Download Geotourism in the Oman Mountains Prof. Dr. Sobhi Nasir

Geotourism in the Oman Mountains
Prof. Dr. Sobhi Nasir
Department of Earth Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University
Geotourism
-‘Geotourism’ came into common usage from the mid-1990s
onwards: a very new concept
-“The provision of interpretative and service facilities to enable
tourists to acquire knowledge and understanding of the geology
of a site ” (Hose 1995; Komoo 1997; Joyce 2001).
-Geotourism: tourism related to geological sites and features
Geotourism represents restorative and reconstructive forms of
tourism that enhances a destination’s natural and cultural
distinctiveness, as well as provides a high-quality visitor
experience.
What geotourists may be seeking?
• The landscape and how it was developed ,
age, structure etc..
• Related aspects of geology such as rocks,
mineral and fossils
Who are geo-tourists?
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Ordinary tourists with a further interest in one or more aspects of geology
Dedicated amateur (and professional) geologists and geomorphologists
School and university students on field trips
Academic and teacher in conference field trip groups
Landscape photographers, artists, historians, etc
they generally prefer to remain within some 400-500 metres of their vehicle;
they arrive inadequately equipped;
they only want to pay a moderate entrance fee;
they limit their purchase to inexpensive souvenirs such as postcards, and the
like, rather than geoscience-focused field guides, maps, books. Hose (1998)
Who are geo-tourists?
They are consumers who take the most trips, spend the most money, and produce the
greatest volume of visitors overall. They represent a great value for economic
development
55 million Americans are now classified as "Geotourists," as
well as the nearly 100 million traveling Americans moving in that
direction, a growing phenomenon experienced in various parts
of the world (e.g. Germany).
Where do they go?
· Ichon Geosites e.g. Geotime pillow lava
· Collecting sites e.g. fossils and minerals at many sites world-wide
· Unusual and striking landscapes : e.g Jabal Akhdar, Jabal Shams
Why do they go to such geological sites?
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Because their friends and neighbours are going
Curiosity (publicity .in newspapers, magazines and TV)
To learn geology – as students, amateur students,
geotour participants
For a cultural experience (archaeology, history,
literature, art)
To photograph, sketch, paint, write stories and poems
To broaden their life experience
How can we assist Geoturism ?
providing information and interpretation:
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Dedicated books on the area, specifically for tourists
Geological signs
Booklets and Maps, videos, TV programs, films
Reference and reading lists
Guidelines for field and collecting (e.g. minerals, fossils)
What can we gain from geotourism?
* Raising awareness of geological sites.
* Gaining publicity for the protection of sites.
* Raising public awareness of other aspects of
geology such as risks and hazards.
* Creating employment and promoting economic
and educational development in Oman.
• Sites of importance to the
international community of Earth
scientists.
• Sites which contain exceptional
features.
• Sites which are nationally
important because they are
representative of a geological
feature, event or process
which is fundamental to geology.
The past is the key to the future
What are Geosites?
Geosites worldwide
Geological Sites/Oman
-With geotourism increasing in Oman, geosites provide a way to integrate
geological heritage with cultural features such as local history, archaeology,
art and music
-Selected Geosites will be territories wherein the geological heritage of Oman
is safeguarded and sustainably managed.
Why Oman?
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Oman has been regarded by the Geoscience community
as being the home of a significant number of worldclass geological sites.
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The spectacular Oman Mountains have an unusual and
extensive natural landscape which offer much to
geotourists
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Numerous areas in the Oman Mountains offer
immediate opportunities for geotourism because of the
presence of a diverse range of geological phenomena
and outcrops: The Semail Ophiolite, the Arabian
basement, The Jabal Al-Akhdar and the Sand desert are
just a few of Oman’s natural gems.
Geology of Oman
The Stratigraphy of Oman can be divided into three super sequences (Hanna, 1995)
1) Super Sequence
A (autochthonous rocks)
Pre Obduction (before obduction)
PrePermian Deposits
Hajar Super Group
3) Super Sequence C
Post obduction (after obduction)
2) Super Sequence B
Syn-obduction (during obduction)
1) Super Sequence A
Pre Obduction (before obduction)
Geology of Oman
1) Super Sequence A
Pre Obduction (before obduction)
PrePermian Deposits (e.g.
