Western Saudi Arabia's Harrats Basalt Joins IUGS Global Heritage Stone List

The Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) announced that the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) has approved the designation of Saudi Harrats Basalt as an IUGS Heritage Stone. This landmark achievement marks the first officially recognized Heritage Stone in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
 This international recognition is the result of extensive scientific work undertaken by SGS to document the geological, historical, and cultural significance of Harrats Basalt. For thousands of years, these volcanic rocks have formed an important part of the natural landscape and cultural identity of western Saudi Arabia, contributing to human settlement, supporting economic activities, and serving as a key building material in traditional architecture, while also offering significant scientific and research value.
 The designation recognizes Saudi Arabia as a country rich in geological heritage and reinforces national efforts to conserve geological and natural heritage sites, promote scientific research, advance geotourism, and showcase the Kingdom’s unique natural assets in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
 SGS affirmed that this recognition opens new prospects for international scientific cooperation, strengthens the Kingdom’s presence in global initiatives dedicated to conserving geological heritage, and reflects the survey’s national role in documenting Saudi Arabia’s geological wealth and highlighting its scientific, developmental, and cultural value for future generations.