10.57647/j.ijes.2025.16971

Investigation of Geological Heritage and Geo-tourism Capacities of Semnan Province, Iran

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  • Akbar Tavakkoli Rad1,
  • Mohammad Ali Ganajavian*1,
  • Reza Farrokhnejad1,
  • Saeed Saadat2,
  • Hasan Shadpoor1,
  1. Department of Geology, Shahrud Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrud, Iran
  2. Department of Petroleum Engineering and Geology, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran

Received: 2024-08-16

Revised: 2024-12-09

Accepted: 2024-12-27

Published Online: 2025-07-05

Copyright (c) -1 Akbar Tavakkoli Rad, Mohammad Ali Ganajavian, Reza Farrokhnejad, Saeed Saadat, Hasan Shadpoor (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Tavakkoli Rad, A., Ganajavian, M. A., Farrokhnejad, R., Saadat, S., & Shadpoor, H. (2026). Investigation of Geological Heritage and Geo-tourism Capacities of Semnan Province, Iran. Iranian Journal of Earth Sciences. https://doi.org/10.57647/j.ijes.2025.16971
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Abstract

Geology of Semnan province includes 4 different geological structures consisting of limestone, dolomite, siltstone, shale, marl, sandstone, conglomerate and coal bearing sandstone. Other units include ophiolitic, andesitic-basaltic, pyroclastic, tuff and agglomerate complexes and metamorphic rocks. The mentioned geological complex is the source of geomorphological diversity and mineral deposits variety. In this research natural and geological pre-geosites along with complementary attractions are identified throughout Semnan Province, the geological pre-geosites are systematically listed, and the geo-tourism/recreational and educational application of pre-geosites are measured using the latest quantitative assessment method of Brilha. Based on the available data and classification of natural and geological phenomena of Semnan province, regional pre-geosites are 58.33% and national pre-geosites are 41.33%. Analytic Hierarchy Process is later performed using Expert Choice 10.0 software for qualitative and quantitative evaluations of pre-geosites (natural and geological) and complementary (historical-cultural and economic), and the potential of geo-tourism in the Semnan province. The results show that Semnan province has a high potential and capacity in terms of natural attractions and geomorphological diversity and complementary attractions. This province with more than one hundred natural and complementary attractions can be introduced as a "model tourism province". It can be a suitable alternative for tourists and the multitude of travelers in Mazandaran and Gilan provinces. This research shows the importance of paying more attention to the geological features of each region from the point of view of nature tourism and geo-tourism and can be considered as a model for other regions.

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