Geomorphology and Landforms Evolution of Roste Valley, Western Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt, Iraqi Kurdistan Region

This study presents a detailed geomorphological survey and mapping of the main landforms in the Roste Valley, which have resulted from a combination of surficial and tectonic processes. The landforms are classified using the ITC system, which is based on the origin of the landforms and the forces that shape the Earth’s surface and is supported by extensive fieldwork. The Roste Valley is located within the Zagros Imbricated and Zagros Suture zones on the unstable shelf of the Arabian Plate, contributing to the formation of a variety of geomorphic features with different genetic origins. Local climatic conditions significantly enhance the rate of surficial processes, while the tectonic setting near the subduction zone adds further complexity to the landscape. The geomorphological survey and mapping reveal that the area is polygenetic in origin, with landforms shaped by both tectonic and surficial forces. These landforms are categorized as tectonic, structural, denudation, mass-wasting, fluvial, and karst in origin.