Landscapes and Landforms of the Central Sahara (World Geomorphological Landscapes)

Series Editor Preface
Contents
1 Introduction to the Sahara: The Romance and Mystery of the Desert
	Abstract
	1.1	Introduction
		1.1.1	What and Where is the Sahara?
	1.2	Saharan Climate and Landscapes
	1.3	Peoples and Cultures of the Sahara
		1.3.1	The Colonial Gaze
	1.4	Contemporary Issues and Future Research Directions in the Sahara
		1.4.1	Structure of This Book
	References
2 Geology and Long-Term Landscape Evolution of the Central Sahara
	Abstract
	2.1	Introduction
	2.2	Macroscale Geologic Patterns and Geological Development of the Central Sahara
	2.3	Tectonics and Topography
	2.4	Volcanism
	2.5	Sedimentary Basins
	2.6	Meteorite Impact Structures
	2.7	Cenozoic Climates and Environments
		2.7.1	Development of Duricrusts
	2.8	Quaternary Climate Changes and Their Impacts in the Central Sahara
	2.9	Discussion and Future Outlook
	References
3 Evidence for Past Glaciations
	Abstract
	3.1	Introduction
	3.2	Ice Sheets in the Sahara: Cryogenian, Ordovician, and Early Carboniferous
	3.3	The Late Ordovician Glaciation
	3.4	Late Ordovician Glacial Landforms
		3.4.1	Subglacial Landforms
		3.4.2	Ice-Marginal Landforms
		3.4.3	Proglacial Landforms
		3.4.4	Periglacial Landscapes
		3.4.5	Postglacial Landforms
	References
4 Sandstone Massifs
	Abstract
	4.1	Introduction
	4.2	Morphology
	4.3	Weathering
	4.4	Karst
	4.5	Hydrology
	4.6	Fulgurites
	4.7	Human Impacts
	4.8	Tassili N’Ajjer (Algeria) and the Messak Mellet and Messak Settafet (Libya)
	4.9	Djado and Tchigai Mountains and Plateau De Mangueni (Northeast Niger)
	4.10	Cuesta of Kaouar and Isolated Small Sandstone Massifs in the Erg of Ténéré (Eastern Niger)
	4.11	Termit Massif (Eastern Niger)
	4.12	Koutous Massif (Eastern Niger)
	4.13	Summary
	References
5 Landforms and Landscapes of the Ennedi Plateau
	Abstract
	5.1	Introduction
	5.2	Sandstone Features of the Ennedi Plateau
		5.2.1	Controls on Sandstone Weathering Patterns
	5.3	Other Landscape Features of the Ennedi Plateau
		5.3.1	Rock Art
	5.4	Discussion
	5.5	Summary and Outlook
	References
6 Caves and Rock Shelters of the Central Sahara and Their Records
	Abstract
	6.1	Introduction
	6.2	Formation Processes of Caves and Rock Shelters
	6.3	Caves and Rock Shelters as Sediment Traps
		6.3.1	Example of the Takarkori Rock Shelter
		6.3.2	Example of the Uan Afuda Cave
	6.4	Caves, Rock Shelters and Rock Art
	6.5	Summary and Outlook
	References
7 Landslides and Alluvial Fans
	Abstract
	7.1	Introduction
	7.2	Examples from the Central Sahara
		7.2.1	Landslides
		7.2.2	Alluvial Fans
	7.3	Palaeoenvironmental Interpretations of Mass Transport Events and Processes
	7.4	Discussion
	7.5	Summary and Outlook
	References
8 Hamadas and Desert Pavements
	Abstract
	8.1	Introduction
		8.1.1	Definition of Terms
	8.2	Hamadas and Desert Pavements: Distinctive Features of Desert Landscapes
	8.3	Examples from the Central Sahara
		8.3.1	Hamadas
		8.3.2	Desert Pavements
	8.4	Discussion
		8.4.1	Processes of Hamada and Desert Pavement Development
		8.4.2	The Role of Other Weathering and Erosion Processes on Hamada and Desert Pavement Development
	8.5	Summary and Outlook
	References
9 The Development and Characteristics of Sand Seas in the Central Sahara
	Abstract
	9.1	Introduction
	9.2	Geological Context for the Development of Saharan Sand Seas
		9.2.1	Bedrock Weathering and the Formation of Loose Sand Grains
	9.3	Sand Seas and Their Component Dunes
	9.4	Examples of Sand Sea and Dune Characteristics
		9.4.1	Grand Oriental Sand Sea
		9.4.2	Fachi-Bilma Sand Sea
	9.5	Discussion
	9.6	Summary and Future Research Directions
	References
10 Sand Dune Dynamics: An Example from the Ubārī Sand Sea, SW Libya
	Abstract
	10.1	Introduction
	10.2	Dynamics of Dunes Within Sand Seas
	10.3	The Ubārī Sand Sea
	10.4	Methods
		10.4.1	Image Analysis
		10.4.2	Time Series Analysis of Dune Migration
	10.5	Results
		10.5.1	Identification of Dune Features
		10.5.2	Dune Migration
	10.6	Discussion
	10.7	Summary
	References
11 The Hydrology and Palaeohydrology of the Central Sahara
	Abstract
	11.1	Introduction
	11.2	Today’s Saharan Hydrology
		11.2.1	Rainfall Patterns in the Sahara
		11.2.2	Present-Day Rivers
		11.2.3	Groundwater Systems
	11.3	Palaeohydrology, Palaeodrainage and Palaeorivers of the Central Sahara
		11.3.1	Timing of Palaeofluvial Activity
	11.4	Discussion
	11.5	Summary and Outlook
	References
12 Evolution and Geomorphology of Lake Chad
	Abstract
	12.1	Introduction
	12.2	Geological Development of the Lake Chad Basin
	12.3	Climate and Environmental Changes in the Lake Chad Basin
