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35-756: The sole mountain in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and one of the highest mountains in the country , it has given its name to a period in UAE history, the Hafit Period of the Bronze Age (3200 to 2600 BCE), because of the discovery of a cluster of important beehive tombs at its foothills. As of 2017, the mountain is recognised as being part of a national park, and was incorporated into the Sheikh Zayed Network of Protected Areas in 2018. Jebel Hafeet has

70-409: A calcium bicarbonate solution in caverns. The partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the water must be greater than the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the cave chamber for conventional stalagmite growth. If stalactites – the ceiling formations – grow long enough to connect with stalagmites on the floor, they form a column. To preserve Stalagmites, it should normally not be touched, since

105-462: A cave is a stalactite . The most common stalagmites are speleothems , which usually form in limestone caves. Stalagmite formation occurs only under certain pH conditions within the cavern. They form through deposition of calcium carbonate and other minerals, which is precipitated from mineralized water solutions . Limestone is the chief form of calcium carbonate rock , which is dissolved by water that contains carbon dioxide , forming

140-438: A depth of no more than 150 m (490 ft). In the caves there are well-preserved stalagmites and stalactites . Access to the caves is partly natural, while in other parts of the city of Al Ain, the entrance is blocked. At the foot of Jebel Hafeet lies a tourist attraction with hot springs and a lake. To the northeast is the mountain's largest wadi , Wadi Tarabat . The mountain has ridges which stretch northwards to

175-526: A hot desert climate (BWh) according to the Köppen climate classification . On average, 77 mm (3.0 in) of rain falls annually. The temperature is relatively cool from October to March, usually remaining below 25 °C (77 °F). The average overall temperature is 27.1 °C (80.8 °F). The Jabal Hafit mountain trends NNW–SSE over about 26 km (16 mi) and is 4–5 km (2.5–3.1 mi) wide. It protrudes 900 m (3,000 ft) above

210-525: A lake, and swimming pools and Jacuzzis scattered all over the area. There is also a small dam, constructed in 1955 and restored in 2005, one of the earliest development projects instituted by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan , who was the governor of Al-Ain before becoming the Ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the UAE. The Mubazzara Dam is freely accessible to the public. On top of

245-442: A matter of hours, days, or weeks, whereas limestone stalagmites may take up to thousands or hundred thousands of years. A key difference with lava stalagmites is that once the molten lava has ceased flowing, so too will the stalagmites cease to grow. This means that if the lava stalagmites were to be broken, they would never grow back. Stalagmites in lava tubes are rarer than their stalactite counterparts because during their formation,

280-411: A member of') is a type of rock formation that rises from the floor of a cave due to the accumulation of material deposited on the floor from ceiling drippings. Stalagmites are typically composed of calcium carbonate , but may consist of lava , mud , peat , pitch , sand , sinter , and amberat (crystallized urine of pack rats ). The corresponding formation hanging down from the ceiling of

315-683: A natural habitat for a wide range of animals, including bats , foxes , snakes , rodents , and hyraxes . The lizard Acanthodactylus opheodurus , which until 1982 was considered extinct in the UAE, has been observed in the area. Among the birds, there is the greatest biodiversity of the whole country: a study counted 119 species of birds. Finally, they have been cataloged, with about 200 different insects, and 23 species of butterflies . Recently, seven species of lacewing insects were discovered here. They were previously thought not to have been in this country, but in Saudi Arabia . The Arabian tahr

350-462: Is a challenge for cyclists who frequently use the route to train. The Jabal Hafeet Mercure Challenge is an annual road cycling competition taking place in January. National and international riders take part in climbing the 8% average ascent of the mountain. In 2015 it hosted the arrival of the third stage of first edition of Abu Dhabi Tour , won by Colombian Esteban Chaves . Since 2019, the road to

385-410: Is also found here. In 1949, an Arabian leopard was spotted here by Wilfred Thesiger . In 1976, one was shot and wounded, as reported by Hellyer, who claimed another sighting in 1993. The leopard is now possibly extinct in the country's wilderness. In addition, rock hyrax were recently introduced here, and could serve as prey for the leopard, if the latter had to be re-introduced. In February 2019,

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420-523: Is an anticline , or more specifically an east-verging pericline. The west limb has a dip of around 30° and the east limb has overturned bedding at 70° in the central area. This results in an inclined axial plane, creating an asymmetric fold . This is unexpected because the structure is folding towards the Hajar Mountains in the east. If the structure is related to the formation of the Hajar range,

