Scientific Basis of the Geoheritage and Geotouristic Values of the 641 AD Al Madinah Eruption Site in the Al Madinah Volcanic Field, Kingdom ofSaudi Arabia

摘要

Recent volcanological and volcanic hazard studies on the youngest volcanic fields in the western ArabianPeninsula, such as the Al Madinah Volcanic Field (AMVF) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, resulted in the systematicevaluation, characterization and recording of their volcanic geoheritage. The two youngest volcanic eruptions of theAMVF were in 641 AD and 1256 AD, as documented in historic records. Both eruption sites are located nearby the holycity of Al Madinah and therefore offer a unique opportunity to develop geoheritage, geoconservation and geotourismprojects. Here we present geological evidence to justify the location of a visitor and education center at the 641 ADeruption site, a future gateway to the proposed Al Madinah Volcanic Geopark. The inferred location of the 641 ADeruption consists of four cones that are located in a suburban area of Al Madinah city, outside of its “haram” area (an arearestricted for Muslims only). The four cones formed through a broad array of volcanic processes that represent a completespectrum of the volcanic processes recorded in the whole AMVF. Here we provide a detailed description of the volcanicfeatures of these four cones and contrast these features with the broader volcanic heritage of the AMVF to provide astrong scientific basis to the establishment of a visitor and geoeducation center in the vicinity of these four cones. We alsoprovide some basic data on the potential benefit and touristic value of such a project as a potential gateway to the newlyproposed Harrat Al Madinah Volcanic Geopark.