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the Degree Confluence Project
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Jordan

20.7 km (12.9 miles) NE of Azraq al-Durūz, Mafraq, Jordan
Approx. altitude: 622 m (2040 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 32°S 143°W

Accuracy: 4 m (13 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: View to the North #3: View to the East #4: View to the South #5: View to the West #6: Ground zero #7: GPS reading #8: The confluence hunter #9: Two cairns at the Confluence #10: Flowers 50 m east of the Confluence

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  32°N 37°E (visit #3)  

#1: The Confluence

(visited by Rainer Mautz)

17-Apr-2009 -- This report is the third out of a series of four confluence visits. The story starts from 31N 36E.

We spend the last day of our one-week vacation in Jordan in the oasis Azraq. In its vicinity, there are various historical desert castles from the Omayades (6th century) that can be visited.

In the morning we left Azraq at 8:30 a.m. towards the road to Ṣafāwiyy that links Jordan with its neighbour country Iraq. After we had driven half an hour, we had minimised the beeline distance from originally 23 km down to 3.9 km. This is how close you can get by road. We parked our tiny Chevrolet on a small side road that runs parallel to the main traffic route. As usual, I opted for my light-weight running approach, i.e. taking only the minimum required equipments with me: GPS and camera. However, this time there was no way I could run. The area is densely covered with black volcanic rocks. That's why the desert is called 'basalt desert'. In order to get forward I had to jump from one rock to another or alternatively find a spot for my feet between these rocks. But since I was not in a hurry, I took my time and reached the CP after about one hour without breaking my ankle. I found two cairns at the Confluence, probably build by previous visitors.

Interestingly, there must have been heavy rains the days before – a rare event – and the CP area was wet and muddy. 50 m east of the Confluence has accumulated a lake where yellow flowers have started to grow between the basaltic rocks. The lake can be noticed with Google Earth.

My way back was slightly quicker, because I could partially follow a track that meant a deviation, but allowed for running fast. We drove back to `Ammān where we visited the fourth and last confluence of our trip to Jordan.

CP visit details:

  • Beeline distance from car parking: 3.9 km
  • Walking time (incl. return): 1h 45min
  • Time at the CP: 9:39 a.m.
  • Measured height: 623 m
  • Position accuracy at the CP: 4 m
  • Minimal distance to the CP: 0 m
  • Vegetation: none but the yellow flowers 50 m south to the Confluence.
  • Distance to a road: 3.9 km
  • Distance to houses: probably 7.5 km, it is the historical desert castle Qaṣr Usaykhim
  • Topography: generally flat, slight hills
  • Weather: fair, 17° C (felt temperature), strong wind
  • Description of the CP: Located in the north-central part of Jordan, 23 km north-east of Azraq along the al-Šimāliyy road in the basalt desert.
  • Given Name: The Basalt Rock Confluence

Story continues at 32N 37E.


 All pictures
#1: The Confluence
#2: View to the North
#3: View to the East
#4: View to the South
#5: View to the West
#6: Ground zero
#7: GPS reading
#8: The confluence hunter
#9: Two cairns at the Confluence
#10: Flowers 50 m east of the Confluence
ALL: All pictures on one page