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Abstract

Many studies indicate that Egypt is the cradle of dune research in the world. Dune studies started in Egypt at the end of the 19th Century and continue until the present time. According to most of the research work to date, there are 6 sand seas and 7 dune fields in Egypt, and the most recurrent forms in these sand accumulations are the linear and crescent ones. In addition, there are numerous minor sand accumulations that can be seen in various localities in the country. Detailed examination using available tools, especially high resolution space images and aerial photographs enabled the discovery of some previously unknown aspects about the geomorphology of Egyptian sand dunes. This work, therefore, addresses three findings. The first finding is a new dune field in the southern part of the Eastern Desert, which extends from Wadi El-Allaqi southwards and crosses the Egyptian-Sudanese borders. The second finding is the discovery of Star Dunes in the northern section of the Great Sand Sea and the southern section of South Qattara Sand Sea. Finally, the third finding is the Giant Ripples in the Central Section of Ghard Abu Moharik. Curiously, the face of these Giant Ripples is inclined northwards unlike that of dune faces which look southwards, a fact which is confirmed by field check. Grain size analysis revealed that the sand of the Giant Ripples is bimodal and that the windward side is composed of very coarse sand (2-3 mm), and the lee side is composed of medium-fine sand (0.250-0.0125 mm).

Biography

Nabil Sayed Embabi obtained his PhD in 1967 from Bristol University, UK. His Post-doctoral studies were carried out in the Egyptian Deserts. He held the position of Head of the Department of Geography, Ain Shams University, for 8 years. He published more than 50 papers in English and Arabic, some of which feature in international reputed journals. He is also the author of a book titled, “The Geomorphology of Egypt, The Nile Valley & the Western Desert”. He was a member of several scientific expeditions in the Egyptian Deserts.

Email: nabilsayedembabi@gmail.com