Off-roading

Geology

Geologists around the world dream of visiting a country like the UAE because the lack of plant cover allows them to observe geological phenomena without any barriers. In addition, within a small surface area many interesting features can be observed, from the great barchan sand dunes at Liwa in the south or the flat sabkha (salt-flats) of the south-west, to the various types of mountains in the eastern ranges. 
 
The jagged Hajar Mountains, which form a backbone down the east of the country and into Oman, are composed of ophiolite rocks that rose from the ocean bed under the influence of volcanic eruptions in the former Sea of Tethys. The beaches of this prehistoric sea were pushed into folds, a phenomenon that is easily visible in many places. These limestone mountains contain marine fossils, like corals and sea urchins. 
 
Acteonellids 
Some types of fossils are unique, like the hand-grenade-like acteonellids of Jebel Fayah and the one-celled nummulites (disc-shaped fossil shell of a foraminiferous protozoan) of Jebel Hafeet. You can find cross-cuts through these fossils that show their rolled-up structure. 
 
Ammonites 
Ammonites (any extinct cephalopod mollusc of the order ammonoidea, with a flat, coiled spiral shell found as a fossil) are important in the study of fossils as the age of the strata where they were found can be deduced from the species of ammonite. So far, only two proper ammonites have been found in the UAE, although Fossil Valley near Al Ain has plenty of small pieces of straightened ammonites. A large plate-sized ammonite found near Jebel Fayah has been added to the collection at the Natural History Museum in London. 
 
Chlorite 
Chlorite is a soft rock that was used in ancient times to make beakers and bowls; examples of these can be seen at several of the local museums. The rock looks greenish and feels soft and slippery like soap.
 
Echinoderms
Over 30 different species of echinoderms (sea urchins) have been recorded in the UAE and several of those discovered within the last decade are new to science.  If you are interested in searching for fossils, the Dubai Natural History Group (DNHG) organises fossil hunting trips on a regular basis. You can contact them on 04 349 4816, or go to the free monthly meetings at The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, opposite Wild Wadi and Burj Al Arab, that are usually on the first Sunday of the month at 8pm. One sea urchin fossil was named after the DNHG member who discovered it.
 
Fossil shells 
Along the west side of the volcanic Hajar Mountains runs a series of lighter coloured limestone mountains that are often fossil bearing. So far, no vertebrate fossils have been found in the area, but the marine invertebrates are well represented. Many species of ordinary bi-valves (compressed bodies enclosed within two hinged shells, such as oysters and mussels) and gastropods (a mollusc that moves along by means of a large muscular foot, such as a sea snail or slug) can be found. 
 
Hatta rocks 
Among the most spectacular geological features in the area are the layered rocks at Hatta, best seen in the late afternoon when the sunlight brings out the red strata to perfection. The layers, formed as sediment  deposits, were then twisted and uplifted by the forces in the earth’s crust. 
 
Magnesite 
Magnesite is a soft white mineral (MgCO3) that occurs as veins in ophiolite (black lava) rocks. When it weathers it looks a bit like Styrofoam. It is formed when magnesium leaches out from the ophiolites and precipitates along rock fissures, combining with the CO2 in the air, to form MgCO3. It is most common along the west flank of the Hajar Mountains.
 
Quartz 
The Hajar and Musandam mountains abound with many types of rock, both loose (and collectible) and embedded as strata in other rocks. Seams of marble, mica or quartz can easily be seen on vertical rock faces. Quartz is a mineral defined by its chemical composition and crystal structure. 

​Sands
In the souks you can find a tourist item for sale that has some geological interest – a small display of the seven different types of sand in the UAE. The white sands of Dubai consist of shell and coral remnants, while the black sand of the east coast is of volcanic origin and the red sands of Al Ain contain a great deal of iron. 

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