THE PARK – GEOLOGY

To deepen our understanding of how mountains, rocks and fossils were formed, geologists examine them for clues about the natural events that took place millions of years ago.

When you look at a mountain crevice, each layer of rock that you see represents a period in the history of our planet. The deeper strata represent the earliest phases in the Earth’s development.

Laymen think that there are many different kinds of rock, but in actual fact there are only three types of rock formation: Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic.

Granites are examples of igneous rocks. They were formed deep inside the Earth, where rock is molten. This burning rock, or magma, erupts from volcanoes to become lava, which on cooling forms igneous or eruptive rocks.

The surface of the Earth has been eroded by wind and water for millions of years.
The eroded particles accumulate and are compressed over time to form sedimentary rocks.
Limestone, sandstone and schist are examples of sedimentary rocks.

When pressure and extreme heat act on these rocks, their composition may alter. When these conditions are applied over time, this results in new types of rock: metamorphic rock.

The various kinds of metamorphic rock include white marble, which mutated from limestone, and Quartzite, which was transformed from sandstone. Wadi el Gimal is full of all three types of rock formation.

All rocks are minerals, but not all minerals are rocks. A mineral is a substance that has not originated from living things. Metals like gold and silver, crystalline substances like salt and quartz, and natural homogenous substances such as water and gas are all minerals.

A fossil is the remaining signature of an animal or plant that was once alive. Bones, shells, tree trunks, animal tracks, pollen and small organisms can all be classed as fossils. Wadi El Gimal Park has a wealth of fossils that can been seen by the naked eye when visiting. It is of course strictly prohibited to collect, move or remove them.