Geomorphology of the eastern Badia basalt plateau, Jordan

Bibliographic Data

ID4613464
AuthorsRobert J Allison (Durham University), James R Grove, David L Higgitt, David Higgitt (0009-0004-3712-4768, Durham University), Alastair J Kirk (Durham University), Nicholas J Rosser, Nick Rosser (0000-0002-1435-2512, Durham University), Jeff Warburton (0000-0003-3589-9039, Durham University)
Year2000
Volume166
Issue4
Pages352-370
Publication date2000-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGeographical Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0016-7398 • E-ISSN: 1475-4959
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1475-4959.2000.tb00036.x
OpenAlexW2014699580
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited27

The eastern Badia of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a landscape developed predominantly on late Tertiary and Quaternary basalt lava flows, which vary in age between 8.9 million and 0.1 million years. Pyroclastic deposits are associated with remnant volcanic cones. There is limited, seasonal rainfall. Natural vegetation regenerates during cool, damp months. Slopes, which range from concave to convex forms and have varying relief, can be related to different basalts and the time since emplacement. Much of the ground surface is mantled with boulders. In many places the continuity of boulder cover produces a desert pavement. Clasts show differing degrees of burial or exhumation, depending on the surrounding topography. Water and sediment movement are important to landscape development. Much sediment is deposited in pans, which evolve at topographic lows. The pans, known locally as Qa, vary in form depending on drainage network development. Transitional forms, known as Marab, develop where wadis widen out and sediments are deposited along ephemeral channels. Groundwater is significant, with three aquifers beneath much of the eastern Badia. Recharge of the upper aquifer is predominantly on the footslopes of the Druze Mountains, with north to south flow. Groundwater extraction has resulted in the expansion of agriculture, with consequent changes in soil and water quality

Aquifer · Basalt · Clastic rock · Ephemeral key · Geochemistry · Geomorphology · Groundwater · Groundwater recharge · Hydrology (agriculture · Lava · Plateau (mathematics · Pyroclastic rock · Structural basin · Volcano · Water table · Geology · Groundwater and Watershed Analysis · Landslides and related hazards · Soil erosion and sediment transport

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