This work deals with the study of the morphodynamics, history of development of landforms and the origin of the Ga’ara depression. The depression is a suboval erosional topographic feature extending in E-Wdirection and located about 50 km north of Rutba Town, at the Western Desert of Iraq. The area is characterized by fresh and clean surfaces, scarcity of vegetation, abundance of rills, intense drainage and immature soil. These clues indicate that the erosion in the study area is effective. Four types of erosion features are recognized in this area namely sheet, rill, badland and wind erosion. The extent of the wind erosion depends on its position in relation to the prevailing wind direction. Water, wind and gravity are the main agents of erosion although the former seems more effective. In general, the valleys are dense in the hard rocks which indicate intensive erosion. Two types of drainage pattern can be distinguished in the study area, a dendritic pattern, especially at the exposure area of the Mulussa dolostone, and a centripetal pattern at the central part of the depression at the confluence of the main wadis. The valleys are V-shaped in their upper reaches and gradually change to flat-bottom shallow valleys in their lower reaches. Two major types of mass wasting are recognized, namely, rock fall and slump. Rock fall is the most common process whereby most of the talus accumulates at the base of the cliff. Slump is frequent at the south and southwestern rims of the depression. The slope surfaces are generally composite of the type free-face concave pediment. The depression is asymmetrical having steeper slopes in the south and thewestwhereas the northern and eastern scarps are wider and gentler, respectively. History of landform development is investigated in the Ga’ara area. Seven episodes are distinguished according to emergence and paleoclimatic conditions. The landforms of the study area were formed and further developed during the emergence episodes. The history of the development of the Ga’ara depression is studied too.
