Saudi Arabia: Stunning Umm Sarhej rock formation stands out in Tabuk’s desert

In the middle of the Hisma desert in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk, the Umm Sarhej rock formation stands out and has become a landmark of the area.

Standing about 30 meters tall on a small, slender base, the rock is considered to be one of the rarest of its kind in the Kingdom.

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Its unique formations are the result of years of erosion and strong winds that have affected the area, Ahmed al-Nashti, a former faculty member at the College of Earth Sciences at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, told Al Arabiya last year.

The upper part of the rocks stayed intact during the natural carving process that took place with time because of the wind’s inability to carry sand grains to such heights, he said.

The Hisma desert, which has a history that dates back to 500 million years, is home to dozens of fascinating rock formations.

Over the years, archeologists have discovered writings and inscriptions on top of some of the rocks as well, which comes as no surprise as the area was considered popular for travelers of the ancient trade route to and from the Arabian Peninsula.

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