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The Saudi Geological Survey-U.S. Geological Survey Northern Harrat Rahat Project—Styles, Rates, Causes, and Hazards of Volcanism Near Al Madīnah al Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Professional Paper 1862-A
Jointly published with the Saudi Geological Survey [as Saudi Geological Survey Special Report SGS–SP–2021–1]
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1862A

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Abstract

Active volcanic systems pose serious hazards to people and property including inundation and incineration by lava, blanketing by tephra (volcanic ash), exposure to noxious volcanic gases, and damage from shallow earthquakes triggered by ascending molten material (magma). To improve understanding of volcanism and associated seismicity on the western Arabia Plate, the Saudi Geological Survey and the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a multi-year investigation of the northern Harrat Rahat volcanic field adjacent to the city of Al Madīnah al Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Project components included creation of a high-resolution digital topographic base; interpretation of eruptive history supported by detailed geologic mapping, paleomagnetism, and abundant high-precision geochronology of volcanic deposits; assessments of eruptive styles and volcanic hazards by physical volcanology; investigation of the origins of magmas in the mantle and of their differentiation in the crust revealed by chemical and isotopic petrology; gravity and magnetotelluric surveys to reveal crustal structures and to search for magma reservoirs; and regional and local seismic tomography and analyses of seismic hazards. Project results are presented in this Professional Paper as chapters written for technical scientific audiences. This initial chapter introduces the project and briefly summarizes results in plain language for readers who have more general backgrounds.

Suggested Citation

Sisson, T.W., Calvert, A.T., and Mooney, W.D., 2023, The Saudi Geological Survey-U.S. Geological Survey northern Harrat Rahat project—Styles, rates, causes, and hazards of volcanism near Al Madīnah al Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, chap. A of Sisson, T.W., Calvert, A.T., and Mooney, W.D., eds., Active volcanism on the Arabian Shield—Geology, volcanology, and geophysics of northern Harrat Rahat and vicinity, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1862 [also released as Saudi Geological Survey Special Report SGS–SP–2021–1], 15 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1862A.

ISSN: 2330-7102 (online)

ISSN: 1044-9612 (print)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Geologic and Tectonic Setting
  • Geology, Eruptive History, and Volcanic Hazards of Northern Harrat Rahat
  • Geophysical Studies and Seismic Hazards
  • Deeper Origins of Harrat Volcanism
  • Directions for Future Research on Harrat Volcanism
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title The Saudi Geological Survey-U.S. Geological Survey northern Harrat Rahat project—Styles, rates, causes, and hazards of volcanism near Al Madīnah al Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Series title Professional Paper
Series number 1862
Chapter A
DOI 10.3133/pp1862A
Year Published 2023
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Earthquake Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Volcano Science Center
Description vi, 15 p.
Country Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Other Geospatial Al Madīnah al Munawwarah
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details