Diagnostic Reef Pattern Within Sediments of Sinjar Formation (Paleocene-Early Eocene) of Sinjar Anticline

Carbonates of Sinjar Formation (Paleocene-Early Eocene) have been studied along two exposed sections situated at both limbs of Sinjar anticline. Facies analysis shows the presence of twenty microfacies, including four facies of boundstone type. The delineated microfacies indicate that the succession of Sinjar Formation represents a complete reef system zone. The succession of Sinjar Formation consists of two sedimentary subcycles. The lower one represented by sandy lime facies of reef slope facies. This reef system is characterized by a very narrow lagoon and reef zones and limited reef slope zones. This refers to remnant facies of previous regressive phase, which occurred at the end of Danian period. The second subcycle represented by the rest of the succession of the formation. This subcycle is believed to be deposited through regional transgressive phase during Paleocene to Early Eocene period. This led to the development of reef system with all reefal environmental zones.