Harrat Ash Shamah, Volcanic field in northeastern Jordan and southwestern Syria
Harrat Ash Shamah is a volcanic field of dark basalt rock covering a large area across northeastern Jordan and southwestern Syria. The terrain is marked by many volcanic cones rising from a flat, stony plain.
The volcanic cones and lava flows in this area were shaped by volcanic activity that unfolded over a very long period. People settled near the basalt fields as far back as the Stone Age, leaving traces that can still be found today.
The dark basalt fields served for centuries as natural landmarks for nomadic tribes moving through the region. You can still come across stone structures built by earlier inhabitants scattered across the terrain.
The ground is rough and uneven throughout, so a vehicle built for off-road conditions makes a real difference. Arranging a local guide beforehand is a good idea, as the area is wide and has no marked paths.
Beneath the basalt surface, there are many lava tubes, hollow tunnels formed when flowing lava drained away and left a hardened outer shell. These tubes were used by people in the past as natural shelters from heat.
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