Sharqiya Sands

NASA satellite image

The desert was formed during the Quaternary period as a result of the forces of south-west blowing monsoon and the northern shamal trade wind, coming in from the east.[7] Based on the types of dunes found in the area, it is divided into the high, or upper, Wahiba and low Wahiba.[6][8] The upper area contains mega-ridge sand systems on a north–south line that are believed to have been formed by monsoon.[6] The dunes of the north, formed at some point after the last regional glaciation, measure up to 100 meters (330 ft) high,[9] with peaks accumulating in the areas just beyond the strongest wind speeds, where declining velocity wind deposited sand.[10] The north and west boundaries of the desert are delineated by the fluvial systems Wadi Batha and Wadi Andam.[11] Beneath the surface sands are an older layer of cemented carbonate sand.[9] Alluvium deposits believed to have originated from the Wadi Batha during the Paleolithic era have been disclosed in the central desert 200 meters (660 ft) beneath the interdune surface.[12] Wind erosion is believed to have contributed to the existence of a nearly level plain in the southwest.[13]

The area is occupied by Bedouins who congregate at Al-Huyawah, an oasis near the border of the desert, between June and September to gather dates.[5] Tribes present in the area at the time of the Royal Geographical Society expedition included, predominantly, Al Wahiba (or Yal Wahiba) for whom the region is named, Al-Amr, Al-Bu-Isa, Hikman, Hishm and Janaba.[14]

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  Ghaf trees
  (Prosopis cineraria)
• 
  Wahiba Sands
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  Sunrise
• 
  Vehicles on the dunes near the Eastern Hajar Mountains

• Arabian Desert
  • Al-Rub' Al-Khali