Moftah Hasan EL-SHAWAIHDI New Mexico ... - New Mexico Tech

Moftah Hasan EL-SHAWAIHDI
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Earth and Environmental Science Department
801 Leroy Place, Socorro, 87801, NM.
E-mail; mhshaw@nmt.edu
PRESENT EDUCATION
Spring 2009: PhD Student at the Earth and Environmental Department,
Geology/Geochemistry,
• Institution: New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMTech), Socorro,
NM.
• Proposed Thesis Title; Geology and Geochemistry of the Sahabi Formation and the
Related Formations, Northeast, Sirt Basin, Libya.
PREVIOUS EDUCATION
Master of Philosophy. (Mphil) 2002-2004
• Institution: The University of Sheffield, Department of Geography, Sorby Geological
Group, Sheffield, England, United Kingdom.
• Thesis: Sedimentology and Palaeoenvironment of the Lincolnshire Limestone
Formation, Middle Jurassic (Bajocian), Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire, England.
Note: The Mphil Degree in the United Kingdom Universities is two years of research project with thesis up
to 80.000 words.
Bachelor of Science (BSc) 1991-1995
• Institution: The University of Garyounis, Department of Earth Science, Faculty of
Science, Benghazi-Libya.
• Thesis: It is consists of two parts.
1. Geology of the area between Wadi Al-Karshah and Wadi EZzad, Northeast Libya,
Sector (V).
2. The study of the Palaeocurrent, Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of the Wadi Al-
Farigh Member of the Sahabi Formation, Sahabi Area.
WORK EXPERIENCE
• Since 1995. I built up a very good experience and knowledge in the Sahabi Area
Northeast Libya and from that time onward, I assisted an American and European
Geologic team (Spain, Germany, Netherland, Greece, and Denmark.
• 2006 –Present, I’m the 2 nd Libyan Co-director of the Sahabi Project (see the brief
history of the project and the area) after the American Director Prof, Noel Boaz from
Oregon State and the 1 st Libyan Co-director Mr., Ahmed El-Kawafi.
• 2005-2008 As Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Earth Science, University of
Garyounis, taught the following courses; Physical Geology, Exercise in Physical
Geology, Sedimentary Petrology, Stratigraphy, Geological Field Methods and
Geological Project (Advising and Supervising Students in their final geological
project for BSc Degree Graduation).

• 1999-2001 As Permanent Demonstrator (TA) assisting for teaching the following
courses; Physical Geology, Exercise in Physical Geology, Geological Field
Methods.
• 1996-1998 Work as Volunteer for the Social Services in the Department of Earth
Science, University of Garyounis, Benghazi-Libya.
• 1996-1998 Work as Mud Logger in the Oil Fields for the Libyan Local Oil
Company (Jawf) and Arabian Golf Oil Company (AGOCO).
PUBLICATIONS
SHAWAIHDI, M. AND AL TRABOLCI, T. (2008). The Wadi Al-Farigh Member of the
Sahabi Formation. Edited by Boaz et.al., In the Circum-Mediterranean Geology and Biotic Evolution
During the Neogene Period: The Perspective from Libya. Garyounis Scientific Bulletin, Special
Issue, No. 5. pp. 71-83.
MUFTAH, A, M., SALLOUM, F, M., SHAWAIHDI, H. M., AND AL FAITURI, S, M.,
(2008). A Contribution to the Stratigraphy of the Formations of the As Sahabi Area, Sirt
Basin, Libya. Edited by Boaz et.al., In the Circum-Mediterranean Geology and Biotic Evolution During
the Neogene Period: The Perspective from Libya. Garyounis Scientific Bulletin, Special Issue, No.
5. pp. 33-45.
Brief History of the Sahabi Area and the Project
Organized palaeontological fieldwork in the area of sedimentary outcrops surrounding the
historic fort of Qasr as Sahabi has taken place during three periods of time: the mid to late
1930’s by Italian expeditions directed by Carlo Petrocchi, the late 1970’s to early 1980’s by the
International Sahabi Research Project (ISRP), and current work under the auspices of the
international East Libya Neogene Research Project (ELNRP). As Sahabi yielded to Petrocchi
seven species new to science. Five species new to science have been discovered at As Sahabi
since 1979. Initial fossil discoveries and most of the original 62 Petrocchi localities were in the
vicinity of the As Sahabi fort. These localities in upper Members U and V of the Sahabi
Formation have now been re-located, accurately positioned, and re-surveyed by the ELNRP.
Original ISRP fossil localities were mainly located along the better exposed sediments to the
west of the Sebkhat al Qunayyin, east and north of the As Sahabi fort, primarily in lower
Member U of the Sahabi Formation. These spatial and stratigraphic differences between
Petrocchi and ISRP localities account for observed differences in the two faunal assemblages.
Ongoing geological research is aimed at elucidating the temporal and sedimentary facies
variations that explain the differences in taxonomic make-up and evolutionary stages within the
As Sahabi fauna. The historic initiation of drilled boreholes to elucidate the subsurface
stratigraphy and the successful application of absolute geochronology are major steps in the
research program of the ELNRP. Collections of fossils and geological samples from As Sahabi
are housed at the Earth Sciences Museum of the University of Garyounis (ISRP and ELNRP)
and at the Libyan National Museum (early Italian collections). Ongoing research at As Sahabi
and Jabal Zaltan by the ELNRP will increase palaeontological collections and heighten the need
for specialist training, making museum and university collaborations essential.
Prof. Noel T. Boaz
Prof. Ali El-Arnauti
Prof. Paris Pavlakis

Participants in the “International Conference on the Biotic and Climatic Effects of the Messinian
Event in the Circum-Mediterranean” held at the Islamic Call Society Conference Center,
Benghazi, January, 1995. (Try to find me).
Participants at the research conference and workshop “Euro-African Biotic Evolution in the
Neogene,” November 24, 2006, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. Leftright,
front row: Angeliki Efstathiou, Jordi Agusti, Constantinos Doukas; second row: Fathi
Salloum, Dimitris Michailidis, Raymonde Bonnefille, Mohammed Al-Faitouri, Paris Pavlakis,
Noel Boaz, Brenda Benefit, Alexandra Vandergeer; third row: Nick Drake, Wilma Wessels,
Ahmed El-Hawat, Socratis Rouseakis, Moftah Shawaihdi, Monte McCrosssin. Not pictured:
Silvia Sorbi, George Theodorou, and Michail Dermizakis.

ELNRP field team at As Sahabi, September 19, 2006. The field teams in 2006 and 2007 carried
the flag of the Explorers Club, New York. L-R: Fathi Salloum, Ahmed Muftah, Mohammed
Al-Faitouri, Noel Boaz, Moftah Shawaidhi. Kneeling; Driver.
ELNRP Field Crew, February-March, 2007

Photographs of sediments in the Sahabi Formation (left and above right), and Formation “M”
(below right)
View of outcrop of the Wadi Al-Farigh Member of the Sahabi Formation showing large-scale
planar cross-bedding, looking southeast