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Overview of some geological hazards in the Saudi Arabia

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Abstract

The Saudi Arabia has harsh environmental conditions which enhance some geomorphologic/geological processes more than in other areas. These processes create different geological hazards. The general physiography of the Saudi Arabia is characterized by the Red Sea coastal plains and the escarpment foothills called Tihama, followed by the Arabian Shield Mountains, the Arabian Shelf plateau and finally the Arabian Gulf coastal plains. These types of geological hazards can be categorized into sand accumulations, earth subsidence and fissures, flash floods, problematic soils, slope stability problems, and karst problems. The current study gives an overview of all these hazards with examples, as well as develops a geo-hazard map for the Saudi Arabia. Our findings indicate that the desert environment needs much concern and care. National and international agencies have to join together with other people to keep the system balanced and to reduce the resulting geological hazards. Also, remedial measures should be proposed to avoid and reduce these natural hazards.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt

    Ahmed M. Youssef

  2. Geological Hazards Department, Applied Geology Sector, Saudi Geological Survey, P.O. Box 54141, Jeddah, 21514, Saudi Arabia

    Ahmed M. Youssef

  3. Geological Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, 65409-0660, USA

    Norbert H. Maerz

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Youssef, A.M., Maerz, N.H. Overview of some geological hazards in the Saudi Arabia. Environ Earth Sci 70, 3115–3130 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2373-4

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