Libyan Desert Research Articles

Mapping a Blank Spot and Making Empty Spaces Geographic and Cartographic Ontology in Italian Topographic Mapping of the Southern Libyan Desert in the 1930s

This study explores the ontological assumptions of mapping as active processes, rather than passive representations and discusses the need for pragmatic guidelines in map-making, as maps only acquire meaning through their users’ minds and bodies. The paper presents historical examples of Italian colonial topographic mapping of the southern Libyan Desert during the 1930s. It emphasizes the interconnected histories of geographical exploration, social and cultural contexts, and technical practices. The paper argues that the ‘empty spaces’ on maps reflect intentional choices made by cartographers, not insufficient data. The performative nature and diverse sociocultural conditions of maps need to be considered to understand their meaning and use.

The Integration of Renewable Energy into a Fossil Fuel Power Generation System in Oil-Producing Countries: A Case Study of an Integrated Solar Combined Cycle at the Sarir Power Plant

Libya is facing a serious challenge in its sustainable development because of its complete dependence on traditional fuels in meeting its growing energy demand. On the other hand, more intensive energy utilization accommodating multiple energy resources, including renewables, has gained considerable attention. This article is motivated by the obvious need for research on this topic due to the shortage of applications concerning the prospects of the hybridization of energy systems for electric power generation in Libya. The 283 MW single-cycle gas turbine operating at the Sarir power plant located in the Libyan desert is considered a case study for a proposed Integrated Solar Combined Cycle (ISCC) system. By utilizing the common infrastructure of a gas-fired power plant and concentrating solar power (CSP) technology, a triple hybrid system is modeled using the EES programming tool. The triple hybrid system consists of (i) a closed Brayton cycle (BC), (ii) a Rankine cycle (RC), which uses heat derived from a parabolic collector field in addition to the waste heat of the BC, and (iii) an organic Rankine cycle (ORC), which is involved in recovering waste heat from the RC. A thermodynamic analysis of the developed triple combined power plant shows that the global power output ranges between 416 MW (in December) and a maximum of 452.9 MW, which was obtained in July. The highest overall system efficiency of 44.3% was achieved in December at a pressure ratio of 12 and 20% of steam fraction in the RC. The monthly capital investment cost for the ISCC facility varies between 52.59 USD/MWh and 58.19 USD/MWh. From an environmental perspective, the ISCC facility can achieve a carbon footprint of up to 319 kg/MWh on a monthly basis compared to 589 kg/MWh for the base BC plant, which represents a reduction of up to 46%. This study could stimulate decision makers to adopt ISCC power plants in Libya and in other developing oil-producing countries.

Solving the mystery of Libyan desert glass

Solving the mystery of Libyan desert glass

Combined Neutron and X‐Ray Tomography—A Versatile and Non‐Destructive Tool in Planetary Geosciences

AbstractWith several upcoming sample return missions, such as the Mars Sample Return Campaign, non‐destructive methods will be key to maximizing their scientific output. In this study, we demonstrate that the combination of neutron and X‐ray tomography provides an important tool for the characterization of such valuable samples. These methods allow quantitative analyses of internal sample features and also provide a guide for further destructive analyses with little to no sample treatment, which maintains sample integrity, including minimizing the risk of potential contamination. Here, we present and review the results from four case studies of terrestrial impactites and meteorites along with their analytical setup. Using combined X‐ray and neutron tomography, a Ni‐Fe silicide spherule, that is, projectile material, was located within a Libyan Desert Glass sample and the distribution of hydrous phases was pinpointed in selected impactite samples from the Chicxulub IODP‐ICDP Expedition 364 drill core and the Luizi impact structure, as well as in the Miller Range 03346 Martian meteorite.

