Geology of the Asab 1:100 000 map sheet, 100-18, United Arab Emirates

This Sheet Description describes the Quaternary geology of the Asab 1:100 000 scale geological map. About 110 observation points were made throughout the district, which covers 2500 km2 of country that includes the northernmost part of the Liwa crescent oasis. No pre-Quaternary bedrock exposures were identified in the district, which contains a variety of active, aeolian sand deposits in different morphological forms, including fields of high barchans, sand sheets and low dunes. The Liwa mega-barchan field lies in the south-western corner of the district, with its associated hard-surfaced, whitish sabkha pans. The Madinat Zayed and Ghayathi Formation aeolianites crop-out within small, deep interdune hollows within the extensive sand sea that dominates most of the south-eastern half of the district. The Madinat Zayed Formation also forms sparse, low mesas within the interdunes of the Liwa mega-barchan field. Apart from the Asab oilfield, the area has no economic mineral deposits.