Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Geomorphological evolution of marine heads on the eastern coast of Red Sea at Saudi Arabian region, using remote sensing techniques

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The eastern coast of the Red Sea is characterized by the presence of numerous marine heads that differ in terms of shape, size, geological setting, structures, and composition. This difference directly affects geomorphological evolution. In the present study, Ras Al-Shabaan was chosen as a most important area in this coast. Field investigations supported with photo-interpretation techniques were performed for studying of geomorphological features of Ras Al-Shabaan. On the other hand, the remotely sensed imagery data has been used extensively in the identification of geological and geomorphological details of Ras Al-Shabaan. The geomorphological studies showed that depositional processes of wadis and channels are predominant at the Ras Al-Shabaan coast. The changes in geomorphological and geological data of Ras Al-Shabaan were identified by remote sensing image software. Two Landsat ETM+ images from 1990 and 2010 have been processed. The analysis of remote sensing data combined with field investigations and reference data were used to monitor, delineate, and describe the geomorphological changes of Ras Al-Shabaan coast during proceedings of supervised classification of ground units. Hence, the change detection statistics have been used in ground units. Geological and geomorphological maps were digitized by using ArcGIS software. Remote sensing techniques and geographic information system (GIS) were employed in order to monitor the results of changes occurred in the line of the coast. The satellite image processing and water index data were transferred to the ArcGIS program to draw the coast lines and to stand on the changes occurred. Thereby, it was possible to identify the most prominent landforms and geomorphic units of this area. Results showed that platforms, barriers, rocky heads, islands, coral reefs, submerged reefs, tidal channels, dissolution grooves, sabkhas, inlet system, waves work, and shoreline processes were included in coastal prominent landforms. The circumstances that formed this coast are not permanent, as it is changing rapidly and continuously due to erosion and uplift processes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abou Ouf M, El-Shater A (1992) Sedimentology and Mineralogy of Jizan Shelf Sediments, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, Red Sea Coast. JKAU 4:133–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Hatrushi SM (2013) Monitoring of the shoreline change using remote sensing and GIS: a case study of Al Hawasnah tidal inlet, Al Batinah coast, Sultanate of Oman. Arab J Geosci 6:1479–1484. doi:10.1007/s12517-011-0424-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Sayari SS, Zotl JG (1978) Quaternary period in Saudi Arabia. Springer, Wien, p 335

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Shanti A (1993) Geology of the Arabian Shield (in Arabic). King Abdulaziz University Publishing, Jeddah

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Washmi HA (1999) Sedimentological aspects and environmental conditions recognized from the bottom sediments of Al-Kharrar Lagoon, eastern Red Sea coastal plain, Saudi Arabia. JKAU: Mar Sci 10:71–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Washmi HA, Gheith AM, Nabhan AI (2005) Geomorphological Features, Sediment Distribution and Transport Along Ash Shuqayq-Al Huraydah Coastal Area, Southern Red Sea, Saudi Arabia. JKAU: Mar Sci 16:57–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Welaie A (1996) Geology and Geomorphology of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (in Arabic). Riyadh, King Fahad National Library, p 526

    Google Scholar 

  • Arvidson R, Becker R, Shanabrook A, Luo W, Sturchio N, Sultan M, Lotfy Z, Mahmood AM, El Alfy Z (1994) Climatic, eustatic, and tectonic controls on Quaternary deposits and landforms, Red Sea coast, Egypt. J Geophys Res 99(B6) 12:175–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Bahafzullah A, Fayed LA, Kazi A, Al-Saify M (1993) Classification and distribution of the Red Sea coastal sabkhas near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Carbonates Evaporites 81:23–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Basaham SA (2008) Mineralogical and chemical composition the mud fraction from the surface sediments of Sharm Al-Kharrar, a Red Sea coastal lagoon. Oceanologia 50(4):557–575

    Google Scholar 

  • Basyoni MH (1997) Sedimentological and Hydrochemical Characteristics of Al- Lith Sabkha, Saudi Arabia. J KAU: Earth Sci 9:75–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Behairy AKA (1983) Marine Transgression in the West Coast of Saudi Arabia (Red Sea) Between Mid-Pleistocene and Present. Mar Geology 52:M25–M31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behairy AKA, Sheppard CRC, EI-Sayed MK (1992) A Review of the Geology of Coral Reefs in the Red Sea. Report under UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 152. Prepared in Co-operation with PERSGA, p 41

  • Bird ECE (1984) Coasts, an introduction to coastal geomorphology, 3rd edn. Black-well Publisher Limited, Basil, p 320

    Google Scholar 

  • Braithwaite CJR (1987) Geology and Geography of the Red Sea Region. In: Edwards AJ, Head SM (eds) Key environments: the Red Sea. Pergamon Press, Oxford, pp 22–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Braud JDH, Feng W (1998) Semi-automated construction of the Luisiana coastline digital land/water boundary using Landsat Thematic Mapper satellite imagery. Technical Report 97-002, Department of Geography & Anthropology, Luisina State University. Luisiana Applied Oil Spill Research and Development Program, OSRAPD

  • Brown GW (1970) Eastern Margin of the Red Sea and Coastal Structures in Saudi Arabia. Phil Trans Roy Soc London A267:75–78, Central Texas: Bur of Ecom Geol Austin, Texas, 10–30 pp

