Development of Gulley Ali Beg Gorge in Rawandooz Area, Northern Iraq

The northern and northeastern parts of the Iraqi exhibit different types of gorges. Some of themare few kilometers in length and few hundred meters in height. The most significant gorge is theGulley Ali Bed gorge in Rawandooz area; its length is about 12.1 Km, with maximum and minimumwidths of 100 to 155 m, respectively. The water in the gorge flows in two opposite directions, fromthe north and south through two streams; they meet in the middle of the gorge, and then changethe streams direction towards west; for few kilometers before it merges in the Greater Zab River.The gorge runs within very hard thickly bedded to massive carbonate rocks, which belong to Sarmord,Qamchuqa and Bekhme formations (Cretaceous in age). To the right of the southern entrance;stands Korak anticline, whereas to the left occurs Peris anticline. To the right of the northernentrance; stands Handreen anticline, whereas to the left is Bradost anticline; represented byBalikian Mountain. The gorge is developed by continuous lateral and vertical growth of the fourmentioned anticlines, with continuous incision of both streams, Rawandooz from the north andKhlaifan from the south. Both shifted their courses, continuously