Energy Performance of Vernacular Architecture in Various Desert Climates

Summer 2022 is officially the 2nd hottest summer in France since 1900. It resulted in three episodes of heat waves over a total of thirty-three days. Heat waves are characterized by very high temperatures (exceeding seasonal averages) during the day and night for at least three consecutive days. According to initial estimates, it caused a surplus of more than 11,000 deaths in 2022 in France. In France, despite new thermal standards, the thermal comfort of new housing in hot weather remains very inadequate. Thanks to these empirical developments vernacular architecture has demonstrated its adaptation in particularly harsh climates. The objective of this research is to understand the design strategies of four vernacular houses located in four deserts (Algerian Sahara, Arizona, Libyan desert, and Yemen) to ensure summer comfort in hot environments. The thermal behavior of these four vernacular houses has been studied through dynamic thermal simulations performed with the software ‘ArchiWIZARD’, using the same climate conditions. The results are interpreted in terms of operative temperature and related to building compacity. They show how vernacular architecture, located in desert climates, considered summer thermal comfort with design strategies. The thermal inertia of the four case studies is characterized by the daily thermal damping. The results also show the contribution of natural night ventilation on the energy performance of these four vernacular architectures in hot and arid climates.

Agricultural waste in Libya as a resource for biochar and methane production: An analytical study

This study aims to analyse the possibility of exploiting agricultural waste in Libya to produce biochar and methane gas, and to evaluate the technical, economic and environmental aspects associated with this technology. In this study, the focus was on seven agricultural projects located in the Libyan desert, where these projects contain many varieties of Crops. A region with a total area of 5.36×106 ha was explored from Benghazi to Dernah eastward including the Green Mountain (Libya). For literary analysis, peer-reviewed scientific publications for 2018-2023 were selected from reliable bibliometric databases Scopus, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, since these databases have the greatest coverage of peer-reviewed publications. To study the biomass potential of the region, the Bioenergy Tool developed by IRENA was used. The study showed that agricultural residues available in Libya can be used Libya, such as grain straw, palm trees, and others, in the production of biochar and methane gas, using pyrolysis techniques to convert agricultural waste into biochar and methane gas. The study indicates that this technology can be cost-effective and environmentally effective, and that many environmental and economic benefits can be achieved, such as improving air quality, increasing agricultural land productivity, and providing new job opportunities.

The Libyan Desert as a Space of Experience: Richard A. Bermann as Chronicler of the 1933 Almásy-Expedition

Abstract: Richard A. Bermann (1883–1939) was a prominent Austrian travel writer who wrote for prestigious newspapers in Berlin, Vienna and Prague and published a dozen travelogues and adventure novels set in foreign destinations from Brazil to the Sudan and Samoa. In March 1933, as part of a group around Count László Almásy, he embarked on an expedition into the largely unmapped heart of the Libyan Desert. Very quickly it became obvious that Bermann was physically and mentally overwhelmed by the exertions of desert exploration but also underprepared for the complexity of material and discursive practices accumulated in centuries of desert exploration. In spite of these challenges, Bermann published a series of articles about the journey for a Viennese newspaper, a book-length travelogue and a report for the Geographical Society in London. It was this report that inspired Canadian novelist Michael Ondaatje to write his global bestseller The English Patient . Richard A. Bermann (1883–1939) war ein bekannter österreichischer Reiseautor der für die großen Zeitungen in Berlin, Prag und Wien Reisereportagen verfasste, dazu Reisebücher und Abenteuerromane, die an weit entfernten Schauplätzen spielen. Im März 1933 brach er mit einer Gesellschaft, die von Graf László Almásy angeführt wurde, zu einer Expedition in eine bisher unkartierte Gegend der Libyschen Wüste auf. Bermann hatte Erfahrung in der Berichterstattung aus abgelegenen Weltgegenden, doch auf dieser Expedition stieß er an seine Grenzen. Ihm wurde bald klar, dass ihn die Anstrengungen der Wüste physisch und mental überforderten. Trotz dieser Herausforderungen verfasste er Artikel für eine Wiener Zeitung, einen Reisebericht in Buchlänge und einen Bericht für die Geographische Gesellschaft in London, auf dem der kanadische Schriftsteller Michael Ondaatje seinen Bestseller-Roman The English Patient basierte.