455-753: Is debated, and the driving force is not fully understood. Some geologists relate the deformation of the Jabal Hafit anticline to the early Miocene Zagros Collision , which is currently active and is caused by the Arabian Plate colliding with the Eurasian Plate . However, the Jabal Hafit Anticline is not actively deforming , and undeformed Miocene sedimentary rocks around the anticline indicate that no deformation has occurred recently. Sedimentary evidence indicates that

490-405: Is percolating from the surface to about 2 km (1.2 mi) depth and then returning to the surface. This provides evidence for faults below the anticline, as faulting fractures the rock and provides fluid pathways. The limestone layers were deposited laterally within a basin , and then horizontal shortening folded the layers into an anticline . The timing of when this folding occurred

525-459: Is still active inside. Their mineralogical composition, close to that of siliceous minerals commonly found in basalt (for example, obsidian ), the main constituent of volcanic glass , is different. Their mechanism of formation/crystallization is also notably different from that of limestone stalagmites ( CaCO 3 ) but the common point is that it remains driven by gravity. Drops of molten lava (siliceous material, SiO 2 ) solidify onto

560-478: Is the historic Mezyad Fort . Jebel Hafeet is a popular tourist center with a broad view over the whole area from the summit. The touristic attraction at the foot of the mountain is Green Mubazzarah ( Arabic : ٱلْمُبَزَّرَة ٱلْخَضْرَاء , romanized :  Al-Mubazzarah Al-Khaḍrāʿ ), a well-developed tourist attraction featuring a geyser, a children's play park and a number of chalets for hire, several hot-water springs gushing forth in little streams and forming

595-576: The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi recorded the sighting of an Arabian caracal by camera trap in Jebel Hafeet National Park, the first such sighting in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi since 1984. In March, a Blanford's fox was observed using the same technique, after an absence of about 17 years. At the foothills of the mountain, near Mezyad, 500 beehive tombs were excavated that dated to an area named after

630-509: The anticline would typically be west verging. This indicates that the Jabal Hafit anticline formed due to a backthrust ( antithetic fault ), and is a fault-propagation fold . Within the eroded core of the anticline , at the Green Mubazzarah Park, are hot springs with temperatures of around 40 °C (104 °F). There is no volcanic activity in the area, therefore the water is being heated geothermally. Meteoric water

665-502: The surface will penetrate into a cave and if temperatures are below freezing temperature, the water will collect on the floor into stalagmites. Deposition may also occur directly from the freezing of water vapor . Similar to lava stalagmites, ice stalagmites form very quickly within hours or days. Unlike lava stalagmites however, they may grow back as long as water and temperatures are suitable. Ice stalagmites are more common than their stalactite counterparts because warmer air rises to

700-494: The Hafit Graves, Mezyad Fort , and related oases. Its aim was to preserve and restore the fauna, flora , natural environment, and geology of the place, but at the same time, to attract tourists so that they can learn about the area. The mountain is home to endangered species of flora and fauna, particularly at Wadi Tarabat. 170 plant species have been documented from Jebel Hafeet and this accounts for over 40 per cent of

735-485: The Hafit structure developed during the late Oligocene to early–middle Miocene . The mountain rises 1,100–1,400 m (3,600–4,600 ft), and offers a view over Al-Ain. Jebel Hafeet was a well-known landmark throughout the area's history, and is a contemporary tourist attraction. An extensive natural cave system winds through Jabal Hafeet. Jebel Hafeet is crossed by a system of caves, some of which have been explored to

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770-407: The ceilings of caves and may raise temperatures to above freezing. Ice stalactites may also form corresponding stalagmites below them, and given time, may grow together to form an ice column. Stalactites and stalagmites can also form on concrete ceilings and floors, although they form much more rapidly there than in the natural cave environment. The secondary deposits derived from concrete are

805-438: The chemical reactions to deposit calcium carbonate as a stalagmite. These stalagmites rarely grow taller than a few centimetres. Secondary deposits, which create stalagmites, stalactites, flowstone etc., outside the natural cave environment, are referred to as " calthemites ". These concrete derived secondary deposits cannot be referred to as " speleothems " due to the definition of the word. The largest known stalagmite in

840-442: The dripping molten material most often falls onto still-moving lava flow which absorbs or carries the material away. The generic term "lavacicle" has been applied to lava stalactites and stalagmites indiscriminately, and evolved from the word "icicle". A common stalagmite found seasonally or year round in many caves is the ice stalagmite, commonly referred to as icicles , especially in above-ground contexts. Water seepage from

