The Paleozoic formations of the Al Qassim Province in Saudi Arabia as potential sites for geotourism

Michael A Kaminski,Carl E Yoder,Thomas F Garrison

doi:10.7494/geotour.2019.58-59.1

Michael A Kaminski, Carl E Yoder + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.7494/geotour.2019.58-59.1

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Abstract

The Paleozoic formations in the Middle East contain some of the world’s richest petroleum deposits, as they include excellent source and reservoir rocks. The Paleozoic rocks were deposited on the northern continental shelf of the Gondwanan continent at relatively high latitudes, and provide evidence of the Late Ordovician glacial event and associated sea-level changes. They also contain unique fossil remains. The Paleozoic formations exposed in the Al-Qassim province in Saudi Arabia are well-suited to become important sites for geotourism. Because the sedimentary formations are well-exposed and are easily accessible, they have strong capacity for development as tourist destinations. In this paper, we describe eight localities and their significance as potential educational sites for geology and palaeontology, as well as the archeological and economic significance of the Paleozoic formations of Saudi Arabia. The cultural and tourist infrastructure is summarised and a two-day field excursion is proposed.

Highlights

Due to the recent introduction of tourist visas, Saudi Arabia is rapidly becoming an attractive tourist destination for the adventurous traveller
Opposite some farm buildings on the left side of the Tiraq road, there is a small hill about 100 m from the road comprised of the Upper Ordovician sandstone of the Kahfah Member (26°36.1973’N, 43°28.2532’E) (Fig. 7A). This outcrop is known for its trace fossils – Scolithos, vertical burrows created by sand worms that live in a very shallow marine environment
The sandstone of the Sarah Formation has been a target for hydrocarbon exploration in the subsurface in the Rub Al-Khali desert of southern Saudi Arabia

Summary

Introduction

Due to the recent introduction of tourist visas, Saudi Arabia is rapidly becoming an attractive tourist destination for the adventurous traveller. At the top of the Hanadir cliff, the Upper Ordovician (late Sandbian to early Katian age) marine sandstones of the Kahfah Member forms low ledges on the right side of the track. Opposite some farm buildings on the left side of the Tiraq road, there is a small hill about 100 m from the road comprised of the Upper Ordovician sandstone of the Kahfah Member (26°36.1973’N, 43°28.2532’E) (Fig. 7A) This outcrop is known for its trace fossils – Scolithos, vertical burrows created by sand worms that live in a very shallow marine environment. A line of cliffs rises up on the left side of the side road exposing dark grey shale This is the Silurian Qusaiba Formation, the most prolific petroleum-producing unit in the Middle East. Another section of the downtown souq contains the spice market, which is well worth an aromatic visit

Discussion

Conclusions