The Controls Governing the Formation of the Al-Khasa Basin between Kirkuk and Chamchamal
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Abstract
This research explores the controlling factors, both natural and anthropogenic, that have shaped the Khassa River basin located between the cities of Kirkuk and Chamchamal in northern Iraq, and analyzes their environmental impacts. The study employs a geomorphological analysis approach supported by climatic, geological, and hydrological data, alongside the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and environmental modeling to monitor morphometric changes in the basin. The results reveal that lithological formations, topographic gradients, rainfall patterns, and human land-use practices are the most influential factors in shaping the basin and defining its characteristics. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that these controls have directly impacted environmental stability, water balance, and soil quality, highlighting the urgent need for integrated strategies to sustainably manage natural resources in the region and their influence on human settlement. The basin is located within the zone of imbricate folds in the transitional area between the Mesopotamian plain and the folded zone, which has made it influenced by a group of structural features such as anticlines, synclines, and faults.
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