875-544: The floor of the already emptied lava tube, when the lava temperature sufficiently decreases after the passage and the complete purge of the main lava flow. Essentially, it is still the gravity deposition of material onto the floor of a cave (or a void). However the difference from calcareous stalagmites is that the transport of siliceous material occurs in the molten state and not dissolved in aqueous solution; CO 2 degassing does not play any significant role. With lava stalagmites, their formation also happens very quickly in only

910-666: The inner part of Al-Ain City, two of which have been named and given prominence in literature. One is Al Naqfa Ridge or the Nagfa Ridge ( Arabic : جَبَل ٱلنَّقْفَة , romanized :  Jabal An-Naqfah ), which stretches to Al Ain Oasis in the north, and has a historical fort of the same name nearby. The other is the "Western Ridge" or "West Ridge". The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road, built in 1980, extends for 11.7 km (7.3 mi) up

945-399: The mountain, rising 1,200 m (3,900 ft). With 60 turns and three lanes (two climbing and one descending), the road was called the greatest driving road in the world by Edmunds.com . The road scales the mountain and ends at a parking lot with a hotel and a palace belonging to the country's rulers. The road was built by Strabag International of Cologne , Germany. Hafeet Mountain Road

980-545: The mountain, the Hafit period of the early Bronze Age, between 3200 and 2600 BC. These tombs were firstly discovered in 1950. Later excavations by Danish archaeologists in 1959 found evidence for ceramic vessels and copper artifacts in these tombs. While the graves on the north side have been partially destroyed by construction projects, the southern tombs are preserved. Some of the tombs contain skeletons, some of which are adorned with bronze objects and pearls. Other objects found in

1015-838: The mountain, there is a military communications outpost and a hotel operated by French hospitality company Mercure , as well as a palace. Other notes: List of United Arab Emirates-related topics#Mountains This is a list of topics related to the United Arab Emirates . Those interested in the subject can monitor changes to the pages by clicking on Related changes in the sidebar. Stalagmite A stalagmite ( UK : / ˈ s t æ l ə ɡ ˌ m aɪ t / , US : / s t ə ˈ l æ ɡ m aɪ t / ; from Greek σταλαγμίτης ( stalagmítēs ) ; from Ancient Greek σταλαγμίας ( stalagmías )  'dropping, trickling' and -ίτης ( -ítēs )  'one connected to,

1050-444: The result of concrete degradation, where calcium ions are leached out of the concrete in solution and redeposited on the underside of a concrete structure to form stalactites and stalagmites. Calcium carbonate deposition as a stalagmite occurs when the solution carries the calcium laden leachate solution to the ground under the concrete structure. Carbon dioxide is absorbed into the alkaline leachate solution, which facilitates

1085-426: The rock buildup is formed by minerals precipitating out of the water solution onto the existing surface; skin oils can alter the surface tension where the mineral water clings or flows, thus affecting the growth of the formation. Oils and dirt (mud, clay) from human contact can also stain the formation and change its color permanently. Another type of stalagmite is formed in lava tubes while molten and fluid lava

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1120-417: The surrounding plains. The mountain consists of shallow marine sedimentary rocks , which includes limestone , marl , and evaporites . These layers contain many fossils which includes corals , foraminifera , and bryozoa . Fossils indicate that the sedimentary rocks exposed at the surface range from early Eocene to early Miocene in age, younging from the mountains core to its flanks. This structure

1155-597: The tombs include ceramics from Mesopotamia , and other artifacts from ancient Iran and the Indus Valley of present-day India and Pakistan, to trading relationships in antiquity. Because of its exceptional archaeological and historical value, in 1993, the "Desert Park and the tombs" (which includes the Jebel Hafeet) was inscribed on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites as the "Cultural Sites of Al Ain: Hafit, Hili , Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas". Also nearby

1190-573: The top of Jebel Hafeet is a fixed location of the UAE Tour . For the 2020 edition the mountain was visited twice. The first ascent was won by eventual Tour winner Adam Yates , and during stage 5, which wound up being the final stage of the race due to concerns about the coronavirus, Team UAE's promising young rider Tadej Pogačar won the stage. The mountain is part of a national or desert park, which can be called "Jebel Hafeet National Park", "Jebel Hafit Desert Park" or " Mezyad Desert Park". It includes

1225-441: The total plant species recorded in the emirate. On the mountain has been observed the yellow bloom of Acridocarpus orientalis . Numerous other plants have been seen around caves in the mountain. The mountain’s largest wadi, Wadi Tarabat, is alone home to around 95 species of plants, including Christ’s thorn, Ziziphus spina-christi , which was historically used for building, food and herbal medicine. The caves of Jebel Hafeet are

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