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Remote sensing analysis of unknown origin of a crater in western Yemen

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Abstract

The present study aims to detect unknown origin of a terrestrial structure in western Yemen based on the remote sensing procedure in order to enhance scientific database on the possible impact craters in the Middle Eastern countries. On this basis, a crater-shaped structure, named as Salab crater, was detected with a diameter of ~3.2-km. Topographical study indicated a circular morphology with two rings. Interior ring has a diameter of ~1-km and depth of ~100-m, while exterior ring has a diameter of ~2.2-km and depth of ~400-m. According to the geological data, the crater environ mainly has the different units outcropped of the Jurassic Amran limestone, the Cretaceous Tawilah sandstone, and the late Oligocene to early Miocene volcanic groups and intrusions. We indicated that the Salab crater is entirely located on Jurassic limestone of Amran group bedrocks with poor aquifer, low potential of water productivity and impure limestone deposits. Hence, the Salab crater could not be categorized as a volcanic crater or a karstic product. In addition, it could not be the remained from a salt-dome or a certain active hydrothermal pattern of springs. Nevertheless, to distinguish of the crater from old and fossil travertine crater or a possible impact crater, a detailed field work and a petrology investigation should be considered.

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Notes

  1. “Jabal Salab” is an Arabic term that means “very hard mountain”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography and Natural Hazards, Research Institute of Shakhes Pajouh, Esfahān, Iran

    Mohammad Reza Mansouri Daneshvar

  2. Department of Physical Geography, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

    Hamid Nejadsoleymani

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  1. Mohammad Reza Mansouri Daneshvar
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Correspondence to Mohammad Reza Mansouri Daneshvar.

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Mansouri Daneshvar, M.R., Nejadsoleymani, H. Remote sensing analysis of unknown origin of a crater in western Yemen. Spat. Inf. Res. 25, 575–583 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41324-017-0124-4

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