ThePlace: Volcanic Harrats in Saudi Arabia’s Umluj

Photo/Saudi Press Agency

• The Umluj governorate has become a major destination due to its distinct, natural features that make it one of the primary landmarks for the tourist path launched by the Saudi Tourism Authority

The famous volcanic Harrats (meaning “stony areas volcanic country or lava field” in Arabic) in the Umluj governorate constitute a striking natural picture for visitors at first glance.
They are mostly formed by sequences of Basaltic lava stacking on top of each other, creating the distinctive topographical shape of the Harrats that appear in the form of volcanic plateaus.
Basaltic lava originates from lava flow through surface fissures that appear on the earth’s surface in the form of scoria volcanoes stacked in belts. The Harrats are considered one of the most important tourist assets in the Umluj governorate. The region’s lava-painted geometric shapes and dazzling colors unleash the imagination and tell stories that attract tourists.
Volcanic craters and lava create a new environment and different colors, shaping an exceptional natural painting that blends mother nature with features augmented by the volcanoes and scattered lava.
The Umluj governorate has become a major destination due to its distinct, natural features that make it one of the primary landmarks for the tourist path launched by the Saudi Tourism Authority.
The path includes diverse destinations that let tourists discover the natural, historical and cultural treasures of the Kingdom. It starts in the city of Tabuk in the northwest and ends in Abha. It also passes through 10 tourist destinations in the country, where the diverse nature and stunning climate attract all kinds of tourists.