The geography and geology of south-eastern EgyptBall, John
Science
The geography and geology of south-eastern Egypt
Ball, John
Geology -- Egypt; Physical geography -- Egypt
=Gebel Um Khariga= is the name given to several high hill ranges
on either side of the Wadi Um Khariga. Two of these ranges, one on
either side of the upper part of the wadi, form like Gebel Ghuel north
extensions of the high ridge of Hangalia; the western range can be
crossed at a gap by an easy pass, 773 metres above sea-level, which
separates the heads of Wadi Gerf from those of Wadi Um Khariga. These
two ranges shut in the wadi on either side for some ten kilometres
of its northward course, beyond which the country becomes more open
and the wadi curves round to the north-east, passing the north end
of a third range of high hills which is likewise called Gebel Um
Khariga. This third range extends northward for about ten kilometres
from Gebel Ghuel, from which it is separated by a pass forming a good
road over the head of Wadi Ghadir. Its most conspicuous feature is
a twin peak at its north end, 674 metres above sea-level. The main
ridge is flanked by high hills, especially on the east side. Only the
north and west flanks of this range are drained by Wadi Um Khariga,
the eastern side being cut up by feeders of Wadi Sukari. Besides
the pass separating it from Gebel Ghuel, there are two other passes,
one round its north end into Wadi Sukari, and another at its south
end between Wadi Ghadir and Wadi Sukari, so that a complete circuit
of this range can be made by camels. Some of the hills composing
the mass consist of highly magnetic schists, and compass readings
in the region may be disturbed by many degrees.
PLATE IX.
[Illustration: Descending Gebel Zabara. (Schists).]
=Gebel Igli el Iswid= is a rather rugged mountain mass rising among
a sea of lower hills, thirty kilometres north of Gebel Nugrus. Its
highest point, marked by a triangulation beacon, in latitude 25° 4′
6″, longitude 34° 36′ 16″, is 975 metres above sea-level. The
mountain forms a tripartite watershed between the basins of Wadi
Um Khariga (draining the south slopes), Wadi Dabur (draining the
north and west slopes), and Wadi Igli (draining the eastern face),
each of which three wadis courses separately to the sea. In occupying
the triangulation station on the summit, I placed my camp in a gully
draining to Wadi Um Khariga, about two kilometres south-south-west of
the summit at an altitude of 605 metres above sea. The climb of 370
metres to the top from this camp was not difficult, and occupied only
a little over an hour and a half. The mountain consists of very hard
grey siliceous rocks, which ring under the hammer, and are probably
crushed and devitrified felsites (_see_ p. 281). There are galts in
some of the gullies draining from this mountain, hence it is sometimes
called _Igli el Rayani_. At the time of my visit (December 1905)
there was said to be a little water in a galt on the west side of the
mass; but the rock basins in the gully which I ascended were empty.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account