Sharqiya Sands
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The Sharqiya Sands[1] (Template:Langx, formerly known as Wahiba Sands (Template:Langx or Template:Langx)) is a region of desert in Oman.[2][3] The region was named for the Bani Wahiba tribe.[4] Divided between the northern and southern governorates in the Eastern Region. The area is defined by a boundary of Script error: No such module "convert". north to south and Script error: No such module "convert". east to west,[5] with an area of Script error: No such module "convert"..[6] The desert has been of scientific interest since a 1986 expedition by the Royal Geographical Society documented the diversity of the terrain, the flora and fauna, noting 16,000 invertebrates as well as 200 species of other wildlife, including avifauna.[5] They also documented 150 species of native flora.
Geology
The desert was formed during the Quaternary period as a result of the forces of south-west blowing monsoon and the northern shamal trade wind, coming in from the east.[7] Based on the types of dunes found in the area, it is divided into the high, or upper, Wahiba and low Wahiba.[6][8] The upper area contains mega-ridge sand systems on a north–south line that are believed to have been formed by monsoon.[6] The dunes of the north, formed at some point after the last regional glaciation, measure up to Script error: No such module "convert". high,[9] with peaks accumulating in the areas just beyond the strongest wind speeds, where declining velocity wind deposited sand.[10] The north and west boundaries of the desert are delineated by the fluvial systems Wadi Batha and Wadi Andam.[11] Beneath the surface sands are an older layer of cemented carbonate sand.[9] Alluvium deposits believed to have originated from the Wadi Batha during the Paleolithic era have been disclosed in the central desert Script error: No such module "convert". beneath the interdune surface.[12] Wind erosion is believed to have contributed to the existence of a nearly level plain in the southwest.[13]
Inhabitants
The area is occupied by Bedouins who congregate at Al-Huyawah, an oasis near the border of the desert, between June and September to gather dates.[5] Tribes present in the area at the time of the Royal Geographical Society expedition included, predominantly, Al Wahiba (or Yal Wahiba) for whom the region is named, Al-Amr, Al-Bu-Isa, Hikman, Hishm and Janaba.[14]
Gallery
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Ghaf trees
(Prosopis cineraria) -
Wahiba Sands
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Vehicles on the dunes near the Eastern Hajar Mountains
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See also
References
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Alsharan, 615.
- ↑ a b c Darke and Shields, 216.
- ↑ a b c Alsharan, 216.
- ↑ Alsharan, 215, 279, 280.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Alsharan, 119, 316.
- ↑ Cooke et al., 346.
- ↑ Alsharhan, xii.
- ↑ Alsharan, 282.
- ↑ Cooke et al., 305.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
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Sources
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External links
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