Geomorphological Evaluation of Weathering on the Marine Scarp of Um Sid Plateau in South Sinai, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Lecturer of Geomorphology and Geographical Information System, Faculty of Arts, Port Said University, Egypt.

Abstract

Both the internal and external environments have cooperated so that weathering plays a main role in weakening the marine scarp rock of Um Sid Plateau in the south of Sharm El-Sheikh. It was formed from limestone rocks which are the most responsive to disintegration and dissolution. In addition, the increase in porosity, sulfate and chloride salts increases disintegration. This has resulted in several geomorphological phenomena including ones related to chemical weathering and another related to mechanical weathering. The rock fall hazard is one of the most important problems resulting from the weathering in Um Sid Plateau which caused a direct risk on the human activities which occur beneath it. The study relied on several petro physical, chemical and microscopic analyses to know the features of weakness and their influence on the scarp.

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