Abstract

The present study has dealt with the field and microscopic description of different building, industrial and ornamental stones of the Tertiary sedimentary succession of Haddat Ash Sham area, Saudi Arabia. The described building and ornamental stones includes: quartz pebble conglomerates, sandstones, limestones, dolostones and clays. The stratigraphic setting, mega and microscopic description of the different types of building and ornamental stones revealed the predominance of the quartz-pebble conglomerates in the lower and upper members of the Tertiary succession of the study area while the clays and carbonates are present in the middle member of this succession. The quartz pebble conglomerates represents the most important building material which is mostly suitable for concrete industry while the sandstones are present as very thick hard ferruginous cliffs suitable for dimensional blocks for facing and decoration. The carbonates are represented by relatively thin horizons of limestone and dolostones which is easily extracted and used for concrete industry. The clay deposits are present in many levels within the sedimentary succession of Haddat Ash Sham area and represent the same extensions of the clay quarries used for brick industry in Ash Shamiyah area west of Haddat Ash Sham area. The studied building and ornamental stones need further engineering tests and measurements for the accurate evaluations from the engineering points of views. The reserves of the clay deposits must be evaluated from the economic points of views for cement and ceramic industries.

Key words: Saudi Arabia, Haddat Ash Sham area, building and ornamental stones, quartz pebble conglomerates and concrete materials.