Geomorphology of the eastern coast of the Dead Sea, Jordan

Author: Salameh H.R.

Source: GeoJournal, Volume 41, Number 3, March 1997 , pp. 255-266(12)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

This paper aims to investigate the geomorphological characteristics of the eastern coast of the Dead Sea as influenced by structural instability and climatic changes. Aerial photos and map analyses served to distinguish main morphological features and slope classes, whereas geomorphological changes along the cost, mainly those developed by the declining of the Dead Sea levels were located and examined in the field. The eastern coast of the Dead Sea was considered an ultimate outcome of stream work practiced under controls of sea-level lowerings. Climatic, hydrological and structural instabilities characterizing the study coast put watersheds and wadis draining into the sea under accelerated erosion that produced huge volumes of sediments to be deposited in the upper levels of the subsiding former lakes of the Dead Sea. Retrogradation exposed subaqueous deltaic-fluviatile formations, contributing to coastal geomorphological development. Also, present climatic seasonal fluctuations, rejuvenating stream work, continue to subject past depositional environments to denudation as the stream distance of transport is increased, and newer subaqueous deltas are being formed. Weathering and mass-wasting processes added to such a development by enhancing the formation of karst, tofoni and pedestal features as well as the high erodibility rate of deltaic sediments which endagers constructional projects along the study coast.

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Geography, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan

Publication date: 1997-03-01