ZIBARS: Distribution, morphology and environmental controls

Zibar is an Arabic word for aeolian bedforms that are coarse-grained, of limited relief, have no slipfaces, and occur on sand sheets and within interdune corridors of many sand seas. They may also be called granule-armored dunes, undulations, transverse aeolian ridges, mega-ripples, giant ripples, and chevrons and whalebacks. Zibars, though very extensive, are by no means ubiquitous in the world’s aeolian environments. They occur in thirteen main locations in dry, warm deserts: Algodones, USA; Gran Desierto, Mexico; eastern Mauritania; Ubari, Libya; Libyan Desert; Erg of Fachi-Bilma/Tenéré; Selima, Sudan; Namib, Namibia; Lut, Iran; southern Rub’ al Khali, Arabia; Thar, India; Kumtagh, China; and Atacama, Peru. They can occur as transverse ridges, as parabolic shapes, and as oblique features. In many regions they tend to have a spacing of around 8 to 14 per km. They tend to be modest in height, varying between tens of centimeters to up to c 6–8 m. All researchers seem to agree that they are mound-like forms without slipfaces and that their slope angles are no more than 5-15o. Nearly all zibars occur in the interdunes between various types of linear dune. They are composed of ill-sorted sand, often with a large coarse component.

Libyan Desert Glass: New evidence for an extremely high-pressure-temperature impact event from nanostructural study

Abstract The origin of Libyan Desert Glass (LDG) found in the western parts of Egypt close to the Libyan border is debated in planetary science. Two major theories of its formation are currently competing: (1) melting by airburst and (2) formation by impact-related melting. While mineralogical and textural evidence for a high-temperature event responsible for the LDG formation is abundant and convincing, minerals and textures indicating high shock pressure have been scarce. This paper provides a nanostructural study of the LDG, showing new evidence of its high-pressure and high-temperature origin. We mainly focused on the investigation of Zr-bearing and phosphate aggregates enclosed within LDG. Micro- and nanostructural evidence obtained with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are spherical inclusions of cubic, tetragonal, and orthorhombic (Pnma or OII) zirconia after zircon, which indicate high-pressure, high-temperature decomposition of zircon and possibly, melting of ZrO2. Inclusions of amorphous silica and amorphous Al-phosphate with berlinite composition (AlPO4) within mosaic whitlockite and monazite aggregates point at decomposition and melting of phosphates, which formed an emulsion with SiO2 melt. The estimated temperature of the LDG melts was above 2750 °C, approaching the point of SiO2 boiling. The variety of textures with different degrees of quenching immediately next to each other suggests an extreme thermal gradient that existed in LDG through radiation cooling. Additionally, the presence of quenched orthorhombic OII ZrO2 provides direct evidence of high-pressure (>13.5 GPa) conditions, confirming theory 2, the hypervelocity impact origin of the LDG.

Sur la presence d'un bois de meliacees dans le tertiaire du fezzan oriental : Entandrophragmoxylon boureaui louvet

The fossil wood described in this paper (Entandrophragmoxylon boureaui Louvet, cotype, Meliacees), has been discovered in the Tertiary of the Libyan Desert (Eo-Oligocene of the Eastern Fezzan).

Mechanical Properties of Oxide Glasses

Research Article| May 01, 2022 Mechanical Properties of Oxide Glasses Bruno Poletto Rodrigues; Bruno Poletto Rodrigues Otto Schott Institute of Materials Research, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Theany To; Theany To Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Morten M. Smedskjaer; Morten M. Smedskjaer Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Lothar Wondraczek Lothar Wondraczek Otto Schott Institute of Materials Research, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany lothar.wondraczek@uni-jena.de Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry (2022) 87 (1): 229–281. https://doi.org/10.2138/rmg.2022.87.06 Article history first online: 01 May 2022 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Bruno Poletto Rodrigues, Theany To, Morten M. Smedskjaer, Lothar Wondraczek; Mechanical Properties of Oxide Glasses. Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry 2022;; 87 (1): 229–281. doi: https://doi.org/10.2138/rmg.2022.87.06 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyReviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry Search Advanced Search Oxide glasses are among the oldest known types of man-made materials (Harden 1968); they have become ubiquitous in modern life, from windows, containers and tableware to optical fiber. Even before any synthetic glass was ever produced, glasses occurring in nature were already used in the form of tools or jewelry. While for the latter, the peculiar optical properties of transparent variants of natural glasses (such as Libyan desert glass) were of interest, knives or arrowheads made from obsidian benefitted from the characteristic mechanical behavior, which manifests in sharp fracture edges and high stiffness. There are various natural processes... You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.

