Harrat al-Birk

Harrat al Birk volcanic field on a satellite image

The volcanic field Harrat al -Birk (Arabic حرة البرك, DMG Harrat al -Birk ) lies in the southwest of Saudi Arabia, in the border region of Asir provinces, Mecca and Jizan. It is the only Saudi Arabian volcanic field that propagates directly on the Red Sea and is an area of ​​approximately 1,800 square kilometers covered by extensive lava fields. It separates the coastal plains Tihamat ash -Sham and Tihamat Asir on the Red Sea from each other.

The volcanic activity can be traced back as far as the Miocene, the extensive lava fields from this period include a number of cinder cones that have arisen in the Holocene. In general, let cinder cones found on the territory of Harrat al -Birk. East of Hauptlavafeldes are isolated ash fields, which are grouped around the vent Jabal Ba `a and suggest a breakout phase within the last centuries.

The rocks of the resulting Quaternary lava fields consist of basaltic to basaltic - trachyte composition, with ultramafic inclusions.

Source

  • Harrat al -Birk in the Global Volcanism Program of the Smithsonian Institution (English)
  • Mountain in Asia
  • Mountain in Saudi Arabia
  • Mountain under 1000 meters
  • Geography (Saudi Arabia)
  • Volcanic area
  • Spatter and cinder cone
'Asir Region Makkah Region DIN 31635 Tihamah Ultramafic rock
376357
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