Al-Dibdibba desert, Basra Governorate, Iraqi

Regional Level Types
Al-Dibdibba desert	Desert
Basra Governorate	Province
Iraq	Country

The important geomorphological feature of the study area is Al-Batin alluvial fan. Al Batin fan is composed of sandy gravel, gravely sand and gypcrete, interbedded with lenses of silty and sandy clay, the presence of heavy minerals like zircon and rutile suggests that these deposits were derived from of Arabian shield. The remaining samples, which were pieces of agate, were classified into different types after studying their natural, morphological and textural characteristics. Agate stones are divided into two main groups, the first being chalcedony, which is usually transparent to semi-transparent and has varying colors such as white, brown, red, blue, purple, green, and others. The second type is jasper as opaque stones that do not allow light to pass through. These stones also have a variety of colors and shapes, including brown, yellow, banded, etc. with a conchoidal fracture and smooth surfaces. These two types of agate were distinguished in the region, and jasper stones were the common ones. Their colours ranged between brown, yellow, white and gray, and sometimes with different textures and appearances. Two types of chalcedony stones have been identified, the first type is translucent white characterized by its medium transparency and vitreous luster, and the second type was called the colloidal type because it resembles a hardened gel and has a dark brown color gradient to yellow and with a waxy luster. On the other hand, three types of jasper agate have been distinguished, which are the banded agate, which has reddish-brown colors gradient in the form of fine lines. The second type was called the fleshy agate because of its leathery or fleshy appearance and greasy texture, while the last type was characterized by the cluster appearance in the form of spots or lobes separated by dark sinuous lines and brown, yellow and white colors.

"It’s believed that these stones were transported from distant areas (Arabian shield) [as] no veins or outcrops were found that could be a source for these stones in that area, and their texture and morphological specifications support that".

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References