Geology

The alluvial plain begins north of Baghdad and extends to the Persian Gulf.  The plain is very flat leading to the decreased velocity and the dumping of sediment in the plain.  This plain is rich with sediments and nutrients that have been deposited over thousands of years.  One of the reasons for the formation of the marshlands is that the plain becomes very narrow toward the Gulf, creating the Wadi Batin and the Al Dibdibah plain.  The valleys is constricted by mountains on both sides that come close together and causes the Mesopotamian valley to close to a width of less than 45 km and prevent the Tigris and Euphrates from flowing directly into the sea.

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