Geological Map Of Israel – Revised Edition – 1976 – Map On Two Sheets

Publisher: Not stated
Price: £450
Publication Date: 1976
Edition: Revised edition
Format: Colour printed
Condition: In very good condition
Full Map Size: 181.5cm x 68.2cm

Condition:

Ex-Geography Department of St Paul’s College Cheltenham with stamps to the margins. Ordnance No. 16 of 1924. Compiled by The first photograph shows how the map would look if the two sheets were joined together. Shows the 1974 demarcation lines between Israel and Syria. Original fold lines. Total map size: 181.5cm x 68.2cm including margins. Detailed key. Reverse is blank with very minor marks. Minor wear to a couple of edges. Short closed tear to one margin. Map bright and clean. In very good, original and un-restored condition.

Location: Book room: 002713

The Geology Of Israel: A Brief Description

 
Israel’s geology is both complex and fascinating, shaped by tectonic movements, sedimentation, volcanic activity, and climatic influences over hundreds of millions of years. Situated at the junction of the African, Arabian, and Eurasian tectonic plates, the country presents a diverse geological landscape in a relatively small area.

Tectonic Setting

Israel lies along the northern segment of the Syrian-African Rift, also known as the Dead Sea Transform Fault. This tectonic boundary separates the African Plate from the Arabian Plate and extends from the Red Sea in the south through the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea, continuing north into Lebanon and Syria. The rift is an active fault zone, responsible for much of the seismic activity in the region.

Major Geological Provinces

1. The Coastal Plain
   Composed primarily of Quaternary and Tertiary sediments, the coastal plain stretches along the Mediterranean Sea. It features layers of sandstone (locally known as kurkar) and marine clays, interspersed with alluvial and aeolian deposits. These sediments were laid down during successive marine transgressions and regressions.
2. The Central Highlands
   Running from the Galilee in the north to the Negev in the south, this mountainous spine consists mainly of limestones and dolomites of Upper Cretaceous age. Karstic features such as caves and sinkholes are common due to the solubility of the carbonate rocks.
3. The Jordan Rift Valley
   This is a dramatic structural depression, part of the broader East African Rift system. The valley includes the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River, and the Dead Sea—the lowest point on Earth’s surface at over 430 metres below sea level. The valley is filled with thick sequences of alluvial, lacustrine, and evaporitic deposits, including extensive salt layers.
4. The Negev Desert
   The geology of the Negev is dominated by a mixture of sedimentary rocks from the Palaeozoic to Cenozoic eras. The northern Negev contains folded and faulted structures, while the southern region, including the Eilat area, features Precambrian crystalline basement rocks, including granite and metamorphosed sedimentary units.
5. The Golan Heights
   This volcanic plateau in the north-east is primarily composed of basaltic lava flows, resulting from extensive volcanic activity during the Neogene and Quaternary periods. The basalt covers older sedimentary rocks and is often interspersed with scoria and tuff.

Geological History

Israel’s geological history begins in the Precambrian, with the oldest rocks exposed in the Eilat region. The country’s sedimentary record includes nearly continuous deposition from the Palaeozoic through to the Cenozoic, recording ancient marine environments, desert conditions, and tectonic uplift.

During the Mesozoic era, much of Israel was covered by a shallow sea, leading to thick sequences of limestone, dolomite, and marl. In the Late Cenozoic, the rifting process created the dramatic topography of the Jordan Valley and associated fault systems.

Natural Resources and Geological Hazards

Israel’s geological diversity supports a range of natural resources, including phosphates, potash, clay, limestone, and minor amounts of petroleum and natural gas. The Dead Sea region, in particular, is a significant source of industrial minerals due to the evaporation of saline waters.

However, Israel is also prone to earthquakes, especially along the Dead Sea Transform. While major events are relatively infrequent, the historical record and ongoing monitoring suggest significant risk to infrastructure and populations.

Israel and Syria Borders in 1976: A Detailed Description

The borders between Israel and Syria in 1976 were defined by a complex interplay of historical mandates, armistice agreements, military occupation, and international diplomacy. This period fell between two major conflicts—the Yom Kippur War of 1973 and the Lebanese Civil War—a time marked by heightened tension, cautious ceasefires, and strategic realignments.

Historical Context

The modern boundary between Israel and Syria has its roots in colonial-era agreements, particularly the Franco-British Boundary Agreement of 1923, which delineated the border between the British Mandate of Palestine and the French Mandate of Syria. This boundary largely followed the Golan Heights in the north-east and remained the internationally recognised demarcation line.

After the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Syria occupied several strategic positions west of the 1923 line, creating disputed demilitarised zones (DMZs). These territories became flashpoints throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

The 1967 Six-Day War and Its Aftermath

The Six-Day War of 1967 dramatically altered the geopolitical landscape. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria—a volcanic plateau offering significant military and topographical advantage. This territory, roughly 1,200 square kilometres in area, included strategic vantage points overlooking northern Israel and access to vital water resources.

By 1976, the Golan Heights remained under Israeli military occupation, following the United Nations Security Council Resolution 242, which called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied in 1967 in exchange for peace. Syria, however, rejected any peace overtures without full Israeli withdrawal.

Post-1973 Yom Kippur War Developments

During the Yom Kippur War of 1973, Syria launched a coordinated assault to recapture the Golan Heights. Although Syrian forces initially advanced, Israeli counterattacks not only repelled the offensive but also pushed beyond the 1967 ceasefire lines, approaching within artillery range of Damascus.

Following intense diplomatic intervention, a ceasefire was brokered, and in May 1974, the Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria was signed under the auspices of the United Nations. This agreement established:

• A United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) buffer zone, approximately 80 km long and 0.5–10 km wide, separating Israeli and Syrian forces.
• Israeli withdrawal from territory captured beyond the 1967 lines during the Yom Kippur War.
• The return of the town of Quneitra to Syrian control, though Israel refused to allow full restoration or resettlement due to security concerns.

The Border in 1976

By 1976, the effective border between Israel and Syria was not an internationally recognised political boundary but rather a de facto military line comprising:

1. Israeli-held Golan Heights: Still under Israeli administration, including fortified positions and Israeli civilian settlements such as Katzrin.
2. UNDOF Buffer Zone: Patrolled by UN forces, this zone served to minimise direct military engagement and maintain the ceasefire. Entry was restricted to non-military personnel and observers.
3. Syrian-controlled territory: East of the buffer zone, Syria maintained military readiness and periodically reinforced its positions in the Damascus hinterland.

The border was heavily militarised, with both nations maintaining a strong presence and regular surveillance. Tensions were high, but direct conflict was largely avoided due to the presence of UN forces and the diplomatic efforts of the United States and the Soviet Union.

Conclusion

In 1976, the Israel–Syria border was a tense and unstable frontier, shaped not by diplomatic consensus but by the outcomes of war and mediated disengagement. The Golan Heights, a central issue in the conflict, remained a point of contention and a symbol of unresolved hostilities. While the ceasefire held, it was a fragile peace—one dependent on international oversight and the absence of further provocation.

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