Journal of Zankoy Sulaimani- Part A (JZS-A), 2013, 15 (3) سليمانی زانکۆی گۆڤاری- بهشیA 1 New geologic setting of Bekhme Formation Kamal Haji Karim Geology Department, Faculty of Science and Science Education, School of Science, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, karimgeology@yahoo.com . Abstract: Since the first description of Bekhme Formation (Late Campanian- Early Maastrichtian) by Wetzel in 1950 (in Bellen et al., 1959), no updating is published by later studies except confirmation of the first description. However, few published studied are deviated from the majorities and give serious suspicions about many parts of the previous description. The present study tries, on bases of stratigraphy, Correlation with Iran, fieldwork and paleontology, to evaluate these doubts and try to give evidence for abandoning this formation and changing it’s name to new formation (Perat Formation). Accordingly, it was proved that the top of Bekhme Formation is older than Late Campanian and it’s actual age is Turonian-Campanian. Additionally, it is concluded that the related basal conglomerate is choatic fault breccia. The changing of the name is based on the analysis of evidence of the previous studies, and introduction of new ones in which new stratigraphic column, stratigraphic positions and new depositional basin, tectonic and paleogeographic setting are proposed or established. Keywords: Bekhme Formation, Kometan Formation, Aqra Formation, Aqra-Bekhme Formation, Shiranish Formation Introduction According to Bellen et al. (1959), the type section of Bekhme Formation is located in the Bekhme Gorge in the High Folded Zone (Fig.1) and divided into three parts, the Upper division consists of 211 m of bituminous secondary dolomites with dispersed glauconite, replacing glauconitic, organic, detrital limestones, with some globigerinal limestone intercalations with macrofossil detritus, etc. Middle division, is recognized normally as the "Cosinela zone", 94m thick, comprising reef-detrital limestones with rudist debris, alternating with fore reef shoal limestones with rich foraminiferal faunas. The lower part is called Basal conglomeratic Division, 10 m thick, by the aforementioned author and comprising globigerinal and foraminiferal limestones and Polygenetic breccia conglomerates, with ferruginous globigerinal marls locally. Buday (1980) combined Bekhme and Aqra Formations under the name of the Aqra- Bekhme Limestone Formations and stated that it wedges out relatively rapidly and (mainly towards the southeast) it forms tongues of relatively small thicknesses within the Shiranish and Tanjero Formations only. Recently, Lawa et al. (2013, p.78) and A-Qayim, (2010, p.389) put Aqra-Bekhme in the middle part of Shiranish and Tanjero Formations and surrounded by latter two formations from all sides. This position not agrees with field evidence as the formation in most places underlain by Qamchuqa Formation not by Shiranish or Tanjero Formation such as Bekhme gorge, Gali Zanta and near Aqra town. The age of the formation (Aqra-Bekhme) is Late Campanian - Early Maastrichtian (Bellen et al, 1959, Buday, 1980, Al-Qayim, 1989).