The geological stratigraphy of the Shephelah is primarily composed of white chalk with chert lenses covered by a thick calcrete crust, known locally as nari. The chalk is of the middle Eocene Age, being the Shephelah group Maresha and Adulam members of the Zor‘ah formation. Relics of Neocene and Pleistocene sediments cover the Shephelah group by the following formations: Ziqlag, composed of bioclastic limestone and coralline and algal reefs; Beit Nir, composed of conglomerate altered to nari; Pleshet (in the lower Shephelah), composed of Calcareous pebbly sandstone; Ahuzam and Nahshon, composed of conglomerate of river terraces.

Oren Ackermann.2011.Environmental Background: Conditions of the Area in General.pp:5