Geography

The worldwide growth of coastal urbanization has induced even more populous concentrations of cities, industrial complexes, power stations -also nuclear -, and harbours etc..., in event-vulnerable coastal areas. Coastal areas are prone to paroxysmal events of different origins posing major threats to its natural and anthropic features. Recent meteorological-and/or geodynamic-genetic events resulted in severe economic damage and significant loss of life. In particular, tsunami can hit any coastal zone in the world with short or no-alarm period. In the Mediterranean basin, the short distance substantially annuls this possibility. In addition, the concept of ICZM underlines the necessity to consider every morpho-dynamic event in relation to human activities. The task is the implementation of scientific and cultural systems and tools capable of supporting effective coastal management, suggesting tsunami risk maps for example which would be essential for coastal planners to realize effective civil-protection measures and procedures.

Here, we interpret the evolution of Maryut lagoon (Egypt) during the past ∼2000 years. Chronostratigraphy and laboratory analyses have enabled us to identify four main phases since the 3rd century AD: (1) a fluvial-dominated lagoon between the 2nd–3rd and the 8–9th centuries cal. AD; (2) a gradual desiccation of the lagoon toward a sebkha-like environment from the 9–10th to the 13th centuries cal. AD; (3) a fluvial-dominated lagoon from the 13th century cal. AD; and (4) a second gradual desiccation between the 17th and the 18th centuries cal. AD. The general aridification trend described throughout the study period may be linked to the gradual decline of the Canopic branch, which supplied the Maryut lagoon with freshwater. Nonetheless, at shorter timescales, the different phases of lagoon aridification and flooding coincide with land abandonment and irrigation works in the region. It is suggested that the history of the Alexandria countryside has been a key driver in shaping the environmental history of the Maryut during the past ∼2000 years.► We reconstruct the hydrological evolution of the Maryut lagoon since ∼2000 years. ► Flooding phases are consistent with agricultural activities and shores occupation. ► Drying-up phases are consistent with the relative abandonment of the region. ► Maryut lagoon is a good example of environment–society interactions.

The available information on the characteristics of these branches are based upon the versions of old geographers and explorers . The problem is that these versions are not consistent with the geomorphological chronology of the Nile delta . The purpose of this paper is to identify the relics of ancient branches of the Nile Delta based upon some cartographical, topographical, geomorphological , and sedimentological evidence . It also presents a Geomorphological map of ancient Nile delta branches .

This paper deals with the implication of gulling erosion as a result of flash floods by using the following techniques: field geomorphological mapping; flood-hazard mapping; morphometric analysis; visual landsat image interpretation; and geographical information systems.

There are strong relationship between Global sea level and the Earth's climate. So changes in sea level are one of the most characteristic phenomenon of the Quaternary Period. This paper dealt with the change in the sea level at the "Musandam" Peninsula in the far North of the Sultanate of Oman (figure 1). Field studies for the western and eastern coasts of "Musandam" Peninsula showed that there are some geomorphological evidences of the Quaternary sea level changes such as raised wave-cut terraces on cliffs, marine caves, paired fluvial terraces and Knick Points on dry valleys channels, valley in valley shape on cross section profiles, and hanging dry valleys (wadies). All these features were created during former intervals of high sea level; the highest marine and fluvial terraces represent the oldest sea-level high stand.

A Al le ex xa an nd dr ri ia a U Un ni iv ve er rs si it ty y F Fa ac cu ul lt ty y o of f A Ar rt ts s, , D Da am ma an nh ho ou ur r C Ca am mp pu us s E Eg gy yp pt ti ia an n G Ge eo og gr ra ap ph hi ic c S So oc ci ie et ty y 2nd International Symposium & Field Workshop on Living with Landscapes2 "Adaptation with Coasts and Arid Lands" Damanhour, Marsa Matruh and Siwa 1-5 November 2009 www.siwa2009.com Sponsor I In nt te er rn na at ti io on na al l A As ss so oc ci ia at ti io on n o of f G Ge eo om mo or rp ph ho ol lo og gi it ts s Organized by E Eg gy yp pt ti ia an n S So oc ci ie et ty y o of f E En nv vi ir ro on nm me en nt ta al l C Ch ha an ng ge es s

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The Nile Delta started to emerge gradually as a result of the accumulation of the Nile fluvial deposits. The delta progressed slowly at the expense of the Mediterranean sea through some of deltaic branches between a number of lagoons and salt swamps, so the Nile delta was more branched than present. Historical document left by historians and geographers prove that the Nile Delta network was in continuous development because of the accumulation of fluvial deposits with every flood of the Nile and the changes of sea level during the Pleistocene . Also because of the tectonic movements to which the earth's crust is exposed as a result of pressure of fluvial sediments.

An accumulation of boulder fields was discovered along the rocky coast of Alam El Rom area located east of Marsa Matruh city between 3 & 7 km, and west of Alexandria city of about 280km, on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt, in an area exposed to N and NW wave regime.

At the limit between the African and Eurasian plates, the Mediterranean coast of Egypt has recorded a number of seismic or tsunami events during the Holocene (tsunamis of 23 AD, 365 AD, 746 AD, 881 AD, 1202 AD, 1303 AD, 1870 AD and 1908 AD attested at Alexandria for example by the archaeological excavations and historical sources, Guidoboni et al., 1994). This is an active tectonic coastline of the Near East which extends east to west for roughly 500 km, from Alexandria to Salloum. We have three objectives.

Hurghada city is located 380 km at the Western side of the Egyptian Red Sea. South of Suez city. This area has nice potential beaches and coral reefs. Initially it has been developed from 1909 as a small oil exploration and fishing village. Nowdays, it is one of the most attractive tourist destinations worldwide. During the last century, though, its landscape has changed rapidly.

Coral reefs are found in shallow high-saline warm sea water, averaging 60 m in depth. They consist of thousands of soft-bodied, invertebrate animals. These animals are called coral polyps. Hard corals, however, build up reefs by growing atop the stony skeletons of previous coral colonies. They consist of limestone cases made by coral polyps extracting calcium from seawater. These limestone cases form a 'house' for the coral polyp, consisting of a floor, outer walls and a number of internal partitions.

Quaternary fluvio-lacustrine deposits in the currently arid Egyptian desert can be used as indicator for the pluvial phases in the Sahara and a record of climatic change. Some fossil springs formed from tufa deposits were found in selected oasis of the western desert of Egypt. Fossil spring mounds, terraces and channels were discovered in Bahariya, Farafra and Dakhla depressions. Most of the tufa mounds were deposited as a part of fluvial systems, characterized by terraced, vegetated pools and accumulated tufa dams separated by low waterfalls.

This paper aims to describe types of coastal micro-karst features as well as the geomorphic characteristics of some selected karren fields of coastal karst in the Ras El-Hekma area on the northwestern coast of Egypt. Different types of Karren include vertical karren, root karren (micro-circled pits), and karst pinnacle.