Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy of the Uppermost Cretaceous Period, Duhok Area, Kurdistan Region, North of Iraq

A relatively complete Late Maastrichtian succession of the upper part of the Shiranish Formation (Upper Cretaceous) in the Duhok area is investigated for the planktic foraminiferal assemblages. This studied interval consists mainly of bluish shale, marl, and thin beds of hard marly limestone all with grey-blue color. The upper contact of the Shiranish Formation is conformable with the overlies Danian Aaliji Formation. Based on the recorded planktic foraminifera and their ranges, the studied succession is subdivided into three main biozones of the latest Maastrichtian age, these zones are Pseudoguembelina hariaensis (CF3) Interval Zone, Pseudoguembelina palpebra (CF2) Interval Zone, and Plummerita hantkeninoides (CF1) Total Range Zone. These zones show continuous and complete Upper Cretaceous sediments, which are preserved in the Bade section of the Duhok area