Makhtesh

A makhtesh has steep walls of resistant rock surrounding a deep closed valley, which is usually drained by a single wadi.

The valleys have limited vegetation and soil, containing a variety of different colored rocks and diverse fauna and flora.

Although commonly referred to as "craters", these formations are "erosion cirques" (steephead valleys or box canyons).

The upper half consists of hard limestone and dolomite, and the bottom is friable sandstone.

[citation needed] Several similar geological formations are also found in Wadi Rum in southern Jordan.