The Eastern Desert consists mostly of a series of rugged mountains flanked by layers of limestone in the north and sandstone in the south. In the Eastern Desert, the mountains rise gradually from west to east. Among the most notable of these mountains are Gebel Shayib el Banat (2187m), Gebel Hamata (1977m) and Gebel Elba (1437m). In addition to rainfall of 50 to 100mm annually, higher mountains receive condensation of cloud moisture, creating mist oases on higher peaks.The mountains are formed of the most ancient rocks in Egypt, dating more than 550 million years ago (ma). The rocks include igneous rocks like granite formed from molten earth materials and metamorphic rocks, such as gneiss and schist, formed under tremendous pressure and heat during mountain building movements. One of the most famous granites of the Eastern Desert comes from Mons Claudianus. Other attractive rocks include the Imperial porphyry from Mons Porphyrites and breccia verde antique from Wadi Hammamat.

Hills and mountains at Wadi El Gemal National Park

Gebel Elba at Dawn

Sand dunes with Gebel Elba in the background

Wadi Edieb at Gebel Elba Protected Area

iContorted beds, folded during the rifting of the Red Sea