Dangers of sand dunes in Anbar province

Abstract

Anbar governorate is situated between latitudes (35˚ 10 ˉ & 30˚ 35ˉ) to the north and longitudes (44 ˚ 16ˉ & 38˚ 30 ˉ) to the east. It occupies area of 138579 square kilometers, i.e a ratio of about 30% of the total area of Iraq which is 435052 square kilometers. The structural deformities in rock layers and the wide spread of cracks and faults on the surface of sedimentary rocks in the region as well as the variation in stone types and their solidarity have lead to the difference in geomorphological process which lead to the formation of varies land units.The study has tackled the spatial analysis of sand dune drafit phenomenon in Al-Anbar governorate in terms of the most important factors causing this phenomenon. This phenomenon has been so perversive and areas suffering from it have increase specially in recent years. Space data analysis of satellite images using modern techniques has been used to identify the regions affected by sand dune drift and the factors causing it. By studying these images and conducting a field study on many parts of the region , the study could conclude that great portions of the province suffer from the dangers of sand dune drift leading to the damage of cultivating suitable lands and these already cultivated (decrease oasis’s in the region) due to the continuous drift and the weak effort by responsible bodies to confront it.The area of land affected by sand dune drift is about 20550 km², i.e a ratio of 14.8% of the total area of the province.Geomorphological risks in the area of the study pertain to the process of land surface development and human activity. This development by itself might represent a danger to human, such as torrents and the geomorphological processes that follow.