Geology of the Umm Azzimul 1:100 000 map sheets 100-10 &-100-15, United Arab Emirates

Farrant, A.R.; Jordan, C.J.; Leslie, A.; Merritt, J.E.; Merritt, J.W.. 2012 Geology of the Umm Azzimul 1:100 000 map sheets 100-10 &-100-15, United Arab Emirates. Nottingham, UK, British Geological Survey, 37pp.

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract/Summary

This Sheet Description describes the Quaternary and solid geology of the Umm Azzimul 1:100 000 scale geological map. The Umm Azzimul district covers approximately 2700 km2 in the far southeast of the UAE along the border with Saudi Arabia and Oman. This district spans the transition from the extensive sand sea of the Ramlat ar Rabbad in the northwest to the distal alluvial fan sediments and Miocene limestone outcrops along the border with Oman around Al Manadir and Umm Azzimul, and includes the eastern extension of the Liwa megabarchan field. The oldest rocks in the area are the Miocene Dam Formation limestones and dolomites that form flat or very gently sloping limestone pavements within the interdunes in the far southeast of the district. In the northeast, these are partially overlain by the fluvial sands and gravels of the Hili Formation. These fluvial gravels represent the very distal end of a large alluvial fan system that extends out from the Hajar Mountains. The lithological composition of these gravels reflects their source area in the Hamrat Duru region of Oman, rather than the ophiolite source seen further north. These alluvial fans peter out in a series of continental sabkhas underlain by both fluvial and aeolian sands. The major part of the Umm Azzimul district consists of aeolian dunes of various morphologies. The dune morphology changes systematically in a south and south-easterly direction across the district, reflecting the migration of the dunes driven by the prevailing wind. In the northwest, the extensive Ramlat ar Rabbad sand sea is comprised of large barchan dunes that get progressively smaller to the south and east. Across the central part of the district, these morph into more discrete megabarchan dunes and dune ridges separated by flat interdune sabkhas. Much of the south-western part of the sheet is occupied by large crescentic megabarchan dunes up to 130 m high that extend west into the Liwa area, whilst in the east, the elongate linear dune ridges, punctuated by numerous star dunes and occasional megabarchans are more common. The star dunes become more frequent close to the Oman border. These dune ridges and star dunes can rise up to 100 m above the surrounding interdunes. Most of the district is sparely populated, with no major urban areas and few roads. The south of the region is also host to the relatively small Qusawira and Mender oilfields.

Item Type:	Publication - Book
Programmes:	BGS Programmes 2010 > BGS Corporate
ISBN:	9780852727201
Funders/Sponsors:	Ministry of Energy United Arab Emirates
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	This item can be purchased from https://www.moenr.gov.ae/en/our-services/geological-reports/geological-reports.aspx
NORA Subject Terms:	Earth Sciences
Date made live:	31 Jul 2012 15:28 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/18764

Actions (login required)

View Item

Document Downloads

More statistics for this item...