Latest news with #AbdullahAlAmri
Arab News
22-05-2025
- Science
- Arab News
Aseer's nature-sculpted basalt columns tell ancient volcanic tales
RIYADH: Deep within the mountains and plains of Aseer, nature unveils one of its most magnificent geological masterpieces in the form of the region's basalt columns. Meticulously shaped, they stand tall as timeless witnesses, narrating chapters of the province's rich volcanic history. These formations are not just rigid rock structures, but natural sculptures, shaped over millions of years, embodying a harmonious blend of natural beauty and scientific depth. The basalt columns of Aseer are among the most remarkable and rarest geological phenomena in the Kingdom, captivating the attention of visitors and science enthusiasts. Composed of volcanic rock formed from slowly cooled lava flows, these columns have shrunk and cracked over time, creating stunning geometric shapes, often hexagonal, pentagonal, or quadrilateral, with astonishing natural precision. King Saud University Seismic Studies Center director and Saudi Society for Geosciences president Prof. Abdullah Al-Amri shared exciting insights. He highlighted the Aseer region's rich geological formations, which can be found in several captivating locations, including Muhayil Aseer, Jabal Mishrif in Al-Harajah, Qarn Mujal east of Tendha, Wadi Al-Asran, and the coastal area between Al-Qahma and Al-Barak, nestled within the Black Mountain range. Al-Amri noted that these formations have been recognized since ancient times. Renowned geographer Abu Muhammad Al-Hasan Al-Hamdani described them in his book 'Sifat Jazirat Al-Arab' as part of the Sarat Janb range, stretching from the north of Dhahran Al-Janub to the north of Sarat Ubaida, now known as Harrat Al-Sarat. A Cenozoic volcanic field, Harrat Al-Sarat covers around 700 square km and boasts towering mountains like Jabal Ferwa, which rises 3,004 meters above sea level, and Jabal Zalm, standing at 2,575 meters. Saudi Geological Survey spokesperson Tariq Aba Al-Khail elaborated on the fascinating formation of basalt columns. The unique structures arise from thermal contraction when lava cools and solidifies, resulting in vertical cracks at right angles to the cooling surface. While the columns typically appear vertical, they may bend or tilt depending on the cooling conditions. Aba Al-Khail likened the formations to the cracking of clay as it dries, but instead, they occur in igneous rocks, particularly basalt, and can also be found in andesite, trachyte, and rhyolite. He explained that the remarkable formations date back around 30 million years and have been discovered in the southwestern volcanic lava fields, such as Harrat Al-Barak. The phenomenon holds significant scientific value, offering researchers the opportunity to explore ancient volcanic activity in the Arabian Peninsula.
Arab News
14-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Oman, Japan sign deal to tackle environmental issues
RIYADH: Oman's Environment Authority and Japan's Ministry of the Environment have signed a bilateral agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation on environmental issues and advancing sustainable development, according to the Oman News Agency. The agreement seeks to strengthen the implementation of international environmental treaties, including the Paris Agreement, and lays the groundwork for a collaborative framework based on equality, reciprocity, and mutual benefit. To combat climate change, Oman has launched a national plan aiming for zero-carbon neutrality by 2050. The strategy includes a comprehensive transition of the energy sector toward renewable sources, enhanced energy efficiency, and significant emission reductions across all sectors. The pact was signed by Abdullah bin Ali Al-Amri, chairman of Oman's Environment Authority, and Matsuzawa Yutaka, vice-minister for Global Environmental Affairs at Japan's Ministry of the Environment. The signing ceremony was attended by Japan's Ambassador to Oman Kiyoshi Serizawa. Key areas of cooperation outlined in the agreement include climate change mitigation and adaptation, waste management, biodiversity conservation through nature-based solutions, and environmental monitoring. The two nations also agreed to collaborate on training programs, expert exchanges, scientific research, and joint initiatives. The partnership will promote knowledge sharing and foster dialogue on both current and emerging environmental challenges.
