Weathering Processes of The
Empty Quarter
Mountain decay
(weathering) is one of the two causes that created the Empty
Quarter. The best guess is that physical weathering processes (the changes that happen to the earth surface) decayed the rocks
of the mountains that surround the Empty Quarter from three sides South, East,
and West. We are covering only one mountains range (the Hajar Mountains Range) as
an example. From what we understand from Burkhard Bilger’s article, the Hajar
Mountains are exposed to salt water and rain for more than sixty five million
years. We conclude from this information that physical weathering processes
caused the mountains rocks to decay.
Pressure Release Weathering Process:
In our opinion,
one of the common weathering processes that happens at that region is pressure release. The process occurs when boulders crack in to smaller boulders or rocks under high pressure,
which is called pressure release shells. The rocks are formed by this process have
shape of layers.
Western Hajar Mountains Range
Little Snake Canyon in Oman
(The top of the mountain shaped like layers, which seems that these shapes were caused by Prussure Release)
http://catbirdinoman.wordpress.com/category/western-hajar-mountains/
Pressure Root Weathering Process:
We think that the pressure roots weathering process is the second common weathering process on this mountains range. Plants roots grow in the fractures (joints) of the mountains. the roots expand and grow deep in the fractures causing pressure that cracks the mountains' rocks leading to chunk of
rocks falling down.
Vegetations grow on the mountains
It shows that plants grow on rocks
http://catbirdinoman.wordpress.com/category/western-hajar-mountains/
Salt Weathering Process:
According to
Burkhard Bilger’s article, most weathering caused by salt weathering process.
It happens when there is not enough fresh water to wash away the salt. This decaying
process happens when the salt crystals stick in the holes and small fractures of rocks. With cooling and heating, the salt crystals expand and shrink in
fractures that weaken the rocks, which leads to rocks decay. We think this process can be true,
however, we could not trace any pictures with salt crystals to proof that the process
have happened.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/12/19/111219fa_fact_bilger
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/12/19/111219fa_fact_bilger
Erosion Process:
Erosion process is the process of transporting the substances, such as sand or tiny rocks caused or found by weathering processes, whether by wind or water. After the
weathering processes occurred, erosion by water process starts on the top of the mountain. What happens is
that rain causes flash floods that wash up the sand down to the wadies (Arabic
word for valleys) into the Empty Quarter Basin; where water evaporates, and sand forms the Empty Quarter's sand dunes.
http://www.sgs.org.sa/english/earth/pages/emptyquarter.aspx
