Scharf, A., Al-Kindi, M. and Racey, A., An introduction to Geology, Tectonics and Natural Resources of Arabia and its surroundings. 

Bauer, W., Jacobs, J., Callegari, I., Scharf, A., Schmidt, J. and Mattern, F., New constraints on the geological evolution of the SE corner of the Arabian Plate (NE Oman)

Gomez-Perez, I. and Morton, A., Neoproterozoic-Early Paleozoic tectonic evolution of Oman revisited: implications for the consolidation of Gondwana

Rasaona, I., Edwards, L.E., Collins, A.S., Rakotondrazafy, A.F.M. and Bauer, W., The Betsiaka Group in northern Madagascar: a Paleoproterozoic terrane along the northern margin of the Bemarivo Domain

Whitehouse, M.J., Stoeser, D.B., Flowerdew, M.J., Petersson, A. and Al-Khirbash, S., The Amlah terrane, Yemen – a missing link in the Neoproterozoic tectonic collage of the Arabian Shield

Flowerdew, M., Whitehouse, M.J., Stoeser, D.B. and Badenszki, E., Post-orogenic magmatism from within the Al Mukalla terrane, Yemen: a record of Cambrian extension within a Neoproterozoic arc terrane

Smewing, J.D., Ilic, A. and Razi, M.F., Late Neoproterozoic alkaline intrusives in Huqf sediments; a new reservoir target in Southern Oman

Morley, C.K. and Back, S., The Proterozoic-Cambrian salt detachment zone at Lakhar Kuh, Iran: A seismic-scale analogue for salt stringers, detachment folding, and multi-phase structural development

Moss, J., Tansell, C., Gomez-Perez, I., McCabe, R., Fairey, B. and Al Thohli, B., Chemostratigraphic characterization of the Lower Paleozoic Amdeh Formation outcrops and correlation to the subsurface Haima Supergroup and Nimr Group, Sultanate of Oman

Stephenson, M.H., Palynology of strata associated with the Hercynian Unconformity across the Arabian Plate, from the Levant to southern Arabia

Poppelreiter, M.C., Claps, M., Rankey, E., Rao, N.,Al-Dousiri, M., Al-Anzi, A. and Al-Ajmi, A., Architecture of the Early Jurassic Middle Marrat Formation in Kuwait

Ahmed, A.H., Al-Khirbash, S. and Semhi, K., Mineralogy, geochemistry, and origin of Late Cretaceous ironstone deposits, Oman Mountains

Racey, A., Goodall, J., Keen, M., Stead, D. and Starkie, S., Palynology, micropalaeontology and geochemistry of the Eocene Rusayl Formation of Northern Oman

Szymanski, E. and Stockli, D.F., 40Ar/39Ar chronsostratography and geochemistry of Harrats Ishara and Kura in the Hamd-Jizl Basin, Madinah, Saudi Arabia 

Afzal, J. and Racey, A., Early Miocene larger foraminfera from Ras Suwadi, Northern Oman 

Al-Helal, A.B. and Al-Mahmoud, M.J., Intra-plate Jal Az-Zor strike-slip faulting deciphering the enigma of local earthquakes in Kuwait 

Weidle, C., Glück, E., Deif, A., El-Hussain, I. and Meier, T., Seismicity and state of stress in NE Arabia 

Heward, A.P., Morton, M.Q. and Al Kindi, M., The search for petroleum in the Sultanate of Oman – the first 120 years 

Al-Kindi, M., Overview of the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Opportunities in Oman 

Hofmann, B.A. and Gnos, E., The meteoritic record of Arabia

Index

Covering around 900 million years of Earth’s history, this substantial volume provides a comprehensive overview of the geology and natural resources of the Arabian Plate, from Neoproterozoic metal deposits through to petroleum formation and modern-day issues like carbon capture and geohazards.
The book represents something of a departure from many previous regionally focused volumes in the series. Rather than presenting a traditional narrative, it offers a multi-faceted scientific compendium that reflects current research and understanding of the region’s geology and resources. Few books bring together mineral and petroleum resources under the same cover, and perhaps the Arabian Peninsula is unique in hosting such large reserves of both. The lack of vegetation cover also makes it an ideal geological terrain for mapping and observing structures on a large scale, as illustrated by the numerous field photographs throughout the volume. 
The 19 papers collectively describe the tectonic history, stratigraphy, natural resources and modern geohazards of Arabia and neighbouring regions. Particularly enjoyable is the chapter on meteorite falls, especially those in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Somewhat esoteric compared with the rest of the volume, it is nevertheless so well written that it is hard for any geologist not to enjoy. Given the geographical scale of the region, the coverage of geology and tectonics is impressive. Mineral resources associated with petroleum, natural gas, iron, nickel, cobalt, vanadium and scandium are discussed in detail. There are, however, some notable omissions. There is little mention of the mineral resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, currently a major focus of global exploration for gold and copper, nor of the historically important silver and base metal deposits of Yemen. A broader overview of the peninsula’s metallogeny would also have been welcome, and perhaps these topics could form the basis of a future volume. 
Notwithstanding these omissions, the editors and authors are to be commended for producing a high-quality contribution to the field. Most chapters present new data alongside reviews of previous work and offer fresh insights into the geological evolution of Arabia. This volume will be a valuable reference for universities throughout Arabia and for geoscientists, policy makers and industry professionals seeking to understand the region’s geology and natural resources. 

Review by Rob Bowell, Geoscientist 22 June 2026