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An Inventory Study of the Geosites in the Area From Susa to Darnah in Al Jabal al Akhdar, Libya: a Proposed Geopark

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Abstract

This paper introduces the importance of geotourism in the area between Susa and Darnah, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Northeast Libya, where a variety of geosites are distributed in a scattered, multiunique panorama. Several field visits in different periods were conducted to perform this work. This study aims to list, categorize, analyze, and illustrate the most prominent and alluring geosites. Moreover, it attempts to establish a geoteroist-road map for these sites as well. The studied geosites are allocated in five geographical districts, which are from west to east Susa, Ras Al Hilal, Al Athrun, Karsah, and Darnah. They are categorized as follows: I—geomorphosites (wadies, dolines, and caves); II—hydrosites (springs, waterfalls); III—tectonosites (folds, faults, earthquakes, and unconformities); and IV—bio/stratosites (fossils and stratigraphy). Seventeen geosites have been inventoried and quantitatively evaluated and found that most moderate to high scientific values characterize these geosites, where Fteah Cave is the highest score of 350. The results of the assessment also show that the geosites have the potential for educational and tourist practices with a score of medium to high values. The degradation risk of geosites scores mostly moderate to high values. The researchers in this study nominate Susa-Al Athrun region as an international geopark. This paper is also alarmed by the expected geohazards in some localities, such as valleys and escarpment sites during the rainy periods.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank everyone who contributed and helped in the production and completion of this paper; their efforts are highly appreciated and highly respected. The authors also thank deeply the professional photographers who shared with us some of their excellent photos. Dr. Hidob Idris is also appreciated for the English review of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geological Engineering, Bright Star University, City Road 11, P.O.B. 21864, Al Brega, Libya

    Mohammed F. El Hassi

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Benghazi, University Road 13, P.O.B. 9480, Benghazi, Libya

    Ahmed M. Muftah

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  1. Mohammed F. El Hassi
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  2. Ahmed M. Muftah
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Contributions

Mohammed F. El Hassi planned for this study, did the fieldwork, take the measurements, took the photographs, describe the geosites, wrote the manuscript and abstract, prepared the figures and tables, reviewed the manuscript, and approved the final draft. Ahmed M. Muftah helped with geosite description and fieldwork, wrote the manuscript and abstract, reviewed the manuscript, and approved the final draft.

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Correspondence to Mohammed F. El Hassi.

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El Hassi, M.F., Muftah, A.M. An Inventory Study of the Geosites in the Area From Susa to Darnah in Al Jabal al Akhdar, Libya: a Proposed Geopark. Geoheritage 14, 122 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-022-00755-z

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