Geohazards of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Geohazards play an important role in land development and have serious impacts if not considered at early planning stages. Identification of potential geohazards, assessment of their likelihood and severity is a complex task that requires integration of various information through a multi-disciplinary approach. An introductory level assessment of potential geohazards in Saudi Arabia with compilation and interpretation of publicly available data using geographic information system tools is presented in this study. The outcome is a geohazard map presenting reported and predicted geohazards including tectonics and volcanism, rock subsidence, expansive and collapsible soils and slope instability, which summarize all available information for further interpretation. The 1:2.500.000 scale composite geohazard main map provides a valuable tool for initial assessment and review in early planning stages of land development projects.