Saudi Basalt Rocks Earn Global Heritage Stone Recognition
IUGS recognition marks the first such achievement for Saudi Arabia, highlighting the geological and cultural value of its basalt-rich harrats.
Riyadh : Basalt rocks from Saudi Arabia’s harrats have been recognised as Global Heritage Stones by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), marking the Kingdom’s first designation of its kind.
The recognition follows work by the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) to document the rocks’ geological, historical and cultural importance.
Basalt has shaped the landscape of western Saudi Arabia for thousands of years and has been traditionally used in construction, settlements and economic activities. Its durability and resistance to heat and erosion also make it valuable for infrastructure, aggregates, fibres, composite materials and insulation.
The SGS said the designation could expand international scientific cooperation and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s role in efforts to preserve geological heritage for future generations.
