Geological Features for Geotourism in the Zanjan and Hamadan Area, Northern Iran

Abstract

Iran is a land of complex geological past which reflects in its many natural wonders. There are more than 850 known caves in Iran with a total length not exceeding 1000 km, many of them not being properly explored. Two of the biggest and most famous caves are Ali-Sadr and Katale-Khor. The Katale-Khor cave has a simple maze anastomotic pattern. Ghar Ali-Sadr is an anastomotic type of cave located 75 km northwest of Hamedan in a village by the same name and circa 60 km south of Katale-Khor cave. Ali-Sadr cave is considered to be one of the most unique and scenic caves in the world. One of the features that makes Ali-Sadr cave special is a fact that it is the longest and the biggest water cave in the world (from the point of the boating course inside the cave). This natural wonders in Northern Iran are great base for developing a geotourism, as a form of tourism that specifically focuses on geology and landscape. Its purpose is to promote an understanding of earth sciences through appreciation and conservation of geodiversity. The best way to achieve this is through visits to geological features and locations.

Georesources as an Alternative for Sustainable Development in COVID-19 Times—A Study Case in Ecuador

“…In the present study, a georesources analysis of the Manglaralto River watershed was carried out through its registration and evaluation (SGI, potential geosites, groundwater reserves and materials of industrial-artisanal interest), focused on sustainable development and proposing strategies framed in the SDGs, as has been applied in some studies [171,172]. Similar studies show that geotourism allows the establishment of geoeducational trails and viewpoints [173], and promotes knowledge of earth sciences through geology and landscape [174]. Additionally, the authors proposed complementary applications of the sector's georesources (tsunami refuge areas, proposed landfill sites, and ES identification).…”

Geotourism Hazards and Carrying Capacity in Geosites of Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat Karst, Indonesia

“…Different characteristics will result in different carrying capacities. Therefore, it is necessary to determine wise management efforts by considering the condition of the tourist attraction, such as facing challenges or the level of uniqueness [29]. Karst areas and caves, in particular, have a fragile nature.…”

“…It is important for managers to consider the ability of natural resources needed to be recovered after a disturbance in visitors' activities. The number of visitors who are below the value of the ecological carrying capacity will be under pressure and provide more opportunities for nature to recover [29].…”

“…The increasing number of visits to a site increases the susceptibility of the site to various potential natural and anthropogenic effects that could degrade these resources [27], leading to negotiation in terms of sustainability [28]. Caves have been demonstrated to be highly susceptible to human activities [29,30], and "caves have unique scientific, recreational, and scenic value, and these values are endangered by both carelessness and intentional vandalism that cannot be recovered once they are gone" [31] (p. 19).…”