Surface Geomorphological Processes that Determine the Morphology of the Slopes of the Western Valleys in Wadi Al-Qa' – Jordan

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the surface geomorphological processes that contribute to the formation and evolution of the morphology of the western slopes of Wadi Al-Qa'. These processes are: the forces of water erosion; and the mass wasting and rock fall on slopes surfaces. This study also aims at analyzing the rocky structure of the slopes and other environmental conditions that have an impact on determining the morphological shape of the slopes. The methodology of the study relied on conducting many field measurements; the most important of which were measuring the volume of sediment deposited at the bottom of the slopes, and measuring the morphometric characteristics of the western slopes. The study results showed that the dynamics of the evolution and development of the western slopes morphology is associated with the basin changes imposed by the geo-morphodynamic processes that are prevailing in the upper basin of the Valley. The most important of which are water shearing force which the western slopes are subjected to during rainy periods, as well as being subjected to tectonic movements resulting in collapse of lateral slopes of valley. The study also shows the role of the gradient in development of slopes morphology as rock fall and mass wasting processes are more active in the slopes that have a gradient of more than 10° as they constitute 74.4% of the total rock fall and mass wasting.

Keywords: Wadi AL--Qa', Slopes morphology, Geomorphological processes, Water erosion.