Geomorphology of Janan Island on the Northwest Coast of Qatar State

Abstract

Janan Island is one of the uninhabited, flat-surfaced rocky islands that is located in the waters of the Gulf of Salwa to the west of the northwest coast of the State of Qatar, about 6 km away, extending from the northwest towards the southeast with the direction of the prevailing northwest winds. The study of the island aims to determine its natural, morphological, and topographical characteristics, study the most important landforms therein, and draw a geomorphological and bathymetric map of the island. The island is distinguished by its small area of 0.16 km2 and its low isolation index from Qatari land, which amounts to 2.5, which indicates the severity of its proximity to the mainland. The surrounding waters are characterized by their shallowness, coral reefs spread across its coasts, and many geomorphological landforms such as sea cliffs, shore platforms, sandy spits, headlands and bays, Sabkhas, caves, and sea stacks, which qualify it to be a destination for tourists with the aim of camping, tranquility, recreation, and the practice of diving and hunting.