A Vision on a UNESCO Global Geopark at the Southeastern Dead Sea in Jordan—How Natural Hazards May Offer Geotourism Opportunities

Djamil Al-Halbouni, Osama AlRabayah, David Nakath and Lars Rüpke
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Djamil Al-Halbouni: Dynamics of the Ocean Floor, Seafloor Modelling Group, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Wischhofstrasse 1–3, 24148 Kiel, Germany
Osama AlRabayah: Dynamics of the Ocean Floor, Seafloor Modelling Group, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Wischhofstrasse 1–3, 24148 Kiel, Germany
David Nakath: Marine Biochemistry, Ocean Machine Vision Group, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany
Lars Rüpke: Dynamics of the Ocean Floor, Seafloor Modelling Group, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Wischhofstrasse 1–3, 24148 Kiel, Germany

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 4, 1-28

Abstract: This paper aims to identify and discuss the chances, solutions, and possible drawbacks related to the establishment of safe geotourism sites in subsidence-affected areas, exemplarily applied to the Ghor Al-Haditha sinkhole site at the southeastern shore of the Dead Sea. Such safe areas shall be established in the territory of the proposed future UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) in Jordan. The highlights of the geopark and the basis of its creation are the subsidence features and stream channels found along the SE shoreline of the Dead Sea, which form both a natural hazard and geological heritage of high international significance and have attracted many researchers so far. This recent and ongoing formation is related to the sharp regression of the lake, the specific geomechanical conditions, and the hydrogeologic and climatic background of the surroundings. Nearby communities have suffered in economic terms from these natural phenomena, including flash floods and droughts in this semi-arid to arid region. We here present a concept on how to integrate geoscientific research for hazard monitoring and early warning to maintain safety for inhabitants and visitors on the one hand and reach sustainable economic development through the establishment of geotourism sites on the other hand. This highlight area of the proposed UGGp serves as a starting example for delineating safe zones for walkways and infrastructure. This involves two-way knowledge transfer between spatial planning and hydrogeophysical monitoring, a network of community-supported geophysical surveillance, and regular maintenance and adaptation. The cross-cutting benefits for the territory involve the delineation of safe areas for agriculture and geotourism, the increase of sustainable tourism in the region with a shift towards alternative ways of income, more investment in infrastructure, a growth of international visibility of the region, enhanced environmental education with focus on responsible water usage, and involvement in international research and education projects.

Keywords: Geopark; Jordan; Dead Sea; natural hazards; subsidence; geotourism; monitoring; sustainable development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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