A cautionary signal from the Red Sea on the impact of increased dust activity on marine microbiota

BackgroundGlobal climate change together with growing desertification is leading to increased dust emissions to the atmosphere, drawing attention to possible impacts on marine ecosystems receiving dust deposition. Since microorganisms play important roles in maintaining marine homeostasis through nutrient cycling and carbon flow, detrimental changes in the composition of marine microbiota in response to increased dust input could negatively impact marine health, particularly so in seas located within the Global Dust Belt. Due to its strategic location between two deserts and unique characteristics, the Red Sea provides an attractive semi-enclosed “megacosm” to examine the impacts of large dust deposition on the vastly diverse microbiota in its exceptionally warm oligotrophic waters.ResultsWe used culture-independent metagenomic approaches to assess temporal changes in the Red Sea microbiota in response to two severe sandstorms, one originated in the Nubian Desert in the summer 2016 and a second one originated in the Libyan Desert in the spring 2017. Despite differences in sandstorm origin and meteorological conditions, both sandstorms shifted bacterial and Archaeal groups in a similar mode. In particular, the relative abundance of autotrophic bacteria declined while those of heterotrophic bacteria, particularly Bacteroidetes, and Archaea increased. The changes peaked within six days from the start of sandstorms, and the community recovered the original assemblage within one month.ConclusionOur results suggest that increased dust emission with expanding desertification could lead to undesirable impacts in ocean function, enhancing heterotrophic processes while reducing autotrophic ones, thereby affecting the marine food web in seas receiving dust deposition.

ORNAMENTAL DECORATION OF THE EARLY CHRISTIAN MAUSOLEUM CHAPEL OF EXODUS (KHARGA OASIS, EGYPT): ROLE, CONNOTATIONS, DATING

The Chapel of Exodus is a small Coptic mausoleum located in the outskirts of the oasis of Kharga in Libyan Desert (Egypt). It is famous for its elaborated pictorial program which is loosely dated back to the late 4th through the early 5th century A.D. While its figure paintings have long been under the academic scrutiny, the decorative program has not so far attracted the scholars’ attention. Meanwhile, the non-figured decorations usually tell the story of their own, and the study of the decorative programs can be highly enlightening. This is exactly the case of the Chapel of Exodus. The style and color palette of the decorative paintings stand in stark contrast to the figure scenes. While the latter look rather outdated for the suggested timespan, the former seem precocious in many ways. The decorative program is holistic, polychromic and rich in ornamental motifs, which is unusual for Egyptian murals of the 5th century A.D., while being characteristic of the 6th century decorations of Christian churches. Painted imitations of spiral fluted columns also support the idea of later dating. Moreover, the holistic character of the program and accent on precious stone veneer imitations underline the high status of the mausoleum owner. It seems plausible that by the time when the decorative program was added (presumably, in the 6th century), the 5th century mausoleum had become an important commemorative monument.

Египетские экспедиционные надписи IV династиии древние природные ландшафты Западной (Ливийской) пустыни

The Middle Holocene epoch in northeastern Africa was marked by a steady trend towards aridization. However, the transformation of ecosystems and natural landscapes was gradual and had a complex nature. This change directly affected the development of the first ancient Egyptian centralized state as well as the development of its resource base beyond the Nile Valley. This study addresses the problem of using ancient Egyptian epigraphic sources (expeditionary inscriptions) for the study of both paleolandscapes and ecosystems of the Western (Libyan) Desert and the possible socio-economic impact of their change. The author studies several graffiti, which are believed to have preserved information on natural conditions near the Dakhla oasis and in the region of Wadi Toshka during the time of construction of the great pyramids (Fourth Dynasty). The author concludes that it is quite easy to make misleading assumptions when interpreting expeditionary artefacts. At the same time, as an example with an unusual toponym from the quarries near Wadi Toshka demonstrates, even the shortest graffiti can provide researchers with important additional information on possible changes in the ancient climate and landscape.

