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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Sam Turner
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
This study presents a comprehensive geomorphological map at the scale 1:130000 of the Jebel Akhdar dome in the northern Sultanate of Oman, a prominent carbonate dome formed during the Late Cretaceous obduction of the Semail Ophiolite. The integration of remote sensing observations and field surveys validations permits to recognise landforms at different scales, and thus complete the geomorphological mapping. The research identifies key landforms shaped by complex interactions between tectonics, surface processes, and climate. The region's landscape reflects a long evolutionary history beginning with Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic tectonic uplift and doming, followed by Miocene-Quaternary erosion, karstification, and fluvial and gravitational processes. Tectonic activity has driven the development of structural features such as folds, faults, and monoclinal flanks, while karst processes have created extensive underground networks and surface landforms. Fluvial and slope processes have further produced incised valleys, alluvial fans, and pediments, with ongoing tectonic activity influencing landscape dynamics. Human interventions, including agriculture, water management, and dam construction, have also affected topographic features. Overall, the geomorphology of Jebel Akhdar dome exemplifies the interplay of endogenous and exogenous forces over geological timescales, providing vital insights into landscape evolution in arid environments and complex geodynamic settings.
Author(s): Pezzotta A, Marinoni A, Al Kindi M, Susini D, Turner S, Zucali M, Zerboni A
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Maps
Year: 2026
Volume: 22
Issue: 1
Online publication date: 24/04/2026
Acceptance date: 13/03/2026
Date deposited: 13/03/2026
ISSN (electronic): 1744-5647
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2026.2649056
DOI: 10.1080/17445647.2026.2649056
Data Access Statement: The Digital Surface Model (DSM) ALOS Global Digital Surface Model ‘ALOS World 3D – 30 m (AW3D30)’ with horizontal resolution of 1 arc second used as base map is freely available from https://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/ALOS/en/dataset/aw3d30/aw3d30_e.htm The satellite data from Sentinel-2and high resolution imagery with spatial resolution from0.5–10 m were consulted in QGIS through Quick Map Services plugin (Next Gis, 2025). The data supporting of this study are available from the corresponding author, upon reasonable request.
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