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown GF, Jackson RO (1960) The Arabian Shield. 215th Internat. Geol Congr Copenhagen 9:69–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown GF, Schmidt DL, Huffman AC (1989) Geology of the Arabian Peninsula, shield area of western Saudi Arabia. US Geological Survey Professional Paper, 560-A,188

  • Carter RWG (1991) Coastal Environments. An Introduction to the Physical Ecological and Cultural Systems of Coastlines. Academic, London, p 617

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman RW (1978) General information on the Arabian Peninsula geomorphology. In SS Al-Sayari and JG Zoti Quaternary Period in Saudi Arabia, 19–30

  • Coleman RG (1993) Geologic Evolution of the Red Sea. Oxford University Press, New York, p 186

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis JR (1985) Coastal sedimentary environments. Springer, New York, p 716

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards AJ (1987) Climate and oceanography. In: Edwards AJ, Head SM (eds) Red Sea. Pergamon Press, Oxford, pp 45–69

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Geukens F (1966) Geology of the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen. US Geol Survey, Numbered Series 560, Services No. 50, Chapter B, p B1-B23. Translated from the French by S.D. Bowers, United States Government Printing Office, Washington

  • Gheith AM, Abou Ouf M (1996) Geomorphological Features and Sedimentological Aspects of Some Coastal and Inland Sand Dunes, Jeddah Region, Saudi Arabia, Arab Gulf. J Scient Res 14(3):569–593

    Google Scholar 

  • Jado AR, Zotl JG (1984) Quaternary Period in Saudi Arabia, Vol 2. Springer, Wien, p 360

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kaliraj S, Chandrasekar N, Magesh NS (2015) Evaluation of coastal erosion and accretion processes along the southwest coast of Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu using geospatial techniques. Arab J Geosci 8:239–253. doi:10.1007/s12517-013-1216-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manaa A (2011) Late Pleistocene raised coral reefs in the eastern Red Sea - Rabigh, Saudi Arabia. Research Online, University of Wollongong, Thesis collection, Master Thesis, pp 190. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/3501

  • May VJ, Hansom JD (2003) Coastal Geomorphology of Great Britain, Geological Conservation Review Series, No 28, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough, 754 pages, illustrations, A4 hardback, ISBN 1 86107 4840

  • Morcos SA (1970) Physical and chemical oceanography of the Red Sea. Oceanogr Mar Biol Ann Rev 8:73–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Moufaddal W, Rifaat AE (2006) Identifying Geomorphic Features between Ras Gemsha and Safaga, Red Sea Coast, Egypt, Using Remote Sensing Techniques. JKAU: Mar Sci 17:105–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Nabhan AES (2004) Geomorphological, Sedimentological and Mineralogical Studies on the Coastal Zone of Ash Shuqayq, Southern Red Sea, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, M.Sc. Thesis. Fac Marine Sci King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah

    Google Scholar 

  • Sagga AM (2004) Physical Geography of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (in Arabic), 3rd edn. Kunoz Al Maarefa Publishing, Jeddah

    Google Scholar 

  • Santra MS, Santra A, Mitra D (2013) Change detection analysis of the shoreline using Toposheet and Satellite Image: A case study of the coastal stretch of Mandarmani-Shankarpur, West Bengal, India. International Journal of Geomatics and Geosciences 3(3):425–437

    Google Scholar 

  • Saudi Geological Survey (2012) Saudi Arabia; Facts and Figures, http://www.sgs.org.sa/arabic/news/sgsnews/pages

  • Sharma VK (1986) Geomorphology: Earth Surface Processes and Forms. Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Limited, New Delhi, p 244

    Google Scholar 

  • Skipwith P (1973) The Red Sea and Coastal Plain of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A Review, Technical Record TR 1973–1. Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia, p 149

    Google Scholar 

  • Summerfield MA (1991) Subaerial denudation of passive margins: regional elevation versus local relief models. Earth Planet Sci Lett 102:460–469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tag RJ (1986) Sedimentology and Mineralogy of Red Sea Coast Recent Sediment between Wadi Al-Fagh and Wadi Al Qunfudah, Saudi Arabia, M.Sc. Thesis. Faculty of Earth Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah

    Google Scholar 

  • Vincent P (2008) Saudi Arabia: an environmental overview. Taylor and Francis, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • UNEP – United Nation Environment Programme/ PERSGA (1992) A Review of the Geology of Coral Reefs in the Red Sea. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 152. prepared in co-operation with PERSGA, UNEP 1992

Electronic reference

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research has been sponsored by a grant from Taibah University, Department of Geology and Geography, Yanbu Branch. The present study has been carried out under support of the research project No. 3501, 2014. We are thankful to Dr. Rashad Kebeish and Dr. Ahmed Khalil, Taibah University, Faculty of Science - Yanbu for the help with valuable reading and correcting of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geography Department, Collage of Art and Human Sciences, Taibah University, Yanbu’ Branch, Al-Madina, 41911, Saudi Arabia

    Ramadan Nofal

  2. Biology Department, Collage of Sciences, Taibah University, Yanbu’ Branch, Al-Madina, 41911, Saudi Arabia

    Iyad A. Abboud

Authors
  1. Ramadan Nofal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Iyad A. Abboud
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ramadan Nofal.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nofal, R., Abboud, I.A. Geomorphological evolution of marine heads on the eastern coast of Red Sea at Saudi Arabian region, using remote sensing techniques. Arab J Geosci 9, 163 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-015-2234-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-015-2234-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation