6
A . M . N e g m e t a l .
2 Themes of the Book
Therefore, the book intends to address in more detail the following main themes:
– Geology, Geomorphology, Archaeology and Climate
– Land use, Soil and Cultivation
– Hydrology and Water
3 Chapters’ Summary
The next subsections present the main technical elements of each chapter under its
related theme.
3.1 Geology, Geomorphology, Archaeology and Climate
Chapters 3–6 cover this theme. Chapter 3 is titled “Geology of Dakhla Oasis, Western
Desert, Egypt”. It presents a detailed review of the geological features of Dakhla
Oasis. Some of these features include the exposed Upper Cretaceous—Lower Eocene
rock units in the area extending between Teneida and Abu Minqar, is divided into
Taref, Quseir Formations of the Nubian Sandstone Group (Pre-Maestrichtian age),
the Duwi Formation (Lower Maestrichtian), the Dakhla Formation (MaestrichtianPaleocene) subdivided into Mawhoob, Beris Mudstone and Kharga Shale Members.
In Qur El-Malik area, the Kharga Shale Member laterally changed in facies to Qur ElMalik Sandstone Member. The succession of the Tarwan Formation (Upper Danian—
Landenian age) represents the Nile Valley facies. The Garra Arbein facies was represented by the Kurkur and Gara Formations east of Dakhla Basin at Teneida area.
The Quaternary deposits are related to Aeolian, fluviatile and lacustrine sediments
interrupted by wet and dry spring phases. Generally, the area is characterized by
simple structural elements and has been untouched by strong tectonic forces.
The “Geomorphology of Dakhla Depression” is presented in Chap. 4. This chapter
sheds some light on the Dakhla depression geomorphological units and sub-units.
The chapter connects the study area natural system to the wider surrounding area
of the southwestern Desert of Egypt. In addition, this chapter reviews the study
area’s geographic location to consider the connectivity of the Dakhla Oasis among
other depressions in Egypt’s Western Desert. The analysis of geological data gives
a basic knowledge to analysis landforms evolution in the area under consideration. Reviewing the southwestern portion of Egypt’s regional paleo-geomorphology
reveals that Dakhla is highly influenced by regional geomorpholgy, especially with
the interrelationships with the plateau of Gilf El-Kebir. This chapter’s main body
is devoted to the description of the main geomorphological units. In addition to
various types of sand dunes, these units are plateau and escarpment; depression
A . M . N e g m e t a l .
2 Themes of the Book
Therefore, the book intends to address in more detail the following main themes:
– Geology, Geomorphology, Archaeology and Climate
– Land use, Soil and Cultivation
– Hydrology and Water
3 Chapters’ Summary
The next subsections present the main technical elements of each chapter under its
related theme.
3.1 Geology, Geomorphology, Archaeology and Climate
Chapters 3–6 cover this theme. Chapter 3 is titled “Geology of Dakhla Oasis, Western
Desert, Egypt”. It presents a detailed review of the geological features of Dakhla
Oasis. Some of these features include the exposed Upper Cretaceous—Lower Eocene
rock units in the area extending between Teneida and Abu Minqar, is divided into
Taref, Quseir Formations of the Nubian Sandstone Group (Pre-Maestrichtian age),
the Duwi Formation (Lower Maestrichtian), the Dakhla Formation (MaestrichtianPaleocene) subdivided into Mawhoob, Beris Mudstone and Kharga Shale Members.
In Qur El-Malik area, the Kharga Shale Member laterally changed in facies to Qur ElMalik Sandstone Member. The succession of the Tarwan Formation (Upper Danian—
Landenian age) represents the Nile Valley facies. The Garra Arbein facies was represented by the Kurkur and Gara Formations east of Dakhla Basin at Teneida area.
The Quaternary deposits are related to Aeolian, fluviatile and lacustrine sediments
interrupted by wet and dry spring phases. Generally, the area is characterized by
simple structural elements and has been untouched by strong tectonic forces.
The “Geomorphology of Dakhla Depression” is presented in Chap. 4. This chapter
sheds some light on the Dakhla depression geomorphological units and sub-units.
The chapter connects the study area natural system to the wider surrounding area
of the southwestern Desert of Egypt. In addition, this chapter reviews the study
area’s geographic location to consider the connectivity of the Dakhla Oasis among
other depressions in Egypt’s Western Desert. The analysis of geological data gives
a basic knowledge to analysis landforms evolution in the area under consideration. Reviewing the southwestern portion of Egypt’s regional paleo-geomorphology
reveals that Dakhla is highly influenced by regional geomorpholgy, especially with
the interrelationships with the plateau of Gilf El-Kebir. This chapter’s main body
is devoted to the description of the main geomorphological units. In addition to
various types of sand dunes, these units are plateau and escarpment; depression