Planktonic Foraminiferal Biosatratigraphy of the Eocene – Oligocene Boundary at Sinjar Area, NW Iraq

Abstract

The present study deals with the lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy of the Eocene- Oligocene boundary in three surface sections in Sinjar anticline, northwestern Iraq. Jaddala Formation composed of marl, marly limestone represents deep Eocene facies, Palani, and Tarjil formations represent Early and Late Oligocene sequences. Sixty-two planktonic foraminiferal species belonging to sixteen genera have been recognized which permit the recognition of four Zones; these are from older at the base:     Globorotalia opima opima Total- Range Zone (P21)   Globigerina ampliapertura partial- Range Zone (P20)   Pseudohastigerina micra Interval Zone (P 19) Globigerinatheka subconglobata subconglobata Partial Range Zone (P11) (Part).        The Eocene- Oligocene boundary in Sinjar area represents disconformity surface, where the deposition ceased in the Middle Eocene (Lutetian) at the end of Jaddala Formation, then deposition started at the Upper Early Oligocene due to rapid wide transgression, leading to the  deposition of Palani (Rupelian) and Tarjil (Chatian) formations, which consist of thinly laminated hard white-pale brown intercalation of marly limestone and marl beds.