PLANKTONIC FORAMINIFERAL BIOSTRATIGRAPHY OF THE REDDISH TO PALE BROWN TRANSITIONAL SUCCESSION (UPPER CRETACEOUS) IN SMAQULI AREA, NORTHEAST IRAQ  (KURDISTAN REGION)

M. I. Sharbazheri, Khalid

	PLANKTONIC FORAMINIFERAL BIOSTRATIGRAPHY OF THE REDDISH TO PALE BROWN TRANSITIONAL SUCCESSION (UPPER CRETACEOUS) IN SMAQULI AREA, NORTHEAST IRAQ (KURDISTAN REGION)
Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining
Article 1, Volume 6, Issue 1, 2010, Pages 1-20
Author
Khalid M. I. Sharbazheri
Abstract
The Upper Cretaceous reddish to pale brown transitional succession (Shiranish – Tanjero transition unit) in the Smaquli area; northeast Iraq was studied to document the nature of the reddish brown unit within the studied section, which comprises three lithostratigraphic units; upper part of Shiranish Formation (Late Campanian), Reddish to pale brown unit (Early Maastrichtian) and lower part of Tanjero Formation (lower – middle Late Maastrichtian). Sixty seven planktonic foraminiferal species that belong to nineteen genera are recorded and six Planktonic Foraminiferal Biostratigraphic Zones have been detected in the studied section. They represent Globotruncana aegyptiaca Interval Zone (CF8), Gansserina gansseri Interval Zone (CF7), Contusotruncana contusa Interval Zone (CF6), Pseudotextularia intermedia Interval Zone (CF5), Racemiguembelina fructicosa Interval Zone (CF4), Pseudoguembelina hariaensis Interval Zone (CF3). They display Late Campanian – Middle to Late Maastrichtian age. They are discussed and correlated with their equivalents in and outside of the studied area. The age of this succession is estimated to be more than 2.150 My. The planktonic foraminiferal biozones of the studied section display continuous sedimentary succession; they show incessant in sedimentary sequence without any interruption.

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