	12.4	Phases of Development of Mega-Lake Chad
	12.5	Wider Climatic and Geomorphic Evidence in the Chad Basin Region
	12.6	Historical Changes of Lake Chad
	12.7	Summary and Outlook
	References
13 Geomorphology of the Bodélé Depression: The Dustiest Place on Earth
	Abstract
	13.1	Introduction
	13.2	Location
	13.3	Geology
	13.4	Ancient Lake Shorelines
	13.5	Lakebed Sediments
	13.6	The Bahr el Ghazal
	13.7	Sand Dunes
	13.8	Dust
	References
14 Dust from the Central Sahara: Environmental and Cultural Impacts
	Abstract
	14.1	Introduction
	14.2	Previous Studies of Dust Export
		14.2.1	Harmattan Wind Flow Patterns
	14.3	Environmental Impacts of Dust Transport and Deposition
	14.4	Historical and Cultural Records of Dust Transport and Deposition
	14.5	Discussion
	14.6	Summary and Outlook
	References
15 The African Humid Period and the ‘Green Sahara’
	Abstract
	15.1	Introduction
	15.2	Palaeorecords of the African Humid Period
		15.2.1	River and Lake Records
		15.2.2	Biome and Pollen Records
		15.2.3	Dust Records
		15.2.4	Archaeological Records
	15.3	The Termination of the AHP
	15.4	Discussion
	15.5	Summary and Outlook
	References
16 Human Activity and Occupation in the Sahara
	Abstract
	16.1	Climatic Pulses, Explorers, and Rivers of Sand
	16.2	Earlier Times (7–3 Ma): From the Miocene to the Pliocene
	16.3	Into the Pleistocene (3.0–0.25 Ma): The Early Stone Age
	16.4	From Middle to Upper Pleistocene: The Middle Stone Age
	16.5	The Last Green Sahara Stage and the Transition Towards the Holocene
	16.6	Having Herds: Milking the Green Sahara
	16.7	From Green to Brown: The Last Climatic Shift 5000 Years Ago
	16.8	Future Human Challenges in the Sahara
	16.9	Summary
	References
17 The Evolution of Foraging and the Transition to Pastoralism in the Sahara
	Abstract
	17.1	Introduction: Foragers and the Transition to Pastoralism in the Central Sahara
		17.1.1	The Aterian
		17.1.2	The Iberomaurusian and Capsian
	17.2	Foraging in the Central Sahara
	17.3	What Species and Breeds of Livestock Are Relevant to Pastoralism?
		17.3.1	Cattle
		17.3.2	Ovicaprines
		17.3.3	Camel
		17.3.4	Equids
	17.4	The Evolution and Spread of Pastoralism
		17.4.1	Cattle Pastoralism
		17.4.2	Ovicaprines
		17.4.3	Camel Pastoralism
		17.4.4	Dairying
		17.4.5	Sub-Saharan African Agriculture and the Diffusion of Pastoralism
	17.5	Pastoralists and Foragers Today
	17.6	Conclusions and Wider Outlook
	References
18 Oases Occupation
	Abstract
	18.1	Introduction
	18.2	Types of Oases and Their Characteristics
		18.2.1	Foggara
		18.2.2	Mountain Oases
		18.2.3	Wadi Oases
		18.2.4	Erg Oases
		18.2.5	Depression Oases
	18.3	Emergence and Evolution of Oases in the Sahara
	18.4	The People of the Oases: The Garamantes of Fazzan
	18.5	Discussion
	18.6	Summary
	References
19 Desert City Landscapes: At the Crossroads of Urbanization, Agricultural Intensification, and Trans-Saharan Connections
	Abstract
	19.1	Introduction: The Urban Sahara
	19.2	Urban Landscapes: From the Oasis to the City
	19.3	Cities at Different Scales and Historical Links
	19.4	Agricultural Revitalization Driven by Cities: The Example of Fezzan (Libya)
	19.5	Kufra (Libya): A Crossroad or an Oasis Without Agriculture?
	19.6	Conclusions
	References
20 Trade, Mobility and Migration
	Abstract
	20.1	Introduction
	20.2	Trans-Saharan Trade
	20.3	Itineraries, Not Routes
	20.4	Mobility and the Making of Place
	20.5	Migration as Geography
	20.6	Slavery as Migration
	20.7	Conclusions
	References
21 Warfare in the Central Sahara
	Abstract
	21.1	Introduction
	21.2	Terrain Evaluation of the Central Sahara During World War II
		21.2.1	Terrain Evaluation by “Wehrgeologenstelle 12” of Rommel’s Africa Corps
		21.2.2	Field Reconnaissance of the Libyan Sahara by “Sonderkommando Dora”
		21.2.3	Terrain Evaluation by the British Long Range Desert Group (LRDG)
	21.3	Discussion
	21.4	Summary
	References
22 Central Saharan Rock Art Landscapes
	Abstract
	22.1	Introduction
	22.2	Rock Art Regions
	22.3	Central Sahara Rock Art Landscapes: Three Case Studies
		22.3.1	The Round Heads of the Tassili n’Ajjer and Tadrart Acacus
		22.3.2	The Pastoral Rock Art Landscape of the Messak
	22.4	The Figurative and Written Landscape of the Hyper-Arid Desert
	22.5	Summary
	References
23 Geoheritage and Cultural Heritage of the Central Sahara: Conservation Threats and Opportunities
	Abstract
	23.1	Introduction
		23.1.1	Definition of Terms
	23.2	International Context of Heritage Conservation in the Central Sahara
	23.3	Geoheritage in the Central Sahara
	23.4	Cultural Heritage in the Central Sahara
	23.5	Discussion
	23.6	Summary
	References
Index