Identification of some Pathogenic Organisms Involved in Rotting of the Libyan Tirmania Truffles

Truffles are ectomycorrhizal fungi that grow symbiotically with several trees. Truffles are highly valued edible mycorrhizae fungi in economic and gastronomic terms. Desert truffles have been traditionally used as food in Libya. The rotting of truffle due to environmental factors is very common in Libya. The mechanism of truffle rot is complex and attributed mainly due to the infection with fungi, followed by bacteria. In order to document and highlight the rotting of Libyan Desert truffle phenomenon, the existence of microorganisms in the infected fruit body of Tirmania truffles has been investigated. The investigations showed changes in physical characteristics such as color, hardness, and humidity of the studied truffle samples. Also, the results showed a diversity of pathogens involved in the deterioration of truffle includes bacteria (Bacillus pumilus, Citrobacteryoungea), saprophytic fungi (Fusarium solani, Alternariachlamydosporia, and Rhizopusstolonifer). This study concluded the importance of studying microbial flora living in truffle and their environment. Keywords: Libyan Desert truffle; Tirmania; Rotting; Pathogens

Origin of β-cristobalite in Libyan Desert Glass: The hottest naturally occurring silica polymorph?

Abstract Identifying and determining the origin of β-cristobalite, a high-temperature silica polymorph, in natural samples is challenging as it is rarely, if ever, preserved due to polymorphic transformation to α-cristobalite at low temperature. Formation mechanisms for β-cristobalite in high-silica rocks are difficult to discern, as superheating, supercooling, bulk composition, and trace element abundance all influence whether cristobalite crystallizes from melt or by devitrification. Here we report a study of α-cristobalite in Libyan Desert Glass (LDG), a nearly pure silica natural glass of impact origin found in western Egypt, using electron microprobe analysis (EMPA), laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The studied grains are mostly 250 μm in diameter and consist of ~150 μm wide cores surrounded by ~50 μm wide dendritic rims. Compositional layering in LDG continues across cristobalite grains and mostly corresponds to variations in Al content. However, layering is disrupted in cores of cristobalite grains, where Al distribution records oscillatory growth zoning, whereas in rims the high Al occurs along grain boundaries. Cristobalite cores thus nucleated within layered LDG at conditions that allowed mobility of Al into crystallographically controlled growth zones, whereas rims grew when Al was less mobile. Analysis of 37 elements indicates little evidence of preferential partitioning; both LDG and cristobalite are variably depleted relative to the upper continental crust, and abundance variations correlate to layering in LDG. Orientation analysis of {112} twin systematics in cristobalite by EBSD confirms that cores were formerly single β-cristobalite crystals. Combined with published experimental data, these results provide evidence for high-temperature (>1350 °C) magmatic crystallization of oscillatory zoned β-cristobalite in LDG. Dendritic rims suggest growth across the glass transition by devitrification, driven by undercooling, with transformation to α-cristobalite at low temperature. This result represents the highest formation temperature estimate for naturally occurring cristobalite, which is attributed to the near pure silica composition of LDG and anomalously high temperatures generated during melting by meteorite impact processes.

Potassium elemental and isotope constraints on the formation of tektites and element loss during impacts

Potassium elemental and isotope systematics were investigated for a suite of central European tektites from three strewn sub-fields in Czech Republic and possible parent sedimentary materials from the vicinity of the Ries impact structure in SE Germany, supplemented by data for several other impact-related materials (bediasites, Ivory Coast tektites, Libyan Desert Glass). This is paralleled by computation of potential K loss and attendant isotope fractionation for physico–chemical conditions typical for formation of tektite precursor melts. These theoretical calculations indicate a <0.1% loss of K from tektite precursor melts up to 2,500 K and <0.002‰ change in the 41K/39K ratio even for a small sphere of 0.002 m at 2,500 K, precluding any significant K loss and isotope fractionation. Numerical modelling also indicates that differential velocities between surrounding gas and liquid are not sufficient to remove the gaseous boundary layer, such that the partial pressure of potassium developed around the molten moldavite beads impedes further evaporation and also contributes to back-condensation of the already evaporated potassium.Central European tektites (moldavites) are enriched in K compared to the assumed sedimentary sources from the wider Ries area whereby the latter materials do not exceed 2.9 wt.% K2O compared to 2.5–4.1 wt.% K2O in moldavites. The apparent K enrichment in moldavites may be explained by a yet unaccounted process during formation of tektite precursor melts and/or unidentified source, such as volcanoclastic deposits that were produced by large Mid-Miocene volcanic centers in the Pannonian Basin. The K isotope compositions of tektites are more variable than those of sediments from the wider Ries area but they largely overlap (δ41K from −0.78 ± 0.03‰ to −0.13 ± 0.03‰ versus −0.72 ± 0.03‰ to −0.28 ± 0.02‰, respectively). These ranges mimic 41K/39K variations reported for igneous and sedimentary portions of the upper continental crust (δ41K roughly between −0.7 and −0.1‰). They show a slight difference among the three investigated strewn sub-fields, depending on their respective distance from the impact. In detail, moldavites from the closest strewn sub-field in the Cheb Basin show predominantly heavy K isotope compositions and those from the farthest strewn sub-field in Western Moravia are uniformly isotopically light. The origin of this difference may reflect lithological heterogeneity of the target area.Potassium contents in bediasites and Ivory Coast tektites range between 1.3 and 1.8 wt.% K2O and their corresponding δ41K values vary from −0.57 ± 0.02‰ to −0.41 ± 0.03‰. Both ranges are significantly narrower than those observed for moldavites. When compared to data for possible sedimentary precursors in the Chesapeake Bay and Bosumtwi impact structure, respectively, it is apparent that these tektites were neither depleted nor enriched in potassium. The extent of their K isotope fractionation relative to plausible sources remains unconstrained. The Libyan Desert Glass displays invariant δ41K of ~ −0.57 ± 0.06‰ at ≤0.01 wt.% K2O. Given the silica-rich nature of LDG and the lack of possible parent materials, no further constraints can be placed at present to further resolve the source material or reveal details of LDG formation process.

