November Ramble: “125,000 years of Khor Al Adaid (Inland Sea) through the looking glass of geology and ecology”

The 3rd QNHG ramble of the season is on Friday, November 3rd, 2017 - 

Summary: 

The trip will include several stops:

1. A dune overlook of the inland sea to orient the trip discuss the large-scale natural processes that form this stark landscape.  
2. A stop at the Inland Sea shoreline to discover the secrets of microbial marine mats.  
3. A lunch stop near the Inland Sea Delta. Wading is encouraged.
4. A visit to sand mounds that host a 6000 year old mollusk deposit.
5. A stop at a 125,000 year old outcrop of Pleistocene rock to get sense for the environments here at that time.
6. A stop and short walk to a “salt flat” where gypsum and halite crystals can be found at surface. This stop is optional, and also dependent on recent weather (if it rains prior to our arrival- the salt will not be there). 

Gathering time and place:

Sealine- just past last round about at 8am. Duration approximately 7 hours

Trip Leaders:

Dr. John Rivers, Geologist
Ms. Ruqaiya Yousif, Environmental Specialist
Dr. Aspa D. Chatziefthimiou, Ecologist

Trip Coordinators: 

Mr. Richard Angwin / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 5525 0854
Dr. Aspa D. Chatziefthimiou / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 5516 5426

How to register

Come to the QNHG meeting on the 1st of Novemver and sign up at the Rambles table beginning at 6:30pm. Any spots not filled at the meeting will be opened up to our membership via an email blast.

There is no limit on the number of vehicles. We will try and find rides for as many members as possible whether you have a vehicle or not. For more information, send an email to Richard Angwin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Trip Leaders Bio

1. Dr John Rivers is a geologist working for ExxonMobil Research Qatar with nine years’ of research experience in petroleum-related geologic systems. His current research focuses on characterization of limestone sediments and rocks forming in modern Qatar coastal environments, and occurring in the local subsurface rock record.
   
   
2. Ms. Ruqaiya Yousif works as an environmental Specialist for Qatar Center of Coastal Research (QCCR) and environmental team in ExxonMobil Research Qatar. Her work involves remote sensing and mapping, hydrodynamic and sediment transport modeling, and core description and geochemistry (paleo-environment).
3. Dr. Aspa D. Chatziefthimiou is an ecologist and her work centers in extreme environments. Currently she is a Visiting Research Scientist at Weill Cornell Medicine and Exxon Mobil Research. She is very active in the field of sustainability and urban ecology as a Scientific Advisor at QGBC and a Principal Investigator for MetaSUB. Dr. Chatziefthimiou is a passionate educator and through the ecological consultancy Richer Environments, she organizes a myriad of outreach activities and eco-tours to expose the general public to the beauty of nature.

Post Trip pictures: