Geology of the Dhaher (Bargish) cave system, NW Jordan
Nizar Abu-Jaber
Hakam Mustafa
Deema Melhem
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Yarmouk University
Irbid 21163
Jordan
There has been much interest in the development of the Dhaher cave in the Koora district as a show cave. Because of this, a research program has been implemented in order to document the geology and nature of the cave, as well as the possibility for the development of the cave for tourism.
The research has led to the mapping the accessible parts of the cave, which is about 130 m long and contains three large chambers or halls. There are many interesting cave deposits inside, providing for the possibility of development as a show cave.
The cave formed due to the presence of two major fault systems within limestone in a rainy Mediterranean climate. The rate of limestone dissolution suggests the initiation of cave development in the Late Pleistocene. Isotopic data suggest that the development occurred under current climatic conditions.
