The Saudi Geological Survey has highlighted the importance of caves and geological landmarks spread across various regions of Saudi Arabia. These natural treasures are considered rare and essential for supporting scientific research, promoting sustainable eco-tourism, and are currently being focused on for exploitation. With over 150 caves, they hold exceptional scientific value, with some serving as documented natural records of the Earth’s history and geological and climatic changes over the ages.
As part of the national strategy, the Saudi Geological Survey, through its Geological Tourism Administration, is making concerted efforts to discover and study these sites. These studies reveal precise scientific evidence reflecting the environmental changes the region has undergone over thousands of years, along with rare plant and animal remains, some of which have disappeared due to natural changes.
The official spokesperson for the Survey, Tariq Bin Ali Aba Alkhail, explained that the agency provides researchers and experts in the fields of earth sciences, archeology, and ancient biology with access to these caves and sites for in-depth studies. This is part of an organized scientific approach where the Survey is committed to providing accurate geological data and building effective partnerships with academic and research institutions to establish a strong knowledge base and raise community awareness of the importance of these natural resources.
He mentioned that the Survey continues to support exploration projects and provide accurate scientific information to relevant entities, believing in the role of these resources in enhancing the scientific and touristic status of the Kingdom at regional and international levels. The Survey has already discovered hundreds of caves scattered throughout the Kingdom and is currently focusing on investing in those with promising scientific or economic potentials to maximize their benefits.
Geological caves expert, Engineer Mahmoud Bin Ahmed Al-Shanti, described the geological diversity of caves in the Kingdom as exceptional and unique. They include limestone caves formed in ancient marine environments, basalt caves in volcanic areas, as well as sandstone caves scattered in various regions of the country.
A specialized team from the Saudi Geological Survey has managed to discover a significant number of caves, with exploration activities ongoing at a rapid pace. Preliminary indications suggest the existence of caves exceeding four kilometers in length beneath the earth’s surface, and details of these caves are expected to be announced later as part of a series of scientific discoveries being documented and shared with the public by the Survey.
