Geology of the Al Wathba 1:100 000 map sheet, 100-12, United Arab Emirates

Farrant, A.R.; Ellison, R.A.; Leslie, A.; Finlayson, A.; Thomas, R.J.; Lee, J.R.; Burke, H.F.; Price, S.J.; Merritt, J.; Merritt, J.W.. 2012 Geology of the Al Wathba 1:100 000 map sheet, 100-12, United Arab Emirates. Nottingham, UK, British Geological Survey, 67pp.

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Abstract/Summary

This Sheet Description describes the Quaternary and bedrock geology of the Al Wathba 1:100 000 scale geological map. The district covers 2780 km2 southeast of Abu Dhabi island, and includes many of the suburbs of Abu Dhabi city, including the proposed Capital District, Madinat Khalifa A and B, Mussafah, Mohammed bin Zayed City, Mafraq, Bani Yas, Al Wathba, Al Falah, Al Shamka and Abu Dhabi International Airport. The sheet extends east as far as Al Khatim. The pre-Quaternary bedrock comprises Miocene evaporitic mudstone and siltstone of the Gachsaran Formation (Fars Group) overlain by the dolomitic conglomerates, sandstones and siltstones of the Barzaman Formation in the north. In the south and west, the Gachsaran Formation is overlain by the dolomites and limestones of the Dam Formation which forms an escarpment around the Al Dhafra Air Base. These are overlain by the sandstones of the Shuwaihat and Baynunah Formations. Borehole evidence suggests there is a gradation from interbedded siltstones and sandstones of the Baynunah Formation in the west of the district to coarse dolomitic conglomerates of the Barzaman Formation in the north. The Miocene rocks are locally overlain by fluvial sandstones and channel gravels of the Hili Formation which represent Quaternary outwash from the Hajar Mountains to the east. Much of the region is partially covered by pale carbonate aeolianites of the Ghayathi Formation, themselves often covered in a veneer of more recent aeolian sand. These are well exposed near the coast in spectacular zeugen and inland, they form a series of east-northeast trending linear ridges. Modern pale carbonate-dominated low dunes occur particularly in the west of the district. The coastal zone is dominated by a range of Late Pleistocene to Holocene littoral and marine deposits, which comprise the Abu Dhabi Formation. These include coastal spits and bars, algal mats, mangrove swamps and intertidal sediments. Sabkha is developed on the surface of these deposits. The region has seen major development over the past 30 years, which has radically changed the surface geology. Much of the coastal strip has been reclaimed or developed, with a variable amount of made ground, often composed of carbonate sand dredged from the neighbouring lagoons. Further inland, many areas have been extensively landscaped, with large areas of dunes levelled flat or quarried for fill. Much of the north-western part of the sheet is either developed or scheduled for development. Extensive areas of forestry occur along the line of the main Abu Dhabi – Al Ain highway and north of Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Item Type:	Publication - Book
Programmes:	BGS Programmes 2010 > BGS Corporate
ISBN:	9780852727225
Funders/Sponsors:	Ministry of Energy United Arab Emirates
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	This item can be purchased https://www.moenr.gov.ae/en/our-services/geological-reports/geological-reports.aspx
NORA Subject Terms:	Earth Sciences
Date made live:	01 Aug 2012 13:31 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/18766

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