Geoheritage and Geodiversity of Cenozoic Volcanic Fields in Saudi Arabia: Challenges of Geoconservation and Geotourism in a Changing Environment

Károly Németh is an expert at the Saudi Geological Survey working on volcanology, geohazard, and geoheritage of volcanic fields of the Arabian Peninsula. He is also a senior researcher at the Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science, Hungary; Adjunct Professor of the Volcanic Risk Solutions, Massey University, New Zealand; and a research affiliate at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, Italy. He is the Chairperson of the Geoconservation Trust Aotearoa Pacific, based in New Zealand. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of Earth Interior, leading its Volcaniclastic Sediments, Monogenetic Volcanism and Volcanic Geoheritage commissions. In 2024, he has been elected to be one of the co-leaders of the IAVCEI Commission on Volcano Geology. Currently, he is a vice president of the International Association of Sedimentologists and chair of the International Union of Geological Sciences' Sub-commission on Geological Heritage Sites.

Mohammed Rashad H. Moufti is a geoscience consultant specializing in volcanology, geohazard assessment, and the preservation of geoheritage within Saudi Arabia's volcanic fields. Alongside his role as a research collaborator at the Geohazards Research Centre at King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia, he serves as the Director of Afaaq GeoConsulting. This organization offers comprehensive services and conducts research in the fields of volcanology, geotourism, and geoheritage throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Recognized for his expertise, Mohammed Rashad H Moufti has been elected as one of the co-leaders of the IAVCEI Commission on Volcano Geoheritage and Protected Volcanic Landscapes. Currently, he is actively engaged as an advisor for a significant Saudi project focused on establishing protected areas within the Al Madinah Region of Saudi Arabia. His responsibilities include the identification and designation of specific regions within this area to be developed as aspiring geoparks.