al-Tabāyun al-Jiyūlūjī wa-al-Tārīkhī li-Kuhūf al-Jabal al-Akhḍar - al-Farīq al-ʻUmānī li-Istikshāf al-Kuhūf; Multaqá al-Tīn wa-al-Zaytūn al-Awwal (2026) (Wilāyat al-Jabal al-Akhḍar) (Wilāyat al-Jabal al-Akhḍar : Markaz Dhākirat ʻUmān, 2026)
The caves of Al Jabal Al Akhdar in the Sultanate of Oman are among the most developed karst features within carbonate rocks, revealing a long history of interaction between groundwater and those rocks. They formed through chemical dissolution associated with the seepage of acidic water along fractures and joints, producing complex networks of subsurface passages and cavities. Field studies indicate that these caves are linked to different geomorphological stages reflecting successive climatic and hydrological changes in the region. The caves are distinguished by the variety of their internal forms, including stalactites, stalagmites and calcite columns, together with fine deposits that record environmental change over time. Survey and exploration work carried out by specialist Omani teams has documented a number of these caves and mapped them, allowing a more precise understanding of the development of karst systems in the Omani highlands. The caves are also an important natural archive for the study of palaeoclimate, since their deposits contain fine indicators of change in precipitation rates and temperature.
Permanent citation identifier: MHF-TEENZAYTOON-002.
Conference theme (in Arabic): الجغرافيا والبيئة.
Text in Arabic; title also romanized (ALA-LC); abstract and keywords in English.
Keywords: Speleology; Karst systems; Al Jabal Al Akhdar; Palaeoclimate; Cave mapping; Oman