Military Geology in the Gulf War 1990-91

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Military Geology in the Gulf War 1990-91 CPT
Hugh Cronin
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Area of Major Ground Operation (As Summan Plateau
and Dibdibah Plain)
Wadi Al Batin
KKMC
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Mission

• Engr Geologists and Hydrogeologists, 416th
  ENCOM
• Potential quarry sites, construction aggregate
• Developing water resources
• Evaluating terrain features, mobility
• Updating maps

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SW to NE Geologic Cross Section, Arabian
Peninsula (Arabian Shield and Arabian Shelf)
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Umm er Radhuma aquifer in Saudi Arabia.
Groundwater flows toward the gulf and is
considered freshwater.
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Cross section of Playas (intermittent lakes with
dry silt and clay crusts) and Sabkhahs (tidal
action with high water tables and damp salty
crust).
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Lessons Learned

• 150,000 maps useless
• GPS critical to situational awareness
• Use a rope in a sand storm
• One canteen cup of water can wash your body
• Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse

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References
http//www.desert-storm.com/Gallery/index.html
Military Geology in War and Peace, Volume XIII,
The Geological Society of America, Inc., 1998