory. Accordingly, two major tectonic divisions are developed: Inner Platform (Stable Shelf) and Outer Platform (Unstable Shelf). The former (Inner platform) is almost stable forming flat terrain with tens of the Neotectonic indications. Whereas, the latter (Outer Platform) is deformed mountainous area with anticlines and major thrust faults. The contact between these two major tectonic divisions run almost along the Euphrates River. In Western Iraq, an outstanding tectonic feature exists, the Anah anticline running almost E–W direction. On both northern and southern sides of the anticline, flat and undulatory plains occur without any tectonic features. Anah anticline shows clear geomorphological and structural forms, which indicate its lateral growth, especially eastwards. Among those indications are water gaps, wind gaps, curved valleys, inclined valleys, and wale-back shape. Although the Euphrates River dissects the anticline in its eastern part; however, most probably the river runs along the crossing area between two main tectonic zones indicating that the anticline is still growing laterally eastwards, and even effecting on the contact of the Inner Platform and Outer Planform.

中文翻译：

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Anah背斜：伊拉克两大构造带之间的杰出背斜

摘要

伊拉克位于阿拉伯板块的东北部，与伊朗板块相撞。两个板块之间的碰撞形成了伊拉克领土的构造​​框架。因此，形成了两个主要的构造分区：内台地（稳定陆架）和外台地（不稳定陆架）。前者（内台地）近乎稳定，地势平坦，具有数十个新构造迹象。而后者（外台地）是具有背斜和主要逆冲断层的变形山区。这两个主要构造分区之间的接触几乎沿着幼发拉底河延伸。在伊拉克西部，存在着一个突出的构造特征，几乎是东西向的阿纳背斜。背斜的南北两侧为平坦起伏的平原，无任何构造特征。Anah背斜具有明显的地貌和构造形态，表明其横向生长，特别是向东生长。这些迹象包括水隙、风隙、弯曲的山谷、倾斜的山谷和脊背形状。虽然幼发拉底河在其东部解剖了背斜；然而，这条河流很可能沿着两个主要构造带之间的交叉区域流动，表明背斜仍在横向向东增长，甚至影响了内台地和外台地的接触。