The ophiolite of Northern Oman / Офиолиты Северного Омана

This memoir is based on studies by Open University (OU) and associated personnel between 1975-85 and represents a fullsome precis, correlation and evaluation of work presented in eleven Ph.D. theses and numerous scientific publications. In total, it represents some 48 man-years of effort. The names of persons associated with the research project at various times, together with their status and affiliation, are listed in the table below. 
Early in the reign of Sultan Quaboos the Oman Government began to welcome overseas scientists. Until then, only geologists of the PDO (Petroleum Development Oman) a part-Oman Government part-Shell International Company, had been allowed to work in the north of the Sultanate. Work by PDO scientists, particularly the classic study of the Oman mountains by K.W. Glennie and his coileagues (Glennie et al. 1974), although primarily concerned with sedimentary formations, provided a firm foundation for this ophiolite-orientated project. 
Our own association with the Oman began in 1975 when one of us (IGG), on a visit to King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, discussed with Dr A.O. Nasseef, President of that University and now Secretary General of the Muslim World League, the scientific desirability of investigating the Oman Ophiolite and its potential as a post-graduate training ground. Dr Nasseef contacted Dr El Boushi, then Geological Advisor to the Sultan of Oman, and as a result Gass & Dr Abdurrazzak Bakor (KAU), together with Drs J.D. Smewing and A.D. Lewis (OU Research Fellows) visited the Sultanate later that year <...>