Inscriptions in Libyan script in the Libyan Desert and the island of Ferro: background and experiment in reading

Inscriptions in Libyan script in the Libyan Desert and the island of Ferro: background and experiment in reading

Dome dunes: Distribution and morphology

Dome dunes are mounds of sand that generally lack external slipfaces. There are two main types. Mini-domes are typically just a few metres in height and some tens of metres across. Some of these may either be proto- or degraded barchans and the two forms occur in close proximity. Large areas of mini-domes occur in Mauritania, the Libyan Desert of southern Egypt, the Danakil Depression of east Africa, and the Qaidam Basin of China. Mega-domes are tens of metres high and hundreds of metres in width. In Africa, they are found in the Grand Erg Occidental, the Grand Erg Oriental, the Murzuk and Ubari sandseas of Libya, the Qattara Depression of Egypt, and the Red Sea Province of Sudan. In Asia they occur in the Nefud of Saudi Arabia, the Rub’ al Khali, and the Taklimakan and Wulanbuhe Deserts of China. They have a range of morphologies, from almost perfectly circular through to elongated, triangular and barchanoid types. Morphometric analysis using Google Earth Pro demonstrates that the mean densities of mega-domes (per 100 km2) are 32.8, their heights average 66.1 m, and their widths average 1459 m.

Terrestrial target and melting site of Libyan Desert Glass: New evidence from trace elements and Sr isotopes

AbstractStrontium isotopes and selected trace elements (Rb, Sr, REE, Zr, Hf, Th, and U) were measured on samples of Libyan Desert Glass (LDG) and a series of terrestrial materials (rocks, LDG‐bearing soils, eolic sand) collected over a large area of southwestern Egypt to identify the LDG terrestrial parent material and the site where impact melting occurred. Samples include Upper Cretaceous hypersilicic sandstones outcropping at or near the LDG strewn field and Lower Cretaceous to Silurian sandstones from the Gilf Kebir Plateau highlands. Strontium isotopes and partially Zr, Hf, Th, and U, possibly reflecting the composition of detrital zircon grains, are effective indicators of the geochemical affinity between terrestrial materials and LDG, unlike Rb, Sr, and REE abundances. The best geochemical affinity with LDG was found in LDG‐bearing soils collected at the base of intradunal corridors in the Great Sand Sea. Remarkably, abundances of the Zr group elements of the LDG Zr‐bearing phase are distinct from all terrestrial detrital zircons from the area. We suggest a mixture of weathering products from sandstones of different ages, including Devonian and Silurian rocks from the Gilf Kebir highlands, as the most likely source for LDG. A loose sedimentary formation exposed 29 Ma ago at the Earth’s surface, superimposed over hard bedrock, might have been the true terrestrial target of the impact, but because of its incoherent nature, it was rapidly destroyed, explaining the complete absence of any evidence of an impact structure.