Observer
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Oman and Qatar sign an executive program in environmental field
Muscat: The second day of Oman Climate Week saw scientific and technical panel discussions, workshops and round table talks. The sessions on Tuesday began with discussion on Closing the gap between climate adaptation and climate mitigation and second session dealt with renewables. Dr Abdullah Al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, speaking to Observer, said there are also discussions on the outcome of previous climate weeks that brought about strategic solutions and recommendations in order to understand the methodologies of implementation and also the details of the implementation as well as the resolutions in order to improve the awareness and the environmental culture and climate change culture. 'All these efforts taken here in Muscat will reflect positively on the region and the world. There are scientific conferences going on such as the Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity and Sustainable Management of Solid Waste to Reduce the Emission. We also have high level strategic scientific and technical panel discussions,' said the Chairman of Environment Authority. The conference will continue until February 27th, with more than 20 dialogue sessions with 15 specialized workshops and training programs with the participation of more than 22 trainers, discussing climate action. The second day also saw Oman, represented by the Environment Authority, and Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, sign an agreement on executive program in the field of environment and its conservation between the two countries for the period of 2025-2029. The agreement was signed by Dr Abdullah bin Ali Al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, and Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Mahmoud, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in the State of Qatar. The Executive Program comes within the framework of supporting integration and cooperation in the field of the environment and its preservation and completing the joint efforts between them in serving environmental work. As per the agreement, there will be preparation for joint cooperation projects, the search for ways to finance them in the environmental field, cooperation in the field of studies and research, the exchange of expertise and visits related to endangered wild animals, and cooperation in the fields of management and control of invasive species. Another area of cooperation is in the exchange of expertise in the field of land degradation and rehabilitation of vegetation cover, conducting a joint study of successful models in the field of implementing sustainable management plans for nature reserves, and studying the proposal of twinning projects between wildlife reserves. The Executive Program will also result in the exchange of experts and technical opinions on establishing breeding centers for local animals, holding training courses on animal care and breeding techniques, supporting research in the fields of reproduction, animal behavior and nutrition, and reviewing the mechanisms for registering the holdings of endangered and dangerous wild animals and methods of managing them. Another interesting aspect of the Executive Program is the cooperation that will be seen in the field of falconry, with practice of best standards and according to the best scientific and technical practices, and enhancing cooperation in the field of coastal protection and combating marine environmental pollutants. The program will also see the exchange of expertise, information and experts in the field of protecting and propagating mangrove trees and their reserves, as well as the field of bird migrations and their protection in their breeding sites, the field of protecting coral reefs, and the field of protecting rare species of wild animals and plants in natural reserve sites. It will also include the exchange of expertise in the field of wildlife breeding centers, the field of natural plant gardens, the field of environmental studies and surveys, especially those related to endangered species, and the field of documenting cases of marine mammal and stranding of sea turtles, and mechanisms for tracking, rescuing, and protecting them. The Executive Program intends to develop close cooperation in establishing a unified environmental performance index, exchanging expertise and cooperation in the field of sound management of chemicals and hazardous waste through workshops and visits, and coordinating positions in international agreements in the field of chemicals and hazardous waste. According to the Executive Program, there will be exchange of expertise, cooperation and coordination in the field of technologies for controlling air pollutants emitted from fixed sources and technologies used to improve ambient air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the ozone layer, as well as cooperation and visits between experts and specialists in the fields of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, and areas of common interest related to climate change. It is also expected to address the exchange of expertise and cooperation with the aim of enhancing awareness in areas related to environmental sustainability, successful models of climate change governance and environmental sustainability from a legislative perspective and implementation mechanisms. The agreement is also expected to bring in cooperation in the field of laboratories and modern analytical techniques, quality control and assurance in environmental laboratories, in addition to exchanging expertise in the regulatory field with regard to radiation protection.
