Process-Based Geoheritage Assessment Reveals Geological Controls on Volcanic and Basement Landscapes in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Plateau State, a highland state in north-central Nigeria, hosts one of the most diverse assemblages of volcanic and basement-controlled landforms in West Africa, including monogenetic cones, maars, ring complexes, granitic uplands, waterfalls, springs, crater lakes, and post-mining terrains. Yet these features are only weakly integrated into a formal geoheritage framework. This study presents the first process-based and spatially explicit assessment of geosites in the state by combining field mapping, digital elevation model-derived terrain analysis, and community knowledge. Eighteen representative geosites, selected to cover the principal volcanic, basement, and hydrological landform types of Plateau State, were evaluated to find how lithology, structure, and topography influence their distribution and geoheritage significance. Geosite clustering corresponds strongly to lithological boundaries, volcanic centers, fault-guided drainage, and major relief contrasts. A standardized assessment framework further reveals high intrinsic geological value but uneven accessibility, documentation, visitor management, and tourism infrastructure across the region. Wase Rock, Shere Hills, and Butura Rocks are the highest-ranking sites, while several scientifically important volcanic and hydrological geosites are still underdeveloped or vulnerable in management terms. The study shows how linking geological processes to geoheritage assessment can guide conservation priorities and sustainable geotourism development, while also strengthening the representation of African landscapes in global geoheritage discourse.