Academic Expert: Ongoing War Obstructs Darfur Geology Studies

Academic Expert: Ongoing War Obstructs Darfur Geology Studies – Tersin Disaster Requires Research on Volcanic Activity and Mountain Structures -Khartoum Highlight

Geology expert Dr. Badr al-Din Ali Bashir, professor at Khartoum University, said ongoing conflict obstructs geological research in Darfur, especially Jebel Marra. He stressed that Darfur’s repeated conflicts and the current war are major obstacles to studying minerals and natural resources in Jabel Marra. Bashir explained the Tersin disaster needs urgent intervention and research identifying volcanically active areas and the nature of mountain structures. He said studying geological plates and climate records in Jebel Marra will help scientific teams uncover the underlying causes. The professor noted that landslides occur annually if heavy rainfall coincides with soil faults between tectonic plates.

Speaking to Khartoum Highlight, he said: “Jabel Marra is volcanic but has fertile volcanic soils cultivated by local communities.” He added: “These disasters may be worsened by human activities, including mining, without proper scientific blasting techniques.” Bashir explained: “Improper blasting may have caused this catastrophe — the complete destruction of Tersin village.” He called for sending a specialized team of geologists, environmental scientists, and chemists to study soils and surrounding areas. He noted that blasting uses dynamite, based on nitroglycerin and absorbents, or emulsion explosives that generate very high explosive pressure. “These methods can trigger landslides in water-saturated soils, especially in areas with medium or large geological faults,” he said. Bashir concluded: “With volcanic or sedimentary soils and heavy rain, conditions make landslides in Jebel Marra highly likely.”