Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1992
Abstract
The Great Sahara of North Africa encompasses the largest numbcr of sand any desert. Massive dunes in numerous patterns cover large arcas of the terrain, Many of thc aune ficlds of the Great Sahara occur within or near topographic depressions. This fact must be explained in any thcory regarding the origin of the sand and the evolution of dune forms in spacc and time- It is here proposed that the dune sand originated by fluvial erosion of sandstone rocks such as those ofithe Nubian Sandstone to the south lof, or close to the present sand seas. The rounding of grains must have occurred in turbid water as the particulate matter was transported during humid phases in the courses of now dry rivcrs and streams. The sediment load must have been deposited in low arcas at the mouths of these channels. During dry climates, the particulate matter was cxposed la the action of wind, which sculptured the sand into various dune forms depcnding on the amount of available sand and prevatling wind directions. This hypothesis since scdimentary basins tend to cxist in the same region for much of geologic time, these regions might also host petroleum resources.
Recommended Citation
El-Baz, Farouk, "Origin and evolution of sand seas in the great Sahara and implications to petroleum and groundwater exploration" (1992). Farouk El-Baz Library. 151.
https://buescholar.bue.edu.eg/farouk_el-baz_library/151