United Arab Emirates is endowed with a wide variety of desert landscapes and geological features. Among them are Al Wathba fossil dunes in Abu Dhabi – the petrified natural sand formations in various sizes and shapes, at times forming a landscape that is confusingly similar to the landscape of Mars.
THE GEOLOGY OF THE DESERT
Most of the land surface of the present-day United Arab Emirates is covered with the rolling sand dunes. The desert stretches from the Arabian Gulf coast into the expanse of a vast, uninhabited wasteland of the Empty Quarter – Rub Al Khali – the world’s largest sand desert. Bordering the area of Hajar Mountains the sand desert blends into gravel outwash plains.
The sand desert is a geologically recent landform dating back to glacial period. It was created in a result of prolonged subaerial erosion and re-deposition in an dry environment. During this period sea levels dropped globally and the region of Arabian Gulf almost drained away.
AL WATHBA FOSSIL DUNES
The journey to Al Wathba fossil dunes will lead you to the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. The area – distant from the city – is scarcely inhabitant due to its industrial nature. Water treatment plant, military air base, power lines and arid surrounding may give you an impression of barren land. Nothing could be more wrong – reaching close to the destination and peering at the horizon you will notice a number of distinct, varied and abstract natural desert sculptures.
Al Wathba fossil dunes are formations of windswept sand moving with strength in particular direction. During the glacial period when they were created, the groundwater levels were higher than nowadays and rainfalls more frequent. That allowed water to permeate the sand with calcium carbonate. Hence the sand was hardened in some areas forming the fossil dunes.
HOW TO FIND A WAY
The stip of land with fossil dunes streches from 24°10’46.2″N 54°35’32.7″E, through 24°10’17.1″N 54°35’01.7″E, until 24°10’08.8″N 54°33’39.9″E. Be prepared to come across a lot of camels wandering around as the area is surrounded by camel farms. There is no need for 4×4 car to reach the destination, however you would need it to drive between coordinates. Though, you can always choose to walk as the distance between them is not far.
Al Wathba fossil dunes are much smaller in real life than they appear on photographs but it does not diminish their geological uniqueness and beauty. Especially that the landscape is similarly looking to the Mars surface, it gives a perfect opportunity for photographers. And if you would like to visit other place in Abu Dhabi, you may want to check another article I wrote: HIDDEN OUTDOOR GEM: SHUWEIHAT ISLAND
UAE OFF-ROADER GUIDE
If you are looking for more off-road trails to discover about United Arab Emirates, I can recommend this ultimate guide that is packed with many routes, giving very detailed information and answering all questions you could have.
You can get it from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2UrKZdo
