Geotourism

Today, tourism industry is addressed with a wise and specialized approach which encompasses different sectors. One of the important sectors of tourism is ecotourism and geotourism. From scientific viewpoint, Ecotourists and Geotourists are those who start on a journey to observe natural and geological sights and landscapes in order to visually observe world’s wonders. In addition to beautiful natural landscapes including deserts, kavirs, basins, beautiful coasts, mountains and unique plant covers, Iran has high tourism (ecotourism and geotourism) potentials due to diverse climatic conditions, suitable sunny hours, etc. Among all these landscapes, Dasht-e-Kavir, as the largest salare of Iran and world with an area more than 120,000 km 2, has placed in itself a set of most unique landscapes of the world. Based on geological divisions, Dasht-e-Kavir is located in the limits of central Iran and has experienced several changes during its life. It is likely to have been under water for millions of years as the result of tectonic movements or it may sometimes have come out of water due to vertical movements. By formation of Alborz and Zagros mountain ranges in about 65 million years ago, a shallow lake was formed at that part and was affected by several complicated climatic and tectonic conditions in Tertiary and Quaternary periods. The result of all these accidents has provided the possibility of formation of a set of most surprising landscapes in a relatively limited space. The main goal of this research is to introduce tourism and ecotourism attractions of Dasht-e-Kavir. In this desert, a set of salares, deserts, sand dunes, salt polygons, salt and clay pans, several swamps and cold and warm springs are observed beside historical works. Major landscapes and historical works available in Dasht-e-Kavir include Masileh Desert, Hoz-e-Soltan, Salt Lake, Dagh Sorkh, Rig Gen, Nakhjir valley of Maranjab desert, mountains of Siah Kouh, Talheh Mountain, Bahram Palace, Shah Abbasi Caravanserai.

Land heritage and necessity of planning in order to safeguard this heritage is one of the greatest challenges facing the researchers of untouched spaces and international natural heritage. One of the most important instruments in this approach is considering tourism capabilities in the form of geological attractions and geomorphology of the land heritages and its bond with economical, cultural and social features of tourism. Geotourism plays an unparalleled role in the development of economic, cultural and environmental effects on land management and planning for the conservation and sustainable development of the geological heritage. The Alamut area of ​​Qazvin, along with the legacy of land, is a significant destination in the country from the cultural and social point of view. In order to reach the goals of the sustainable development, it is important to identify the crucial geosites of the region and analyze them based on their different geo-tourism values. In the meantime, East Alamut is one of the areas that can attract many tourists with a variety of natural phenomena. In this study, using satellite images, geological maps, and field studies, 10 East Alamut lands with higher geo-touristic attraction were selected. In the final review of geo-tourism assessment based on the GAM method, the geosite of the Kalayeh Moalem was identified as one of the top geosits due to its scientific value in national level, having aesthetic, cultural and social values, and the existence of a set of functional, economic, and tourist services values.​​ Evan Lake is also in the second priority due to high geological diversity, its ecological and cultural values, easy access, tourism services, appropriate infrastructure and also aesthetic and protective values. Alamut historical area, next to the Garmarud Valley is on next priority.  

Geotourism is a relatively new concept in tourism industry which has considerable growth in recent decade. The variety of geological phenomena in Iran is unique and remarkable. Rageh Canyon, near Rafsanjan city in Iran, with a length of 20 km and a width of 180 meters, and a depth of 70 meters, is beautiful and majestic. This Canyon is the result of the eroding of the water of the permanent river of Givederi, and is related to the Quaternary, and is estimated to be about 20, 000 years old. The erosion of the water in the region has caused a very beautiful shape in the walls of the Rageh Valley, which has added to the beauty of the area. The beauty and uniqueness of this valley has made some people consider the attractiveness of this region to the Shahdad Clement plain in terms of tourism potential. Now the canyon is a place for the presence of some observation tours of the sky, valley climbing and climbing. Rafsanjan is a pistachio pole in Iran, which has a single-product economy. By identifying and introducing natural phenomena such as Rageh Canyon as geotourism attractions, this city can be extracted from the singleeconomy. So the tourism industry in the city booms.

Paleontological sites and fossil discoveries are types of geosites that have a high potential to be introduced as paleontological tourism sites and can be defined as geological tourism and places of geological heritage value.  One of the exciting places is Soltanieh Formation which is an opportunity for those interested in geological history to visit. The lower and upper shale members of the Soltanieh Formation in Garmab region, due to the presence of various trace fossils such as the Teriptichnus Pedum index Ichnofossil is considered one of the paleontological sites with high potential for tourism in Central Alborz also, the spectacular exposure of the Precambrian sediments on the Cenozoic sediments by the operation of the Mosha fault has added to the value of this site. This site is an open-air paleontological site that should be subject to earth protection measures.  In Iran, Geological Survey and Mineral Explorations of Iran (GSI), has a high potential to preserve Iran’s geological heritage, which can have a practical activity in this basin.

The Potential of the Agh-Ghala geological site in the Gorgan area with a special view on its mud volcanoes and its role in sustainable tourism development was studied. The mud volcanoes of this geo-site include inches borun and Gharniarigh Tappeh, which are a geological heritage with outstanding scientific, cultural, touristic, industrial, and educational values that, in this research, its therapeutic effects were proved. The mineralogical and geochemical studies carried out by XRF&XRD methods show that both mud volcanoes have no significant toxic substances; their main minerals are quartz, calcite, dolomite, halite, and clay minerals such as smectite and illite. There is a high amount of elements boron, copper, iodine, bromine, vanadium, magnesium, sodium, calcium, organic acids, aromatic hydrocarbons, and bicarbonate. So mud volcanoes have a therapeutic aspect and can be one of the essential destinations for curative geo-tourism. Geological site of Agh-ghala with having wonderful geomorphology; if tourism infrastructures are provided in that area, such as suitable access roads, accommodation, welfare, security, signposts, proper supervision and management over the collection, etc. it can say that this potential Geo-site becomes a real Geo-site with aesthetic resources. The geo-site achieves its goals through conservation, education, and tourism. The goals consist of enhancing livelihoods, increasing local economic growth, and providing for environmental protection.

In addition to the geological heritage and Scientific heritage the specialized geological museum of the Geological Survey of Iran (GSI), like all the specialized geological museums and multidisciplinary museums of natural sciences, is an essential factor in designing and compiling study and executive programs to protect the geological heritage of Iran. Although there is a long way to reach this goal, short-term and long-term planning as well as maintaining a closer relationship of geologists with this place can be introduced as effective measures to create a superior position, start targeted activities, and develop the concept of the museum of the Geological Survey of Iran. Considering the richness of this collection of all kinds of stones, minerals, and fossils collected from all over Iran, this geological collection and site museum is introduced as a valuable geological site with the attraction of geotourism and dinosaur geotourism. Which should be maintained and improved for scientific, educational, and tourism activities.