Mada’in Saleh, northwest of Saudi Arabia, has attractive tombs carved in the outcrop cliffs of sandstone. The present study aims to evaluate the geoenvironmental hazards and to determine the main decay factors in the Mada’in Saleh tombs, using different analytical methods to support appropriate decisions. Besides field observations, meteorological data, optical, polarizing, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction analysis were used to examine the stone samples. Mada’in Saleh outcrop cliffs are formed of Quweria sandstone (Cambrian). Petrographical analysis reveals that the sandstone detrital grains are composed of monocrystalline and polycrystalline quartz in addition to minor amounts of mica and clay minerals. According to SEM observations, the disintegration of clay minerals and salt crystallization are the major factors in the decay of Qasr Al-Farid’s tomb. The daily high temperature sometimes exceeds 44 °C; wind erosion and relative humidity can cause continuous wetting-drying cycles on the stone surfaces.

沙特阿拉伯西北部的玛达琳·萨利赫（Mada'in Saleh）在砂岩露头的悬崖上刻有迷人的墓穴。本研究旨在评估地质环境危害，并使用不同的分析方法来支持适当的决策，从而确定马达因萨利赫墓中的主要腐烂因子。除了现场观察外，还使用气象数据，光学，偏振，扫描电子显微镜和X射线衍射分析来检查石材样品。Mada'in Saleh露头悬崖由Quweria砂岩（寒武纪）形成。岩石学分析表明，砂岩碎屑颗粒除少量云母和粘土矿物外，还由单晶和多晶石英组成。根据SEM的观察，粘土矿物的崩解和盐的结晶是卡斯尔·法里德陵墓衰败的主要因素。每日高温有时会超过44°C；风蚀和相对湿度会导致石材表面持续不断的干湿循环。