Sedimentary Structures of Sand Dune Fields in Al-Shehabi Area, Wasit Governorate, Eastern Iraq

The present research aims to determine the types of sedimentary structures observed in sand dune fields deposited in Al-Shehabi area, Wasit Governorate, eastern Iraq. Al-Shahabi sand dune field is located within the eastern dune belt in Iraq, which is considered one of the active belts. Inorganic and organic sedimentary structures were observed in the studied area. The major inorganic sedimentary structures determined in the studied area are cross-stratification, lamination, ripple marks, adhesion structures, and slump. The main types of organic sedimentary structures include boring, burrows, footprints, and dikaka. Many types of ripple marks observed in the studied area include straight crest, lunate, and sinuous. From the straight crest the direction of these dunes is North West to South-East as related to the prevailing wind direction in Iraq and the second direction observed in some ripple marks structures is South East to North West. Keywords: Cross Stratification; Slump; Dikaka; Ripple Marks; Lunate Ripple Marks.