Morphology of Sand Dune Fields in Al-Shehabi Area, Wasit Governorate Eastern Part of Iraq

The present research is to identify the morphological kinds of sand dunes that are deposited in Al-Shehabi area in Wasit governorate, eastern part of Iraq. The main sand dunes that are determined in the studied area are symmetrical and asymmetrical barchans, nabkha, barchanoid ridges, and sand sheet dunes as seen in the field. Dimensions of barchan dunes are 1 - 8m high, and 3 -50 m side dimension, and 3 - 25 m length. Nabkha dunes’ dimensions ranges between 0.5m - 3 m in length, and 0.5 – 2 m high. In relation to the main wind direction in Iraq, these dunes face north-west to south-east. Barchanoid ridges, which are recognized in the studied area are with 6m in average height and accumulated by few barchan dunes. Sand sheet is also recognized in the studied area with small areal extension and with ripple marks.