Kharus Formation)
Geology of Oman
1) Super Sequence A
Pre Obduction (before obduction)
A
Geology of Oman
2) Super Sequence B
Syn-obduction (during
obduction)
B
Geology of Oman
1) Super Sequence
B (allochthonous rocks)
Syn-Obduction (During obduction)
Semail Ophiolite
Metamorphic Sole
Hawasina
Geology of Oman
2) Super Sequence B
Syn-obduction (during
obduction)
Semail Ophiolite
-Oceanic Sediment
- Pillow Lava
- Sheeted Dykes
-Gabbro
-Moho
-Peridotite
Metamorphic Sole
Hawasina
Sandstones, Cherts,
limestones,shales
Geology of Oman
1) Super Sequence
C
Post-Obduction (After obduction)
Tertiary Rocks
Geology of Oman
3) Super Sequence C
Post obduction (after obduction)
Tertiary Rocks
- Jafnayn Fm
- Rusayl Fm
-Seeb Fm
-Tahwa Fm
Geology of Oman
3) Super Sequence C
Post obduction (after obduction)
C
Geosites in Oman
-Geosites
in Oman includes:
Fossil localities, stratigraphic exposures and mineral sites,
landforms and landscapes. There are also karst and cave sites, and
many palaeoweathering landscapes, as well as representative
stratigraphic sites, rock sites, and structural and tectonic sites.
Selection of Geosites in Oman
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Stratigraphy
Paleontology/fossils
Quaternary geology
Geomorphology
Rocks and minerals
Structures and tectonics
Ophiolite
1200 Million years of exposed
unique geology
Stratigraphy
Angular unconformity between the
sub-horizontal Permian and the
underlying north-dipping
pre-Permian (The unconformity is
between Mid-Permian rocks
(270Ma) and Late Proterozoic
Precambrian rocks of the Kharus
Formation (more than 600 Ma). The
gap between them along the
unconformity represents a
missing period of over 300 My.
What it reveals is that Precambrian
rocks of the Kharus Formation
were exposed above sea level and
weathered for some 300 My before
being drowned by the Tethys
ocean.
Permian Saiq Formation
300 My hiatus
Precambrian Kharus Formation
Paleontology
Large amounts of petrified wood exist in areas around the Northern Huqf outcrops of eastern
Oman. These fossil trees can be found in the late Permian and upper Cretaceous rocks of Oman.
The best locality in Oman for seeing fossil trees is in the Huqf. Through the years, these fossil
wood have been a collectors item and in order to preserve the remaining fossil wood urgent action
is needed to be taken.
Paleontology/Fossils
These Rudist can be found in the late Jurassic and Cretaceous rocks of Oman Saiwan, Huqf area .
Nemulite/ Al Khod
Geomorphology
Wind and water erosion sculptured outcrops in
the Huqf area.
Oman Ophiolite
Ophiolite
Moho
Wadi Abiad
Ibra raod
Moho is the boundary between the earth crust and the upper mantle usually at
a depth of 35 km beneath continental crust and 6 km beneath oceanic crust
Ophiolite (Pillow Lavas)
Wadi Al Hawasina
Wadi Al Jizzi
Oman has the largest Ophiolite outcrop in the world. It is widely believed to have been emplaced from
its original position – at bottom of the sea - onto Oman around 90 million years ago. The Oman
Ophiolite outcrops in a belt 600 km long and 150 km wide and between 5 and 10 km thick. It provides
us with a peak beneath the seafloor and exposes one of the most hidden boundaries (Moho) of planet
Earth. Continuous scientific interest in Ophiolites led to an international symposium on the Samail
Ophiolite which was held in Muscat in 1990. The upper part of the Semail Ophiolite, that overlies the
Sheeted Dyke Complex, consists of up to 2000 m of pillowed basaltic lavas
Caves
Wadi Al Jizzi
Minerals of Oman
Oman’s Geological Heritage
Threats and Opportunities
Meteorites for sale on the net
1. http://www.alaska.net/~meteor/achon.htm
Meteorites for sale on the net
2. http://www.nyrockman.com/catalog-2.htm
3. http://www.meteorite.fr/en/forsale/SNC.htm
Geotourism
a diverse range of geological phenomena
Conclusions
• Oman geology comprises a number of geological heritage and geotourist
sites of special scientific importance, rarity and beauty, and may not be
solely of geological significance but also of archaeological, ecological,
historical and cultural value .
Conclusions
• properly managed Geotourist sites can be:
• a significant economic sector
• an innovative geo-cultural transmission system
• a sector with growth potential and research innovation
• overseas earnings, Oman’s place in the world
• cultural understanding, development of society