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Geomorphology

The Southern Carmel ridge is composed mainly of hard layered limestone and dolomite. It was created initially by folding movements and later on by faults and tectonic activity. The Carmel Mountain as well as its surrounding area was then raised and exposed to erosion. Erosion is still taking place today.

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The morphology at Ramat Hanadiv near the watershed line is mature and moderate. The Memorial Gardens are situated on a plateau at 120 metres (394 ft) above sea level. The western slope is steep and cliffy, while the eastern slope is much gentler. Years of rain and melting of carbonate rocks has created a typical karstic morphology on the surface as well as sub-surface holes and caves (along the joints). All rock exposures show karstic holes along the joints.

A tuff layer and marl are exposed over a large area in Ramat Hanadiv and play an important role in the area’s landscape and vegetation. This volcanic tuff is exposed in wadis (valleys created by dry river-beds) and in morphological depressions and steps, where the topographic slope is moderate. The deepest and most developed soils of Ramat Hanadiv are found in these areas.

The faults and the tuff layers affect the streams which flow to the east. These streams become wide and deep when passing and curving along faults and in the vicinity of the tuff zone. Their edges are steep and resemble a bathtub. The easily eroded and weathered soft tuff widened the streams’ paths and caused the banks to collapse; resulting in the steep cliffs above. .

Physiographic and Landscape Units
The Ramat Hanadiv area includes internal valleys created above soft material (tuff and marl). The most significant one is a flat terrain valley in the centre of the area, giving the place its name (rama means a raised plateau).

The main landscape units in the area include:

  • Hard limestone hills and slopes – moderate hills which spread over most of the area. Comprised mostly of Shuna formation limestone and covered by Terra Rosa soil, this unit is covered by a natural forest with a range of density levels.
  • Western Cliff on the western border of the Carmel; comprised of mainly hard dolomite (Zikhron Formation) and calcareous sandstone at its foot.
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Marly tuff exposures, creating intermediate moderate valleys between the hard limestone hills; Bright limestone-clay Rendzina soils develop above the tuff. The ‘Tuff Terraces’ are worthwhile
mentioning: this long and narrow unit surrounds the area from the west, above the cliff.

Wadis trenching the marly surface at the eastern part of Ramat Hanadiv. These wadis are enclosed by a series of Shuna limestone rocks.

  • Broad plain over a tuff valley – an extensive levelled area (around 150,000 m2 or 1,614,585 ft2), covered by a deep clayish soil .
  • Western Basin wadis: Cabara stream, Hanadiv stream and Timsach stream expose the Zikhron dolomite rocks and create a steep, gorge-like scenery. The landscape in this unit is rocky with shallow Terra Rosa type soil and usually low vegetation coverage.
  • The eastern ends of the area – a moderate slope leaning towards the Nadiv Valley and parallel to it. It is comprised of the hard Shuna formation limestone, covered by relatively deep Terra Rosa soil (due to the small slope and the stability of the area).

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Of further interest...

Accessibility

An accessible trail through the Nature Park

In the Nature Park at Ramat Hanadiv there are a number of spectacular hiking routes.

For further information >>

Sustainability

Establishment of the Partnership for Regional Sustainability

In 2015, Ramat Hanadiv established the Partnership for Regional Sustainability, aiming to combine forces for the quality of life in the region.

For further information >>

Dining Here

Dining

To complete your Ramat Hanadiv experience, you are cordially invited to enjoy the culinary pleasures of Mata’im, the cafe-restaurant on our premises.

For further information >>