Al-Zoubi, A. and Abu-Hamatteh, Z. 2009.   Geological evolution of the Jordan valley. In: (Eds.) Talat Ahmad, Francis Hirsch, and Punya Charusiri, Geological Anatomy of India and the Middle East, Journal of the Virtual Explorer, Electronic Edition, ISSN 1441-8142, volume 32, paper 9, doi:10.3809/jvirtex.2009.00248

Geological evolution of the Jordan valley

Abdallah S. Al-Zoubi

Faculty of Engineering, Al-Balqa’ Applied University, Al-Salt-Jordan

Z.S.H. Abu-Hamatteh

Faculty of Engineering Technology, Al-Balqa' Applied University, P.O. Box: 7064 (19117) Al-Salt-Jordan <hamatteh@bau.edu.jo> or <drabuhamatteh@yahoo.com>

Abstract

In the northwestern Arabian Plate, Dead Sea represents one of the most important geological features in the region as its geodynamic setting represents the last significant event that took place in the breaking of the Plate. Integrating the available geological and geophysical data will help to draw a sequence of evaluation of the study area. The tectonic history of Jordan may be divided into three phases: (1) the Gondwana; (2) Syrian Arc, and (3) Rift phase. A strike-slip fault type motion along the Dead Sea Rift was initiated during the Middle Miocene which developed a small component of oblique extension during the post Miocene time leading to opening of several basins along the rift. Subsidence of the rift probably commenced in the Pliocene with the deposition of the evaporite sediments in the Dead Sea basin which was accelerated during the Pleistocene.

Keywords: Arabian Plate, Dead Sea Rift, Gondwana, Tectonics, Jordan

Table of Contents

Introduction
Jordan valley
Geological and physiographic subdivisions
Discussion
The Gondwana phase
The Syrian arc phase
The rift phase
Concluding remarks
References
List of Figures
     Next Page
     Introduction