Geomorphological assessment of morphoclimatic processes and their risks to human activity in the desert of Al-Muthanna Governorate

Abstract

The desert of Al-Muthanna Governorate is the scene of numerous geomorphological processes that pose risks to the prevailing human activity in the region. This study addresses one of the most important and dangerous of these processes: morphoclimatic processes. Natural characteristics, including geological structure, topography, climate, soil, and water resources, have contributed to the activity of these processes. The Al-Muthanna desert is characterized by an arid desert climate, Which played a major role in the activity of morpho-climatic processes as a result of a set of distinctive climatic characteristics, most notably the scarcity of rainfall, high temperatures, and the intensity of evaporation and winds. The dry desert climate of this region creates a unique morpho-climatic environment dominated by mechanical weathering processes, wind erosion, and flash floods, and the risks they cause, and the impact of this on human activity. It became clear through the application of Bergsma’s law that there are five erosion zones in the region, which have a major role in creating varying risks to human activity.