The Geology, Stratigraphy and Structure of Ma’an Area, South

Abstract

This study focused on the geology, stratigraphy and structure of the Ma'an area at the coordinates: 350 30/350 45 / E 300 00/-300 15/ N. Field and laboratory studies have been carried out with aim to get a better understanding on the main geological features at the study area. Therefore, the importance of this study is due to the fact that Jordan is witnessing an expansion in investment in the extractive and exploration industries, and Ma'an Governorate is considered as a huge reservoir of mineral and industrial rocks that will play an important role on mining industries in Jordan.  Rocks like phosphate, limestone, coquina, clay, dolomite, sandstone and different types of aggregates are the main source for many industries in the area.The study area is located at 210 km south of Amman and is covered mainly by sedimentary rocks. This study includes a detailed explanation of the sedimentary rocks covering the whole area, including the Ajloun group which consist the Wadi Sir Limestone Formation, and the Balqa group which consist the following formations: Umm Al-Ghudran, Amman Silisicified Limestone, Al Hisa Phosphorite, Muwaqqar Chalk Marl and Umm Rijam Chert Limestone, as well as the lake sediments which appear in different localities in the study area .The study also includes the most important geological structures, where the most prominent direction of these structures are the north-south, northeast-southwest, northwest and southeast faults, with few folds in different parts of the region.

Keywords: Ma’an, sedimentary, formation, lake, structure

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-3-10

Publication date:March 31^st 2019