Rub' al Khali

The Rub' al Khali is a vast sand desert in the southern Arabian Peninsula, spanning parts of Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

Erg (landform): An erg is a broad desert region covered mainly by wind-shaped sand dunes. The Rub' al Khali is one of the world's largest continuous ergs.
Aeolian processes: Aeolian processes are the erosion, transport, and deposition of material by wind. Wind continually redistributes the sand that builds the desert's dunes.
Quaternary period: The Quaternary is the geological period that began about 2.58 million years ago and continues today. Repeated climate shifts during this period influenced Arabian desert environments.
Ghawar Field: The Ghawar Field is a giant oil field in eastern Saudi Arabia. It lies near the Rub' al Khali's northern margin and anchors regional petroleum production.
Empty Quarter: Empty Quarter is the English name commonly used for the Rub' al Khali. The name captures the desert's immense scale and sparse permanent settlement.
Sand dune: A sand dune is a hill or ridge of sediment shaped chiefly by wind. Dunes dominate the desert's surface and vary in form across it.
Dune migration: Dune migration is the movement of a dune as wind transports sand across its surface. Migrating dunes reshape routes and bury or expose desert surfaces.
Arabian Desert: The Arabian Desert is the arid region covering much of the Arabian Peninsula. The Rub' al Khali forms its vast southern sector.
Shaybah oil field: Shaybah is a major oil field in southeastern Saudi Arabia, near the Rub' al Khali. Its development required roads, housing, and pipelines across remote desert terrain.
Arabian Nights: The Arabian Nights is a collection of Middle Eastern folktales framed by the story of Scheherazade. Its imagined desert landscapes contribute to enduring popular images of Arabia.

Linked from 3 pages