Seismicity of Iraqi western desert and surroundings was investigated using a complete and unified magnitude earthquake catalog covering the interval from 1900 to 2017. A marked rise in number of the events in the study area was observed after the year 2000 compared to the previous years. The magnitude of majority of the recorded events ranged from 2 to 3.5 Mw. The value of b-constant in frequency-magnitude relation is 0.7. The epicentral distribution shows that the western desert is aseismic to very low seismicity area compared to the surrounding regions. The epicenters were clustered in five seismogenic zones. The focal depths division of the events exhibits that majority of the earthquakes occur in the upper crust. A causal relation may be between the study area seismicity and the zones of weakness and /or stress condensation at the fault intersections.

The hydraulic characteristics and the hydrogeological conditions of the hydrogeological system at Nukhaib-Km160 were studied within the water-bearing horizons, highlighting the flow system and its effects on the groundwater velocities and its balance (hydraulic gradients and permeability) taking into account the regional situations of structural. Several hydrogeological areas have been selected for future exploitation and development. 3D models and maps of spatial distribution are utilized for interpretation, it is supported by points of hydrogeological controls such as transmissivity and storage coefficients, depth of groundwater, lateral extensions, aquifers thickness, specific capacity, and well productivity. Prediction applications on specific capacities and transmissivity of aquifer and Kimball’s statistical method were used to calculate the ratio of groundwater mixing and recharge from aquifers of Umm Er Dhuma and/or Tayarat Fn. to production wells. The hydrogeological system of the Nukhaib- Km160 region has been categorized into eight major aquifers which include the Mulussa, Mulussa-Ubaid, Muhaywir-Ubaid, Hartha, Muhaywir-Najma, Umm Er Dhuma, Tayarat, and Tayarat- Umm Er Dhuma aquifers. Changes in hydraulic parameters for all aquifers have been examined in order to determine the spatial-hydrologic facts of aquifers, where the traditional TDS distribution, in addition to the hydraulic interpretation, shows the same phenomenon of interconnection and the source of groundwater. According to facts of the hydrogeological, the aquifers of Umm Er Dhuma and Tayrat are important and preferred for the plan of the future of water supply in the Western Desert of Iraq, especially for the increased demand for water resources and the sustainability of the assessment.