Geomorphologic characteristics of Zarqa River Basin in Jordan

Abstract

Geomorphologic characteristics of Zarqa River Basin in Jordan Abstract This study deals with Zarqa River Basin in terms of analyzing the geo-morphological characteristics؛ watershed area (area, shape, elevation, slope), and network properties (drainage density, Stream order, and patterns, Stream number). Depending of the digital elevation model (DEM) acquired by the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), and using spatial analyst (GIS). Within an area differences in geology, climatic, and topographic. With large area 3730 km ² which form 4.2% from the total area of Jordan, and Syria, extends from Amman, Zarqa, to Mafraq Balqa, Jerash, and southern Syria.The main results of the study could be summarized in the followings: – Different areas of watershed; the largest one of No. 1 witch forms 15.4% of the total area, and the smallest N 21. - Area classified as relief to three Maine parts: the western, which is part of the Jordan Valley drops to -370m, the mountainous area represented by Ajloun, and Amman reaches a height of 1500m, and the North-east rise by between 550-1100m, while rising up to1580 m in southern Syria. – Variation in slope degrees ranging between flat (level) accounted for 71.7% of the study, to the severe cliffs by 3.6%. - Basin relief 1.3m\km. - Drainage density 1.16km\km² – Stream order seventh with103km length. The total length of the tributaries from first order – sixth order 4331km.