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the Degree Confluence Project
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Oman

7.0 km (4.3 miles) SSE of Ma'bas, al-Zāhira, Oman
Approx. altitude: 602 m (1975 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 23°S 123°W

Accuracy: 8 m (26 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: View to the East #3: View to the South #4: View to the West #5: Panorama #6: GPS reading #7: The confluence hunters #8: Garlic and herbs seller with Khanjar #9: The Grand Canyon of Oman (Jabal Akhdar) #10: Historic village Sa`ab Baniy Khamīs

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  23°N 57°E (visit #2)  

#1: The Confluence - View to the North

(visited by Rainer Mautz and Elionora)

19-Apr-2006 -- This is the third visit to a Confluence on a two-week trip through the United Arab Emirates and Oman. The story starts from 26N 56E.

The Confluence is located in the region al-Ẓāhira, an area which is characterised by the foothills of the Ḥajar Mountains in the North and the Rub` al-Khāliy desert in the South. Directly north of the Confluence, in ca. 5 km distance the highest peak of the Jabal Kawr mountain range with a height of 2960 m is visible. The area directly south of the Confluence is called Ḥamrat al-Durū`, an extremely dry, treeless and bushless desert. Besides some oilfields, this area is not populated (due to the fact that water is absent). However, one important feature of the confluence area is the sealed road between Nizwā and `Ibriy, it is one of the most important highways in Oman. Since the road passes by only 350 m south of the Confluence, a visit is straightforward.

The actual visit of the Confluence took us only 20 minutes. Parking is possible next to the road in 350 m distance and a 5 minute walk over rocky desert ground brought us to the exact location. One of the scattered acacias marked the Confluence.

The nearby Jabal Akhḍar with its peak Jabal Šams is the highest mountain in Oman. This area is a paradise for geologists, where one can get a view on 600 million years of history in Oman's Grand Canyon. In one of the steep canyons you can find the historic village Sa`ab Baniy Khamīs, where in ancient times 15 families have lived at the steep grade with a covered overhang.

CP visit details:

  • Time at the Confluence: 16:00 p.m.
  • Duration: 20 minutes (until we were back to the road)
  • Distance of road: 350 m
  • Nearest approach to the DCP: 0.67 m with an accuracy of 7 m
  • GPS height: 615 m
  • Description: South of the Jabal Kawr mountain range on a flood plane with sharp rocks in different sizes. The vegetation consists of some scattered acacia trees and thorny bushes.
  • Given Name: Acacia Tree Confluence

Story continues with another confluence attempt in Oman at 23N 59E.
 All pictures
#1: The Confluence - View to the North
#2: View to the East
#3: View to the South
#4: View to the West
#5: Panorama
#6: GPS reading
#7: The confluence hunters
#8: Garlic and herbs seller with Khanjar
#9: The Grand Canyon of Oman (Jabal Akhdar)
#10: Historic village Sa`ab Baniy Khamīs
ALL: All pictures on one page