A new stream of tourism is becoming evident in the Kingdom that could provide investment opportunities in tandem with new natural geosites as tourist destinations. A series of earthquakes that hit Jazan has brought about local and international tourists' attention to the area and with it renewed interests to new geological sites. A 5.1 magnitude earthquake that hit the Beesh governorate on Jan. 30 proved the trigger for many people to focus on the phenomenon. This last quake followed 27 smaller quakes. The phenomenon of geological tourism — the way by which each country protects its geological features and natural landscapes and by which public appreciate the value and beauty of these geo-heritage sites — could take root in the Kingdom. Authorities should aim to conserve and promote a place as a geosite. It is only after the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) report on the earthquakes that light was shed on the forgotten city and its natural geological treasures attracting international and local tourists. Interested parties in geological tourism now await detailed reports from the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA). The report will include active and recent quakes in the Jazan province affecting the ancient Arabian-Nubian Shield and the conical basaltic lava fields. Geological tourism is a very popular stream of tourism. The information provided by the Saudi Geological Survey is an initiative to support tourism and provide related data. Being knowledgeable about the different areas in the Kingdom and its geological structures mitigates the risks of danger and opens doors for investment opportunities. However, the SCTA should work with the related bodies to take appropriate measures to make use of the geological phenomena of the Kingdom and boost its economy through geological tourism. In raw state A lack of human activity in these geological sites has maintained its rawness, as proper procedures and measurements for geological tourism are yet to be developed by the SCTA. Visiting such geological sites is entirely the responsibility of the tourist. Such a responsibility entails collecting all needed information from weather and biological features of the area to safety and security. Tourists are expected to be familiar with and aware of survival tactics in areas where Civil Defense and emergency vehicles are not available. Information such as using only 4x4 vehicles in these areas is expected to be known to the tourists. The tourists must equip themselves with enough food and water, a GPS, a camera to take pictures and the required gears to survive, as such areas can be dangerous. It is advisable to go in groups rather than alone and have some form of satellite communication device in case connection is lost. It is also important to notify someone about the trip and how long it would take so they would be ready to act in an emergency, if necessary. Make sure to keep the place clean behind you as to not attract wild animals. Although these measures are of paramount importance, the types of tourists who seek such sites find these steps familiar rather than worrying. The diversity of Jazan Jazan is known as an important site on the geological tourism map for its limestone fossil caves, hot springs and sedimentary caves. These caves extend across a variety of geographical areas from the south to the north of the Kingdom. Hot springs Hot springs are among the most visited features by tourists for their unused and raw therapeutic minerals. However, hot springs can be dangerous as they cascade from groundwater through surface crevices. These springs often occur in volcanic areas such as the Red Sea coasts or the southwestern Kingdom. One of the most famous water springs in the Kingdom is located in the Daghbaj valley 31.89 km east of Alhiraidah village. The temperature there can go up to 44C. Rawan Alabeed water springs in the northeast of Jazan can go up to 58C. Bani Malik water springs in Wadi Damad can go up to 43C. The highest temperature of water springs goes up to 80C and is known as Amiqa water springs in Al-Laith in the Makkah province. In addition to the purifying and chemical characteristics of these water springs, they can also be used in farming and irrigation as well as extracting some acids and chemicals. The map of caves Caves are also among the notable geological features of the Kingdom. They are spread out in different areas and are of different sizes, some are wide and some are long. Caution must be the byword in going to such caves, especially with the tendency of tremblors in these areas. On the upside, it is considered a natural record the weather changes these areas undergo and the different animals and plants inhabited in them. Scientifically known as the sedimentary surfaces, the caves are mostly covered with limestone rocks. These geological features are found in the middle region of the Kingdom, the Eastern Province, the Northern Borders and Tabuk. Many of the caves in the Kingdom are a result of volcanic lavas forming tubes under the basaltic surfaces in the western part of the Arabian-Nubian Shield. These caves are found in Dahl and Harat. There are also sea caves, which happen as a result of coastal erosion near the Red Sea. These sea caves can develop into coastal arches with the persistence of coastal erosion. Extending at 1500 meters in length, 12 meters in height and 45 meters in width, Um Jarsan in north of Madinah is the largest cave in the Arab world and it contains historic evidences of human skulls, animal skeletons, and old scriptures dating back to thousands of years. The important question, however, is that why these treasures have been not been invested in yet. By investing in geological tourism we will attract a variety of interested tourists and preserve the wonders of the Kingdom.
