Geomorphology of Estuaries along the Coast of Al Batnan Plateau between Wadi Al Audah in the East and Wadi Al Karath in the West, NE- Libya

This study deals with geomorphology of the estuaries along the coastal area of Al Butanat plateau. It aims to decipher their general features and landscapes associated with them, as well as the interrelationship of their morphometric and natural characteristics.  Genesis and factors controls their development are also objectives of the investigation, in addition to their applied importance.
Morphometric analysis shows a diverse characteristics of these estuaries.  The variation includes all dimensions aspects; area, degree of shore line irregularities, depth of inland entrenchment and bay's trends. The total area of the eateries is 2,3 km², and the total length of the irregular coast line is 37.5 km and the straight coast is 17.5 km.
Person association factor has shown twenty two correlate statistical relationships at 0.01 and 0.05 levels between morphometric variables and displayed the strength and the impact among them
Estuaries are associated with a verities of geomorphologic features such as: shoreline and coastal sand dune, channels, sebkha and alluvial deposits, in addition to arches, wave cut platforms, marine caves and marine potholes.
The study has revealed that estuaries have developed in three stages, the first stages prevailed during the Wuerm (20000 years) before present, through this period, drop in the base level forced the rivers to rejuvenate and deepening their courses to reach the newly formed base level.  The second stage is the formation of estuaries during the Holocene time (10000 -4000 years B.C).  The sea level raised during this stage and flooded the rivers mouths for hundreds of meters and estuaries formed.  The last stages (3000 years B.C. to the present) the sea level retreated to its current position and dry climate prevailed the area and estuaries has appeared in its current shape.
The applied aspects as revealed by the study are, estuaries can be used as tourist sites, harbors, coast Guard watching points and their associated floodplains are site for agricultures.