Wednesday, October 3, 2018
5:15 – 6:15 p.m.
Engineering Science Hall (building 9), hall 2
The Volcanic Geoheritage of Saudi Arabia
by Prof. Mohammed Rashad Hassan Moufti, King Abdulaziz University
Consultant, Saudi Commission for Tourism and Natural Heritage (SCTH)
In this presentation, Prof. Moufti will give an overview of the volcanic activity that occurred in the western region of Saudi Arabia, evaluate the region’s geoheritage value and suggest a strategy for how this region could be utilized to provide vital information to the scientific community and general public. Creation of Geoparks and development of geotouristic activities in the Harrats of Saudi Arabia, certainly will be a good strategy to enjoy the beauty of these distinctive areas.
In the western region of Saudi Arabia, a chain of volcanic ranges, locally referred to as harrats, form a very characteristic geomorphological feature that can be traced over 2000 km. The majority of these lava-dominated landforms formed in the past 10 million years, and known historic volcanic eruptions made the landscape alive and influenced human society.
The volcanic regions of western Saudi Arabia are unique due to their scientific value for understanding dispersed volcanism forming volcanic fields; their aesthetics and the overwhelming number of volcanoes that exist in the area; and their strong influence on the living nature that developed over them, including the human society that has flourished in this region for thousands of years. Overall, the harrats of Saudi Arabia can be viewed as forming a special region, with a high geoheritage value.
Light refreshments will be served at 5:00 before the conference.