Sandstone Geomorphology of South-West Jordan, Middle East

The sandstone geomorphology of the Wadi Rum Protected Area in south-west Jordan reveals striking parallels to iconic landscapes such as those found on the Colorado Plateau and central Sahara, characterized by inselbergs and mesas rising dramatically from a sand-covered desert floor. This study highlights how lithological variations within Cambrian-Ordovician sandstone sequences dictate slope shapes and evolutionary patterns through differential weathering and slope failures. Notably, ferruginous layers in the Umm ‘Ishrin Sandstone play a pivotal role in creating morphological distinctions between this unit and the similar Disi sandstone. The research employs field observations of rock falls, slides, tafoni, honeycombs, and arches to elucidate these processes, offering insights into the dynamic interplay between geological composition and erosion in arid environments.

Migoń, P., & Goudie, A. (2014). Sandstone Geomorphology of South-West Jordan, Middle East. Quaestiones Geographicae, 33(3), 123–130. https://doi.org/10.2478/quageo-2014-0035